Is Manaslu Circuit Trek Closed After the 2026 Floods? Latest Flood and Trekking Update

Introduction

Yes. As of September 8, 2026, the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Larkya La (Larke Pass) crossing are officially suspended. The District Administration Office (DAO) in Gorkha and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) both issued formal notices on September 6, 2026, telling trekkers not to travel on the route until further notice. The suspension followed flood damage to bridges in Chumnubri Rural Municipality.

This is a temporary suspension caused by flood damage, not a permanent closure of the trekking region. Bridges of this kind have been rebuilt or bypassed on Nepali trekking routes before, so the route is expected to reopen once repairs are complete and authorities confirm it is safe. No reopening date has been confirmed yet. Here is what happened, what has been officially confirmed, and what trekkers with Manaslu plans should do now.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Flood 2026: Key Facts at a Glance

Official Notice from the District Administration Office, Gorkha

The formal notice from the District Administration Office, Gorkha (letter no. 2083/084, dated 2083 Bhadra 21 / September 6, 2026), signed by Assistant Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma, urging trekkers not to undertake the Manaslu or Larke Pass routes until further notice.

Is Manaslu Circuit Trek Closed Right Now?

Yes, at present. The District Administration Office in Gorkha has urged trekkers to avoid the Manaslu and Larke Pass trekking routes until further notice. This is an official government advisory, not just a caution from a private tour operator. 

The suspension is a response to physical damage on the trail, specifically two destroyed bridges near Namrung. It is temporary in nature: no law or long term ban has been placed on the region, and the notice will be lifted once authorities confirm the route is safe again. However, as of today, September 8, 2026, no timeline for that has been announced.

If you are deciding whether to book, join, or continue a Manaslu trip this week, the honest answer is that the route is not cleared yet. Wait for an official update from DAO Gorkha or MCAP before departing.

What Happened to the Manaslu Circuit Trek After the September 2026 Flood?

A flash flood struck Therang Khola in Namrung, Chumnubri Rural Municipality Ward 4, at around 3:30 a.m. on September 6, 2026 (Bhadra 21, 2083 BS). According to the Assistant Chief District Officer of Gorkha, Netra Prasad Sharma, the flood occurred after debris temporarily blocked the Therang Stream near its source; when that natural dam broke apart, the trapped water surged downstream all at once.

Confirmed damage includes:

1. An iron bridge connecting Chumnubri wards 2 and 4, which was washed away.

2. A suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River on the route toward Namrung forest, which was also destroyed. 

3. The homes of four local families in Chumnubri Ward 4, which were inundated and swept away. 

4. Two micro hydropower plants serving the local area, which were also damaged, disrupting electricity and communication in the affected section of the valley.

On casualties, the picture is clear and reassuring. The District Police Office confirmed that no human casualties occurred, as residents reached higher ground before the water rose. This has been confirmed by more than one authority, including the district administration. 

Because the Therang Stream drains directly into the Budhi Gandaki River, authorities also issued high alert warnings for communities living further downstream along the river basin. This is a precautionary flood warning for the wider watershed, separate from the trekking route suspension itself. 

Is This the Same Flood as the Rasuwa Disaster? Here's the Difference

No, these are two separate events, and it is important not to mix them up when planning a Nepal trek this autumn.

The Rasuwa flood happened on August 26, 2026, when a flash flood struck the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river system near the Nepal China border in Rasuwa district. It was a much larger disaster, with severe downstream impacts in Nuwakot, Dhading, and Chitwan, and it primarily affected the Langtang, Tamang Heritage, and Gosaikunda trekking routes.

The Manaslu flood happened on September 6, 2026, an entirely separate event on the Therang Khola and Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha district. It struck the Manaslu Circuit trail directly, near Namrung in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, and led to the suspension covered in this article.

The two floods sit on different river systems in different districts, roughly two weeks apart. If you have read that "Manaslu is unaffected by the 2026 Nepal floods," that reporting most likely refers to the August 26 Rasuwa event and predates this separate September 6 flood. It does not reflect the current suspension on the Manaslu Circuit and Larkya La described in this update.

