What permit documents are needed before booking the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek?

Quick Answer

The Manaslu Tsum Valley trek requires five permit documents in 2027: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit at $70 per week peak season, the Tsum Valley Special Permit at $35 to $40 per person for 7 days, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit at $30, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit at $30, and the TIMS Card at $20. You also need six passport photos, your original passport, and a guide-escorted booking because solo trekking is not allowed in this restricted zone.

Most operators bundle the permits into your package price, but the original documents must be issued in Kathmandu before you drive to Soti Khola. We recommend confirming the full permit stack in writing before paying a deposit.

Detailed Breakdown

Manaslu and Tsum Valley sit in a restricted area bordering Tibet, so the Nepali government requires a guided-escort rule and a stack of permits issued through a licensed Kathmandu agency. The Manaslu Restricted Area Permit is the headline document, costing $70 per person per week in September through November and $50 per week in other months, with $10 per extra day beyond the weekly blocks.

The Tsum Valley is technically a separate restricted sub-zone, so the Tsum Valley Special Permit is added on top. It runs $35 per person for the first 7 days and $10 per extra day in 2027. The Manaslu Conservation Area Permit and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit are both $30 for foreigners and $15 for SAARC nationals, because the trek crosses both protected areas as it descends to Dharapani.

Cost / Component Breakdown

Here is the 2027 permit cost table for a standard 16-day Manaslu Tsum Valley itinerary, including side trips to Mu Gompa and the Manaslu Base Camp.

Allow $230 to $250 per person for permits on a 16-day October departure, plus $20 in passport photo printing if you do not bring them from home.

What Affects the Answer

Several factors shift your total permit cost by $30 to $80. Trek duration is the biggest driver, because the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit and Tsum Valley permit are weekly and daily rates. Season matters, with peak September to November rates 40 percent higher than off-peak. Side trips to Manaslu Base Camp or Ganesh Himal Base Camp add days and therefore permit fees.

• Trek duration: Each extra day adds $10 to $20 in permit fees.
• Season: September to November peak pricing adds $20 per week.
• SAARC nationality: Indian, Bhutanese, and other SAARC nationals pay half on conservation permits.
• Side trips: Manaslu Base Camp adds 3 days, Tsum side valleys add 2 to 4 days.
• Route direction: Starting in Dharapani instead of Soti Khola changes which ACAP entry point you use.

Booking Tips / Practical Advice

Send scanned passport copies and six passport photos to your Kathmandu operator at least 4 weeks before arrival so the permits can be pre-arranged. Carry six printed passport photos and your original passport in your daypack on day one, because the checkpoint at Jagat will verify originals before letting you enter the restricted zone. Pay for permits in cash USD or rupees, because credit card payment adds 4 percent at immigration.

Confirm in writing that your operator is registered with the Department of Immigration and has the authority to issue restricted-area permits. Ask for a photo of the stamped permits the day before departure so you can verify the dates and spelling of your name.

Comparison With Alternatives

Compared with the standalone Manaslu Circuit, adding Tsum Valley increases permit cost by $35 to $60 per person and adds 4 to 6 trekking days. Compared with Upper Mustang, which charges $500 for 10 days, Manaslu Tsum Valley is markedly cheaper at $230 to $250 total. Compared with Upper Dolpo, also $500 for 10 days, Manaslu Tsum Valley remains the better value for a similar cultural and Himalayan experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not try to arrange Manaslu permits on arrival in Kathmandu during peak season, because immigration can take 2 to 3 working days and your Soti Khola bus may depart without you. Never assume TIMS and ACAP cover the restricted area, because they do not. Avoid booking through an operator without a TAAN registration number, because unregistered operators cannot issue restricted-area permits. Finally, do not forget that solo trekking is illegal in Manaslu without a guide, and checkpoints will turn you back at Jagat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the permit questions trekkers ask us most before booking the Manaslu Tsum Valley trek.

Summary

The Manaslu Tsum Valley trek needs five permits totaling $230 to $250 per person in 2027: Manaslu RAP, Tsum Valley Special Permit, MCAP, ACAP, and TIMS. Send passport scans 4 weeks ahead, carry six passport photos, and book with a TAAN-registered operator who can issue restricted-area permits. Peak season pricing applies September to November, so budget accordingly.

Conclusion

Manaslu Tsum Valley permits are bureaucratic but predictable, and a competent Kathmandu operator handles them in days. Confirm the permit stack in writing before paying your deposit, carry originals on the trail, and budget $230 to $250 per person for a 16-day October departure. With the paperwork sorted, you can focus on the climbing and the culture instead of immigration counters.

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