The Manaslu restricted area permit 2026 is a mandatory government permit for all foreign trekkers entering the Manaslu Circuit, costing USD 75 to USD 100 per person for the first seven days, depending on the season, and must be obtained through a registered trekking agency in Kathmandu.
The Manaslu restricted area permit is the single most important document you need before setting foot on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Sitting close to the Tibetan border, this region carries an officially restricted status under Government of Nepal regulations. That designation exists to protect the fragile ecosystem, limit overcrowding, preserve the Tibetan Buddhist culture of local communities, and ensure trekker safety in one of Nepal’s most remote high-altitude corridors. Without this permit, checkpoint staff will stop you at the first gate and send you back.
Furthermore, 2026 has brought a significant rule change to the Manaslu region. Solo trekking is now permitted following a March 2026 update to the Restricted Area Permit regulations. However, hiring a licensed guide through a registered agency remains mandatory. This guide explains every permit you need, the current 2026 fees, and exactly how to obtain them before your trek begins.
How Many Permits Do You Need for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in 2026?
The Manaslu Circuit Trek requires four separate permits. Each one covers a different section of the route or a different regulatory purpose. Additionally, trekkers who add Tsum Valley to their itinerary need a fifth permit.
| Permit | Covers | Cost (Foreign) | Where Obtained |
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | Jagat to Dharapani | USD 75–100 for the first 7 days | Dept. of Immigration, Kathmandu |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | Full Manaslu Conservation Area | USD 30 per person | Nepal Tourism Board/agency |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | Dharapani to Besisahar | USD 30 per person | Nepal Tourism Board/agency |
| Chumnumbri Rural Municipality Permit | Wards 1–4 of Chumnumbri Municipality | NPR 1,000–2,000 | Jagat checkpoint |
| Tsum Valley RAP (optional) | Tsum Valley add-on | USD 30–40 (off-peak) / USD 35–40 (autumn) | Dept. of Immigration via agency |
Our team at Nepal Footprint Holiday handles all permit applications on behalf of every trekker who books with us. Processing typically takes one to two business days in Kathmandu.
What Is the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit 2026 and Why Is It Required?
The Department of Immigration under Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs at Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu, issues the Manaslu restricted area permit 2026. Nepal classifies the Manaslu region as an officially restricted zone, which makes this permit compulsory. Specifically, it protects rare wildlife, including the Red Panda and Snow Leopard, and preserves the Tibetan-influenced culture of communities in villages like Samagaun and Samdo. In addition, it controls the number of trekkers on one of Nepal’s most remote trekking routes at altitudes up to 5,160 m.
Checkpoint staff check the permit at multiple points along the trail. The main checkpoints are at Jagat, Philim, Namrung, Samagaun, Samdo, and Dharapani. Consequently, every trekker must carry their permit at all times and present it on request. Trekking without a valid permit is illegal. Checkpoint staff will turn you back immediately.
What Is the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit Cost in 2026?
The RAP cost depends on the season and the number of days you spend in the restricted area between Jagat and Dharapani. The restricted zone fee structure for 2026 is as follows:
| Season | First 7 Days | Each Additional Day |
| Autumn (September to November) | USD 100 per person | USD 15 per person per day |
| Winter, Spring, and Summer (December to August) | USD 75 per person | USD 10 per person per day |
Most standard Manaslu Circuit Trek itineraries spend 10 to 12 days within the restricted area. Therefore, budget for additional day charges beyond the initial seven. For example, a 12-day autumn trek through the restricted section costs USD 100 plus USD 15 x 5 additional days, totalling USD 175 per person for the RAP alone. Trekkers planning their season timing can also check our peak climbing season in Nepal guide for a full overview of monthly conditions across all Nepal trekking regions.
The MCAP and ACAP each cost USD 30 per person regardless of season. Finally, you collect the Chumnumbri Rural Municipality permit locally at Jagat for approximately NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000. Our full trekking permit guide covers the complete fee structure and application process.
What Are the 2026 Rule Changes for the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit?
The most significant change for 2026 is the update to solo trekking regulations. Previously, trekkers had to form a group of at least two people to qualify for the Manaslu restricted area permit. From March 2026, solo trekkers can apply for the permit individually without needing to form or join a group. As a result, independent travellers no longer need to be paired with another trekker on paper to satisfy the group requirement.
However, the mandatory licensed guide rule remains firmly in place. Whether you trek solo or in a group, you must hire a government-certified guide affiliated with a TAAN-registered agency. Nevertheless, independent trekking without an agency and a guide is still not permitted under the 2026 regulations. Our solo trekking in Nepal guide explains the broader national context around solo trekking rules and how the Manaslu update fits into Nepal’s overall permit framework.
Who Can Apply for the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit 2026?
No trekker can apply for the Manaslu restricted area permit 2026 independently. Only a trekking agency registered with the Government of Nepal and affiliated with TAAN (Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal) can submit the permit application to the Department of Immigration. Notably, this is a firm requirement with no exceptions. Therefore, booking your trek through a registered operator is not just convenient — it is legally required.