Where Did the Flood Affect the Manaslu Trekking Route?

The damage is concentrated around Namrung, a village that sits roughly midway along the standard Manaslu Circuit itinerary, well before the approach to Larkya La. This means the break is on the main trail artery, not a side spur.

With the Budhi Gandaki suspension bridge gone, trekkers cannot currently move past this point on foot using the usual route. For anyone hoping to reach Namrung, Lho, Samagaon, Samdo, or continue toward the Larkya La crossing, the destroyed crossing is a genuine, physical obstacle, not just an administrative restriction.

Local officials have mentioned that residents are working on temporary pedestrian crossings to restore short term access for stranded travelers and villagers. That is a local, informal measure aimed at emergency movement. It is not the same as the trail being cleared or reopened for organized trekking, and it should not be treated as permission to resume trekking.

Has the Manaslu Circuit Trek Been Officially Suspended?

Yes, by two separate government and regulatory bodies, which is significant because it shows this is a formal decision, not informal caution from a single office.

Authority 1: District Administration Office, Gorkha
The DAO Gorkha issued an urgent public notice on September 6, 2026, following the flood, stating that trekkers preparing for or currently undertaking journeys along the Manaslu or Larke Pass trekking routes should refrain from trekking until further notice. The notice applies both to people preparing to start the trek and to anyone already on the trail. According to Assistant Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma, the administration has completely halted travel on the Manaslu trekking route and the Larkya Pass until further notice.

Authority 2: Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP)
MCAP, which issues the permits required to trek in the region, put out a matching advisory the same day, asking trekkers, residents, and tourism stakeholders to postpone trips, avoid damaged bridges and hazardous river sections, and coordinate with local authorities before travelling through the affected area.

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN)
TAAN separately advised trekkers to delay trips to the Manaslu region for a few days following the heavy rainfall and flooding. TAAN's advisory is an industry level recommendation and carries less legal weight than the government notice, but it reinforces the same message.

Nepal Police
Nepal Police has also urged trekkers planning to travel along the Manaslu and Larke Pass routes to suspend their plans until further notice, and has advised affected travellers to contact local emergency control centers for coordination and updates.

As of September 8, 2026, none of these authorities have announced a reopening date. Any specific date circulating online or shared informally should be treated with caution unless it comes directly from DAO Gorkha or MCAP.

Is Larkya Pass Trek Also Closed?

Yes. The Larkya La (also written Larke Pass), the high altitude crossing that forms the second half of the full Manaslu Circuit, is named explicitly in both the DAO Gorkha notice and the MCAP advisory. It is not a separate or lesser restriction; it is part of the same suspension.

Practically, reaching the approach to Larkya La from the standard route requires crossing the section of trail near Namrung where the Budhi Gandaki bridge has been destroyed. With that crossing gone, the pass is currently not accessible by the normal trekking route, regardless of what the weather or trail conditions are like higher up the valley.

Can Tourists Trek Manaslu Right Now?

No, not on the standard route, and not until DAO Gorkha or MCAP issue a new notice.

Why Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Closed?

The closure is a straightforward safety measure, not an overreaction. The main suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki, which trekkers rely on to move between sections of the trail, no longer exists. Without it, there is no confirmed safe crossing at that point of the route.

Beyond the missing bridge itself, the surrounding area carries additional risk. The Therang Stream demonstrated that debris blockages upstream can suddenly release large volumes of water without much warning. Electricity and communication lines in the immediate area were also cut when the micro hydropower plants were damaged, which limits the ability of guides, lodges, and rescue services to communicate quickly if further problems occur.

There is no need to exaggerate the danger to understand the decision. A key crossing on the main trail is gone, the terrain around it has just shown it can be unstable, and until repairs and an inspection are complete, sending trekkers through that section is not something the authorities are willing to permit.

What Does the Closure Mean for Trekkers With Existing Bookings?

