Restricted Area Treks
Remote valleys that need a special Restricted Area Permit and a licensed guide: Upper Mustang, Tsum Valley and the Manaslu Circuit.
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4.9 (486 reviews)
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Licensed guides
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Special permits handled
Overview & highlights
Trip Length
7 - 21 Days
Group Size
Solo Trek
Group: 2 -12 trekkers
Altitude
3,210m – 5,545m
Difficulty
Moderate - Extreme
Best Time
March – May
September – November
Nepal keeps a handful of border regions under special control. To trek there you need a Restricted Area Permit, issued only through a registered trekking agency, for a group of at least two foreign trekkers walking with a licensed guide. Independent trekking is not allowed.
The reward is space and authenticity. Upper Mustang is high desert, monasteries and the walled city of Lo Manthang; the permit costs USD 50 per person for each day you spend there, which keeps numbers low. The Manaslu Circuit follows the Budhi Gandaki gorge up to Samagaun and crosses the Larkya La at 5,106m — a quieter alternative to the Annapurna Circuit. The Tsum Valley leads to Mu Gompa near the Tibetan border, through villages where yaks still outnumber trekkers.
Lodges are simpler than on the classic routes and the walking days are longer, so these treks suit people with some trekking experience. Mobile signal is patchy too, which makes them a rare chance to switch off.
- The walled capital of Lo Manthang and its 15th-century monasteries
- Crossing the Larkya La (5,106m) beneath Manaslu
- Mu Gompa and Rachen Gompa in the hidden Tsum Valley
- Cave dwellings and red cliffs along the Kali Gandaki
- Trails with a fraction of the traffic of Everest or Annapurna
Upper Mustang
Upper Mustang was closed to outsiders until 1992, and it still feels like another country. Above Kagbeni the Kali Gandaki valley turns into wind-carved canyons of ochre and red, dotted with cave dwellings, whitewashed chortens and the walled capital of Lo Manthang at 3,840m. Because it lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurnas, it is one of the few treks that is at its best during the monsoon.
Mustang trips
Treks, a jeep tour and the spring Tiji festival.
HIGH-DESERT CANYONS
WALLED CITY OF LO MANTHANG
ANCIENT MONASTERIES
TIJI FESTIVAL
Where to go
Manaslu circles the world’s eighth-highest mountain and crosses the 5,106m Larkya La. The Tsum Valley, a side valley off the same route, is one of Nepal’s most intact Tibetan-Buddhist communities.
All regions
Safety & Certification
Remote regions need more planning. We handle the paperwork and build in extra margin for weather and rescue.
Registered agency permits
Restricted Area Permits are applied for in Kathmandu by our registered agency, with your original passport, before the trek begins.
Experienced remote guides
Our restricted-area guides have walked these routes many times and speak the local Tibetan dialects as well as Nepali and English.
Satellite communication
Mobile signal is patchy in Mustang and upper Manaslu, so groups carry a satellite messenger for check-ins and emergencies.
Evacuation planning
Each itinerary has a planned evacuation point and we verify your insurance covers helicopter rescue at the route’s highest altitude.
Requirements & Eligibility
Restricted area rules are set by Nepal’s Department of Immigration, not by us. Here is what they mean in practice.
Health & fitness
- Able to walk 6–8 hours a day for consecutive days
- Previous multi-day trekking experience strongly recommended
- Long distances from medical care — declare any conditions when booking
Permits & documents
- Restricted Area Permit, only for groups of two or more with a licensed guide
- ACAP and/or Manaslu Conservation Area permit as well, depending on route
- Original passport with visa valid for the whole trek; we need it in Kathmandu to apply
Altitude Readiness
- Lo Manthang sits at 3,840m; Larkya La reaches 5,106m
- Itineraries include acclimatisation days at Samagaun or in Lo Manthang
- Prior experience above 4,000m is useful for Manaslu
What to wear & bring
- Windproof shell and sunglasses — Mustang winds pick up every afternoon
- Down jacket and a sleeping bag rated to -15°C for Manaslu
- Cash in Nepali rupees; there are few ATMs beyond the trailheads
Travelling solo? We can often pair you with another trekker on a fixed departure to meet the two-person rule. Read more in Nepal trekking permits explained.
Thinking about a restricted-area trek?
We handle the special permits, licensed guide and logistics. Send us your dates and we will check availability.
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Frequently asked questions
Permits, group rules and seasons for Nepal’s restricted regions.
Ask our teamHow much does the Upper Mustang permit cost?
How much does the Manaslu permit cost?
Why is Upper Mustang good in the monsoon?
Is the Manaslu Circuit harder than the Annapurna Circuit?
Can I combine Tsum Valley with Manaslu?
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