Can You Trek Kanchenjunga or Manaslu Without a Guide in 2025?

If you’re dreaming of an epic adventure in Nepal and wondering whether you can trek Kanchenjunga or Manaslu without a guide, let’s get straight to the point: No, you cannot. Both treks fall under Nepal’s Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regulations, meaning hiring a licensed guide is mandatory—even if you’re an experienced trekker who prefers going solo.

Why Do You Need a Guide for These Treks?

Kanchenjunga and Manaslu both border Tibet and have long been restricted areas due to their remote nature, cultural sensitivity, and border security concerns. The Nepali government enforces guide requirements for safety, environmental conservation, and to regulate tourism in these areas.

Manaslu Circuit Trek (Including Tsum Valley)

• Guide required: ✅ Yes, a licensed trekking guide is mandatory.
• Minimum trekkers required: 2 people (but solo trekkers can get around this by paying for a “ghost permit” for an imaginary second person).
• Permit requirements: Manaslu Restricted Area Permit + Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP) + Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).
• Checkpoints: Multiple strict checkpoints where permits and guide credentials are checked.

What trekkers say:
“Manaslu is an awesome trek with fewer tourists than Everest or Annapurna. You do need a guide, and permits are only issued for at least two trekkers, but solo trekkers can pay extra for a ghost permit.”

Kanchenjunga Trek (North & South Base Camps)

• Guide required: ✅ Yes, a licensed trekking guide is mandatory.
• Minimum trekkers required: 2 people (same ghost permit workaround as Manaslu).
• Permit requirements: Kanchenjunga Restricted Area Permit + Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Permit.
• Checkpoints: Less strict than Manaslu, but police checks at Ghunsa and other key points.

What trekkers say:
“There was only one unavoidable control point at Ghunsa, but you still officially need a guide. Some people might risk it, but it’s at their own responsibility.”

Can You Sneak Through Without a Guide?

While some trekkers claim to have done these treks without a guide, it’s risky—not just because of police checkpoints but also due to the remoteness, high-altitude challenges, and unpredictable weather. If you get caught, you risk being fined, turned back, or even deported. Not worth ruining your adventure, right?

Final Verdict: No Guide, No Trek

If you’re set on trekking Kanchenjunga or Manaslu, embrace the fact that hiring a guide is not just a legal requirement—it also enhances your experience. A good guide ensures smoother logistics, local insights, safety, and better cultural interactions.

Looking for alternative treks where you can go solo? Consider Langtang, Annapurna Circuit, or Everest Base Camp.

Have you trekked Manaslu or Kanchenjunga recently? Drop a comment below and share your experience! 🚶‍♂️🏔️