If you’re planning a trip to the Manaslu region this year, the single most confusing part of your preparation probably isn’t the altitude, the distance, or the packing list — it’s the permits. Unlike Everest or Annapurna, where trekkers are used to dealing with one or two permits, the Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026 system involves three separate documents, each issued by a different authority, each with its own fee structure, and each only obtainable through specific channels.
This guide walks through exactly what MCAP, MAPA (the local term often used alongside ACAP on the Manaslu-Annapurna overlap), and the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) actually are, what they cost, who can issue them, what documents you need, and how the whole process fits together for a typical Manaslu Circuit or Manaslu Base Camp itinerary in 2026.
Why Manaslu Needs Three Permits (Not Just One).
Most trekking regions in Nepal require either one conservation area permit (like Sagarmatha National Park for Everest) or a TIMS card. Manaslu is different because the trekking route physically crosses through three distinct administrative zones, each managed by a separate body:
- The Manaslu Conservation Area, managed under a community-based conservation model
- A restricted border zone close to the Tibet Autonomous Region, controlled by Nepal’s Department of Immigration
- The Annapurna Conservation Area, which most Manaslu Circuit itineraries pass through on the descent from Larkya La toward Dharapani, Tal, and Besisahar
Each zone has its own legal basis for charging an entry fee, and none of them substitute for each other. This is why trekkers sometimes get confused when an agency quote includes three permit line items — it’s not an upsell, it’s three genuinely separate government and conservation fees that all apply to the same trip.
1. Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) / Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026.
The Restricted Area Permit is the most important and most misunderstood of the three. It exists because the Manaslu trekking route runs close to the Nepal-Tibet border, and Nepal’s immigration regulations classify a band of districts along this border as “restricted” for foreign nationals — meaning entry requires special authorization beyond a standard tourist visa.
Who Issues the RAP.
The RAP cannot be applied for directly by an individual trekker, and it cannot be obtained at the trailhead or at a checkpoint. It must be processed in Kathmandu through a government-registered trekking agency, which submits your passport details, itinerary, and guide information to the Department of Immigration on your behalf.
RAP Cost Structure for 2026 / 2027.
The RAP fee is calculated per person, per day, and the rate changes depending on the season and the length of your trek. There are two pricing seasons:
- Peak season (September to November): The highest daily rate applies during these autumn months, which are also the busiest months on the trail.
- Off-peak season (December to August): A reduced daily rate applies for the rest of the year, including the spring trekking season.
The “per day” calculation is based on the number of days you’ll spend specifically within the restricted area boundary — not your entire trip length. For a standard Manaslu Circuit itinerary, this typically covers the section from just past Jagat (where the restricted zone begins) through to around Sama Gaon, Samdo, and the approach to Larkya La, before you exit the restricted zone descending toward Bhimthang and beyond.
If your trip extends beyond the minimum number of restricted-zone days included in the base fee, an additional daily surcharge applies for each extra day — something to flag with your agency if you’re planning extra acclimatization days at Sama Gaon or Samdo, both of which fall inside the restricted boundary.
Minimum Group Size for the RAP.
One of the most important rules for 2026 / 2027 (and unchanged from previous years) is that the RAP requires a minimum of two people per group for the permit to be issued. This is the rule that trips up solo travelers most often. In practice, registered agencies handle this by listing the guide or a second staff member as part of the permit group, so a solo trekker doesn’t need to find a travel companion themselves — but it’s worth confirming with your agency how they handle this, since it directly affects your permit paperwork.
Documents Required for the RAP.
- A clear scan or photo of your passport’s main information page
- Your passport’s validity must extend well beyond your planned return date — agencies typically request at least six months’ validity remaining
- Two passport-sized photographs (digital copies are usually sufficient for the application, though physical copies are sometimes requested)
- Your confirmed trip dates, since the RAP is date-specific and tied to your itinerary
- Travel insurance details that cover high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation, which some agencies require before submitting your permit application
2. Manaslu Conservation Area Project (Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026) Permit 2026 / 2027.
The MCAP permit is the conservation entry fee for the Manaslu Conservation Area itself — a protected zone covering forests, alpine pasture, and wildlife habitat along the trekking route, managed with input from local community management committees.
What MCAP Covers.
