Planning your journey through the pristine Manaslu region starts with securing your official trail access. To complete the Manaslu Circuit trek, foreign trekkers must obtain four entry clearances: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and the Chumnubri Rural Municipality Permit.
Manaslu borders Tibet, so independent trekking without a licensed guide is not allowed. Restricted Area Permits are issued only through a registered Nepali trekking agency, not to individual tourists. Since 22 March 2026, a single trekker can hold a permit in their own name.
Breakdown of Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits and Entry Fees
While your agency handles the paperwork, understanding Manaslu Circuit Trek permits and their costs helps you budget accurately. To complete the standard loop, foreign trekkers must pay for three government passes and one local entry fee:
Note: TIMS is not part of the permit list for the standard Manaslu Circuit. Your required permits are the RAP, MCAP, ACAP, and the Chumnubri local fee.
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
The Restricted Area Permit is the primary document required to trek the restricted section from Jagat through Samagaun and Samdo and across the Larkya La pass to Bhimthang. Because this corridor borders Tibet, fees are calculated dynamically per person based on the season and the exact number of days spent inside the restricted zone:
| Season / Window | Base Rate (First 7 Days) | Additional Daily Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Peak (Sept – Nov) | USD 100 per person | USD 15 per person/day |
| Off-Peak (Dec – Aug) | USD 75 per person | USD 10 per person/day |
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
The MCAP is an environmental conservation fee supporting biodiversity protection and community infrastructure across the Manaslu Conservation Area. Unlike the RAP, this is a flat, non-expiring fee valid for the entire duration of your single-entry trek:
- International Travelers: NPR 3,000 (approx. USD 20) per person
- SAARC Nationals: NPR 1,000 per person
- Children under 10: Free entry
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
The final leg of the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary crosses the Larkya La Pass and descends into the Annapurna region through Bhimthang, Tilije, and Dharapani before exiting to Besisahar. Therefore, an ACAP entry pass is also mandatory:
- International Travelers: NPR 3,000 (approx. USD 20) per person
- SAARC Nationals: NPR 1,000 per person
- Children under 10: Free entry
Chumnubri Rural Municipality Local Entry Permit
In addition to federal government permits, the local government collects an entry fee that supports trail development and community services in the northern Nubri Valley.
- International Travelers: NPR 1,000 (approx. USD 7) per person
- Nepali citizens: NPR 200 per person
Note: This permit is only available at the local municipal entry desk (Jagat). They accept cash only (Nepali Rupees); credit cards and digital transfers are not accepted.
What Documents Do You Need for a Manaslu Trekking Permit?
Because restricted area permits are issued digitally by the Nepal Department of Immigration platform, your registered trekking agency will collect:
- Passport Copy: A clear color digital scan of your valid passport (must have at least six months of validity remaining from your arrival date).
- Nepal Tourist Visa: A copy of your active Nepal entry visa stamp or online Visa Submission Number.
- Passport Photo: A recent high-resolution digital passport-sized photograph.
- High-Altitude Travel Insurance: Proof of active travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking up to at least 5,500 m (Larkya La Pass is 5,106 m) and emergency helicopter evacuation.
- Guide & Agency Papers: The official license credentials and high-altitude insurance papers of your assigned guide, submitted alongside your agency’s registration manifest.
How Many Days Does the Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit Cover?
The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is not a single flat fee. The cost is calculated by the number of calendar days you spend inside the restricted corridor. On a standard 12-day itinerary, you arrive in Jagat from Kathmandu on Day 2 and stay overnight, and your RAP days begin on Day 3 as you trek onward, ending at Bhimthang on Day 10. That is 8 days: the 7-day base permit plus 1 additional daily surcharge day.
Your overall trip is 12 days, but your RAP spans 8. The difference is the days outside the restricted corridor: the drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola on Day 1, the trek to Jagat on Day 2, the descent to Tilije on Day 11, and the drive from Tilije through Besisahar to Kathmandu on Day 12.
Why Your Trek Duration and Permit Duration Are Not Always the Same
Your overall trip is 12 days, but your RAP only spans 08 days. The difference is the days outside the restricted corridor: the drive from Kathmandu to Machha Khola on Day 1, the trek to Jagat on Day 2, the descent to Tilije on Day 11, and the drive from Tilije through Besisahar to Kathmandu on Day 12.
Therefore, the flat-fee MCAP and ACAP passes remain valid for your entire single-entry trek regardless of days spent, but your RAP must strictly match your active walking days within the restricted checkpoints.
Why Is the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit More Complicated?
Unlike flat-fee permits, the Manaslu RAP is priced by season and by the number of days you spend inside the restricted area (a base rate for the first 7 days, then a daily surcharge). It must be filed through a registered agency, and your dates are logged at checkposts along the trail.
What Makes Manaslu a Restricted Trekking Area?
The Manaslu valleys from Jagat to Bhimthang are restricted because the area lies close to the Tibetan border. Entry is controlled by the Department of Immigration, and trekkers are logged at checkposts along the route.
Who Can Apply for the Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits?
Only a government-registered Nepalese trekking agency can formally submit the application manifest to the Department of Immigration. Independent freelance guides and individual foreign tourists are not authorized to request or pick up restricted region permits at the desk.
Can You Get a Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit Yourself?
No, you cannot apply for the Manaslu RAP yourself. It must be arranged through a registered trekking agency, and you must trek with a licensed guide. On 22 March 2026, the Department of Immigration removed the two-trekker minimum for restricted areas, so you can now trek privately with your guide. The department also set a maximum of seven trekkers per guide.
Where Are Manaslu Permits Checked Along the Trail?
