Lower Mustang Permit and Cost Guide (2026)

Lower Mustang is located in Nepal’s Gandaki Province. It is a stunning destination that is located in a high-altitude region. The region is famous for deeply influencing and rooting Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon religion. Lower Mustang geographically lies between the Tibetan Plateau in the North and the high Himalayan Mountains in the South.

Before planning a lower mustang trek, you must understand the lower mustang permit and cost requirements to prevent confusion and unnecessary expenses. Lower Mustang encompasses Kagbeni to Jomsom and many surrounding valleys, which offer beautiful Himalayan scenery, Tibetan Buddhist culture, and dramatic high-desert landscapes. However, Upper Mustang’s higher costs and restrictions make it more challenging to visit.

This comprehensive 2026 guide provides clarity on which permits you need, current costs by nationality, and where to get them.

Quick summary:

Lower Mustang is not a restricted area, so no special permit is required
The only permit which is required is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
Nepali citizens must pay NPR. 100 per person
SAARC nationals must pay NPR. 1,000 per person
Other Foreigners must pay NPR. 3,000 per person
A TIMS card is mandatory for more routes

Do You Need a Permit for Lower Mustang?

Yes, a permit is required to trek on the Lower Mustang trails. The special permit for Lower Mustang is not needed, but the standard Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is required. Lower Mustang doesn’t require the expensive restricted area permit that Upper Mustang demands.

Lower Mustang VS Upper Mustang

Why Understanding the Two Permits Matters

Many trekkers mostly confuse Upper Mustang and Lower Mustang with the same permit costs. Which is why most of the travellers start to unnecessarily budget for expensive permits. If you are someone who just wants to explore the Lower Mustang, which includes the regions such as Jomsom, Marpha, and areas without crossing the north of Kagbeni, then only a basic Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is needed. Just exploring the Lower Mustang helps you to make significant savings.

Why Permits are Required

Lower Mustang lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area. It is Nepal’s largest protected area, which is approximately 7,629 sq km. ACAP fees are used to fund trail maintenance, wildlife conservation, community development, environmental education, waste management, and emergency rescue operations.

The Areas which Lower Mustang Covers are:

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) grants access to:

Jomsom: It is the district headquarters that has an airport
Kagbeni: It consists of a historic village at the Upper Mustang gateway
Marpha: It is famous and is known as the apple brandy village
Muktinath: Muktinath consists of a sacred pilgrimage site, which is at an altitude of 3,800m
Lubra, Jharkot, Lupra: These area consists of traditional cultural villages

Permits Required for Lower Mustang Trek

ACAP Permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)

An ACAP Permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) is the permit that is required for every trekker entering the Annapurna Conservation Area, which includes the Lower Mustang. It is mandatory for everyone, regardless of nationality or age.

There is no fixed duration for its validity. It is valid for your entire trek through the conservation area. A single permit for travellers can cover days, weeks, or even months. But once you exit and want to re-enter, you will require a new permit.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit covers the entire area of the Annapurna Conservation Area, including the Annapurna Base Camp, Circuit, Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Nar Phu, and Lower Mustang.

You must show the permit in every checkpoints such as Kagbeni which monitors the Upper Mustang border, Muktinath, and various trail points. This permit is accessible throughout the trek

TIMS Card

A TIMS card is a Trekker’s Information Management System card, which is required for all trekkers in Nepal. You can obtain this card from the Nepal Tourism Board or from a registered trekking agency. It is a detailed itinerary of your trek, which includes the date and location of your trek.

TIMS requirements are mandatory but are less strictly enforced on many routes, including lower mustang, especially if you are with a registered agency. The regulations vary by checkpoints.

When it may be required:

If you are trekking independently without any agencies.
Some checkpoints may request it.
If you are combining with other regions.

When it is typically not required:

If you are trekking with registered agencies
If you directly fly to Jomsom, as it bypasses the checkpoints
When areas are less enforced

Types of TIMS if needed:

Green TIMS: It is for trekkers trekking with agencies. It costs NPR. 1,000 for foreigners.
Blue TIMS: It is for trekkers travelling independently. It costs NPR 2,000 for foreigners.

Lower Mustang Permit Cost

Lower Mustang permits cost differently for Nepali citizens, SAARC nationals and other foreigners.

Cost For Nepali Citizen

Lower mustang permit cost for Nepali citizens is very affordable. For Nepali citizens, it is one of the best opportunities to explore the area at affordable costs. Below are the costs and documents that are required to explore the Lower Mustang:

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 100

TIMS if needed: NPR 300

Total: NPR 100 to 400

Required Documents:

Nepali citizenship certificate
2 passport-sized photos
Application form

Processing Time: You can get the permit on the same day within 30 minutes.

Cost For Foreigners

Lower mustang permit costs for foreigners also vary by nationality. The SAARC nationals receive lower costs than other foreign nationals.

SAARC Nationals

SAARC nationals consist of citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 1,000 (USD $6.80)

TIMS if needed: NPR 300 if you are travelling with an agency, and NPR 600 if you are a solo traveller. (USD $2.04 to $4.08).