Unlike the RAP, which is calculated per day, the MCAP permit is a one-time entry fee that covers your entire stay within the conservation area, regardless of how many days you spend inside it. This makes it simpler to budget for than the RAP, since there’s no daily surcharge to track.
How MCAP Differs by Nationality.
MCAP fees, like most conservation area fees in Nepal, are tiered by nationality. Foreign nationals (non-SAARC) pay the standard international rate, SAARC nationals (from countries including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and others) pay a reduced rate, and Nepali citizens pay a minimal domestic rate. If you’re trekking as part of a mixed-nationality group, your agency will calculate each person’s MCAP fee individually based on their passport.
Where MCAP Fits in Your Itinerary.
The MCAP boundary roughly aligns with where the trail enters genuinely mountainous terrain — typically somewhere around the lower Budhi Gandaki valley, before the restricted area zone begins further up the trail. In practice, most trekkers pass through an MCAP checkpoint and a RAP checkpoint on the same day or within a day of each other, which is part of why the two permits often get confused with one another.
3. Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) / “MAPA” Permit 2026.
This is the third permit, and it’s the one that catches people off guard the most — because if you’re focused entirely on “Manaslu,” it’s easy to forget that most circuit itineraries don’t end in the Manaslu Conservation Area. They cross over Larkya La and descend into territory managed under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, sometimes referred to locally in shorthand as “MAPA” alongside ACAP terminology.
Why You Need an ACAP Permit on a “Manaslu” Trek.
The standard Manaslu Circuit route descends from Larkya La toward Bhimthang, then continues through Tilije, Dharapani, and often onward to Tal or Chamje before exiting toward Besisahar — and this entire stretch falls inside the Annapurna Conservation Area boundary. If your itinerary includes this section (which the vast majority do, since it’s the standard route off the mountain), you legally need an ACAP permit for this portion of the trip, separate from your MCAP and RAP permits.
ACAP Cost and How It’s Issued.
Like MCAP, the ACAP permit is a one-time entry fee (not calculated per day) and is also tiered by nationality in the same way. It can be issued either in Kathmandu alongside your other permits or, in some cases, at the Annapurna Conservation Area Project office directly — but for a Manaslu-to-Annapurna crossing itinerary, it’s almost always more efficient to have your agency arrange all three permits together in Kathmandu before departure, since there’s no ACAP checkpoint office at the point where the Manaslu route crosses into Annapurna territory partway through the trek.
Manaslu Trekking Permit: Side-by-Side Comparison
To make sense of how these three permits relate to each other, it helps to compare them directly:
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) / Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026.
Issued by: Department of Immigration, via registered trekking agency only
Fee structure: Per person, per day, seasonal rate (higher in autumn)
Minimum requirement: Two people per group
Covers: The restricted border zone section of the trek (roughly Jagat to past Samdo)
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP).
Issued by: Manaslu Conservation Area Project office, via agency or directly
Fee structure: One-time entry fee, tiered by nationality
Minimum requirement: None
Covers: The entire Manaslu Conservation Area for the duration of your trip
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP / “MAPA”).
Issued by: Annapurna Conservation Area Project office, via agency or directly
Fee structure: One-time entry fee, tiered by nationality
Minimum requirement: None
Covers: The Annapurna Conservation Area section of the descent route
How to Apply for Manaslu Trekking Permits 2026: Step-by-Step.
Step 1: Book Through a Registered Trekking Agency.
Because the RAP can only be processed by a registered agency, this is the first and most important step. Choose an agency licensed by Nepal’s Department of Tourism, and confirm they regularly handle restricted area permits for Manaslu specifically — not every agency that operates in Nepal is set up to process restricted area paperwork.
Step 2: Submit Your Documents Early.
Permit processing, particularly for the RAP, takes time because it involves a government department rather than just a conservation office. Most agencies recommend submitting your passport scan, photos, and confirmed dates at least a few days before your trek begins — and longer during peak season (September to November) when processing queues are busier.
Step 3: Confirm All Three Permits Are Included in Your Quote.
When comparing trekking packages, ask specifically whether MCAP, ACAP, and RAP are all included in the quoted price, or whether any are listed as “extra” or “payable locally.” Some budget quotes only include one or two of the three permits, with the others added later — which can come as an unwelcome surprise mid-trek.
Step 4: Carry Physical Copies on the Trail.
