Quick answer: The Manaslu Circuit needs three permits: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. A licensed guide and a registered trekking agency are required by law, and the RAP costs more in autumn than in the off-season.
You need three permits for the Manaslu Circuit Trek, and they cost about US$130 to US$170 per person for a standard two-week trip. Manaslu is a restricted area. So the rules are stricter than on Everest or Annapurna. In short, you must trek with a licensed guide, book through a registered agency, and carry all three permits. For how Nepal’s permit and guide rules work across every region, see our complete Nepal trekking permits guide.
Key Takeaways
- You need three permits: the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the MCAP, and the ACAP.
- The RAP costs US$100 for 7 days in autumn and US$75 for 7 days in the off-season, plus a daily fee after that.
- The MCAP and ACAP are about NPR 3,000 each (roughly US$23).
- A licensed guide and a registered agency are required. You cannot get the RAP on your own.
- Spade Himalaya arranges all three permits for you.
This guide explains each permit, the cost, and the rules, step by step. For the full trip plan, see our 14-day Manaslu Circuit Trek and the complete Manaslu Circuit Trek guide.
What three permits do you need?
Manaslu sits in a restricted zone, so it needs more than a normal trekking permit. Here are the three you must carry.
1. Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
This is the main permit, and it is the reason Manaslu costs more than other treks. The price depends on the season (Nepal Department of Immigration, retrieved 2026-06-20):
- September to November (autumn): US$100 per person for the first 7 days. After that, it is US$15 per day.
- December to August: US$75 per person for the first 7 days. After that, it is US$10 per day.
Most Manaslu treks spend about 7 to 9 days inside the restricted zone. So the RAP usually lands near US$100 to US$130 per person.
2. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
Next, you need the MCAP. It covers the protected area you walk through. For foreign trekkers, it is about NPR 3,000 (roughly US$23).
3. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Finally, you also need the ACAP. This surprises some people. However, the trek ends in the Annapurna area at Dharapani. So the last part of the route sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. The ACAP is also about NPR 3,000.
How much do the permits cost in total?
For a standard 14-day trek, the three permits together come to roughly US$130 to US$170 per person. Here is a simple breakdown.
| Permit | 2026 cost (per person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP), autumn | US$100 for 7 days, then US$15/day | September to November |
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP), off-season | US$75 for 7 days, then US$10/day | December to August |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | about NPR 3,000 (US$23) | Foreign trekkers |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | about NPR 3,000 (US$23) | Needed near Dharapani |
These permits are only one part of your total budget. For the full picture, including guide, transport, food, and lodging, see our Manaslu Circuit Trek cost guide.
What is the guide rule, and the March 2026 update?
By law, you must trek Manaslu with a licensed guide booked through a registered agency. This has been true for years, because Manaslu is a restricted area.
Manaslu Circuit Trek 14-Days
In March 2026, Nepal changed one part of the rule. Before, you needed at least two trekkers to get a restricted-area permit. Now, solo travellers can apply on their own (Kathmandu Post, 2026). However, the guide rule did not change. So you still cannot trek Manaslu alone or without a guide.
In short, even a solo traveller must still hire a licensed guide and book through a registered agency.
How do you get the permits?
You cannot get the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit by yourself. Only a registered trekking agency can apply for it. This is a key difference from Annapurna or Everest, where you can sometimes arrange permits alone.
So the process is simple for you. First, you book with a registered agency like Spade Himalaya. Then the agency applies for all three permits on your behalf. Finally, the guide carries them and shows them at the checkpoints along the trail.
To process the permits, you will need:
- Your passport and a few passport photos
- A copy of your travel insurance
- Your trek dates and entry point
Spade Himalaya handles the paperwork, so you do not have to queue at any office.
Do you need extra permits for the Tsum Valley?
Yes. If you add the Tsum Valley, you need a separate Restricted Area Permit for it. The Tsum Valley is a sacred side valley near the Tibet border. It is beautiful and very remote.
The Tsum Valley RAP is priced on its own, by the week and season. So if you plan to combine Manaslu and Tsum, tell your agency early. That way, they can arrange both permits together.
How do you keep permit costs down?
You cannot skip the permits, but you can plan smartly. Here are a few honest tips.
- Trek in the off-season window for a cheaper RAP. December to August costs US$75 for the first 7 days, not US$100.
- Keep your days inside the zone tight. Fewer days in the restricted area means a lower daily RAP add-on.
- Travel in a small group. Permits are per person, but guide and jeep costs are shared. So a group lowers your overall price.
- Do not try to skip a guide. It is not allowed, and checkpoints are strict. So this is never worth the risk.
Where do your permits get checked?
You do not just buy the permits and forget them. Your guide shows them at checkpoints along the trail. For example, there are checks near Jagat, Philim, and the upper villages toward Samdo. So your documents matter for the whole trek, not just at the start.
The good news is that your guide handles all of this. So you rarely have to do anything yourself. Still, it is smart to carry a copy of your passport and your insurance too. That way, you are covered if a checkpoint asks.
How do Manaslu permits compare to other regions?
Manaslu needs more permits than most treks, because it is a restricted area. However, it is not the most expensive restricted region. Here is how it compares.
- Everest: you need the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu local permit. There is no restricted permit there.
- Annapurna: you need only the ACAP and a TIMS card. These are cheap.
- Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo: these are also restricted, but their permits cost far more than Manaslu’s.
So Manaslu sits in the middle. It costs more than Everest or Annapurna. Still, it is much cheaper than Upper Mustang or Upper Dolpo. In short, it is a fair price for such a wild, protected route.
What if the fees or rules change?
Permit fees and rules do change from time to time. For example, the solo-trekker rule changed in March 2026. So it is wise to check the latest fees before you book.
The good news is simple, though. When you book through a registered agency, this becomes their job. So Spade Himalaya re-checks the current fees and rules with the Department of Immigration before every trip. As a result, you always pay the correct, up-to-date amount.
FAQs
How much are the Manaslu Circuit Trek permits in 2026?
About US$130 to US$170 per person for a standard 14-day trek. That includes the Restricted Area Permit (US$100 for 7 days in autumn, or US$75 off-season), the MCAP (about NPR 3,000), and the ACAP (about NPR 3,000). Your agency arranges all three.
Why do you need an Annapurna permit for a Manaslu trek?
Because the trek ends at Dharapani, which sits inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. So the final stretch needs the ACAP, on top of the Manaslu permits. It is a normal part of every Manaslu Circuit booking.
Can you get a Manaslu permit without a guide?
No. The Restricted Area Permit can only be issued through a registered trekking agency, and a licensed guide is required by law. The March 2026 update let solo travellers apply, but it kept the guide and agency rules. So a guide is still mandatory.
Do you need two people to trek Manaslu in 2026?
No longer. Until early 2026, restricted areas needed at least two trekkers. In March 2026, Nepal removed that minimum, so solo travellers can now apply. However, you still must trek with a licensed guide and a registered agency.
Where do you get the Manaslu permits?
Your registered trekking agency gets them for you. You provide your passport, passport photos, insurance copy, and trek dates. Then the agency applies, and your guide carries the permits and shows them at the trail checkpoints.
Accuracy note: official fees, rules, and hard facts in this guide are cited inline from their sources; trail and price details are Spade Himalaya field research; route details reviewed by Yubaraj Katel, government-licensed trekking guide (Licence No. 19827) with 10 years of experience leading treks in the Manaslu region.
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