Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak at 8,163 metres, hides one of Nepal’s most rewarding trekking circuits behind a fair amount of paperwork. Before you can follow the trail from Jagat towards the 5,106-metre Larkya La Pass, you’ll need a Manaslu restricted permit, and getting the costs, conservation fees and rules right matters almost as much as packing the right kit.
Compared with busier routes, Manaslu still sees a fraction of the foot traffic, which is exactly why Nepal keeps it under restricted-area rules. A major rule change in March 2026 also reshaped who can get a permit, so this guide covers the current Manaslu RAP cost, what the Manaslu conservation permit includes, and how the application process works for 2026.
Quick Overview
- Manaslu RAP cost: US$100 for the first 7 days (September-November) or US$75 (December-August), plus US$15 or US$10 per extra day
- MCAP and ACAP: NPR 3,000 each (roughly US$22-25) for foreign trekkers, flat rate
- Typical 14-day permit total: around US$190-260, depending on season
- Solo trekkers: can now apply directly since March 2026, though a licensed guide and registered agency remain mandatory
What Is the Manaslu Restricted Permit, and Why Do You Need One?
The Manaslu restricted permit, officially called the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), is the document that allows foreign trekkers to walk the Manaslu Circuit beyond the village of Jagat. Without it, you simply won’t get past the first checkpoint.
Nepal classifies the Manaslu region as restricted for much the same reasons as Upper Mustang or Dolpo. The Nubri and Tsum valleys sit close to the Tibetan border, and their Tibetan Buddhist communities have kept centuries-old traditions largely intact. The government uses the permit system to monitor entry to the area, manage visitor numbers, and channel funds back into conservation and community projects.
Unlike the trails around Everest, where a national park ticket and TIMS card cover most requirements, Manaslu’s restricted status means every step beyond Jagat depends on this single permit. The good news is that the trek rewards the extra paperwork with quiet trails, dramatic glacial scenery, and villages that still feel genuinely lived-in rather than built around tourism.
Manaslu Entry Points: Where Does the Restricted Area Begin and End?
Most trekkers start the Manaslu Circuit by road from Soti Khola or Machha Khola, both reachable by jeep from Kathmandu in around eight to nine hours. The restricted area itself, though, doesn’t begin until Jagat, at roughly 1,340 metres.
From Jagat, your Manaslu restricted permit covers the route through Deng, Namrung, Lho, Samagaun and Samdo, climbing steadily towards Larkya La Pass at 5,106 metres. This stretch passes Birendra Lake near Samagaun, a striking glacial pool fed by the Manaslu Glacier that sits roughly an hour’s walk from the village.
The restricted zone effectively ends once you cross Larkya La and descend towards Bimthang and Dharapani. From Dharapani, you’ve entered the Annapurna Conservation Area, which is why a separate conservation permit becomes necessary for that final stretch.
How Much Does the Manaslu RAP Cost in 2026?
The Manaslu RAP cost is the single biggest line item in your permit budget, and unlike most fees in Nepal, it changes depending on when you travel.
During the peak autumn season, from September to November, the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit costs US$100 per person for the first seven days, with an additional US$15 per person charged for each extra day. Outside this window, from December through August, the same permit drops to US$75 for the first seven days, plus US$10 per extra day.
That seasonal gap exists because September to November brings the clearest mountain views and the steadiest weather for crossing Larkya La, so demand, and the fee, rises accordingly. Trekking during the quieter months, particularly spring, still offers excellent conditions at a noticeably lower Manaslu RAP cost.
Whichever season you choose, the permit is calculated per person and counted from your entry date at Jagat, so agencies need your exact itinerary before they can apply on your behalf.
Manaslu RAP Cost Breakdown by Season
Here’s how the daily fees compare across the two pricing windows:
- September to November (peak): US$100 for the first 7 days, then US$15 per person per extra day
- December to August (off-peak): US$75 for the first 7 days, then US$10 per person per extra day
- Permit duration: counted from your entry date at Jagat to your exit date, regardless of where you finish trekking
For a trek that runs slightly over a week, even by a single day, you’ll pay the full extra-day rate for that day. Most Manaslu Circuit itineraries run 12 to 16 days from Soti Khola back to Besisahar, so the restricted-area portion typically spans 9 to 11 days, pushing most trekkers two to four days into the additional-fee bracket.
