Reviewed June 2026
Nepal Restricted Area Permits
Nepal’s wildest trails — Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Nar Phu, Tsum — sit in restricted areas that need a US-dollar Restricted Area Permit (RAP) on top of the usual park fee, a licensed guide, and a registered agency. Here are the exact 2026 fees and rules for every one.
2026 Restricted Area Permit Fees
| Area | Restricted permit (RAP) | After the period | Plus (park/conservation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Circuit | US$100 / week (Sep–Nov) · US$75 / week (Dec–Aug) | +US$15/day (Sep–Nov), +US$10/day (Dec–Aug) | MCAP + ACAP (NPR 3,000 each) |
| Tsum Valley | US$40 / week (Sep–Nov) · US$30 / week (Dec–Aug) | +US$7/day | MCAP (NPR 3,000) |
| Nar Phu Valley | US$100 / week (Sep–Nov) · US$75 / week (Dec–Aug) | +US$15/day | ACAP (NPR 3,000) |
| Upper Mustang | US$500 / 10 days | +US$50/day | ACAP (NPR 3,000) |
| Upper Dolpo | US$500 / 10 days | +US$50/day | Shey Phoksundo NP (NPR 3,000) |
| Lower Dolpo | US$20 / week (first 4 weeks) | then US$5 / week | Shey Phoksundo NP (NPR 3,000) |
| Kanchenjunga | US$20 / week (first 4 weeks) · US$25 / week after | — | KCAP (NPR 2,000) |
Fees are per person, set by the Department of Immigration and reviewed periodically. Smaller restricted zones (Humla / Limi, Gaurishankar / Rolwaling, Rasuwa) start around US$20 per week — ask us for your exact route. Estimate your full trip with the permit cost calculator.
The 3 Restricted-Area Rules
Agency-only
A Restricted Area Permit is issued only through a registered Nepali trekking agency — never to individual trekkers. We arrange it for you.
Licensed guide required
A government-licensed guide is mandatory on every restricted-area trek, and most areas require a minimum of two trekkers on one permit.
Paid in USD, per person
The RAP is priced in US dollars per person, on top of the relevant conservation-area or national-park permit (NPR 2,000–3,000).
Restricted Area Permit FAQ
What is a restricted area in Nepal?
Restricted areas are border or culturally sensitive regions where trekking is controlled by the Department of Immigration. They require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) priced in US dollars, on top of the usual conservation-area or national-park permit. Nepal’s restricted trekking regions include Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Upper Mustang, Nar Phu, Upper and Lower Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Humla/Limi, and parts of Gaurishankar and Rasuwa.
How much does a restricted area permit cost in 2026?
It varies widely. Premium areas are the most expensive — Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo are US$500 for the first 10 days (+US$50/day after). Manaslu and Nar Phu are US$100 per week in peak season (Sep–Nov) and US$75 per week off-season. Tsum Valley is US$40/US$30 per week, while Kanchenjunga and Lower Dolpo start at just US$20 per week. Each RAP is on top of the relevant conservation/park permit (NPR 2,000–3,000).
Do I need a guide for a restricted area trek?
Yes. Restricted Area Permits are issued only through a registered Nepali trekking agency, never to individuals, and a licensed guide is mandatory. Most restricted areas also require a minimum of two trekkers on one permit. Rules are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current requirements for your route with your agency before booking — we handle all of this for you.
Which Nepal treks are in restricted areas?
The main ones are the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley, Upper Mustang (Lo Manthang), the Nar Phu Valley, Upper and Lower Dolpo (Phoksundo Lake, Shey Gompa), and Kanchenjunga. Humla/Limi Valley and parts of Gaurishankar (Rolwaling) and Rasuwa are also restricted. These are Nepal’s wildest, least-crowded trails.
Are restricted area permit fees per person or per group?
Per person. The weekly or 10-day RAP fee applies to each trekker. The conservation-area and national-park permits (ACAP, MCAP, Shey Phoksundo, KCAP) are also per person. Use our free permit cost calculator to estimate your exact total.