Manaslu Circuit trek permits work differently from a standard trekking permit, because the route is a restricted area. You need three main permits (Restricted Area Permit, Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) plus a small Chumnubri local municipality fee, and you must trek with a licensed guide booked through a registered Nepali trekking company. Highland’s 16-day Manaslu Circuit is from USD 1,680 for the remaining 2026 departures (USD 1,750 for 2027 departures), with the main permits included. This guide explains each permit, the fees by season, the guide rule and the extras, so you can compare quotes properly.
Key takeaways
- Three main permits are required, plus a small local fee: RAP (restricted area), MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area) and ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area, for the final section).
- RAP costs more in September to November than in December to August, and it is charged per day beyond the first week.
- A licensed guide through a registered agency is mandatory. Trekking without a guide is not allowed.
- Permits are arranged by Highland Expeditions before you start.
Why does the Manaslu Circuit need special permits?
Manaslu lies in a restricted area near the Tibet border, and the government controls access to protect the region and its communities. The route passes through the Manaslu Conservation Area and finishes inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, which is why more than one permit applies. The trade-off is a quieter trail than the Everest and Annapurna routes. For a view of the trail itself, read our Manaslu Circuit trek preparation guide.
Manaslu Circuit trek permits and fees at a glance
| Permit | What it covers | Fee for foreign trekkers |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | Entry to the restricted Manaslu area | Sept to Nov: USD 100 for the first 7 days, then USD 15 per extra day. Dec to Aug: USD 75 for the first 7 days, then USD 10 per extra day |
| Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) | Entry to the conservation area | NPR 3,000 |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | Final section of the circuit | NPR 3,000 |
| Chumnubri Local Permit | Entry to Chumnubri Local Municipality | NPR 1,000 per person |
Worked examples
Most trekkers take about 8 to 10 permit days. For an 8-day RAP in autumn that is USD 115 (USD 100 plus one extra day at USD 15); for 10 days it is USD 145. Outside the autumn season, 8 days is USD 85 and 10 days USD 105. Add NPR 3,000 each for MCAP and ACAP, which together are roughly USD 45 to 50 depending on the exchange rate.
Is a guide compulsory on the Manaslu Circuit?
Yes. Restricted-area rules require you to trek with a licensed guide employed by a registered trekking agency, and only an agency can apply for the permit. Until March 2026, restricted areas also required at least two trekkers. Reports say Nepal removed the two-person minimum from 22 March 2026, so a solo foreign trekker can now apply through a registered agency. The licensed-guide and registered-agency requirements remain, and one guide can cover up to seven trekkers. Individual group departures may still need a minimum number of participants, so ask the operator to confirm in writing whether a solo traveller can book your date.
Where and when do you get the permits?
In practice the agency collects your passport copy, photos and itinerary, and applies for the permits in Kathmandu before your trek. Guides show the permits at checkpoints along the trail, for example near Jagat and Philim and on the way up to Samdo. Bring your passport and a few spare passport photos. Check the Nepal entry requirements in our Nepal visa guide.
What does the Manaslu Circuit trek cost?
The permits are only part of the price. A guided package normally includes the guide, porter support, teahouse accommodation and meals on the trail, ground transport, and permits, but inclusions differ by operator.
| Option | Duration | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | 16 days | From USD 1,680 for 2026 departures; USD 1,750 for 2027 departures |
Highland’s price includes the special permit, MCAP and ACAP, an experienced local trek leader, assistant guides at a 1:4 ratio and one porter for every two trekkers. Group size is 2 to 15 people.
Costs that are usually separate: international flights, Nepal visa, travel insurance covering trekking to the altitude of the route (Larke La is above 5,100 m) with helicopter evacuation, gear, tips, drinks and personal spending, and Kathmandu hotel nights beyond those in the package. Get the inclusions in writing and check whether all three permits are in the price.
What makes the Manaslu Circuit harder than other treks?
The high point, Larke La, is above 5,100 m, and the route has long days and remote teahouses with simpler facilities. That is why the acclimatisation schedule matters. Read about the best months in our best time for the Manaslu Circuit guide and compare it with the Annapurna routes in Annapurna Base Camp vs Annapurna Circuit.
How to compare Manaslu Circuit quotes
- Are RAP, MCAP and ACAP all included, and for how many days?
- Is the guide licensed, and what is the guide-to-trekker ratio?
- Is the Tsum Valley permit included if you want that detour?
- What happens to the cost if weather or a landslide delays the road transfer?
- What are the evacuation arrangements and the insurance requirement?
A price far below others usually leaves one of these out.
Frequently asked questions about Manaslu Circuit trek permits
How much does the Manaslu Circuit trek cost?
Highland’s 16-day guided Manaslu Circuit is from USD 1,680 for 2026 departures and USD 1,750 for 2027 departures, and the price includes the special permit, MCAP and ACAP. Check whether the small Chumnubri local fee is covered. Flights, visa, insurance, gear, tips and personal spending are extra.
Do I need a guide for the Manaslu Circuit?
Yes. A licensed guide through a registered Nepali agency is required for restricted-area permits.
How much is the Manaslu restricted area permit in 2026?
In September to November it is USD 100 for the first seven days and USD 15 for each additional day. From December to August it is USD 75 for the first seven days and USD 10 per extra day. Confirm with your operator.
Do I need an ACAP permit for Manaslu?
Yes. The final part of the route enters the Annapurna Conservation Area (NPR 3,000).
Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit alone?
Not without a guide. The two-trekker minimum for restricted areas was reported removed from 22 March 2026, so a solo traveller may be able to apply through an agency. Individual departures can still have their own minimum, so ask for written confirmation.
Is Tsum Valley included in the Manaslu permit?
No. It requires its own permit and extra days.
When is the best time for the Manaslu Circuit?
Autumn and spring are the usual seasons. See our best time for the Manaslu Circuit guide.
Ready to plan? See the Manaslu Circuit trek or speak to our team for a written quote.
