Trekking · Nepal
Manaslu Circuit Permit Cost & Rules
The restricted special permit, MCAP and ACAP fees, plus the two-trekker and agency rules for Manaslu.
The Manaslu Circuit rings the world's eighth-highest mountain through a restricted region, so its permits are very different from the open Annapurna and Everest routes. Alongside the conservation-area permits you pay a Restricted Area Permit charged per person per day in US dollars, which makes Manaslu pricier and means you cannot trek it independently.
The short answer
Manaslu needs three permits: the Restricted Area Permit (per person, per day, in USD), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) for the exit near Dharapani. A licensed guide, a registered agency and a minimum of two trekkers are mandatory. For the route itself see the Manaslu Circuit trek, and for the wider picture the Nepal trekking costs hub.
The three permits
- Restricted Area Permit (RAP): the expensive one, charged per person per day. The rate is higher in the September–November peak and lower from December to August, so a longer trek costs more in permits.
- MCAP: Manaslu Conservation Area entry.
- ACAP: Annapurna Conservation Area entry, because the circuit finishes in Annapurna territory.
For how restricted permits work in general, see our Nepal trekking permits guide.
Why you can't go solo
Restricted regions require a minimum of two trekkers, a licensed guide and a registered agency that issues the permits — there is no individual restricted permit. This is the same model used in Upper Mustang, whose permit cost is also charged per person and arranged only through an agency.
How it shapes your budget
Because the restricted permit is per day, your total scales with trek length, unlike the flat conservation permits on Annapurna. Add the mandatory guide and agency overhead, and Manaslu costs more than the open classics — though food and lodging on its teahouses are broadly similar. See how it compares in the overall Nepal trekking cost breakdown.
Plan around it
The peak-season permit surcharge lines up with the clearest weather, so weigh cost against conditions using the best time to visit Nepal. The circuit crosses the 5,106 m Larkya La, so plan acclimatisation and read the altitude sickness guide. For staffing rates, see hiring a guide and porter in Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Manaslu Circuit permits cost?+
Manaslu is a restricted region, so on top of the MCAP and ACAP conservation-area permits you pay a Restricted Area Permit charged per person per day in US dollars. The rate is higher in the September to November peak season and lower from December to August, and the daily charge means a longer trek costs noticeably more in permits alone.
Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit independently?+
No. As a restricted region, Manaslu requires a minimum of two trekkers, a licensed guide and a registered trekking agency to issue the permits. Genuine solo trekking is not allowed, so you cannot buy the restricted permit as an individual walking alone, even with a guide.
What permits does the Manaslu Circuit need?+
You need three: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) because the trek exits through the Annapurna region near Dharapani. The restricted permit is the expensive one and is charged per person per day.
Is Manaslu cheaper than Everest or Annapurna?+
On food and lodging Manaslu is similar, but its restricted per-day permit and the mandatory agency and two-person rule push the overall cost above the open Annapurna and Everest classics. The trade-off is a quieter, wilder trail with far fewer trekkers than the busier routes.