The Manaslu Circuit Trek permits are strictly monitored at five primary checkpoints along the trail. Here is the breakdown of where and when your paperwork is verified:
Jagat Checkpoint
What is checked: RAP and MCAP.
This is the official entry point into the Restricted Area. Officials will log your passport details, verify your guide’s credentials, and officially activate your RAP and MCAP. You will also pay a local community/municipality tourism fee here.
Philim Checkpoint
What is checked: RAP and MCAP.
Philim is located shortly after Jagat. The police post here conducts a secondary verification to ensure no trekkers have bypassed the Jagat station and that all group numbers match the registered paperwork.
Namrung Checkpoint
What is checked: RAP and Trail Police Log.
It is a vital police checkpoint deeper in the Nubri Valley. They log your entry into the upper Manaslu region to track tourist movement for safety and security before you head into the higher altitudes.
Samagaun Checkpoint
What is checked: RAP, MCAP, and acclimatization status.
The final police check before you attempt the Larkya La Pass. Authorities register your group here to monitor who is heading toward Samdo and Dharamsala. This also helps track trekkers in case of sudden weather changes or emergencies.
Dharapani Checkpoint
What is checked: ACAP (exit) and RAP (closeout).
After crossing Larkya La, your RAP section ends at Bhimthang and your group’s exit is logged. As you continue down through Tilije and Dharapani, your ACAP is verified at the Dharapani checkpoint.
What Happens If Your Permit Details Do Not Match Your Itinerary?
If unexpected high-altitude delays, bad weather, or altitude sickness push you off schedule, your licensed guide must officially report the delay to the nearest trail police checkpost. Attempting to clear the exit gates with expired dates or unlogged route changes can result in significant financial penalties or delays at the border gate.
What to Do If You Lose Your Permit on the Trek
If you lose your physical permit while trekking, tell your guide immediately. Your guide can coordinate with the nearest checkpoint and your trekking agency to verify your permit details.
If you have a photo or scan of the permit, you can show it to the checkpoint officials along with your passport. If officials require additional documentation or a replacement permit, your guide will help arrange the necessary steps.
How to Get a Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit (Step-by-Step Guide)
Because you must apply through a registered trekking agency, your chosen agency handles the entire Manaslu Circuit Trek permit application. So, the usual process is:
- Book Your Trek With a Registered Agency: Choose a government-registered Nepalese trekking agency and provide your passport details. A licensed guide is required for the Manaslu restricted area.
- Submit Your Documents: Your agency will ask for a valid passport, passport-size photo, visa details, and other information required for the permit application.
- Agency Applies for the Permits: The agency starts the application online using your Nepal visa number (or an Application Submission ID if you apply before arriving) and handles the government payments on your behalf. You do not need to apply for the Restricted Area Permit yourself.
- Receive Your Permits: Once the application is processed, your agency collects the required permits and provides them to your trek guide. Your permits are then checked at checkpoints along the route.
Rules and Regulations to Follow After Obtaining the Manaslu Permit
Once you have your permits and start the trek, you must follow the rules and conditions that apply to trekking in the Manaslu restricted area. They are:
- Trek with a Licensed Guide: You must be accompanied by a licensed guide and travel through a registered trekking agency. Independent trekking without a guide is not permitted.
- Carry Your Documents: Keep your passport and permit documents with you during the trek. You may need to present them at checkpoints along the route.
- Follow Your Permit Details: Stay within the permitted route and dates listed on your Restricted Area Permit. If your itinerary needs to change, ask your agency or guide about the required procedure.
- Follow Checkpoint Procedures: Cooperate with immigration, police, and conservation-area officials when they check your permits and travel documents.
How HC Treks Handles Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits
After you confirm your 12-day itinerary, HC Treks manages the entire digital and desk application and obtains the permits in advance so you can start the trek promptly.
- Document collection: We collect the passport, visa, and other required details needed for your permits.
- Permit processing: Our team handles the permit applications and required government fees on your behalf.
- Local fee: The Chumnubri Rural Municipality fee (NPR 1,000 per person) is paid in cash at Jagat. Your guide settles it on your behalf as part of your package.
- Guide coordination: We arrange your licensed trekking guide and coordinate the required trek documentation.
- Before departure: We provide the necessary permit documents before you leave for the trailhead.
- Trail support: Your assigned guide carries and manages the required documents during the trek and handles permit checks at checkpoints along the route.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit Checklist Before You Leave Kathmandu
Double-check your pack for these essential compliance items before departing the city:
- Licensed Guide: Vetted, insured, and officially assigned to your itinerary manifest.
- RAP Duration Stamped: Dated for 8 days inside the restricted area, from Day 3 (departing Jagat) to Day 10 (Bhimthang).
- MCAP Permit: Issued and ready for checkpoint verification.
- ACAP Permit: Secured for your final descent through Bhimthang and Tilije.
- Local Municipality Cash: NPR 1,000 per person in cash for the Chumnubri entry fee at Jagat.
- High-Altitude Insurance: Active policy explicitly covering trekking up to at least 5,500 m, including emergency helicopter evacuation.
- Nepal Entry Visa: Settled and matching your passport identity.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit vs Other Nepal Trek Permits
Unlike non-restricted routes such as Everest Base Camp or the standard Annapurna Circuit, the Manaslu Circuit requires a Restricted Area Permit that is issued only through a registered agency. It also requires a licensed guide throughout and entry logging at checkposts.
Final Thoughts on Securing Your Manaslu Permits
The Manaslu Circuit needs four things: a Restricted Area Permit through a registered agency, the MCAP and ACAP conservation permits, the Chumnubri local fee, and a licensed guide throughout. Since 22 March 2026, a solo trekker can hold a permit alone, but the guide and agency rules still apply. Send your passport and visa details early so your dates can be filed correctly for your itinerary.
