Know Restricted Area Trekking permit in Nepal

Restricted area trekking permit in Nepal is issued only through Department of Immigration under Ministry of Home and Affairs. Complete a simple procedure through any trekking agency to obtain the permit, and you can trek as free as other trekking regions of Nepal. Except paying the appropriate permit fee and submitting a passport to issue permit, you need not even involve/present yourself in any of the process. More than security concern, these restricted trekking areas are monitored and controlled by government to tackle negative impact on nature, culture and environment. More than trekkers, agency is highly liable and responsible during and after issue of the restricted area trekking permit in Nepal.

Restricted Areas Trekking Permit in Nepal and Fees.

Along, with restricted area permit you need to require other respective regular permits. For, example while trekking to Upper Mustang, beside special permit, you need ACAP permit and TIMS.

As a Trekker consider these steps, to obtain the Restricted Trekking Area permit in Nepal.

1. There should be minimum 2 members in a group to issue the restricted trekking area permit in Nepal. Individual trekker cannot apply and obtain restricted area trekking permit in Nepal.
2. Hiring registered (licensed) Nepali trekking guide to trek in restricted trekking area of Nepal is mandatory.
3. Trekker can obtain restricted area permit only through registered trekking agency in Nepal. Needless to say, trekking agency should submit a lengthy and complex list of documents to Department of Immigration on your behalf. Agency register certificate, PAN number, Tax clearance certificate, Forex certificate, License from Ministry of Tourism and many more.
4. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
5. Go through your final itinerary and obtain visa carefully. For example, if you have 15 days visa for Nepal, and planning a trek to Manaslu and do not cover your stay in Nepal, you may not obtain permit. You need to extend your visa first.
6. Submit recent digital photographs to your trekking agency.
7. If you are climbing peaks and mountains within or through the restricted area, you may be exempt from restricted area permit fee, once you pay climbing royalty to the Ministry of Tourism for peak/mountain expedition. However, you still need to acquire restricted area permit. If you are going Manaslu Expedition, you should not pay a permit fee to Department of Immigration. Instead, you pay climbing/expedition fee to Ministry of Tourism.
8. You need to acquire other regular relevant trekking permits. Needs to pay for MCAP, ACAP, KCAP, National park permit fees, TIMS and so on depending on trekking region.
9. Trekker needs to strictly follow the trekking route/trail/path mentioned in the permit.
10. Restricted Trekking areas of Nepal is highly fragile and sensitive both culturally and naturally. Respect trekking norms and cultural norms of the region you are trekking.