Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits 2026/27: The Complete Cost and Rules Guide
Are you planning for the spiritual Manaslu Circuit Trek? If you are, then you must probably have one big question:
What permits do I need, and how much do they cost? Right?
This recently updated Manaslu Permit Guide (revised in September, 2026) will precisely answer all your questions. At Nepal Pyramids, we arrange all these permits every season for trekkers around the world, including SAARC nationals. That is to say, we know where most trekkers get stuck and confused when it comes to Manaslu Permits. The outdated permit information and non-inclusion of the New Local Municipality Permit make it really hard for trekkers to know exactly which permits are required and their real costs.
By the end of this Revised Manaslu Permit Guide, you will have a very good idea of each permit, where it is issued, and how much it will cost per person.
Now let's get started; below is the full, current breakdown of every permit you need for the Manaslu Circuit Trek from 2026 onwards and their cost per person.
Why Manaslu Needs More Permits Than Everest or Annapurna
Manaslu lies in a remote region of West Central Nepal. It is close to the Tibet border, and due to its sensitive location, the Nepal Government has classified it as a Restricted Area. Manaslu, being a restricted area, still feels so untouched and raw, and every trekker requires a special Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to enter.
This RAP permit rule doesn't apply to Everest or the Annapurna trails. This RAP is what protects the region's authenticity. You will experience fewer crowds, cleaner trails, and the remote traditional villages that still feel like from the medieval era. Moreover, besides RAP, you would require MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area) because Manaslu falls under the protected area management of the Manaslu Conservation Project. Eventually, the Manaslu Circuit ends up joining the legendary Annapurna Circuit Trail, so to enter this Annapurna region you would require an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit).
Because of all this, the Manaslu Circuit requires more permits than Everest or Annapurna.
Why is Manaslu a restricted area?
- Close to the Tibet (China) border: it is a sensitive international border zone
- National security reasons: the Nepali government needs to monitor and control foreign movement in such border areas.
- Protects fragile mountain communities: limit commercialization to preserve local culture and traditional village life
- Environmental conservation: to reduce pressure on the area's forests, wildlife, and trails
- Authenticity: to offer a more genuine mountain experience than busier routes like Everest or Annapurna
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits: Full Cost Table, 2026/27
| Permit | Foreign Nationals | SAARC Nationals | Nepali citizens |
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP) - Autumn (Sep - Nov) | USD 100/week + USD 15/day beyond 1 week | USD 100/week + USD 15/day beyond 1 week | Not Applicable |
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP) - Rest of Year (Dec - Aug) | USD 75/week + USD 10/day beyond 1 week | USD 75/week + USD 10/day beyond 1 week | Not Applicable |
| MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Permit) | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 100 |
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) | NPR 3,000 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 100 |
| Local Municipality Permit (new permit, introduced in 2024) | NPR 1,000 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 100 |
The cost of Permit fees can change without notice. However, Nepal Pyramids confirms live pricing before every departure.
1. Restricted Area Permit (RAP): The Big One
This RAP is one of the crucial and mandatory permits to enter the restricted area of Manaslu. The price of the permit changes according to the season, and it is priced per week. After one week, per-day charges are applied.
- Autumn (September - November), peak season: USD 100 for the first week, then USD 15 for every additional day
- Rest of the year (December - August): USD 75 for the first week, then USD 10 for every additional day
The RAP applies equally to foreign and SAARC nationals. There shall be no discount based on nationality. Unlike the National Park Entry Fee and the Conservation Permits, even SAARC nationals are to pay the same amount as every other foreign national. However, Nepali citizens do not require RAP permits.
How is RAP issued and the New Rules
- The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is issued entirely online by the Department of Immigration, Nepal.
- It is issued only to registered, licensed Local Travel Agencies.
- An individual foreigner cannot walk into the immigration office and apply for RAP in person.
- Nepal Pyramids submits the application on your behalf and receives the RAP permit electronically.
A few strict New Rules
- Every trekker must be accompanied by a registered, licensed guide and must be affiliated with a local trekking company.
- The good news is that the old rule requiring a minimum of two trekkers to issue a RAP has been removed. Now, even a single (solo) trekker can be issued a RAP through a licensed local company with a guide.
