Quick Answer: The Manaslu Circuit Trek permit costs $135 to $160 per person in total for a standard 1-week trek in 2026. This includes the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). A licensed guide and registered agency are mandatory — you cannot trek independently or arrange permits yourself.
Peak season (Sep–Nov): $160 total. Off-season (Dec–Aug): $135 total. Extra days beyond 1 week in the restricted zone cost $15/day (peak) or $10/day (off-peak). Below is the complete breakdown of each permit, the rules, and how to apply.
Manaslu is one of Nepal’s most rewarding treks — but it’s also one of the most strictly controlled. The route circles Nepal’s eighth-highest mountain through a restricted border zone, which means the Manaslu Circuit Trek permit rules are tighter than anywhere else I guide.
I’ve walked this trail multiple times. Below is everything you actually need to know about the Manaslu Circuit Trek permit before you arrive — no filler, no guesswork.
Permit Costs in 2026
The RAP covers the restricted zone from Jagat to Dharapani. Most trekkers cross this section in about 1 week, so you typically only pay the base weekly rate. MCAP and ACAP are fixed year-round. Here’s the full breakdown:
| Permit | Season | Base Cost | Extra Days | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAP | Peak (Sep–Nov) | USD 100 / week | USD 15 / day beyond 1 week | No — digital |
| RAP | Off (Dec–Aug) | USD 75 / week | USD 10 / day beyond 1 week | No — digital |
| MCAP | Year-round | USD 30 | — | Yes — 1 photo |
| ACAP | Year-round | USD 30 | — | Yes — 1 photo |
| Peak season total (1 week) | ~USD 160 | |||
| Off-season total (1 week) | ~USD 135 | |||
If you take longer than 7 days in the restricted zone, the extra day rates apply. For example, a 10-day October trek would cost USD 145 (USD 100 + 3 extra days × USD 15).
Why Is Manaslu a Restricted Area?
The Nepal government designated the Manaslu region as restricted because it sits close to the Tibet border and passes through fragile ecosystems and culturally sensitive Tibetan-Buddhist communities. Controlling trekker numbers protects both the environment and the local culture.
In practical terms, this means:
- You cannot trek solo without a licensed guide
- Permits must be arranged through a registered trekking agency — freelance guides cannot issue them
- A single trekker can now obtain the RAP — the previous two-person minimum has been removed
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permits You Need
What to Prepare Before Arriving in Nepal
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trek date
- Valid Nepal tourist visa
- 2 passport-sized printed photographs (for MCAP and ACAP)
- 1 digital/scanned photo (for RAP — your agency uploads it online)
- Confirmed booking with a registered trekking agency
- USD cash in small denominations (agencies pay permit fees in US dollars)
How the Permit Process Works
You cannot walk into an office and get these permits yourself. Here’s how it actually works on the ground:
- You book with a registered agency and send a scanned copy of your passport and visa.
- The agency fills out the online RAP application form and submits it to the Department of Immigration in Anamnagar, Kathmandu.
- USD cash is deposited at the Global IME Bank counter inside the immigration office. The agency lists every note’s serial number — yes, this is a real requirement.
- The Director General of Immigration reviews and signs the permit. This takes roughly 1.5–2 hours on a normal day.
- MCAP and ACAP are issued separately at the Nepal Tourism Board office — a quicker process paid in Nepali rupees.
- You receive all printed permits before the trek starts. Carry them throughout the route.
📋 Want the full picture? See the complete Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary, difficulty, and gear guide →
Where Your Permits Get Checked
Checkpoint officers are thorough on Manaslu — more so than on the Annapurna or EBC routes. Always keep your permits in your daypack, not your main bag.
- Jagat — first RAP checkpoint entering the restricted zone
- Philim — MCAP checkpoint
- Samagaun — last RAP checkpoint before crossing into ACAP zone
- Dharapani — ACAP checkpoint exiting into the Annapurna region
Do You Really Need a Guide?
Yes — and this is non-negotiable. The Nepal government requires a licensed guide for the Manaslu restricted zone. Freelance guides without agency registration cannot process your permits.
As of 2026, a single trekker can obtain the RAP and complete the route with just one licensed guide through a registered agency. The previous two-person minimum has been removed — you no longer need to find a trekking partner.