What Are The Permits For Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is among Nepal’s most underrated treks. And this journey is going to be a life-changing memory. However, trekking to the remote Himalayas of Nepal also comes with a lot of challenges. And one of such big challenges is getting your legal documents ready. Before coming to Nepal, you should know that trekking in different parts of Nepal requires different kinds of permits. manaslu trek permits are briefly described below.
So, along with your passport and visa, you need to issue an area-specific permit. These Nepal trek permits can include local area permits, restricted area permits, TIMS cards, and National Park permits. This article is all about different Manaslu Circuit trek permits and where to issue them.
Manaslu Circuit Trek was opened for international trekkers in the year 1991 A.D. Even after that, the government of Nepal has listed Tsum Valley and other villages of the Manaslu region as a restricted region of Nepal. And when a region is listed as restricted, independent travellers cannot hike to Manaslu as solo trekkers.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit includes 3 documents- the Manaslu restricted area Permit, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, and the Annapurna Conservation Area permit.
To get these permits, the travellers must book their trek with a local travel agency or be accompanied by a licensed guide. Also, you need a group of at least two people before getting these permits. So, this is the pre-information before diving into this article about Manaslu Permit cost.
Requirements Of Visa For Nepal Travel
Even before you get your Manaslu trek permits, the travellers need to issue a travel Visa to Nepal. A visa to Nepal can be issued at the international airport of Nepal upon arrival. Indians don’t need to issue visas and the Nepal Visa cost is free for the citizens of SAARC country.
For people from other nations, the cost of a Visa is $30, $50, and $125 for 15, 30, and 90 days respectively. You can read our other article to learn everything about Visas to Nepal. Only after you get the Nepal travel visa, you shall apply for another Manaslu permit.
1. Manaslu Restricted Area Permit
As we mentioned earlier, Manaslu lies in a restricted area of Nepal. The permit should be issued to enter Jagat until you cross Sama Gaun. Beyond Sama Gaun, you shall need an Annapurna conservation area entry permit.
Criteria to get Manaslu Restricted Area Permit
- You are not allowed to do this trek Solo- at least a group of 2 people is needed. If you are traveling to Nepal solo, then a travel agency might help you with the group joining
- Independent trekking is prohibited- meaning you must be assisted by a travel agency for trekking to Manaslu
- You must hire a local guide who must have a guide license issued by the Nepal Government
- You must agree to be respectful towards the local culture and not perform any activity that might be offensive to travelers.
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit Cost
The amount should be paid in dollars or in Nepalese rupee equivalent to the dollar. The cost is $75 for April, March, and May And $100 for August, September, and October.
This cost for the first seven days you spend between Jagat and Bhimthang. If you stay any longer, the additional cost of USD 15 per person per day is applicable. For the off-season i.e. December to August the Manaslu permit cost is $25 lower than that of peak season. After seven days between Jagat and Dharapani, it’s $10/day.
How to apply Manaslu Restricted Permit Online?
Earlier, you needed to go to the National Tourism Board in Kathmandu to get the Manaslu trek permit. Thankfully, now the document can be obtained online. But the thing is, that only a travel agency can issue this Manaslu trek permit on your behalf. You can trust Himalayan masters to assist you in getting the permit for the Manaslu trek even if you do not book the full package.
The agency will then get the permit on your behalf, download the online permit, and print it for you. Afterwards, keep it with you throughout the trek.
Note: Some website have mentioned that you need to visit the Tourism Board office with physical documents for Permits to Manaslu, but that trend is outdated now.
2. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit
The biodiversity of the entire Manaslu lies inside the Manaslu conservation area. The conservation area starts at Philim and the Manaslu conservation area permit cost goes for the management of the wildlife in the area. The government also keeps track of travellers’ activity and movement within the conversation area so that they remain safe in remote lands.
Manaslu Conservation Area permit cost
- Rs 3000/ per person (This should be paid in Nepalese rupee)
- Cost for people of SAARC country: Rs 600
- Cost for Nepalese people: Free
Note: The cost of the Conversation Area permit cost is similar throughout the year.
3. Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP Permit)
Read about other Manaslu Trek Nepal.
In the later part of our trek i.e. beyond Bhimthang and Dharapani, we will be travelling in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP). Although we will be staying inside the Annapurna conservation area only for a few days, this is a compulsory permit for travellers who cross the Dharapani check-post.
Annapurna Conservation Area permit cost
- Rs 3000/ per person (This should be paid in Nepalese rupee)
- Cost for people of SAARC country: Rs 600
- Cost for Nepalese people: Free
Note: The cost of the Conversation Area permit cost is similar throughout the year.
