How to Obtain Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits in 2026?

You need a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for the standard Manaslu Circuit. Nepal Tourism Board's current TIMS guidance also lists the Manaslu Circuit Trek, so foreign trekkers should plan for a trekking-agency-issued TIMS card unless their agency receives different written instructions for the departure date.

The most important change for 2026 is that a single foreign trekker can now obtain a restricted-area permit. The old two-trekker minimum ended on March 22, 2026. However, this is not permission to trek independently: your trip must still be arranged through a registered Nepali trekking agency, and you must travel with a licensed guide.

If you are planning the full Manaslu Circuit Trek, this guide explains the permits, official fees, documents, application process, solo-trek rule and extra permit needed for Tsum Valley.

For wider route options, seasonal planning and trip variations, explore all treks in the Manaslu region.

Manaslu permit requirements at a glance

Quick answer: For a standard foreign trekker spending no more than seven days inside the Manaslu restricted zone, the approximate permit total is USD 153 from September to November or USD 128 from December to August. This combines RAP, MCAP, ACAP and TIMS. Online conservation permit payment may add NTNC's 2.9% payment gateway charge. Agency service fees, guide costs, insurance and any local charges are separate.

The RAP and Tsum Valley permit fees are officially priced in US dollars. MCAP, ACAP and TIMS are officially priced in Nepalese currency, so their USD equivalents are approximate. The conversions in this guide use the Nepal Rastra Bank exchange rate published on August 13, 2026 and are rounded to the nearest dollar. Your actual USD cost may vary slightly on the payment date.

What changed for Manaslu permits in 2026?

On March 22, 2026, Nepal's Department of Immigration removed the long-standing requirement for at least two foreign trekkers on a restricted-area permit. A person traveling alone can now receive a permit in their own name.

The updated rules still require:

• a licensed Nepali trekking guide throughout the restricted-area trek;

• processing through a registered Nepali trekking agency;

• no more than seven trekkers per licensed guide; and

• an approved itinerary and valid permit for the designated route and dates.

The revised system also allows agencies to begin permit processing before the traveler arrives in Nepal by using a visa number or visa-application submission ID. The change was reported from the Department of Immigration's notice and confirmed by its spokesperson in The Kathmandu Post's March 22, 2026 report.

This distinction matters: a solo permit is now allowed, but an unguided Manaslu Circuit Trek is not.

1. Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

The Manaslu Circuit enters a government-regulated area in Gorkha near Nepal's northern border. The legal designation covers specified wards of Chumnubri Rural Municipality, rather than every place between Jagat and Dharapani.

Your RAP is issued for the approved entry and exit dates on your itinerary. Carry a printed or readily accessible copy during the trek and present it whenever immigration officials, police or checkpoint staff request it. Trekking outside the route shown on the permit can be treated as a violation.

Manaslu RAP cost in 2026

These are the current fees published by the Nepal Department of Immigration and Nepal Tourism Board.

The price is based on the number of days shown inside the restricted area, not the total length of your Nepal holiday or the total Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu itinerary.

RAP cost examples

For example, a ten-day stay in the restricted zone during October costs USD 100 for the first week plus USD 45 for three additional days, for a total RAP fee of USD 145.

How to obtain the Manaslu RAP

Foreign trekkers cannot submit the restricted-area application as independent walk-in applicants. A registered trekking agency applies through the Department of Immigration's trekking system and coordinates the guide, route, dates and supporting documents.

Thrill Himalaya can arrange the permits as part of a complete itinerary. If you want to change the pace, route or number of acclimatization days, use the custom trip planner before the permit dates are finalized.

2. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)

The MCAP entry permit is required for the Manaslu Conservation Area. NTNC manages the 1,663-square-kilometer conservation area, which covers all seven wards of Chumnubri Rural Municipality and protects its biodiversity and cultural heritage. You can read the official project overview on the NTNC Manaslu Conservation Area page.

MCAP fee in 2026

The fee does not increase with the number of days spent in the conservation area. NTNC states that the amount includes tax.

MCAP can be arranged through NTNC's official e-permit portal or an entry-permit counter. Online payment by Visa or Mastercard carries a 2.9% gateway charge. NTNC warns that a conservation permit issued at a checkpost may cost double, so arrange it before reaching the trail.

3. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

Why do you need an Annapurna permit for a Manaslu trek? After crossing Larkya La and descending through Bimthang, the standard route enters the Annapurna Conservation Area around the Dharapani side of the circuit. That makes ACAP necessary even though most of the itinerary lies in Manaslu.

ACAP fee in 2026

The permit has no day-based surcharge. Like MCAP, it can be arranged through NTNC's official e-permit system or a designated counter. The official ACAP page explains how visitor fees support conservation and community programs.

If your itinerary continues beyond Dharapani, compare the route with our Annapurna Circuit Trek and have the agency confirm every permit required for the combined journey.

4. Do you need a TIMS card for the Manaslu Circuit in 2026?

Plan for a TIMS card. Nepal Tourism Board's current official TIMS page explicitly lists the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek, and Tsum Valley Trek among routes that require a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card.

This is a point of confusion because many older articles state that the Restricted Area Permit replaces TIMS. That advice conflicts with NTB's live published list as checked on August 13, 2026.

Current TIMS fees are:

Only trekking agencies can issue the card for routes covered by the revised system. Because operational instructions can change, ask your agency to confirm the TIMS requirement again immediately before processing your permits.

How much do all Manaslu Circuit permits cost?

The final amount depends on your nationality, season and number of days inside the restricted area.

Standard foreign national: seven RAP days or fewer

SAARC national: seven RAP days or fewer

The tables show permit fees only, with local-currency charges converted to approximate USD values. Your total trip price may also include agency processing, a guide, porter services, transport, accommodation, meals and insurance. The chosen Manaslu Circuit trek duration can also affect the RAP because days be

Documents needed for Manaslu trek permits

Send clear, accurate documents to your trekking agency. The typical 2026 file includes:

• a color scan of the passport biography page;

• a recent digital passport-style photograph;

• the Nepal tourist visa number, or the visa application submission ID for pre-arrival processing;

• planned entry and exit dates for the restricted area;

• the complete trekking itinerary and route;

• emergency contact details;

• guide and agency details, completed by the agency; and

• travel-insurance details if requested by the agency.

Your passport and Nepal visa should remain valid for the full trek. Check the current entry process in our Nepal visa information guide and make sure the spelling, passport number and dates match across every application.

Travel insurance is essential for a remote trek, but do not describe it as a universal permit-office document unless the agency confirms that it is required for that application. Your policy should cover high-altitude trekking at or above the itinerary's maximum elevation and emergency evacuation.

How the Manaslu permit application works

1. Choose an itinerary. Confirm the trek dates, route and any Tsum Valley extension before the agency applies.
2. Book a licensed guide through a registered agency. A guide is mandatory even for a single permit holder.
3. Send your passport, photo and visa information. Travelers applying before arrival can provide the visa application submission ID under the 2026 process.
4. The agency submits the RAP application. The application includes the trekker, guide, route and restricted-area dates.
5. Arrange MCAP, ACAP and TIMS. The agency can coordinate these with the restricted permit.
6. Check every detail. Confirm your name, passport number, route and entry dates before departure.
7. Carry the permits on the trail. Keep printed copies protected from rain and a digital backup on your phone.

There is no universal official promise that every RAP will be issued within a fixed number of hours. Send the documents several business days before they are needed and allow more time during spring and autumn. Pre-arrival processing reduces uncertainty, but it should not be left until the final day.

Can you trek Manaslu alone in 2026?

Yes, one foreign trekker can receive a Manaslu RAP, but no, you cannot trek the restricted route independently or without a guide.

Since March 22, 2026:

• you no longer need a second foreign trekker on the permit;

• you still need a registered Nepali trekking agency;

• you still need a licensed trekking guide; and

• one guide can accompany no more than seven trekkers.

This makes private trips possible for people arriving alone without forcing them to find a permit partner. Solo travelers should still budget more than group members because guide and transport costs are not shared.

Is a separate permit required for Tsum Valley?

Yes. Tsum Valley is a separately regulated area, so an itinerary that enters it needs a Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit in addition to the Manaslu RAP, MCAP, ACAP and current TIMS requirement.

Compare the dedicated Tsum Valley Trek with the longer Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley before finalizing the permit dates.

Rules to follow after your permits are issued

• Follow the route and dates approved on the restricted-area permit.

• Trek with the guide named or assigned through the registered agency.

• Carry every permit and show it to officials or police when requested.

• Do not transfer a permit to another person; NTNC permits are non-transferable and non-refundable.

