Good news for solo travellers. On 22 March 2026, Nepal's Department of Immigration changed its rules so that individual foreign trekkers can now get restricted area permits. Until then, permits for areas such as Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Tsum Valley, Nar Phu and Dolpo were issued only to groups of two or more, which forced many solo travellers to find a partner or pay for a "virtual" second trekker.
In short: since 22 March 2026, solo trekkers can get restricted area permits. You still need a licensed guide and a registered trekking agency, which is responsible for rescue and logistics. One guide may lead up to seven trekkers. Applications are now digital. Separately, the Upper Mustang permit has moved from a flat US$500 for 10 days to US$50 per person per day.
What changed
- Solo permits: individuals can now apply for restricted area permits in the 13 districts where they are required, including Upper Mustang, Upper and Lower Dolpa, Manaslu, Tsum Valley, and Nar and Phu.
- Guide still required: solo trekkers must still be accompanied by a licensed guide and book through a registered agency. The department said the facilitating agency is fully responsible for emergency rescue and logistics.
- Guide ratio: one guide may lead a maximum of seven trekkers.
- Digital applications: permits can be applied for online using a valid visa number, or an application submission ID to pay in advance.
Upper Mustang's daily fee
Separately, the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit changed from a flat US$500 for the first 10 days (plus US$50 for each extra day) to a straight US$50 per person per day, according to trekking agencies and Nepal Tourism Board listings. Shorter stays inside the restricted zone now cost less; a full 10-day stay still costs US$500. Some official pages were slow to update, so we confirm the current rate when we apply for your permit.
What it means for you
If you are travelling alone, you can now book treks like the Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley, Nar Phu, Upper Mustang and Phoksundo Lake as a private trek with your own guide, without waiting to be matched with another trekker. We have updated our trek pages and guides to reflect the new rules. See our permits guide and solo trekking guide.