Even though permits are processed digitally in Kathmandu, you’ll need physical printed permit documents to present at checkpoints along the trail. Your guide typically carries these, but it’s worth knowing what they look like and confirming with your guide at the start of the trek that all three permits are in hand before you reach the first checkpoint.
Step 5: Keep Your Passport Accessible.
Checkpoint staff may cross-reference your permit documents against your passport, particularly at the RAP (Manaslu Trekking Permit) checkpoints near the restricted zone boundary. Keep your passport easily accessible in your daypack rather than buried in your main pack during the trekking days when you’ll pass through checkpoints.
What Happens If You Don’t Have the Right Permits?
This is worth addressing directly, because the consequences differ between the three permit types. If you arrive at an MCAP or ACAP checkpoint without the relevant permit, in most cases you can pay the fee on the spot (sometimes at a higher walk-up rate than if arranged in advance). The RAP is different — because it requires advance processing through the Department of Immigration with a registered agency, there generally isn’t a walk-up option at all. Arriving at a restricted area checkpoint without a valid RAP typically means being turned back, since the checkpoint staff have no mechanism to issue one on the spot.
This is the core reason the entire Manaslu permit system is structured around advance booking through an agency — it’s not just a recommendation, it’s effectively the only way the RAP component can function.
Do Permit Rules Change Each Year? What’s New for 2026 / 2027.
Permit fees and specific rules in Nepal are reviewed periodically by the relevant government and conservation bodies, and it’s common for daily RAP rates, MCAP and ACAP entry fees, or seasonal date ranges to be adjusted from one year to the next. Rather than relying on fee figures from older blog posts or forum threads (which can quickly become outdated), the most reliable approach for 2026 is to confirm current fees directly with your trekking agency at the time of booking, and to cross-check against official sources where possible.
For official updates on permit policy and fee structures, the Nepal Tourism Board and the Department of Tourism are the primary government sources, while the Annapurna Conservation Area Project’s own channels publish updates specific to ACAP fees that apply to the descent portion of the Manaslu Circuit.
Permit Costs and Itinerary Length: How They Interact.
Because the RAP is the only one of the three permits charged per day, your overall permit cost is directly tied to how many days your itinerary spends inside the restricted zone — not your total trip length. A few practical implications follow from this:
Extra Acclimatization Days Add to RAP Cost.
If you add an extra rest day at Sama Gaon or Samdo for acclimatization — both inside the restricted zone — this adds to your RAP day-count and therefore your permit cost, even though it doesn’t affect your MCAP or ACAP fees (which are flat one-time charges).
Days in Kathmandu, on the Drive, or Past Larkya La Don’t Count Toward RAP.
Time spent in Kathmandu before and after your trek, travel days to and from the trailhead, and days spent in the Annapurna Conservation Area section after crossing Larkya La don’t count toward your RAP day total — only days actually spent within the restricted zone boundary do. This is worth understanding when comparing quotes, since an itinerary that looks “longer” on paper might not actually cost more in RAP fees if the extra days fall outside the restricted zone.
Manaslu Permits for Different Trek Types.
Manaslu Circuit Trek.
The full circuit, crossing Larkya La and descending into Annapurna Conservation Area territory, requires all three permits: RAP, MCAP, and ACAP. This is the most common itinerary and the one most permit guides (including this one) are primarily written around.
Manaslu Base Camp Trek (Without the Full Circuit).
Some itineraries focus on reaching Manaslu Base Camp without continuing over Larkya La and into Annapurna territory — instead returning the way they came. For this style of itinerary, the ACAP permit may not be required, since the route never enters Annapurna Conservation Area boundaries. However, RAP and MCAP still apply, since the base camp approach itself passes through both the restricted zone and the conservation area. If you’re considering this style of trip, our dedicated guide to the Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026 covers the route and itinerary differences in more detail.
Tsum Valley Extension.
Some itineraries combine the Manaslu Circuit with an extension into the Tsum Valley, a separate restricted area with its own permit requirements layered on top of the standard Manaslu RAP. If you’re considering this extension, it’s worth discussing with your agency as a distinct add-on during the permit application process, since it affects both your RAP cost and your overall itinerary length.
Common Permit Mistakes to Avoid.
Assuming One Permit Covers Everything.
