Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek Permits 2027: Fees, Requirements and How We Handle Them for You

If you're dreaming of walking through the Tsum Valley and over the Larkya La in 2027, one question comes up before almost every other: what permits do I need, and what will they cost?

It's a fair question. Manaslu and the Tsum Valley are restricted areas, so the paperwork is more involved than on the Annapurna or Everest trails. This guide lays out every permit, the 2026/27 fee rates, and the rules that apply to you, so you can plan your budget with confidence. As a registered trekking agency, we arrange these permits for our clients every season, and we've written this the way we'd explain it to you in our Kathmandu or Pokhara office.

A quick note:Fees and procedures are set by the Government of Nepal and can change with little notice. The figures below are the published 2026/27 rates as of November 2026, and we confirm the final amounts with you before your trek.

Why Manaslu and Tsum Valley need special permits?

Both regions lie close to the Tibetan border, which is why Nepal classifies them as restricted areas. Access is controlled through a permit system, numbers stay manageable, and a meaningful share of the fees supports the region.
For you, that means something wonderful: quieter trails, unhurried villages, and monasteries in Chumling, Chhekampar and Nile where you'll often have the courtyard to yourself. The Tsum Valley, known as the "Hidden Valley of Happiness", is one of the most culturally rich places you can walk in Nepal.

For you, that means something wonderful: quieter trails, unhurried villages, and monasteries in Chumling, Chhekampar and Nile where you'll often have the courtyard to yourself. The Tsum Valley, known as the "Hidden Valley of Happiness", is one of the most culturally rich places you can walk in Nepal.

Permits required for the Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek

1. Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

The Department of Immigration issues this permit in Kathmandu, and it can only be obtained through a registered trekking agency. Validity begins at the Jagat checkpoint.

Example: 10 days inside the restricted zone in autumn = US$100 + (3 × US$15) = US$145.

2. Tsum Valley Restricted Area Permit

The Tsum Valley has its own permit, charged in addition to the Manaslu RAP when you combine the two.

If you're trekking only the Tsum Valley (our 14-day Tsum Valley itinerary), the Tsum permit is your main restricted-area permit. We'll confirm exactly which permits apply to your route when you book.

3. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)

The whole region sits inside the Manaslu Conservation Area, managed through the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC).
Foreign nationals: NPR 3,000 
SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000
This is a flat fee: it doesn't change with the season or trek length.

4. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

If you complete the Manaslu Circuit by crossing the Larkya La to Dharapani, you enter the Annapurna Conservation Area and need this permit.
Foreign nationals: NPR 3,000
SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000
If your route returns the way you came, as on a Tsum Valley round trip, you may not need it.

5. Local municipality fee

A small fee for the Chumnubri Rural Municipality is collected near Jagat. Most sources put it at around US$10; some list it as NPR 1,000.

How much will the permits cost?

Here's a typical autumn estimate for the combined Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek, with roughly 7 restricted days in each area:

Extra days add to this, and longer autumn itineraries can reach roughly US$270 to 295 in permits alone. In the December to August period, the lower RAP rates reduce the first-week total by about US$35.
These figures cover permits only. Guide, porter, accommodation, meals and transport are separate costs, so when you compare trek quotes from different companies, check whether permits are included. It can change the real comparison by around US$200.

The rules every trekker should know

A licensed guide and a registered agency are mandatory

In restricted areas, you must trek with a licensed guide, and permits must be arranged through a registered Nepali trekking agency. You can't apply on your own, and checkpoints verify credentials. This is one reason many trekkers prefer to let a trusted agency take care of everything from the start.

Solo travelers can now apply without a partner

In March 2026, Nepal's Department of Immigration removed the old "minimum two trekkers" requirement for restricted-area permits. If you're travelling alone, you can now apply for a Manaslu or Tsum Valley permit without finding a trekking partner.
One important point: "solo" means without a trekking partner, not without a guide. You'll still trek with a licensed guide through an agency. Many solo travellers actually prefer this: a private trek lets you set your own pace, rest when you need to, and spend extra time in the villages you love.

Applications are moving online

Permit applications have been shifting from paper to a digital system. In practice, this means we'll ask for your documents a little earlier and in a specific format.

What we'll need from you

To process your permits, please send us:
•    A clear scan of your passport (valid for at least six months)
•    Your Nepal visa details
•    Passport-size photos
•    Your trek itinerary and dates

We recommend sending these at least two weeks before you arrive in Kathmandu. In autumn, when everyone wants the same dates, earlier is better.

How the process works with us

Choose your trek or ask us to customize a route.

• Send your documents. We'll tell you exactly what's needed and by when.
• We file the restricted-area permits with the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
• We arrange the conservation permits (MCAP and ACAP) through the relevant offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

You carry copies. You'll show your permit details at checkpoints such as Jagat, Philim, Samagaun and Dharapani, so keep photocopies and phone photos handy. Your guide will walk you through each checkpoint.

Planning tips from our team

• Book early for autumn. September to November is the peak season. The restricted-area fee is higher, and teahouse beds in Samagaun and Samdo fill up quickly.
• Consider the Tsum Valley extension. It adds days and a separate permit fee, but many of our trekkers describe it as the cultural highlight of the whole journey. If your schedule allows, we recommend it.
• Build in a buffer. Restricted-area fees are charged per day, so acclimatization days and weather delays add up. A small buffer in your budget avoids surprises.
• Choose your season thoughtfully. Autumn offers the classic clear mountain views. Spring brings rhododendron blooms and lower RAP rates. If you'd like help deciding, we're happy to talk it through.

Why trek Manaslu and Tsum Valley with us?

ABC and EBC Nepal Trekking Adventure has more than 15 years of experience organizing treks across Nepal, with offices in Kathmandu (Naxal) and Pokhara (Lakeside). Our team includes 50+ trek leaders and guides, and we've been recognized with TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence (Travellers' Choice). We're also associated with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).

For you, that means one team handling your permits, guide and logistics, so you can focus on the trek itself.

For a 2027 Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek, expect three to four core permits (Manaslu RAP, Tsum Valley RAP, MCAP, and ACAP if you exit via Annapurna), a small municipality fee, and roughly US$190 to 300 per person in permit costs, depending on season and trek length. You'll trek with a licensed guide through a registered agency, and you no longer need a trekking partner to apply.

It's more paperwork than a typical Nepal trek, but it leads to trails where the loudest sound is the wind and the villages still feel like home to the people who live there. We'd be glad to take care of the details.

Ready to plan your trek? Message us on WhatsApp at +977 9856073085, call our Kathmandu office at +977 1 4547085, or send an inquiry through our website. We'll help you choose the right season, route and permits for 2027. Read 10 Reasons to Explore Manaslu and Tsum Valley in 2027.