• Register at checkpoints along the trail.

• Obtain permits in advance. NTNC states that conservation permits issued at checkpoints may be charged at double the standard rate.

• Do not fly a drone without prior approval from the relevant authorities. NTNC states that drones are prohibited without permission.

• Respect conservation rules: do not disturb wildlife, collect plants, light campfires or leave waste on the trail.

Children need individual travel documentation. NTNC currently says children under ten do not require its conservation-area permit; ask the trekking agency to confirm how the Department of Immigration will handle the child's RAP rather than assuming that the same exemption applies to every permit.

Frequently asked questions

How many permits do I need for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Plan for four documents in 2026: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, MCAP, ACAP and a TIMS card. If you add Tsum Valley, you also need the separate Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit.

What is the Manaslu Circuit Trek permit cost in 2026?

For most foreign nationals spending seven days or fewer inside the restricted zone, the approximate total is USD 153 from September to November or USD 128 from December to August. Additional RAP days, online gateway charges and agency services cost extra.

Can I apply for a Manaslu permit myself?

You cannot independently submit the RAP as a walk-in trekker. A registered Nepali trekking agency must process it and arrange the mandatory licensed guide. NTNC conservation permits have an individual online route, but coordinating all permits through the agency helps keep the dates and personal details consistent.

Can a solo traveler obtain a Manaslu permit?

Yes. Since March 22, 2026, a single foreign traveler can obtain a restricted-area permit without a second trekker. The traveler must still use a registered agency and be accompanied by a licensed guide.

Is a guide mandatory for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Yes. A licensed guide remains mandatory for travel in the restricted area. Under the 2026 rule, one guide may lead a maximum of seven trekkers. Meet some of the Thrill Himalaya trekking team before choosing your departure.

Is TIMS required for Manaslu in 2026?

Nepal Tourism Board's current TIMS page lists the Manaslu Circuit, Manaslu and Tsum Valley, and Tsum Valley routes. Therefore, travelers should plan for an agency-issued TIMS card and have the agency reconfirm the requirement before permit processing.

Can the Manaslu RAP be arranged before I arrive in Nepal?

Yes. The 2026 process allows an agency to apply using a valid Nepal visa number or a visa-application submission ID, making pre-arrival processing possible. Send your passport and itinerary details early enough for corrections.

Where is the RAP checked?

Permits are checked at official points on the route. Checkpoint operations can change, so carry the documents throughout the trek rather than relying on a list of specific villages.

Does a 14-day itinerary mean I pay for 14 RAP days?

Not necessarily. RAP billing depends on the approved number of days inside the restricted zone, not the full Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu trip length. The agency calculates the correct period from the route and itinerary.

Is ACAP really necessary for Manaslu?

Yes, for the standard circuit that exits through the Annapurna Conservation Area around Dharapani. A route that turns back before entering ACAP needs case-specific confirmation from the agency.

Are Manaslu permits refundable?

NTNC states that its conservation-area permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Restricted-permit amendment or cancellation terms should be confirmed with the issuing agency before payment.

How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

Permits control access, but they do not make the trek easy. The route includes remote terrain, long walking days, cold conditions and the 5,106-meter Larkya La crossing. Read our guide to Manaslu Circuit Trek difficulty before choosing a short itinerary.

Plan your Manaslu permits and itinerary

The permit process is straightforward when the route, dates and personal details are correct. The key is to use current rules: one foreign trekker can now receive a RAP, a licensed guide remains compulsory, and Nepal Tourism Board currently lists Manaslu among the routes requiring TIMS.

For a balanced schedule, review the 14-day Manaslu Circuit itinerary from Kathmandu. Very fit trekkers can compare it with the short Manaslu Circuit Trek, but permit dates and acclimatization should never be compressed simply to reduce cost.

Ready to confirm your route? Contact Thrill Himalaya with your nationality, preferred dates, group size and Tsum Valley preference. The team can check the latest permit requirements and prepare the correct application for your itinerary.

Official and primary references

• Nepal Department of Immigration: Trekking Route and Permit Fee

• Nepal Department of Immigration: Online Services

• Nepal Tourism Board: Trekking Permit

• Nepal Tourism Board: TIMS Card

• NTNC: Official Conservation Area E-Permit Portal

• NTNC: Manaslu Conservation Area Project

• NTNC: Annapurna Conservation Area Project