Upper Mustang motorbike permit guide

The short version

• Foreign riders need two permits for Upper Mustang: the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).
• The RAP is USD 50 per person per day inside the restricted zone, following Nepal’s switch from a flat USD 500 for 10 days in late 2025.
• The ACAP costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals (NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals).
• The RAP is only issued through a registered Nepali agency, and you must be accompanied by a licensed guide. You cannot ride Upper Mustang independently.
• You also need your home motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit to ride.

Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

Upper Mustang — the area north of Kagbeni up to Lo Manthang and the Tibetan border — is a restricted area because of its border location. The Department of Immigration issues the permit, and only through registered trekking agencies; individual applications are not accepted.

For years the fee was a flat USD 500 for the first 10 days plus USD 50 for each extra day, which made short motorbike and jeep trips expensive. In late 2025 the government moved to a per-day fee of USD 50, so riders now pay only for the days they actually spend in the restricted zone. A typical motorbike itinerary spends three days north of Kagbeni, which puts the permit at around USD 150.

Because rules in restricted areas are still being updated, some agencies continue to quote older figures. Your operator confirms the current fee at the time of application, and it should appear as its own line in your quote.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

All of Mustang falls inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you also need ACAP. It is valid for one entry for the length of your trip. ACAP is all you need for Lower Mustang — Jomsom, Marpha, Kagbeni and Muktinath — and for Manang.

What documents you need

• Passport valid for at least six months, with a Nepal visa
• Passport photos (usually 2–4, or digital copies)
• Travel insurance details
• Your full home licence with motorcycle category, plus an International Driving Permit
• Your booking with the registered agency

Where your permits are checked

Permits are checked at ACAP and police checkpoints along the Kali Gandaki road and at Kagbeni, the gateway to the restricted area, on the way in and the way out. Your guide carries and presents the RAP.

Guide and group rules

A licensed guide must accompany foreigners in Upper Mustang. Historically there was also a minimum of two foreigners per permit; this rule has been relaxed for some restricted areas. Solo riders should check with the operator, who will tell you whether a single-rider permit is possible on your dates.