Total: NPR 1,000 to 1,600 (USD $6.80 to $10.88)

Required Documents:

Passport
2 passport-sized photos
SAARC proof
Application form

Other Foreign Nationals

Other foreign nationals include people beyond the Nepali and SAARC countries. The cost is high for other foreign nationals.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000 (USD $20.40)

TIMS if needed: If you are travelling with an agency, it costs NPR 1,000, and if you are a solo traveller, it costs NPR 2,000. (USD $6.80 to $13.60)

Total: NPR 3,000 to 5,000 (USD $20.40 to $34)

Required Documents:

Passport with Nepal visa
2 passport sized photo
Application form

Payment: You can pay in Nepali Rupees, USD, or from any major currencies which are accepted in Nepal. Credit cards are also acceptable at main offices, but cash is mostly preferred.

Lower Mustang Permit Cost Comparison Table

Note: The exchange rate can vary over time. So it might not be the exact amount.

Where to Get Lower Mustang Permits

You can get a Lower Mustang permit from a different location convenient for you. Different locations with offices are mentioned below:

Kathmandu Permit Offices

Nepal Tourism Board:

Location: Pradarshano Marga. Near Tudikhel
Hours: Sunday to Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM during winter and 10 AM to 6 PM during summer
Services: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekker’s Information Management System cards (TIMS cards)
Processing: Same day

TAAN Office:

Location: Bhrikutimandap
Services: Trekker’s Information Management System cards (TIMS cards)
Hours: Sunday to Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM

Pokhara Permit Office

Tourist Service Center:

Location: Samside, near Phewa Lake
Hours: Sunday to Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM
Services: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and Trekker’s Information Management System cards (TIMS cards)
Advantage: It is more convenient for Pothara-start treks, and it has shorter queues compared to Kathmandu offices

Through Registered Agencies

It is one of the most recommended options, as you will be hassle-free and all of the work is done by the agency itself. Below are the reasons why it is the best option:

No waiting in the queues
The expert handles the necessary documentation
Agency have the updated regulation knowledge
Agencies provide you with the permit, combining you with the trek logistics
Applying to agencies, TIMS are often waived

The only thing you have to provide to receive the permits is a passport copy and photos. Once provided, the agencies handle everything.

How Long Does It Take to Get the Permit?

You get the permit on the same day that you process. You might receive the permit within 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the traffic.

Process

The process of getting the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit is provided below:

Arrive with documents
Fill the forms, which take 5 to 10 minutes
Submit documents and payments
Receive Permit, which takes 15 to 45 minutes

Peak Season

The peak season includes the months of October to November and March to April. During this time, getting the permit is really time-consuming.

Kathmandu: 1 to 2 hours of queues
Pokhara: Less crowded
Arrive early by 10 AM
Friday afternoons are the busiest

Document Required

The documents that you need are:

2 recent passport-size photos with a white background
You must carry your original passport and a copy of the passport too if you are a foreigner
Application form

Conclusion

Lower Mustang is one of Nepal’s most popular, beautiful and one of the most rewarding destinations. It offers you dramatic landscapes, which are rich in Tibetan influences. It consists of iconic places such as Jomsom, Marpha, Muktinath, and Kagbeni, without any high costs and strict regulations of the Upper Mustang.

For 2026, the permit cost of the Lower Mustang is simple, affordable, and traveller-friendly. Since it doesn't come under the restricted area, trekkers only need an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit). The permit costs vary by nationality, with Nepali citizens paying just NPR 100, SAARC nationals paying NPR 1,000, and other foreign nationals paying NPR 3,000. A TIMS card may or may not be required depending on the situation.

Before travelling to the Lower Mustang region, you must understand the difference between the Lower Mustang and Upper Mustang Permits as you might mistakenly purchase the Upper Mustang permit when you are just travelling to the Lower Mustang. This unnecessarily increases your cost without any benefit. As long as you only explore till south Kagbeni, there is no need for the expensive Upper Mustang restricted permits.

You can easily get permits from different countries which are convenient for you. You can get it from Kathmandu offices, Pokhara, or through other trekking agencies. You can get your permit on the same day of application. The fees that you pay directly support conservation, trail maintenance, and local communities within the Annapurna region.

In short, Lower Mustang is an accessible, budget-friendly and culturally rich trekking destination in Nepal. With the proper permit knowledge and planning, you can explore and enjoy this unique and beautiful Himalayan region smoothly, legally, and confidently in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Is Lower Mustang a restricted area?

A. No, Lower Mustang is not a restricted area. You only need one permit: ACAP. It is much more affordable than the restricted permit for Upper Mustang. The restricted areas begin from the north of Kagbeni.

Q. Can I trek in Lower Mustang without a guide?

A. Yes, you can travel and trek in Lower Mustang without a professional guide. You can find various teahouses and well-marked trails, so a guide is not necessary. However, guides enhance experience through cultural knowledge and safety.

Q: Is an Upper Mustang permit required for Lower Mustang?

A. No, an Upper Mustang restricted permit is not required to trek in the Lower Mustang region. If you are staying in Jomsom, Muktinath, Marphs, or north Kagbeni without crossing the restricted territory, you do not need to pay an extra permit fee. You can just get the ACAP, which costs from NPR 100 to NPR 3,000, depending on your nationality.

Q. Can Nepali citizens trek without a permit?

A. No, even Nepali citizens should get a permit to trek to the areas where permits are required and which just costs NPR 100. All visitors to the conversation area require permits. It is a really affordable destination.