How Much Will a 14-Day Manaslu Permit Cost in Total?
Run the numbers for a 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek, and the difference between seasons becomes clear.
In autumn, the RAP alone costs US$100 plus seven extra days at US$15, totalling around US$205. Add the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, each priced at roughly US$22-25, and your total permit cost lands close to US$250-260 per person.
In spring or the off-peak months, the same itinerary drops to US$75 plus seven extra days at US$10, or about US$145 for the RAP. With the two conservation permits added, total costs settle closer to US$190-200 per person.
Either way, permits represent a meaningful chunk of your overall Manaslu trek budget, alongside guides, porters and teahouse accommodation.
What Is the Manaslu Conservation Permit (MCAP), and What Does It Cost?
Alongside the restricted area permit, every foreign trekker needs the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, commonly shortened to MCAP, and occasionally written as MCAPT in older guides and search results. This permit costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals, which works out to roughly US$22-25 depending on the exchange rate, and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals.
Unlike the restricted area permit, the Manaslu conservation permit is a flat fee with no seasonal variation and no daily charges. You pay it once, and it covers your entire trip through the Manaslu Conservation Area, which stretches from the lower hills near Soti Khola right up towards Samdo.
The Manaslu Conservation Area Project, which manages this permit, channels the income directly into trail maintenance, waste management points along the route, and support for local schools and health posts in villages like Lho and Samagaun. In recent seasons, that funding has paid for emergency shelters near Larkya La and restoration work on monasteries that date back centuries.
MCAP vs ACAP: Why You Need Both Conservation Permits
If MCAP covers the Manaslu side of the trek, why does your agency also apply for an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit?
The answer comes down to the route itself. After crossing Larkya La Pass, the trail descends towards Bimthang and Dharapani, and at that point you leave the Manaslu Conservation Area and enter the Annapurna Conservation Area. The ACAP costs the same NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals as MCAP, and again it’s a one-off fee rather than a daily charge.
Both permits get issued together, usually from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara, so there’s no extra trip involved. Think of them as covering two halves of the same circuit: MCAP for the approach and the high passes, ACAP for the descent back towards civilisation.
What Other Manaslu Trekking Fees Should You Budget For?
Beyond the headline Manaslu RAP cost and conservation permits, a few smaller Manaslu fees catch first-time trekkers off guard.
The Chumnubri Rural Municipality now collects a local entry fee at Jagat, typically between NPR 1,000 and 2,000, or roughly US$10-15 per person. This goes directly towards trail upkeep and services within the municipality, separate from the national-level permits.
Until early 2026, solo trekkers sometimes paid for a second “ghost” permit just to meet the old two-person minimum, effectively doubling their RAP cost. With that requirement now scrapped, solo travellers pay only for their own permit, though it’s still worth confirming the latest position with your agency given how recently the rule changed.
Beyond permits, budget for a licensed guide at around US$25-30 per day, an optional porter at around US$20-25 per day, and teahouse accommodation and meals, which typically run US$25-35 per day depending on altitude. None of these count as permit fees, but they’re inseparable from the overall cost of trekking in a restricted area.
How Do You Apply for Manaslu Trekking Permits?
You cannot apply for a Manaslu restricted permit as an independent traveller, whether online or in person. Every application must go through a government-registered trekking agency based in Nepal.
The process splits across two offices. Your agency submits your Restricted Area Permit application through the Department of Immigration’s online trekking portal, using your passport and visa details. Separately, they collect your Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Processing for the RAP typically takes one to two working days once your agency has all your documents, though permits aren’t issued on weekends or public holidays, so build that into your timeline. If you’re already in Kathmandu organising flights and gear, this is the ideal time to finalise your permit paperwork, since both offices sit within the city.
Each permit carries your name and passport number, so they can’t be transferred or shared between trekkers, even within the same group.
Documents You Need for the Manaslu Permit
Gather these documents before approaching your trekking agency to keep the application moving smoothly:
- A clear colour copy of your passport’s main page, valid for at least six months from your travel dates
- Your Nepal visa, obtained on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport or in advance through the online portal
- Two to four recent passport-sized photographs, digital copies usually accepted
- Proof of travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation
- Your planned trekking dates, including your intended entry day at Jagat
If you’re travelling with children under 10, mention this to your agency, since permit fees for young children are often waived, though the same application process still applies. Keep digital copies of everything on your phone as a backup, in case originals go missing en route.
