Four restricted-area treks.
We handle the paperwork.
Manaslu Circuit Trek
A full circle around the world's 8th-highest peak, over the 5,106m Larkya La, on a trail with a fraction of Annapurna's crowds.
- Days
- 15
- Max Alt.
- 5,106m
- Grade
- Challenging
Kanchanjunga Trek
Both base camps of the world's 3rd-highest peak on one trail. Some days you'll pass more yak herders than trekkers.
- Days
- 21
- Max Alt.
- 5,140m
- Grade
- Very Challenging
Makalu Base Camp Trek
Straight into the Barun valley's glacial cirque, beneath the world's 5th-highest peak. Our camping crew carries the comfort teahouses can't.
- Days
- 18
- Max Alt.
- 4,870m
- Grade
- Strenuous
Tsum Valley Trek
A restricted Tibetan-culture valley north of Manaslu, dotted with gompas and mani walls. No high pass to worry about.
- Days
- 13
- Max Alt.
- 3,700m
- Grade
- Moderate
Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Kanchanjunga, and Makalu aren't on the standard teahouse trail. Nepal treats all four as restricted areas, so you'll need a government-issued permit, a licensed guide, and (everywhere except Manaslu) a group of at least two before you can set foot on the trail. We run all four routes and file that paperwork every season, so you get the wilder version of the trek you already know how to do.
- Routes Run
- 4
- Guide
- Mandatory
- Min. Group
- 1–2 Trekkers
- Seasons
- Spring / Autumn
Why "restricted" is the point
Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit are genuinely beautiful, and they're also busy in peak season: Nepal's Tourism Board issues tens of thousands of permits a year across the two. Manaslu, Kanchanjunga, and Makalu sit under an older rule that once covered the whole Himalaya: a Restricted Area Permit, issued only through a licensed agency, with no independent-trekker option.
That restriction is exactly why these trails stay quiet. Fewer operators run them, fewer trekkers get permits, and the infrastructure stays thinner. There's an honest trade-off in that: less comfort, more logistics. But if you've already done a popular trek once and want the version without a queue at the viewpoint, this is it.
Who this is for
- →You've done a teahouse trek above 4,000m before (EBC, Annapurna, or similar) and you know what altitude feels like.
- →Fewer people on the trail matters more to you than a hot shower every night.
- →You can commit to 15–21 days and a fixed group departure. These permits just don't work for spontaneous, walk-in trekking.
About Remote Nepal Treks
Operator FileWe're Remote Nepal Treks, a trekking company in Kathmandu, and we built it around the trails most trekkers never get to: the Manaslu Circuit, the Tsum Valley, Kanchanjunga, and Makalu Base Camp. They take more arranging than the popular routes. Nepal only issues the Restricted Area Permit through an agency, and a licensed guide has to walk the whole way with you. That's the part we enjoy sorting out, so you can turn up and walk.
If Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit is more what you had in mind, just ask. We run both on request, and for the Everest region our sister company, Everest Base Camp Trails, is the place to look.
Sticking to a few routes means we know them well. We know the cold, short night at Dharamsala (4,460m) before the Larkya La, that Nile (3,361m) is the highest you'll sleep in the Tsum Valley, and which stretches of Makalu need a cook crew because there are no teahouses. You'll find that detail for every day in every itinerary on this site.
- Operator
- Remote Nepal Treks
- Office
- Kathmandu, Bagmati Province 44600
- Routes Run
- Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley, Kanchanjunga, Makalu Base Camp, plus the 21-day Tsum + Manaslu
- Permits Filed
- RAP, MCAP, ACAP, KCAP, Makalu-Barun NP
- Group Size
- 1–8 trekkers
- Contact
- info@remotenepaltreks.com
How the permit stack works
Every trekker on these four routes needs more than one permit. We file all of it before you land — here's what actually stacks on each route.
| Route | Permit Stack | Min. Group | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manaslu Circuit | RAP (Manaslu) + MCAP + ACAP | 1 | Licensed, mandatory |
| Kanchanjunga | RAP (Kanchanjunga) + KCAP | 2 | Licensed, mandatory |
| Makalu Base Camp | RAP (Makalu) + Makalu-Barun NP entry | 2 | Licensed, mandatory |
| Tsum Valley | RAP (Tsum Valley) + MCAP | 2 | Licensed, mandatory |
RAP = Restricted Area Permit. MCAP = Manaslu Conservation Area Permit. ACAP = Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (Manaslu's exit corridor crosses into it). KCAP = Kanchanjunga Conservation Area Permit. Permit fees are reconfirmed at booking; rates are set by the Nepal government and change periodically.
Which route fits you
| Manaslu Circuit | Kanchanjunga | Makalu Base Camp | Tsum Valley | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 15 days | 21 days | 18 days | 13 days |
| Max Altitude | 5,106m (Larkya La) |
5,140m (North BC) |
4,870m (Base Camp) |
3,700m (Mu Gompa) |
| Difficulty | Challenging: one big pass |
Very Challenging: longest, remote pass complex |
Strenuous: sustained camping |
Moderate: no high pass |
| Lodging | Teahouse, full route | Teahouse below Ghunsa Lodge/camp above |
Teahouse to Tashi Gaon Camp above |
Teahouse, full route |
| Best Season | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | Mar–May, Sep–Nov |
| Est. Cost | $1,650–$2,100 pp | $2,400–$2,950 pp | $2,100–$2,600 pp | Quote on request |
Costs are per-person estimates for a group of 2–4 sharing a licensed guide and permits, unconfirmed against current market rates. Ask for a firm quote before booking.
Frequently asked
Why are Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Kanchanjunga, and Makalu called restricted areas?
Nepal's government classifies these regions as Restricted Areas. That means you'll need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), and it can only be issued through a licensed trekking agency — there's no independent or unguided option, unlike open routes such as Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Can I trek these routes solo?
On Manaslu, yes: we can arrange the Restricted Area Permit for a solo trekker, with a licensed guide for the full trip. Tsum Valley, Kanchanjunga, and Makalu need at least two trekkers per group, so if you're solo on those we'll fold you into a scheduled group departure or pair you with another booking so the minimum is met.
How much quieter are these routes really, compared to EBC or Annapurna?
Nepal issues tens of thousands of permits a year for Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit combined. Manaslu, Kanchanjunga, and Makalu together see just a small fraction of that. On Kanchanjunga and Makalu especially, don't be surprised if you pass more yak herders than trekkers in a day.
Do I need previous trekking experience?
Yes. We'd like to see at least one prior multi-day teahouse trek above 4,000m (EBC, Annapurna Circuit, or similar) on your record before Manaslu, Kanchanjunga, or Makalu. These routes have thinner rescue infrastructure and quieter trail, so we don't recommend them as a first high-altitude trek.
Request a quote
Tell us which route you're weighing and when. We'll write back with a firm price, a permit checklist, and the next open group departure.