Restricted-area permits explained: RAP, MCAP, ACAP and KCAP
Written by our trekking team
Photo: Remote Nepal Treks, 26 Mar 2023.
The short version
Heading to Manaslu, Kanchanjunga or Makalu? You'll need two permits: a Restricted Area Permit, plus a second one for whichever protected area you're walking through. We can only apply for the RAP as a licensed agency, with a licensed guide along, and for a group of two or more (Manaslu is the exception: solo is fine there).
What a Restricted Area Permit is
Manaslu, Kanchanjunga and Makalu all sit inside government-designated restricted areas. To walk in, you'll need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) on top of the usual conservation-area or national-park permit for that region. There's no way to get it on your own. The RAP is only issued through a licensed trekking agency. That one rule is a big part of why these trails stay so much quieter than Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit.
Here are the three rules that come with the RAP on all three routes:
- Minimum group size. On Manaslu we can get a RAP for a solo trekker. On Kanchanjunga and Makalu you'll need at least one trekking partner.
- A licensed guide, the whole way. This isn't an upsell. It's the law.
- Seasonal rates. The Nepal government sets the fee and adjusts it now and then, so we always double-check it at booking rather than quote a number here.
The permit stack on each route
The RAP is specific to the region you're entering, and a second permit stacks on top of it, and that second one is different for 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 National Park entry | 2 | Licensed, mandatory |
- RAP: Restricted Area Permit.
- MCAP: Manaslu Conservation Area Permit.
- ACAP: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
- KCAP: Kanchanjunga Conservation Area Permit.
Why Manaslu needs three permits
The standard Manaslu route finishes by walking out through Dharapani, which sits just inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. That's why you'll need an ACAP for those last two days, on top of the RAP and the MCAP that cover the Manaslu Conservation Area itself. The Dharapani checkpoint is where the ACAP gets checked, and that's the last bit of paperwork on the trek.
Why Makalu is a park fee instead
Makalu is run as a national park rather than a community-managed conservation area like Manaslu or Kanchanjunga. So instead of a conservation-area permit, you'll pay Makalu-Barun National Park entry alongside the Makalu RAP.
Where the permits are checked on the trail
| Route | Checkpoints |
|---|---|
| Manaslu Circuit | RAP logged at Jagat (Day 3). MCAP checked at Jagat and again at Namrung. ACAP checked at Dharapani. |
| Kanchanjunga | RAP logged at Sekathum (Day 5). KCAP checked again at Ghunsa. |
| Makalu Base Camp | RAP logged at Seduwa (Day 4). Makalu-Barun National Park entry fee, a park fee rather than a conservation-area permit. |
At each checkpoint, an official logs your paperwork before you head deeper into the region. That's why we get everything filed before you even land in Kathmandu, so it's one less thing to think about.
What we handle and what you bring
We handle every permit application for your group. All you need to bring is a passport valid for at least six months and a few passport-sized photos. When you land, your trip briefing in Kathmandu walks you through the paperwork we've already filed.
Before you book
Permit fees and the exact dates the RAP is issued both come down to the Nepal government, so please treat any number you see online (including our own trek-page estimates) as unconfirmed until we send you a firm quote.
Frequently asked
Can I get a Restricted Area Permit myself?
On Manaslu, yes, with a licensed guide: we can arrange the Restricted Area Permit for a solo trekker there. On Kanchanjunga and Makalu, no: the RAP is only issued through a licensed trekking agency for a group of at least two trekkers travelling together with a licensed guide.
Which permits do I need for the Manaslu Circuit?
You'll need three: the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Manaslu, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), the last one because the standard route finishes by walking out through Dharapani, inside the Annapurna Conservation Area.
What permits does Makalu Base Camp need?
Just two: a Restricted Area Permit for Makalu, plus Makalu-Barun National Park entry. That second one is a park fee rather than a conservation-area permit, since the region is run as a national park.
Do permit fees change?
Yes, from time to time. The Nepal government sets the fees and updates them periodically, so we always reconfirm the current fee when you book.