The Manaslu circuit trek permits are straightforward once you understand what each one covers and why it exists. Your Mountain Hike Nepal guide arranges all three in Kathmandu and includes them in the package price. Furthermore, you never queue at a government office or pay separately at any checkpoint on the trail. Consequently, this guide explains what you carry, where officers check it, and why the system works this way on this specific route.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Three Permits at a Glance
- Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
- Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- Where to Get the Permits
- Permit Checkpoints on the Trail
- 2026 Rule Changes — What Is New
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits — Three at a Glance
Every foreign trekker on the Manaslu circuit trek needs three permits before crossing the Jagat checkpoint. No exceptions exist regardless of nationality, experience, or group size. Furthermore, Mountain Hike Nepal arranges all three on your behalf in Kathmandu before departure. Consequently, you arrive at Jagat with every document in order and your guide handles every checkpoint interaction throughout the 14-day circuit.
| Permit | Peak Season (Sept–Nov) | Off-Peak (Dec–Aug) | Where Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | First 7 days: $100 | Each extra day: $15 | First 7 days: $75 | Each extra day: $10 | Department of Immigration, Kathmandu |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | NPR 3,000 (~$23 USD) | NPR 3,000 (~$23 USD) | Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | NPR 3,000 (~$23 USD) | NPR 3,000 (~$23 USD) | Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu |
| Chumnubri Rural Municipality Fee | NPR 1,000 (~$8 USD) | NPR 1,000 (~$8 USD) | Collected at Jagat checkpoint |
Total permit cost for the standard 14-day circuit
In peak season — September to November — the RAP for a 14-day circuit costs $205 per person. Add the MCAP and ACAP at $23 each plus the Chumnubri fee and the total reaches approximately $251 per person. In off-peak months the RAP drops to $145, reducing the total to approximately $199 per person. Furthermore, trekking outside the autumn peak saves $60 per person in RAP costs alone.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits — Restricted Area Permit
The Restricted Area Permit is the most significant of the three Manaslu circuit trek permits. It defines the route as a restricted area — limiting access to licensed operators with licensed guides. This restriction keeps the circuit genuinely remote and culturally intact. Furthermore, without the RAP, no checkpoint above Jagat allows the group to proceed.
What the RAP covers
The RAP grants access from Jagat through the gorge, past Samagaon and Samdo, across Larkya La, and down to Dharapani. Furthermore, it covers the descent to Bimthang on the western side. Consequently, the RAP underpins the entire circuit — every other permit builds on top of this foundational document.
How the pricing works
The RAP follows a tiered pricing system. In peak season, the first seven days cost $100 per person and each additional day costs $15. In off-peak months, the first seven days cost $75 and each additional day costs $10. Consequently, the 14-day circuit costs $205 per person in peak season and $145 off-peak — a $60 saving for trekkers with flexible dates.
The 2026 solo trekker update
As of March 2026, Nepal removed the two-person minimum for the RAP. Solo trekkers now apply for individual permits without finding a second foreign trekker. However, the licensed guide requirement remains fully in force for all group sizes. Furthermore, this change applies to individual permits only — group rates and package pricing stay unchanged. Consequently, Mountain Hike Nepal’s solo package at $1,699 now serves as a genuine individual circuit option.
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
The MCAP gives trekkers entry to the Manaslu Conservation Area — the Budhi Gandaki valley from Arughat to the Larkya La watershed. Furthermore, the fee funds conservation and community development across the region the circuit passes through. Consequently, this permit functions as both an entry document and a direct contribution to the local communities.
Cost and validity
The MCAP costs NPR 3,000 per person — approximately $23 at current rates. Unlike the RAP, the rate stays flat regardless of season. Furthermore, the permit covers the full duration of the trek from entry to exit with no daily charges. Consequently, the 14-day itinerary requires no MCAP extension process of any kind.
