Four restricted-area treks. The paperwork already handled.
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Manaslu Circuit Trek
A full circuit around the world's 8th-highest peak, crossing the 5,106m Larkya La, on a trail with a fraction of Annapurna's foot traffic.
- Days
- 15
- Max Alt.
- 5,106m
- Grade
- Challenging
Kanchanjunga Trek
Both base camps of the world's 3rd-highest peak on one trail, on a route where it's common to 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, camping crew included, no teahouse comfort.
- Days
- 18
- Max Alt.
- 4,870m
- Grade
- Strenuous
Tsum Valley Trek
A restricted Tibetan-culture valley north of Manaslu, with gompas and mani walls and no high pass.
- Days
- 13
- Max Alt.
- 3,700m
- Grade
- Moderate
Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Kanchanjunga, and Makalu aren't on the standard teahouse trail. Nepal classifies all four as restricted areas, which means a government-issued permit, a licensed guide, and a minimum two-person group before anyone sets foot on the trail. We run all four routes and file that paperwork for a living, so you get the wilder version of the trek you already know how to do.
- Routes Run
- 4
- Guide
- Mandatory
- Min. Group
- 2 Trekkers
- Seasons
- Spring / Autumn
Why "restricted" is the point
Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit are genuinely beautiful, and they're also running near-continuous foot traffic in peak season: Nepal's Tourism Board issues tens of thousands of permits a year across the two. Manaslu, Kanchanjunga, and Makalu sit under the same restricted-area law 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. That's also the honest trade-off: less comfort, more logistics, and a route that rewards someone who's already done a popular trek once and wants the version without the queue at the viewpoint.
Who this is for
- →You've already done a teahouse trek above 4,000m (EBC, Annapurna, or similar) and know what altitude feels like.
- →You want fewer people on the trail more than you want a hot shower every night.
- →You can commit to 15–21 days and a fixed group departure. Restricted-area permits don't work for solo, spontaneous trekking.
How the permit stack works
Every trekker on these four routes carries 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 | 2 | 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, meaning a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required and can only be issued through a licensed trekking agency. There's no independent or unguided permit option, unlike open routes such as Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Can I trek these routes solo?
Not independently. All four routes require a minimum of two trekkers per group for the Restricted Area Permit and a licensed guide for the full trip. A solo trekker joins our scheduled group departure or is paired with another booking to meet the minimum.
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 a small fraction of that. On Kanchanjunga and Makalu especially, it's common to pass more yak herders than trekkers on a given day.
Do I need previous trekking experience?
Yes. We recommend at least one prior multi-day teahouse trek above 4,000m (EBC, Annapurna Circuit, or similar) before Manaslu, Kanchanjunga, or Makalu. These routes have thinner rescue infrastructure and less trafficked trail, and are not a beginner's first high-altitude trek.
Request a quote
Tell us which route and dates you're weighing. We'll reply with a firm price, permit checklist, and the next open group departure.