To apply, your agency needs the following documents from you:
- A copy of your valid passport
- A copy of your Nepal tourist visa
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- A confirmed trekking itinerary showing days in the restricted area
- Proof of guide and porter insurance
In practice, our team collects all of these during the booking process. We submit the application and have permits ready for collection within one to two business days in Kathmandu.
Step-by-Step Process to Get the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit in 2026
Step 1 — Book Through a Registered Agency
First, confirm your booking with a TAAN-registered trekking agency. This is the legal prerequisite for the permit. Nepal Footprint Holiday is fully registered and has processed Manaslu permits every trekking season.
Step 2 — Submit Your Documents
Next, provide your passport copy, visa copy, two passport photos, and your planned itinerary to our team. We handle all form-filling and submission on your behalf.
Step 3 — Agency Submits to Department of Immigration
Your agency submits the application to the Department of Immigration at Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu. Online submission is now available, but the agency must still manage this process. Individuals cannot submit online permit applications directly.
Step 4 — Collect Permits in Kathmandu
Typically, permits are ready within one to two business days. Our team collects all permits and hands them to you along with your trek briefing pack before departure. Your agency receives the RAP as a physical card printed with your name and passport details.
Step 5 — Obtain MCAP and ACAP
The Manaslu Conservation Area Permit is issued at the Nepal Tourism Board office or through your agency. The ACAP is obtained at the same time. Both require a passport photo. Our guides carry spare copies of all permits in a waterproof folder throughout the trek.
Step 6 — Collect Chumnumbri Permit at Jagat
The Chumnumbri Rural Municipality permit is the only permit collected on the trail rather than in Kathmandu. You submit your passport copy and a permit form at the Chumnumbri Municipality office in Jagat at the start of the restricted section. Our guides manage this stop as part of the standard first-day checkpoint procedure.
Where Are Permits Checked on the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Checkpoint officials inspect your permits at multiple points along the trail. The main inspection points are:
- Jagat — RAP, MCAP, and Chumnumbri permit all checked here on entry
- Philim — RAP checked
- Namrung — RAP and MCAP checked
- Samagaun — RAP and MCAP checked
- Samdo — RAP and MCAP checked
- Dharapani — ACAP checked on exit from the restricted section
Therefore, always carry your permits in an accessible but protected location. Our guides keep a full set of photocopies as backup. Our Manaslu Circuit Trek guide on our site covers what to expect at each checkpoint and how to prepare for the full route.
What Is the Total Permit Cost for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in 2026?
For a standard 14-day trek spending approximately 11 days in the restricted area, the total permit cost per person breaks down as follows:
| Permit | Autumn Cost | Off-Peak Cost |
| RAP (11 days: 7 base + 4 extra) | USD 160 | USD 115 |
| MCAP | USD 30 | USD 30 |
| ACAP | USD 30 | USD 30 |
| Chumnumbri Permit | ~USD 8 | ~USD 8 |
| Total | ~USD 228 | ~USD 183 |
Additionally, if you extend to Tsum Valley, add USD 35 to USD 40 for the autumn season or USD 30 for off-peak months. Our Tsum Valley Trek page details the full combined itinerary and permit structure for that route. Those comparing the Manaslu region with other restricted trekking areas in Nepal can also read about the most unexplored places in Nepal for context on how Manaslu fits within Nepal’s broader restricted zone framework.
Do I Need a Guide for the Manaslu Circuit Trek in 2026?
Yes. A licensed guide is mandatory under both the Manaslu restricted area permit regulations and Nepal’s 2025 national mandatory guide rule, introduced by the Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN (Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal). Solo trekking without a guide is not permitted, regardless of the March 2026 update to the group size requirement. Your guide must be government-certified and affiliated with your registered trekking agency. Our guides carry all permits, manage checkpoint procedures, and hold training in wilderness first aid and high-altitude emergency response.
Ready to book your Manaslu Circuit Trek? Contact our team via the inquiry page, and we will manage every permit, guide, and logistics detail. We respond within 24 hours.
“The Manaslu restricted area permit process is straightforward when you work with a registered agency. Our team has processed these permits every season for over a decade. We handle every step from document collection to checkpoint briefings so trekkers can focus entirely on the journey.” — Nepal Footprint Holiday permit coordinator and senior guide, Manaslu region specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit 2026
Q1. Can I trek Manaslu solo in 2026? Yes. As of March 2026, the Department of Immigration now grants the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit to solo trekkers without the previous two-person minimum. However, hiring a licensed guide through a registered TAAN-affiliated agency remains mandatory. You cannot obtain the permit independently or trek without a guide.
Q2. How long does it take to get the Manaslu restricted area permit in 2026? Permit processing through a registered agency typically takes one to two business days in Kathmandu. Then, your agency submits all applications to the Department of Immigration at Kalikasthan, Dillibazar. We recommend arriving in Kathmandu at least two days before your trek departure to allow time for permit collection and a pre-trek briefing.
Q3. What documents do I need for the Manaslu restricted area permit 2026? You need a valid passport, a Nepal tourist visa, two recent passport-sized photographs, and a confirmed trekking itinerary showing the number of days in the restricted area. Your registered trekking agency submits all documents on your behalf. Individual applications directly to the Department of Immigration are not accepted.