The single most common mistake is assuming that because you’ve paid “the Manaslu permit fee,” you’re covered for the entire trip. As this guide has covered, three separate permits apply, and missing even one — most commonly the ACAP permit for the descent section — can cause problems at checkpoints later in the trek.
Booking Too Close to Departure During Peak Season.
Because the RAP requires Department of Immigration processing, booking with very little lead time during September to November (when processing queues are at their busiest) can create delays. While agencies are generally able to manage this, it’s safer to confirm your trip dates and submit documents with reasonable lead time rather than expecting same-week processing during peak season.
Not Confirming Which Season’s RAP Rate Applies.
Because RAP rates differ between peak and off-peak seasons, and your trip might straddle a seasonal boundary (for example, starting in late August and extending into September), it’s worth confirming with your agency which rate applies to your specific dates rather than assuming based on when you booked.
Forgetting Insurance Documentation.
While not technically a “permit,” many agencies require proof of travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation before they’ll submit your RAP application, since the restricted area’s remoteness makes evacuation logistics more complex than on more accessible routes.
Frequently Asked Questions: Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026.
What is the difference between MCAP and RAP?
MCAP (Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026) is a one-time conservation entry fee covering the protected area along the trekking route, while RAP (Restricted Area Permit) is a per-day fee tied to Nepal’s border security regulations for the restricted zone near the Tibet border. They’re issued by different authorities and cover different sections of the route, and both are required for a standard Manaslu trek.
Do I need an ACAP permit if I’m only trekking “Manaslu”?
If your itinerary crosses Larkya La and descends through Bhimthang, Tilije, and Dharapani toward Besisahar — which most Manaslu Circuit itineraries do — then yes, this section falls inside the Annapurna Conservation Area and requires an ACAP permit, even though the trip is marketed primarily as a “Manaslu” trek.
Can I get the Restricted Area Permit myself without an agency?
No. The RAP must be processed by a government-registered trekking agency on your behalf, through Nepal’s Department of Immigration. There is no individual application process for foreign trekkers.
How far in advance should I apply for Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026 ?
While exact processing times vary, submitting your documents at least several days before your planned departure is a reasonable general guideline, with longer lead times advisable during the busy autumn season (September to November) when processing volumes are higher.
Does the RAP cost depend on how many total days my trip is?
It depends specifically on how many days you spend within the restricted zone boundary, not your total trip length. Days spent in Kathmandu, on transit to and from the trailhead, or in the Annapurna Conservation Area section after Larkya La don’t count toward the RAP day total.
Are permit fees different for different nationalities?
Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026 (MCAP) and ACAP fees are tiered by nationality, with different rates for non-SAARC foreign nationals, SAARC nationals, and Nepali citizens. The RAP fee structure is primarily based on season and number of days rather than nationality, though it’s worth confirming current rates with your agency, as this can be adjusted.
What happens if my trek gets extended due to weather (e.g., Larkya La closure)?
If unexpected delays extend your time within the restricted zone — for example, waiting out a weather window before crossing Larkya La — this can affect your RAP day-count, since it’s calculated based on actual days in the restricted zone. This is part of why building in some buffer or discussing contingency scenarios with your agency in advance is worthwhile, particularly for shoulder-season trips where weather is less predictable.
Final Thoughts on the Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026 Process.
The permit system for Manaslu can feel like the most bureaucratic part of planning your trip, but in practice, it’s almost entirely handled by your trekking agency once you’ve provided the right documents. The key things to keep in mind are that three separate permits apply (RAP, MCAP, and ACAP), the RAP specifically requires advance agency processing with no walk-up option, fees are tiered differently depending on whether they’re calculated per day (RAP) or as a one-time entry (Manaslu Trekking Permit 2026 and ACAP), and rules and rates are reviewed periodically — so confirming current figures at the time of booking is always more reliable than relying on fixed numbers from older sources.
If you’re still finalizing your route and want to compare how permit requirements differ across nearby treks, our guides to the Manaslu Base Camp Trek and the Langtang Valley Trek cover two alternative itineraries with their own permit structures, and our piece on whether you can trek the Manaslu Circuit solo goes into more detail on how the RAP’s minimum group size requirement plays out for independent travelers specifically.
For the most current official fee schedules, the Nepal Tourism Board and Department of Tourism remain the primary government references, and your trekking agency should be able to confirm exact figures for your specific travel dates.