What the MCAP does not cover
The MCAP covers the Manaslu Conservation Area only — not the Annapurna zone beginning after Larkya La. Crossing into the Annapurna zone after the pass creates the need for the ACAP as a separate document. Consequently, both conservation permits cover the complete route from Machha Khola to Dharapani — each one handling a distinct geographic section.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
The ACAP covers the western section of the circuit — the Larkya La watershed through Bimthang and down to Dharapani. This section enters the Annapurna Conservation Area, which also governs the Annapurna Circuit and ABC routes. Furthermore, Dharapani is the junction where both major circuits meet — and both trails fall under ACAP jurisdiction in this section.
Cost and a useful note for combined trekkers
The ACAP costs NPR 3,000 per person — the same rate as the MCAP. Furthermore, a valid ACAP from a previous Nepal trek covers the Manaslu Circuit’s post-pass section — no new purchase needed. Consequently, trekkers combining Manaslu with the Annapurna Circuit need only one ACAP to satisfy both routes.
Where to Get the Permits
Your Mountain Hike Nepal guide collects all three permits in Kathmandu before departure. You never visit any government office personally. However, knowing where each office sits helps if your guide needs to resolve any documentation issue before the jeep departs.
| Permit | Issuing Office | Location | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAP | Department of Immigration | Kalikasthan, Kathmandu | Same day — arrive before 12pm |
| MCAP | Nepal Tourism Board | Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu | Same day |
| ACAP | Nepal Tourism Board | Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu | Same day |
What your guide needs from you
Your guide needs your original passport, two passport-size photographs, and the permit fee to collect the RAP. Furthermore, your passport must carry at least six months of validity beyond your planned Nepal departure date. Consequently, check the expiry date before booking — a near-expiry passport blocks the RAP application and no Kathmandu office resolves this quickly.
Bring the following to your Kathmandu pre-departure meeting:
- Original passport — valid 6+ months beyond Nepal departure
- Two passport-size photographs from home
- Confirmed trekking start date
- Confirmed group size
Important 2026 update: Nepal dropped the TIMS card requirement for the Manaslu Circuit. This saves approximately $20 per person. Furthermore, no TIMS checkpoint exists anywhere on the circuit. Consequently, any operator still listing TIMS as a Manaslu permit item is working from outdated information — check the current requirement list before signing with any agency.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit Checkpoints
Officers check your Manaslu circuit trek permits at five main points along the route. Your guide presents all documents at each stop. Carry your original passport on your person above Jagat — never in the porter bag.
| Checkpoint | Day | Altitude | What Officers Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jagat | Day 2 | 1,340m | RAP entry + MCAP — restricted area begins here |
| Lokpa / Philim | Day 3 | 1,570m | Secondary check — Tsum Valley junction point |
| Namrung | Day 4 | 2,630m | RAP re-check — upper gorge entry |
| Samagaon | Day 5 | 3,520m | RAP + MCAP check — mid-circuit |
| Samdo | Day 7 | 3,860m | Final upper circuit check before pass |
| Dharapani | Day 12 | 1,860m | ACAP entry — Annapurna Conservation Area begins |
What happens at each checkpoint
Your guide approaches the checkpoint first and hands over all documents. The officer records your name, permit number, nationality, and entry date. Furthermore, the officer stamps each permit — these stamps confirm legitimate passage at subsequent stops. Consequently, store all original permits together in a waterproof holder throughout the circuit. Wet or torn documents create delays that affect the whole group.
Jagat — the critical checkpoint
Jagat at 1,340m is the first and most important checkpoint on the circuit. The restricted area starts here and the Jagat officer checks documentation thoroughly. Furthermore, the officer turns back any group with incorrect or undated permits — this happens before the trail proper begins. Consequently, your guide verifies all permit details before departure from Machha Khola, not on arrival at Jagat.
Lokpa and Philim — the Tsum Valley junction
The Tsum Valley route branches northeast off the main circuit here. Trekkers combining both routes need an additional Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit at this checkpoint. Furthermore, standard Manaslu Circuit trekkers pass through on the existing RAP with no extra documentation. Consequently, inform your guide before departure if you plan to add Tsum Valley — your guide cannot arrange the extra permit at Lokpa on the day.
2026 Rule Changes — What Is New
Two significant changes took effect in 2025–2026. Every trekker planning the Manaslu Circuit needs to know both before booking.