- Insurance is now mandatory since the company needs to submit it online to issue a RAP.
2. MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Permit)
Since your route runs through the Manaslu Conservation Area, this permit is mandatory alongside the RAP:
- Foreign nationals: NPR 3,000
- SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000
- Nepali citizens: NPR 100
It's a flat one-time fee, not charged per week, and covers your entire time inside the conservation area.
Where it's issued: MCAP is issued by the Nepal Tourism Board, either through the NTB office in Kathmandu or arranged in advance by your trekking company alongside the RAP application. It's a straightforward permit — no restricted-area rules attached, just proof that you've paid the conservation area fee.
3. ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)
Most trekkers are surprised the Manaslu Circuit needs an Annapurna-area permit at all — but the classic route exits toward Dharapani and briefly crosses into the Annapurna Conservation Area near the end of the trek. The fee structure mirrors MCAP exactly:
- Foreign nationals: NPR 3,000
- SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000
- Nepali citizens: NPR 100
It's a flat one-time fee, not charged per week, and covers your entire time inside the conservation area.
Where it's issued: Like MCAP, the ACAP is issued through the Nepal Tourism Board / Annapurna Conservation Area Project office, and your trekking company arranges it together with your other permits before you set off — you won't need to visit a separate office once you're on the trail.
4. Local Municipality Permit (New in 2024)
This is the permit most trekking company blogs still haven't updated for. Introduced in 2024, it's collected by the local municipality along the route and applies to everyone:
- Foreign nationals: NPR 1,000
- SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000
- Nepali citizens: NPR 100
If a blog post you're reading doesn't mention this fee, it's using pricing information from before 2024.
Where and how it's paid: Unlike the RAP, MCAP, and ACAP — which are all arranged in advance — the Local Municipality Permit is collected on the trail itself, at a checkpoint run by the local municipality. It's paid in cash on the spot, so trekkers should carry enough local currency (Nepali Rupees) for this when passing through.
How Nepal Pyramids Handles Your Manaslu Permits
Every RAP, MCAP, ACAP, and Local Municipality Permit for our Manaslu Circuit trips is arranged before you land in Kathmandu — copies of your passport and photos are all we need in advance. You show up, we hand you a fully permitted trekking package, and the only paperwork you'll think about on the trail is your journal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many permits do I need for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Three core permits: RAP, MCAP, ACAP, and the Local Municipality Permit added in 2024.
How much does the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit cost?
USD 100/week in autumn (Sep - Nov) or USD 75/week the rest of the year, for both foreign and SAARC nationals, with extra daily charges beyond one week.
Do I need insurance for Manaslu Circuit Trek?
Yes, an all-inclusive insurance including Helicopter Evacuation is a must for Manaslu Circuit Trek as we need to submit it online while applying for the RAP permits.
Can I trek Manaslu solo without a guide?
No, you need to be affiliated with a registered trekking agency and must have a licensed guide, and the RAP is only be issued through a registered agency with a licensed guide.
Do Nepali citizens need these permits?
Nepali citizens are exempt from the RAP and pay a nominal NPR 100 for MCAP, ACAP, and the Local Municipality Permit.
What is the total permit cost for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
For a typical 14-day autumn itinerary, a foreign trekker pays around USD 100 for the RAP plus roughly NPR 7,000 combined for MCAP, ACAP, and the Local Municipality Permit. The RAP is the variable cost since it scales with trek duration and season.
What documents do I need to apply for Manaslu permits?
A passport-sized photo, a clear scan of your passport's main page, and your travel insurance details. Your trekking agency files these with the Department of Immigration for you and gets the electronic permit; you don't apply in person.
Are permits checked along the Manaslu Trail?
Yes. Army and police checkpoints at Jagat, Deng, and Sama Gaun check the RAP, MCAP, and Local Municipality Permit, so keep your originals and passport on hand throughout the trek. With us your Trek leader does all these.
Do I need an extra permit for Tsum Valley?
Yes. Tsum Valley is a different restricted area and requires a separate Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit, priced by week and season, in addition to the standard Manaslu permits.
Can I get a refund if I end my trek early?
No. Permit fees are non-refundable once issued, no matter how many days you actually trek.
