Information about Manaslu Circuit Trek 2026 – Last updated: 9 September 2026
Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Open Now?
Latest update – 9 September 2026: The Manaslu Circuit Trek was temporarily suspended after a major flash flood damaged important trekking infrastructure near Namrung in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, Gorkha, on 6 September 2026.
The main suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River was washed away, along with another bridge and other local infrastructure. The District Administration Office, Gorkha, and local authorities subsequently suspended trekking on the Manaslu Circuit and Larke Pass as a safety precaution.
There has now been a significant development.
Local communities, the Manaslu Conservation Area Project and ward authorities have established an alternative trail and temporary wooden crossings around the damaged section near Namrung. A report published on 8 September stated that the route had become passable again and that trekkers could use the alternative route.
However, the situation should not yet be considered a return to normal conditions. The permanent bridges and damaged infrastructure still require restoration, and information about the route is changing rapidly.
Current situation at a glance – Manaslu Circuit Trek 2026
| Situation | Latest information |
|---|---|
| Manaslu Circuit | Passable again via an alternative route, according to latest local reports |
| Main bridge near Namrung | Destroyed by the 6 September flood |
| Temporary crossing | Established to restore pedestrian access |
| Larke Pass | Trekking access is subject to the latest local/official conditions |
| Permanent restoration | Still required |
| Normal trail condition | Not yet restored |
| October trekking | Possible, but trekkers should confirm conditions before departure |
Important: Conditions in the Manaslu region can change quickly. Trekkers should confirm the latest information with their trekking agency, local guide and relevant authorities immediately before starting the trek.
What Happened in the Manaslu Region on 6 September 2026?
A flash flood occurred in the Therang/Budhigandaki area near Namrung in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, Gorkha, during the early hours of 6 September.
The sudden flood damaged important infrastructure along the Manaslu trekking route. Reports indicate that two bridges were swept away, including the main suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River. Several houses and local infrastructure were also affected.
Because the damaged bridge was an important connection on the trekking trail, movement through the affected section was temporarily stopped.
The District Administration Office, Gorkha, issued a safety notice suspending travel on the Manaslu Circuit and Larke Pass routes until further notice.
This was a temporary safety measure, not a permanent closure of the Manaslu trekking region.
Has the Manaslu Circuit Trek Reopened?
The latest information available on 9 September indicates that an alternative route has been established around the damaged section near Namrung.
According to a report updated on 8 September, the local ward chairperson, Manaslu Conservation Area Project personnel and residents of Namrung worked together to create an alternative trail and temporary wooden bridges after the original suspension bridge was destroyed. The route was reported to be passable again.
This is an important development for trekkers planning to visit Manaslu during the autumn trekking season.
However, there is a difference between:
“The trail can be crossed using a temporary alternative route”
and
“The entire Manaslu Circuit has returned to normal.”
The latter is not yet the case.
Permanent infrastructure restoration is still required, and trekkers should expect possible changes, temporary crossings and more difficult conditions around the affected section.
Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Safe Now?
The answer requires some qualification.
The Manaslu region itself has not been permanently closed. However, the trekking route has recently experienced significant flood damage and some sections are currently being managed through temporary arrangements.
The safest approach is to trek only with an experienced local guide and to obtain the latest trail information before departure.
Trekkers should be particularly careful around:
- temporary bridges
- river crossings
- recently damaged trails
- landslide-prone slopes
- sections affected by heavy rainfall
- areas where permanent infrastructure has not yet been restored
Trekkers should never attempt to bypass an official restriction or cross a damaged bridge simply because the route appears physically possible.
What Happened to the Bridge Near Namrung?
The main suspension bridge crossing the Budhi Gandaki River near Namrung was destroyed during the 6 September flash flood.
The loss of the bridge temporarily severed an important section of the Manaslu trekking route. Local residents and authorities subsequently worked to establish an alternative connection so that people could move through the area again.
