What changed in March 2026
Nepal Tourism Board removed the two-person minimum requirement for restricted-area permit applications. Previously, restricted areas like Upper Mustang and Manaslu required at least two trekkers per permit application. Now solo trekkers can apply for a restricted-area permit on their own.
What did NOT change
The mandatory licensed guide rule (in place since 2023) was not lifted. You can apply for permits as a solo trekker, but you must still trek with a licensed guide. The change is administrative (paperwork) - not a return to true solo trekking.
Practical implications
If you're a solo traveller wanting to trek Upper Mustang or Manaslu Circuit, you no longer need to find a trekking partner. You can book a private guide and apply for the permit alone. The cost is the same - you still pay for the guide and the permits - but you don't have to coordinate with another trekker's schedule.