Nepal Trekking Permit Rules 2026: Solo Trekkers can get Restricted Areas Permits (RAP)

Nepal Trekking Permit Rules 2026 is a major change and has implemented the new provisions allowing solo foreign trekkers to obtain permits for trekking in Nepal’s restricted areas, in a move aimed at promoting tourism and improving service delivery. Issuing a public notice, the Department of Immigration said foreign nationals trekking in designated restricted areas across 13 districts must obtain a trekking permit through the department.

The permit issuance system has now been streamlined through an online platform to make the process faster, simpler and more service-friendly. Previously, trekking permits for restricted areas were issued to groups of at least 2 trekkers. Following cooperation from the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and other tourism stakeholders regarding the inconvenience and its impact on tourism promotion, the department decided to allow permits for individual trekkers as well. The decision was made on March 22, 2026

The Department of Immigration’s latest decision and law allows individual/solo trekkers to obtain permits for previously group-only restricted regions, marking the most significant update to Nepal trekking permit rules in over a decade.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything that trekkers need to know about the Nepal New Restricted Area Permit (RAP) Rule 2026 regulations, online application processes, and mandatory requirements for treks like Manaslu Circuit, Nar Phu Valley, Tsum Valley, Upper Mustang, and Kanchenjunga Base Camp.

Solo Trekkers can get The Rescrited Area Permits

The most significant change with the new provision of 2026 is a single/solo trekkers can get the Restricted Area permit (RAP) for trekking in the Restricted Area of Nepal. This is a significant milestone in the mountaineering tourism in Nepal. Up to now, the permits used to be given for the group trekkers only, where there must be at least 2 trekkers to get the permits. With those old rules, many solo trekkers had to change their routes or had to find groups to join, but now the problem has been solved, and even solo trekkers can get the permits. This will increase the number of tourists in the Restricted Area of Nepal.

Under the 2026 Nepal trekking permit rules, a single trekker can now obtain Restricted Area Permits (RAP) for regions like Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley, Upper Mustang, Dolpo, and Kanchenjunga—provided they meet all other regulatory requirements.

A mandatory guide

With a New provision, you can trek solo in a Restricted area of Nepal, but you must have a Registered Licence Holder Guide, which used to be the same even in past and now as well. There is no change in the guide to trek in the restricted Area of Nepal. To apply the permits, we need to assign the Guide Name and Guide License Number to the photos. This is for the safety and security of the Trekkers during the trek. The Laws actually aimed to give more employment to the guides and benefit the tourists.

The guides give you safety and security, safe navigation of the trails in the mountains, cultural interpretation, altitude monitoring, emergency response coordination, and serve as crucial links between trekkers and local communities.

Group Size Limit: Maximum 7 Trekkers in a group

The Department of Immigration has limited the maximum number of participants in the group. These rules have limited the number of trekkers in a group and emphasised the safety and security of the trekkers. Now, the agency needs to apply for the permits for 7 people, and if they have more people, then they must be assigned a new guide, which means there will be more safety and security for the trekkers.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Quick Cost Overview

Why 7-Trekker Maximum Matters:

The restriction addresses practical realities of high-altitude trekking and expedition care and rescue. A single guide can effectively control and handle a small group size, and that is why the department restricted the group size to 7. For the large group agency must assign another guide to safeguard the trekkers.