The temporary solution allows movement to resume, but it should not be confused with the permanent reconstruction of the original bridge.
Is Larke Pass Open?
Larke Pass, also known as Larkya La, remains an important part of the Manaslu Circuit.
The September 6 flood initially resulted in the suspension of travel along the Manaslu Circuit and Larke Pass route.
With the alternative trail now reported to be passable, trekking operations can potentially resume, but conditions beyond the immediate damaged section must still be assessed according to current weather and trail conditions.
For anyone planning to cross Larke Pass, we strongly recommend confirming the latest conditions with your guide or trekking agency before departure.
Can I Trek Manaslu in October 2026?
October remains the main autumn trekking season in Nepal, and the Manaslu region normally receives many trekkers during this period.
The recent flood does not mean that the Manaslu Circuit Trekking season has been cancelled.
However, October 2026 should be approached with greater flexibility than a normal year.
Before travelling, trekkers should confirm:
- The condition of the temporary trail near Namrung.
- Whether temporary bridges remain safe and operational.
- The latest status of Larke Pass.
- Road conditions between Kathmandu and Machha Khola.
- Weather conditions in the Budhi Gandaki Valley.
- Any new instructions issued by local authorities or the Manaslu Conservation Area.
- Whether permanent restoration work has changed the trekking route.
For trekkers already booked for October, there is currently no reason to automatically cancel the entire Manaslu trip solely because of the September 6 flood. Instead, monitor the situation closely and remain flexible with the itinerary.
Is the Manaslu Region Affected by the August 26 Nepal–Tibet Border Flood?
It is important to distinguish between two different flood events.
26 August 2026 – Nepal–Tibet border disaster
The devastating 26 August event severely affected the Rasuwa–Kerung/Tibet border area, including infrastructure around the Gyirong border. The disaster caused extensive damage and major disruption to the Nepal–Tibet connection.
6 September 2026 – Manaslu flood
The 6 September event near Namrung in Gorkha directly affected the Manaslu trekking route and damaged bridges used by trekkers and local residents.
These are two separate incidents.
This distinction is important because travellers searching for information about the August Nepal–Tibet border disaster may assume that the entire Manaslu region was affected in exactly the same way. The September 6 event was the incident that directly damaged the Manaslu trekking trail near Namrung.
Can You Still Reach the Manaslu Trek Starting Point?
Road access to the Manaslu trekking area has also been affected by the wider flooding in Nepal.
Travellers heading toward Machha Khola and the Budhi Gandaki corridor should not assume that every road is operating normally.
Alternative road approaches may be required depending on the latest condition of bridges and roads.
For this reason, we recommend allowing some flexibility in the driving schedule between Kathmandu and the Manaslu trekking starting point.
Your trekking agency should check the road condition immediately before departure and adjust the route if necessary.
What Should Trekkers Do Before Starting the Manaslu Circuit Trek 2026?
If you are planning the Manaslu Circuit Trek in September or October 2026, we recommend the following:
1. Check the latest local situation
Do not rely only on information published several weeks earlier. The situation is changing quickly.
2. Trek with an experienced local guide
A local guide can assess temporary crossings and changing trail conditions much better than an independent traveller relying only on online information.
3. Allow flexibility
Road delays, temporary bridge arrangements and trail maintenance may add time to the journey.
4. Do not cross unsafe bridges
If a bridge or trail section appears damaged, follow the instructions of your guide and local authorities.
5. Check Larke Pass conditions
Weather and trail conditions at high altitude can change rapidly even when the lower Manaslu trail is operating normally.
6. Keep emergency flexibility
Travellers should have adequate travel insurance and contingency arrangements in case the itinerary needs to be changed.
Is Manaslu Circuit Trek Still Worth Doing in 2026?
Yes, provided the route is confirmed safe and operational for your departure date.
The September flood has caused genuine damage, but it does not mean that the Manaslu region has been permanently closed.
The latest reports indicate that local communities have worked quickly to restore pedestrian access through an alternative trail and temporary crossings.
