Spring trekking window: Nepal

Nepal’s Department of Immigration removed the long-standing two-foreigner minimum for restricted-area trekking permits on March 22, 2026, but the notice keeps mandatory booking through a registered trekking agency and requires trekkers to be accompanied by a licensed guide with a guide-to-trekker cap of one guide per seven trekkers. (kathmandupost.com) The Manaslu Circuit legally requires three separate permits — the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) from the Department of Immigration plus the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) from the Nepal Tourism Board — and agencies process all three for trekkers. (mountmania.com) Manaslu’s RAP is seasonal: the published rates are about USD 100 for the first seven days in peak season (September–November) and about USD 75 for the first seven days in the rest of the year, with per‑day charges after the first week; MCAP and ACAP are commonly listed at roughly NPR 3,000 (~USD 23–30) for most foreign nationals. (mountmania.com (bestheritagetour.com)) The highest technical section of Manaslu is the Larkya (Larkya La) pass at about 5,106 metres, where the usual crossing day involves roughly a 750‑metre climb and a 1,500‑metre descent. (weseektravel.com) Standard Manaslu itineraries run 12–16 days with a common 14‑day plan that explicitly builds in acclimatisation days around Manaslu Base Camp or Sama Gaon to reduce altitude risk. (shikharadventure.com) Langtang treks pass through Langtang National Park and require a park entry permit plus TIMS registration, with combined permit costs typically around NPR 4,000–5,000 (about USD 30–45) for most foreign trekkers and counters available in Kathmandu, Dhunche and Syabrubesi. (himalayanfriendly.com) Kyanjin Gompa, Langtang’s main high‑valley settlement, sits at about 3,870 metres above sea level. (treklangtang.com) The original Langtang village was destroyed by the April 25, 2015 earthquake and avalanche that killed nearly 300 locals, and the community-led rebuilding since then has restored guesthouses and revived tourist traffic to the valley. (aljazeera.com (himalmag.com)) Park and permit data underline the crowding contrast that guides mention: the Khumbu/Everest region recorded about 55,979 tourists in the first 11 months of FY 2023/24, while Manaslu logged roughly 9,782 visitors in 2023/24 and had reached about 12,259 international trekkers by May 2025 — numbers commonly cited to explain why Manaslu and Langtang are promoted as quieter options. (myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com (recreationholidays.com))