Where and how to get Manaslu Conservation Area permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Project?
To get these two permits, you must go to the Nepal Tourism Board at Bhrikutimandap. You will need to submit an application form along with a valid passport, visa, and travel itinerary. Then, the officer will verify your documents, thus issuing Manalsu Permits for you. You can get the physical copy of the permit within 30 minutes.
Again, when you are booking with a agency, this do provide you will the permit without you having to go their physically.
Manaslu TSUM Valley Permit
Most trekkers to Manaslu plan to take their adventure a step further and walk into Tsum Valley. This beautiful valley in the highlands of Manaslu is a complete paradise of the alpine landscape.
The trail to Manaslu Circuit Trek and Tsum Valley Trek often separates beyond Philim and moves to the Chumling village. Your other stop shall be Chhekampar and finally the Upper Tsum Valley. The criteria, requirements, and application technique are the same as in the Manaslu Restricted Area.
TSUM Valley permit cost
If you plan to travel to Manaslu TSum Valley, you need to issue another Tsum area permit which costs USD 40 per person for one week in the peak season and USD 7 per person per day after that. In the off-season, the TSum area permits cost discount of about $10 per person is given to the travellers.
Note: All Manaslu Circuit trek permit cost is covered by the Himalayan master’s team and this is not something you should be worried about when you book our Manaslu trek packages. Check the costs here.
Documents needed For The Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit
To get these permits you should submit the following documents to your travel agency
- Photocopy of your passport with at least six months validity
- Four printed passport-sized photographs is required for the MCAP permit
- Nepali visa with the arrival stamp
- Travel Insurance papers that cover all emergency rescues at higher altitude
- Photocopy of flight tickets with arrival and departure dates
- Consent letter to the Immigration Chief and trekking company
Can you trek without the Manaslu Permit?
No, the government is very strict about restricting the number of visitors that go to Manaslu. This means they will ensure that only people with permits get into the region. There are checkposts of Nepalese Police and Army Force in almost all locations and you need to show your Manaslu Trek permit at each of these locations.
Checkpost for Manaslu Circuit Trek Permit
- Maccha Khola- For Manaslu restricted area permit
- Jagat- For Manaslu restricted area permit
- Philim- For restricted area and Manaslu Conservation Area Permit
- Namrung- For restricted area and Manaslu Conservation Area Permit
- Samagaun- For restricted area and Manaslu Conservation Area Permit
- Dharpani- For Annapurna
Frequently Asked Questions
What if we don’t get the Manaslu permits from Kathmandu?
There are many police check posts along the way where you must show this Manaslu Circuit trek permits. If you forget to issue these permits or lose them on the way, the check post can issue the permit with a 100% fine, thus increasing your Manaslu trek cost. So, make sure you keep your permits in a safe place.
Do I need a TIMS card?
No, the TIMS card is now not needed in the Manaslu area. You will need a TIMS card only if you wish to trek beyond Dharapani and join the Annapurna Circuit trek. As per the Himalayan master’s Manaslu trek Itinerary designed by the experts, there’s no need for a TIMS card during the Circuit trek. If you have seen some blogs writing that you need a TIMS card for this; please kindly ignore such misinformation.
How long do we need to issue the Manaslu area permit?
Ideally, you submit the needed documents to your travel agency upon arrival in Nepal. Then, they shall get your permit ready within a few hours. Sometimes, it might take a bit longer. But you need to consider that permits might be late in holiday season or weekends, so make sure you provided the needed documents for Permit to Manaslu as quickly as possible.
Do children require Manaslu Trekking Permits?
Yes, all children below ten years of age need to issue all kinds of permits mentioned above. The permit cost is free for children below 10 years, but we really don’t recommend taking such small children for a tough Manaslu climb.
Why is the Manaslu Permit cost so high?
Yes, we get that playing above $150 for a permit alone can sound like a lot. As the Manaslu region lies under the restricted trekking area of Nepal, it’s among the expensive treks. Such rates have been assigned to control the huge influx of tourists to Manaslu. Manaslu is itself a very culturally diverse and unique land that has its century-old culture and tradition preserved in pure form.
The other intention is, that the government wants to use the money to build the basic infrastructure for the tourists in the region. Manaslu is a very remote area hidden in the difficult mountain landscape. Each penny you spend here goes for the betterment of the people in the area. Thus it is worth it.
As you already know, you must first book your Manaslu Circuit trek package to issue the permits to Manaslu. Our expert team at Himalayan Masters promises you the best deal and excellent service. Let us know when you will be travelling and we are here to assist you.
See you soon.
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