If you already have a Manaslu trip booked, here is what is genuinely useful to do:

1. Contact your trekking agency directly. A registered operator with people based in Nepal can tell you the latest status relevant to your specific departure date.

2. Check official updates before assuming anything. DAO Gorkha, MCAP, and the Nepal Tourism Board are the authorities to watch, not social media posts or unofficial forwards.

3. Do not attempt to access the route independently. Damaged bridges and river crossings are dangerous even to experienced trekkers, and doing so would also go against an active government notice.

4. Stay flexible on your travel dates. Since there is no confirmed reopening date, building flexibility into your itinerary now will save stress later.

5. Consider whether an alternative trekking route makes sense if your travel window cannot move, particularly if your trip is only a few weeks away.

6. Review your travel insurance policy, including how it treats government imposed route closures, trip interruption, and rebooking, since terms vary between insurers.

7. Wait for confirmation before finalizing new dates. Rebooking too early, before the trail and bridges are actually cleared, risks the same disruption happening again.

Specific refund or rebooking terms depend entirely on the policy of the agency you booked with. Thamel Travels and Tours works with affected clients individually on rescheduling and route options once route status is confirmed, in line with normal booking terms; we recommend the same approach with any operator you are working with.

Can You Still Travel to the Manaslu Region?

It helps to separate four different things that are easy to confuse:

1. Travel to Nepal. International flights and entry into Nepal are entirely unaffected by this flood. Nothing about this event restricts tourism to the country as a whole.

2. Travel toward the wider Gorkha and Manaslu region. Kathmandu, Pokhara, and the road access points that lead toward the region are functioning normally.

3. Access to the affected trekking section. The specific stretch of trail near Namrung, where the bridges were destroyed, is currently not safely passable.

4. Actual trekking on the suspended route. This is what is directly restricted by the DAO Gorkha and MCAP notices, covering the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Larkya La.

In short, one damaged section of one trekking trail does not mean Nepal, or even the wider Gorkha district, is closed to travelers. It means this specific route, at this specific point, cannot currently be trekked.

For general context on planning a Nepal trip during this period, see our overview of trekking in Nepal, which covers the country's main trekking regions and current conditions.

When Will the Manaslu Circuit Trek Reopen?

There is currently no confirmed reopening date. Authorities have not yet announced one, and reopening will likely depend on several factors coming together:

• Repair or replacement of the destroyed bridges, including the main Budhi Gandaki crossing.

• A formal trail inspection by DAO Gorkha and MCAP to confirm the route is safe.

• Stability of the surrounding slopes and stream banks near Namrung.

• Ongoing weather conditions, since further rainfall could complicate repair work or create fresh hazards.

• Restoration of local electricity and communication infrastructure in the affected area.

Until an official notice states otherwise, treat the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Larkya La as closed. According to the latest available reports, as of September 8, 2026, no government body has provided a specific date, and any date you see elsewhere should be verified directly with DAO Gorkha or MCAP before you rely on it.

What Should Trekkers Do Before Planning Manaslu Circuit Trek in 2026?

• Check the latest official announcement from DAO Gorkha or MCAP before booking or departing.

• Confirm current route conditions with a registered trekking agency rather than relying on older blog posts or outdated listings.

• Do not attempt to cross damaged bridges or river sections independently.

• Check road and transport access toward the Gorkha region separately from trail conditions.

• Confirm your trekking permit requirements once the route is officially reopened.

• Review your travel insurance coverage, including evacuation and trip interruption terms.

• Keep your travel dates flexible where possible.

• Monitor weather and river conditions in the Gorkha district in the weeks ahead.

• Get direct, written confirmation from your operator that the route is officially open before you fly to Nepal.

Best Alternatives if Manaslu Circuit Trek Remains Closed

If your travel window is fixed and you cannot wait for the Manaslu suspension to lift, a few alternatives are worth considering, based on current reporting rather than assumption.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek runs through the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki valleys, an entirely separate river system from the Budhi Gandaki, and multiple current reports describe it as unaffected by this flood. It also offers a high altitude pass crossing (Thorong La) and a similarly full circuit experience for trekkers who specifically wanted that style of trip. You can review current Manaslu region treks alongside other regional options with our team once you know your dates.

