Upper Mustang is a restricted area under Nepal's immigration law. Any foreign trekker who wants to enter the region – for the Tiji Festival trek or any other purpose – must hold a valid Restricted Area Permit (RAP) issued by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu. This restriction exists to control visitor numbers, preserve the area's cultural heritage, and protect its fragile high-altitude environment.
The Upper Mustang RAP cannot be obtained independently. You must travel with a registered Nepalese trekking agency. The agency applies on your behalf and provides the government-required documentation. Solo trekking in Upper Mustang is prohibited by law.
In addition to the RAP, all trekkers entering Upper Mustang also need an ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) since the region falls within the broader Annapurna Conservation Area boundary. We arrange both permits as part of every Tiji Festival Trek package.
| Permit Type | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Area Permit (RAP) | USD 500 per person | First 10 days |
| RAP extension | USD 50 per person per day | Each additional day |
| ACAP Permit | USD 30 per person | Duration of trek |
| TIMS Card | Not required for Upper Mustang | N/A |
Our 18-day trek spends approximately 11–12 days inside the Upper Mustang restricted zone. The base RAP covers 10 days; one to two additional days may be charged at USD 50 per day depending on the specific itinerary. This is included in our package pricing.
Minimum group size: At least two trekkers are required to apply for the RAP. Individual permits are not issued.
Licensed agency required: Only registered trekking agencies can apply. We are fully licensed with the Nepal Tourism Board, TAAN, and required government bodies.
Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your planned entry date.
Original documents required: Your original passport and current Nepal visa are required during the permit application process.
Passport photos: Two recent passport-size photographs needed.
Travel insurance: Not required for the permit itself, but personal travel insurance covering high-altitude helicopter evacuation is mandatory for all our trekkers.
Processing time: Permits are typically processed in 1–2 working days in Kathmandu. We handle this during your Kathmandu arrival days.
As a registered trekking agency, we submit the following to the Department of Immigration on your behalf:
Application from the agency.
Agency registration certificate.
Ministry of Tourism license.
Nepal Rastra Bank license.
Trekking program schedule.
PAN certificate.
Guarantee letter from the agency.
Signed contract agreement.
Insurance certificate for trek staff.
Copy of your passport and current Nepal visa.
You don't need to gather any of these documents. You provide us your passport copy, passport photos, and Nepal visa copy. We handle the rest.
You carry your RAP permit throughout the Upper Mustang restricted zone. There are checkposts at Kagbeni (the entry point to Upper Mustang) and at various points along the route. Permits are checked at each checkpoint. You must always have your permit and passport on your person while trekking north of Kagbeni.
Crossing into Upper Mustang without a valid RAP is a serious violation of Nepal law and results in heavy fines and possible deportation. We make sure every trekker's paperwork is complete before we cross the checkpoint.
If you want to find out more about Tiji Festival Upper Mustang or need our assistance for planning your Tiji festival trekking, simply send us an email and we will get back to you right away.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
TripAdvisor