Solo permit rule removed
Nepal removed the previous two-person minimum for the RAP in March 2026. Solo trekkers now apply for individual permits without a second international trekker. Furthermore, this opens the Manaslu Circuit to solo travellers from Australia, UK, USA, Europe, and all other international markets without the cost or logistics of finding a partner. However, the licensed guide requirement stays fully in force. Consequently, solo pricing reflects the single-person guide cost rather than any permit premium.
TIMS card dropped from the permit list
Nepal dropped the TIMS card for the Manaslu Circuit in the 2025–2026 season. No officer collects or checks TIMS at any point on the route. Furthermore, this saves approximately $20 per person for every trekker on the circuit. Consequently, any source still listing TIMS as a Manaslu requirement is outdated — Mountain Hike Nepal’s 2026 packages reflect the current list accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Manaslu Circuit needs three permits — the RAP, MCAP, and ACAP. Mountain Hike Nepal includes all three in the package price and your guide collects them in Kathmandu before departure. Furthermore, the Jagat checkpoint collects a Chumnubri Rural Municipality local fee on arrival — approximately $8 per person. Consequently, you arrange no permits independently and pay nothing extra at any checkpoint when booking through Mountain Hike Nepal.
No — the Manaslu Circuit legally needs a licensed guide throughout, and the RAP specifically needs registration through a licensed trekking operator. Furthermore, independent permit collection without operator registration does not satisfy current Nepal government regulations for this restricted area. Consequently, every trekker on the Manaslu Circuit must book through a licensed operator like Mountain Hike Nepal — your guide manages all documentation from Kathmandu to Dharapani.
Permit costs, TIMS and solo trekker questions
The 14-day peak season circuit costs approximately $251 per person in total permits — $205 for the RAP, $23 for the MCAP, and $23 for the ACAP. Furthermore, off-peak season drops the RAP to $145, reducing the total to approximately $191 per person. Consequently, trekking outside the October–November window saves $60 per person in permit costs for the identical 14-day itinerary and the same route experience.
No — Nepal dropped the TIMS card for the Manaslu Circuit in the 2025–2026 season. No officer checks TIMS at any point on the route. Furthermore, Mountain Hike Nepal’s 2026 packages do not include TIMS in the permit list — the current requirement accurately reflects this change. Consequently, any operator or blog still listing TIMS as a Manaslu requirement is working from outdated information. Confirm the current permit list before signing with any agency.
Yes — Nepal removed the two-person minimum for the RAP in March 2026. Solo trekkers now obtain individual permits without a second foreign trekker. Furthermore, Mountain Hike Nepal’s solo package at $1,699 includes all three permits, a licensed guide, porter, accommodation, and all meals for the 14-day circuit. Consequently, the Manaslu Circuit now fully serves solo international travellers under the updated 2026 regulations — no partner search needed.
Related Planning Guides
- Full Cost Guide 2026 — How permit costs fit into the total Manaslu Circuit budget.
- Full 14-Day Itinerary — Every checkpoint stage with altitude, distance, and trail notes.
- Route Map Guide — Where each permit checkpoint sits on the circuit map.
- Best Time to Trek — How peak vs off-peak season affects your permit costs.
- Difficulty Guide — What the circuit demands beyond the permit process.
- Beginners Guide — Whether the Manaslu Circuit suits your experience level.
- Manaslu Circuit Trek Package — Full 2026 package with all permits included in the price.
Permits Sorted. Trail Ready.
The Manaslu circuit trek permits — RAP, MCAP, and ACAP — sit inside your Mountain Hike Nepal package. Your guide collects them, carries them, and presents them at every checkpoint. The 2026 rule changes make the process simpler than ever. Solo trekkers now access the same restricted area that previously needed two people. The circuit stays remote, stays protected, and stays one of the finest high-altitude routes in the Himalaya.
View the full Manaslu Circuit Trek package on Mountain Hike Nepal →
Questions about permits, the solo rule change, or how the package handles documentation? Our team responds within 12 hours.