Other established routes such as Everest Base Camp, Upper Mustang, and Kanchenjunga have been reported as unaffected by this particular flood in current coverage, though we recommend confirming live conditions with your operator before booking, since flood related advisories in Nepal can change quickly during the monsoon transition period.

We do not recommend treating the Tsum Valley trek as automatically open either. TAAN has separately noted landslide disruption on the Tsum Valley trail near Chaurikharka and advised trekkers to wait before planning trips there, even though it has not been named in the same formal DAO Gorkha notice as the Manaslu Circuit.

Conclusion

As of September 8, 2026, the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Larkya La crossing remain officially suspended following the September 6, 2026 flood that destroyed two bridges near Namrung in Gorkha district. No casualties have been reported, and the suspension is a temporary safety measure rather than a permanent closure, but no reopening date has yet been announced by DAO Gorkha or MCAP.

If you have a Manaslu trip planned or booked, the most useful thing you can do right now is stay in contact with a registered trekking agency, keep your travel dates flexible, and wait for official clearance before attempting the route. Do not rely on unconfirmed reopening dates from social media or unofficial sources. We will continue to monitor updates from DAO Gorkha, MCAP, and TAAN and will update our guidance as the situation develops.

Manaslu Circuit Trek 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Manaslu Circuit Trek closed in 2026?
   Yes, as of September 8, 2026, it is suspended following flood damage to bridges near Namrung, Gorkha. The suspension began on September 6, 2026, and remains in effect.
    

2. Why is Manaslu Circuit Trek closed?
   A flash flood in the Therang Khola destroyed two bridges, including the main crossing over the Budhi Gandaki River, cutting off a key section of the trail. Authorities suspended travel for safety reasons while the damage is assessed and repaired.
    

3. When did the Manaslu flood happen?
   Early on the morning of September 6, 2026, at around 3:30 a.m. local time, near Namrung in Chumnubri Rural Municipality.
    

4. Which part of the Manaslu Circuit was damaged?
   The section near Namrung, roughly midway along the standard circuit route, before the approach to Larkya La.
    

5. Is Larkya Pass closed?
   Yes. The Larkya La crossing is included in the same official suspension notice as the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
    

6. Can trekkers currently enter Manaslu?
   No. Trekking on the Manaslu Circuit and toward Larkya La is currently suspended by official notice, and the destroyed bridges make the standard route physically difficult to pass regardless.
    

7. When will Manaslu Circuit Trek reopen?
   There is no confirmed reopening date as of September 8, 2026. Reopening will depend on bridge repairs and an official safety inspection.
    

8. Can I cancel or postpone my Manaslu Trek?
   Most trekking agencies, including Thamel Travels and Tours, work with clients on rescheduling or alternative routes when a trek is affected by an official government suspension. Contact your operator directly to review your specific booking and its terms.
    

9. Is the Manaslu closure related to the Rasuwa flood?
   No. This is a separate event. The Manaslu closure follows a September 6, 2026 flood on the Therang Khola and Budhi Gandaki in Gorkha. The Rasuwa flood happened on August 26, 2026, on the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river system near the Nepal China border, and mainly affected the Langtang, Tamang Heritage, and Gosaikunda trekking areas.
    

10. Is Manaslu safe for trekking after the flood?
    The affected section near Namrung is currently unsafe to cross due to the destroyed bridges, which is why it has been officially suspended. Areas outside the immediate flood zone have not been reported as damaged, but the entire circuit route requires crossing the affected section, so the trek as a whole cannot currently proceed.
     

11. What should I do if I already booked Manaslu Circuit Trek?
    Contact your trekking agency, ask for the latest confirmed status from DAO Gorkha or MCAP, keep your dates flexible, and avoid attempting the route independently until an official notice confirms it is open again.