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Upper Mustang needs a Restricted Area Permit — US$500 per person for the first 10 days (plus US$50/day after) — together with ACAP (NPR 3,000). It is a restricted area: a licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers are required. Accurate 2026 cost and rules.
- Upper Mustang is a restricted area. You need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP): US$500 per person for the first 10 days, then US$50 per extra day.
- You also need the ACAP (NPR 3,000 ≈ US$22) — Upper Mustang sits within the Annapurna Conservation Area.
- A licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers are required; the permit is issued only through a registered agency in Kathmandu. Solo/independent trekking is not allowed.
- A standard 10-day trek to Lo Manthang costs about US$523 in permits per person.
Upper Mustang — the former Kingdom of Lo, north of Kagbeni — is one of Nepal's most tightly protected trekking regions. Access is controlled by a special Restricted Area Permit, and the rules have stayed consistent for years. Beware older blog posts claiming the fee was scrapped or that solo trekking is now allowed — that is not correct. Here is the accurate 2026 picture.
Upper Mustang permit cost 2026
Two permits are required for Upper Mustang, and the restricted permit is priced in US dollars:
| Permit | 2026 cost (foreign national) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | US$500 for the first 10 days | then US$50 per additional day |
| ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) | NPR 3,000 (≈ US$22) | required in addition to the RAP |
| Licensed guide | Mandatory | registered guide via a government-licensed agency |
So a standard 10-day Upper Mustang trek runs roughly US$523 in core permits per person (RAP US$500 + ACAP ≈ US$23). Longer itineraries add US$50 for each extra day in the restricted zone.
Upper Mustang requires a group of at least two foreigners and a licensed guide. The RAP cannot be issued to individuals directly — only a registered trekking agency in Kathmandu can obtain it for you. Trekking south of Kagbeni (Lower Mustang) does not need the restricted permit.
How to get your Upper Mustang permit
Book through a registered agency (such as Travel Himalaya Nepal). Provide your passport, passport photos and trek dates; the agency applies for the RAP at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu and arranges your ACAP and guide. The RAP is issued for a fixed window, so confirm your start date. You collect or carry the permits and present them at the Kagbeni and Lo Manthang checkpoints.
Best time to trek Upper Mustang
Because Upper Mustang lies in the Himalayan rain shadow, it stays largely dry through the monsoon (June–August) and is trekkable in spring, summer and autumn — one of the few Nepal regions you can do in the wet season. Spring (with the Tiji festival) and autumn are the most popular.
Use our free Nepal permit cost calculator for your group and trek length, or read the full Upper Mustang permit guide and the Upper Mustang trek guide.
How much does the Upper Mustang permit cost in 2026?
About US$523 per person for a standard 10-day trek: the Restricted Area Permit is US$500 for 10 days (plus US$50 per extra day) and ACAP is NPR 3,000 (≈ US$22).
Can I trek Upper Mustang solo?
No. Upper Mustang is a restricted area requiring a licensed guide and a minimum of two trekkers; the permit is issued only through a registered agency.
Can I trek Upper Mustang in the monsoon?
Yes — it lies in the rain shadow and stays largely dry from June to August, making it one of the few Nepal regions trekkable in the monsoon.
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