What Are the Rules for Trekking in the Manaslu Restricted Area?
Several rules apply specifically to the Manaslu restricted area, and one of them changed significantly in 2026.
A licensed guide remains compulsory for the entire restricted section, from Jagat to Dharapani. Independent trekking without a guide isn’t permitted here, regardless of your experience on other Himalayan routes. Porters remain optional, though most trekkers find one genuinely useful given the terrain around Larkya La.
The biggest shift landed on 22 March 2026, when Nepal’s Department of Immigration scrapped the long-standing two-trekker minimum for restricted area permits, including Manaslu. Solo travellers can now apply for a Manaslu restricted permit on their own, without finding a second foreign trekker or paying for a placeholder permit. The guide requirement hasn’t changed, and the new rules cap each permit at one guide per seven trekkers, so larger groups may need multiple guides and permits.
Checkpoints appear at Jagat, Deng and Sama Gaun, where officials check your Restricted Area Permit, MCAP and passport together. Carry originals rather than photocopies.
As with other restricted regions, Leave No Trace principles apply throughout, particularly around Birendra Lake and the fragile terrain near Larkya La. Around monasteries in Lho and Samagaun, ask your guide before photographing monks or religious ceremonies, since some areas remain off-limits to cameras.
When Is the Best Time to Trek the Manaslu Circuit?
Timing your Manaslu trek affects both the Manaslu RAP cost and the experience on the trail, so it’s worth weighing both.
Autumn, from September to November, delivers the clearest skies and the most stable conditions for crossing Larkya La Pass, but it’s also when the higher permit fees apply and teahouses fill up fastest. If you’re trekking during this window, book accommodation a few days ahead where possible, particularly around Samagaun and Dharamsala.
Spring, from March to May, sits within the off-peak permit pricing despite offering genuinely good trekking conditions, with rhododendrons blooming lower down the valley and generally clear mornings before afternoon cloud builds. Many trekkers find spring offers the best balance of weather, crowds and cost.
Winter, from December to February, brings the cheapest permits but also the highest risk of Larkya La being snowbound, occasionally for days at a time. Monsoon, from June to August, is technically off-peak too, though heavy rain, leeches and the risk of landslides on the lower trail make this the least practical option for most travellers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Manaslu Trek Permit Requirements
Permit rules for restricted areas generate a steady stream of questions, particularly given how often fees and group requirements get updated. Here are the answers travellers ask most often when researching Manaslu trek permit requirements for 2026.
What are the Manaslu trek permit requirements? You need three permits: a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), a Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). All three require a registered trekking agency and a licensed guide.
How much is the Manaslu RAP cost compared with MCAP and ACAP? The RAP is by far the largest expense, ranging from roughly US$145 to US$205 for a typical 14-day trek depending on season. MCAP and ACAP each cost a flat NPR 3,000, around US$22-25, regardless of trip length.
Do you need a TIMS card for Manaslu? No. The Restricted Area Permit and conservation area permits between them cover registration for the entire route, so a separate TIMS card isn’t required.
Can solo trekkers get a Manaslu restricted permit? Yes, as of March 2026. Nepal’s Department of Immigration removed the old two-trekker minimum for restricted area permits, so solo travellers can now apply individually. A licensed guide and registered agency are still required.
Where do you apply for Manaslu permits? Your trekking agency applies for the RAP through the Department of Immigration’s online portal, while MCAP and ACAP come from Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Final Thoughts
Manaslu rewards trekkers willing to handle a bit more paperwork than the Annapurna or Everest routes demand, trading busier trails for genuinely quiet valleys and communities that still feel like everyday life rather than a tourist circuit.
Once your Manaslu restricted permit, MCAP and ACAP are sorted, the rest of the planning falls into place quickly: a guide, a season that suits your schedule, and a realistic daily budget.
Ready to start planning? Explore more permit and route guides on the AskMeNepal blog, or compare Manaslu against other restricted regions like Upper Mustang and the quieter valleys around Langtang before settling on your 2026 itinerary.
