ACAP vs MCAP Permits

Getting yourself prepared for trekking in Nepal seems easy. You pick your route, make arrangements regarding flights, prepare your hiking boots, and off to the Himalayas.

But then comes the paperwork.

ACAP, MCAP, restricted area permits – which one do you really need?

It may seem confusing as ACAP and MCAP are not just two different variations of the trekking permits. They are the entry permits to the conservation area, but some trails, especially those in the Manaslu region, also require the restricted area trekking permit separately.

This guide compares ACAP and MCAP permits, describes their contents, differences, and budget considerations when planning to trek in the Annapurna and Manaslu regions.

What Are ACAP and MCAP?

ACAP is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. This is the entry permit issued for trekking routes inside the Annapurna Conservation Area.

MCAP is the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit. This is the entry permit for the Manaslu Conservation Area.

Both are officially designated conservation area permits and provide trekking, mountaineering, community, biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism services. Both the Annapurna and Manaslu Conservation Areas are important protected areas that support local communities while preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

ACAP and MCAP are area-entry permits, not interchangeable permits. If your trek includes entry into Annapurna Conservation Area, you need appropriate ACAP. If your route goes through Manaslu Conservation Area, you need applicable MCAP.

ACAP vs MCAP: Quick Comparison

 ACAP

• Full name: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
• Covers: Annapurna Conservation Area
• Common treks: Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal and other Annapurna routes
• Purpose: Conservation-area entry
• Foreign visitor fee currently listed by NTB: NPR 3,000
• Additional restricted-area permit?: Depends on route

MCAP

• Full name: Manaslu Conservation Area Permit
• Covers: Manaslu Conservation Area
• Common treks: Manaslu Circuit, Manaslu Base Camp, Manaslu Tsum Valley and other routes in the Manaslu region
• Purpose: Conservation-area entry
• Foreign visitor fee currently listed by NTB: NPR 3,000
• Additional restricted-area permit?: Yes, for restricted Manaslu areas

ACAP Permit: What Does It Cover?

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is needed to enter Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area. It is known as one of the most popular and diverse trekking regions in the country.

Annapurna Conservation Area includes a wide range of landscapes, starting from subtropical valleys and local mountain villages to the high-altitude Himalayan terrain surrounding the Annapurna massif.

ACAP is necessary to explore the trek routes including the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp and others within the Annapurna Conservation Area. It gives you access to places such as Tilicho Lake, Thorong La Pass and Muktinath.

The money collected through the permit is used for environmentally sustainable management of the region. It aids in biodiversity conservation and providing infrastructure for trekking and tourism.

ACAP is an entrance permit into the conservation area, but not a universal trekking permit. The permits you may need depend on your particular trekking itinerary, nationality, or whether other restricted areas will be covered along the way. Hence, it is essential to review your trekking itinerary prior to your trip.

MCAP Permit: What Does It Cover?

The Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) is an entry permit that trekkers need to visit the Manaslu Conservation Area. It is a remote and culturally rich region which is located in northern central Nepal.

Manaslu Conservation Area is known for the Manaslu Circuit Trek that runs through the mountainous landscapes, villages, forests and other high altitude zones of the area. It is home to Mount Manaslu that rises at an elevation of 8,163 meters.

The MCAP covers entry into the designated conservation area and supports the protection of local biodiversity, natural resources, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism infrastructure.

Trekkers on the Manaslu Circuit travel through different environments ranging from low Himalayan forests and terraced hillsides to alpine zones near Larkya La Pass. Another important feature of the trek is the presence of culturally unique mountain people who inhabit the area along with some ancient villages and Buddhist heritage sites.

The Most Important Difference: Manaslu Has an Additional Permit Layer

This is one of the main differences between ACAP and MCAP permits. In general, all regular treks in the Annapurna region like Annapurna Circuit or Annapurna Base Camp require only ACAP permits for entry to the conservation area.

In the case of Manaslu, there is one more restriction. To enter the Manaslu Restricted Area, you need:

MCAP – the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit.

Manaslu Restricted Area Permit – special permit for the restricted zone.

Thus, just MCAP is not sufficient for the restricted Manaslu trek. Moreover, in case you decide to combine Manaslu and Annapurna, there is an issue of permits too. If your route passes through Annapurna Conservation Area, you will also need an ACAP because MCAP allows you only to enter the Manaslu Conservation Area.

This is the reason why you should always check out the whole itinerary and permit requirements, instead of believing that a single conservation area permit will do for the whole trek.

How Much Do ACAP and MCAP Cost?

Both ACAP and MCAP cost NPR 3,000 per foreign tourist per entry. For SAARC nationals, the price is NPR 1,000 per person per entry. Nepali nationals can enter both conservation areas at NPR 100 per head per entry. These are conservation area entry permit charges as indicated by the Nepal Tourism Board.

It is important to note that the aforementioned charges are just for conservation area entry. For instance, trekking in the Manaslu Restricted Area entails getting a permit for restricted area trekking besides obtaining the MCAP. Likewise, if a trekking route includes crossing the border from Manaslu to Annapurna Conservation Area, then you have to obtain both MCAP and ACAP.

Moreover, permit fees keep changing. Therefore, trekkers should verify the current permit fees before embarking on a journey.

ACAP vs MCAP: Which Is More Expensive?

As for the conservation area permit costs, neither is costlier than the other. Foreign trekkers will have to pay NPR 3,000 for both MCAP and ACAP per person and per entry, while the cost for SAARC nationals will be NPR 1,000 per person per entry.

That said, the cost of the permit for the Manaslu trek is likely to be higher because the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit is not necessarily all that needs to be acquired by trekkers wishing to enter the Manaslu region. The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) will have to be obtained separately as well.

The cost for each individual per week for the Manaslu Restricted Area permit is USD 100 per person from September to November and USD 75 per person from December to August, plus additional daily costs for longer durations.

Thus, while the cost of both ACAP and MCAP permits is the same the total cost of the permits for the Manaslu trek may be more due to the additional restricted area permit cost.

ACAP vs MACP: What is the Fee Used for?

Conservation and sustainable management of the region can be possible by collecting fees from ACAP and MACP. It is funded through the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC).

In the case of ACAP, the income from the entrance fees is used for biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, community development, and sustainable tourism in the Annapurna region. The NTNC believes that the income generated from the people visiting the region is used for the development of the region and its natural resources.

Similarly, in the case of Manaslu Conservation Area, the permit fee income is used for biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, improving livelihoods, tourism management and community-based conservation activities. NTNC works closely with local Conservation Area Management Committees to manage these activities.

From a practical perspective, by paying your permit fees, you will be supporting many aspects that trekkers observe and experience in the trekking area, such as:

• Conservation of the forests, fauna, and biodiversity
• Infrastructures of trails, bridges, and communities
• Environmental protection activities and waste management projects
• Development of sustainable tourism
• Support to local communities and livelihoods
• Information booths at conservation areas and checking posts

According to the latest report by NTNC, there have been various investment activities in trails, bridges, drinking water, sanitation, community centers, signboards, and tourism infrastructure in its conservation areas.

Therefore, while purchasing permits for ACAP and MCAP areas, you are not only paying for permission to visit but also making your contribution to the conservation of the Himalayan environment and the communities living there.