🛂 WHY ARE THESE AREAS RESTRICTED?

1. Border Security

Many areas lie near international borders (Tibet/China or India). Restrictions help maintain national security and prevent illegal crossings or smuggling.

2. Cultural Preservation

These areas are home to ethnic minorities (e.g., Tibetan-origin communities, Bon practitioners). Controlled tourism prevents cultural disruption.

3. Environmental Protection

High-altitude ecologies and endangered flora/fauna need strict monitoring to avoid ecological damage.

4. Infrastructure Limitations

These remote regions often lack basic facilities like hospitals, roads, and communication. The government restricts access to minimize risk.

🔐 LIST OF RESTRICTED AREAS IN NEPAL

Here is a detailed list with highlights and descriptions of the major restricted areas:

1. Upper Mustang

Location: Northwestern Nepal, bordering Tibet

Permit: USD 500 for 10 days + USD 50/day after

Minimum Group: 2 trekkers

Highlights:

Ancient walled city of Lo Manthang

Tibetan Buddhist culture, monasteries, and cave dwellings

Dry desert landscape like the Tibetan Plateau

Why Restricted: Close to Tibet; culturally sensitive Tibetan Buddhist heritage

2. Manaslu Region (including Tsum Valley)

Location: Gorkha District, central Nepal

Permit: USD 100 for the first 7 days (Sept–Nov), then USD 15/day

Minimum Group: 2 trekkers

Highlights:

Remote villages of Sama Gaon, Samdo, Tsum Valley

Larkya La Pass (5,160m)

Buddhist culture with ancient monasteries

Why Restricted: Preserving Tibetan culture; proximity to Tibet

3. Nar Phu Valley

Location: Northeast of Annapurna region

Permit: USD 100/week (Sept–Nov), USD 75/week (Dec–Aug)

Minimum Group: 2 trekkers

Highlights:

Hidden valleys of Nar and Phu

Wild landscapes, medieval villages, and chortens

Cross Kang La Pass (5,320m)

Why Restricted: Border sensitivity; culturally intact villages

4. Upper Dolpo

Location: Northwestern Nepal, near Shey Phoksundo National Park

Permit: USD 500 for 10 days + USD 50/day

Minimum Group: 2 trekkers

Highlights:

Shey Gompa, Phoksundo Lake, and Tibetan Bon culture

Remote mountain deserts and ancient salt trade routes

Why Restricted: Fragile ecosystem, traditional Bon religion, border concerns

5. Lower Dolpo

Permit: USD 20/week (SAARC), USD 10/week (Non-SAARC)

Minimum Group: 2 trekkers

Highlights:

Phoksundo Lake, yak herders, and traditional villages

Less rugged than Upper Dolpo but still remote

Why Restricted: Proximity to Upper Dolpo and sensitive culture

6. Humla (Simikot to Hilsa)

Location: Far northwestern Nepal, gateway to Mount Kailash

Permit: USD 50/week

Minimum Group: 2 trekkers

Highlights:

Simikot, Limi Valley, and route to Tibet/Kailash

Isolated Tibetan Buddhist villages

Why Restricted: Border with Tibet; ancient trade route

7. Makalu Barun (Kimathanka Region)

Location: East of Everest region, near China border

Permit: USD 10/week

Highlights:

Remote wilderness, Himalayan peaks, and rare flora

Path to the Makalu Base Camp

Why Restricted: Remote, sensitive border region

8. Kanchenjunga Region

Location: Eastern Nepal, bordering Sikkim (India) and Tibet

Permit: USD 20/week

Minimum Group: 2 trekkers

Highlights:

Third highest peak – Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586m)

Pristine valleys like Yamphudin, Ghunsa, Pangpema

Why Restricted: Sensitive border area, fragile ecosystems

9. Dhaulagiri Base Camp & Chhonbardan Glacier Area

Location: West of Annapurna region

Permit: Restricted zone above Italian Base Camp

Highlights:

Dhaulagiri Base Camp, French Pass, Dhampus Pass

Remote, challenging wilderness

Why Restricted: High risk, remote terrain, and lack of rescue access

10. Rolwaling Valley

Location: Between Everest and Langtang regions

Permit: Special permit needed for Tso Rolpa, Nangpa La

Highlights:

Less-traveled route to Tashi Lapcha Pass

Glacial lakes, isolated Sherpa villages

Why Restricted: Cultural protection, border proximity

⚠ GENERAL RULES FOR RESTRICTED AREA TREKS

Requirement Details

Special Permit Issued by the Department of Immigration via authorized agencies

Guide Mandatory Solo trekking prohibited – Minimum 2 trekkers with a licensed guide

No Independent Trekking Treks must be organized through a registered Nepali agency

Limited Entry Some areas have seasonal or limited entry quotas

🌄 MAP OF RESTRICTED AREAS (Summary)

Region                          Districts            Border              Permit Cost        Best Season

Upper Mustang         Mustang            Tibet             $500 (10 days)        May–Oct

Manaslu + Tsum         Gorkha            Tibet             $100/week avg.        Mar–May, Sept–Nov

Nar Phu Valley                 Manang            Tibet             $75–100/week        Mar–May, Sept–Nov

Upper Dolpo                 Dolpa            Tibet             $500 (10 days)        May–Oct

Kanchenjunga                Taplejung            India/Tibet     $20/week                Mar–May, Sept–Nov

Simikot–Humla        Humla            Tibet             $50/week                May–Oct