At the same time, travellers should understand that this is a post-flood recovery situation, not normal trail conditions.
For this reason, we recommend choosing a responsible local trekking operator that monitors the route continuously and can adjust the itinerary if conditions change.
Our Latest Recommendation for Manaslu Trekkers
At Nepal Tours Packages, we are continuing to monitor the situation in the Manaslu region through our local trekking network and information from the affected area.
Our priority is traveller safety rather than simply operating a previously booked itinerary.
If conditions change or a particular section becomes unsafe, we will adjust the trekking plan accordingly.
For travellers planning an October 2026 Manaslu Circuit Trek, we recommend keeping the trip flexible and confirming the latest trail conditions shortly before departure.
Current recommendation – 9 September 2026
The Manaslu Circuit is not permanently closed. The damaged section near Namrung has reportedly been bypassed using a temporary alternative trail and crossings, allowing access to resume. However, permanent restoration is still required and conditions are not yet back to normal.
Always obtain the latest local confirmation before entering the affected section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manaslu Circuit Trek open in September 2026?
The route was temporarily suspended after the 6 September flash flood. The latest report from 8 September says an alternative trail and temporary crossings were established near Namrung and that the route became passable again.
Is Manaslu Circuit Trek safe in October 2026?
October is normally one of the best months for Manaslu trekking. Following the September flood, however, trekkers should confirm the latest trail and bridge conditions before departure and expect possible temporary arrangements.
What happened to the Manaslu trekking trail?
A flash flood near Namrung on 6 September 2026 damaged the trekking route and destroyed important bridges, including the main suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River.
Is Larke Pass closed?
The Larke Pass route was included in the temporary suspension following the September 6 flood. The latest information indicates that an alternative route has restored access around the damaged section, but trekkers should confirm the current condition before attempting the pass.
When will the permanent bridges be rebuilt?
There is currently no reliable confirmed date for permanent reconstruction. Temporary access has been established, while restoration work continues.
Should I cancel my October 2026 Manaslu trek?
Not automatically. The latest information indicates that access has been restored through a temporary alternative route. However, your trekking agency should reconfirm the situation shortly before your departure.
Is the entire Manaslu region affected by the August 2026 Nepal–Tibet flood?
No. The August 26 disaster primarily affected the Nepal–Tibet border and Rasuwa area. The Manaslu trekking route experienced a separate flash-flood incident near Namrung on September 6.
Final Update
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026
The Manaslu Circuit Trek has experienced serious but localized flood damage following the September 6 flash flood near Namrung. The main bridge and other infrastructure were damaged, resulting in a temporary official suspension.
Local authorities and residents have since established an alternative trail and temporary crossings, and the latest reports indicate that pedestrian access has resumed.
The Manaslu Circuit should therefore be regarded as operational but under post-flood recovery conditions — not yet back to completely normal conditions.
We will continue updating this page as reliable information becomes available.
About the Author
Kishor Nepal – Nepal Travel Expert & Himalayan Travel Specialist
Kishor Nepal is a Nepal-based travel expert and Co-Founder & Holiday Expert at Nepal Tours Packages, with more than 25 years of experience in Nepal’s tourism industry. He specializes in private and tailor-made tours, trekking, and Himalayan journeys across Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.
With extensive experience planning and operating Himalayan journeys, Kishor has a strong understanding of trekking routes, seasonal conditions, local communities, transportation, accommodation and the practical challenges travelers may face in the mountains.
For this Manaslu Circuit Trek Safety Update, Kishor closely monitors information from local trekking partners, guides, communities and relevant authorities to provide travelers with the latest available information about trail conditions, flood damage, temporary route changes and trekking safety.
His priority is to provide accurate, practical and responsible travel information so that trekkers can make informed decisions before travelling to the Manaslu region.
Kishor Nepal
Co-Founder & Holiday Expert – Nepal Tours Packages
Kathmandu, Nepal
25+ Years of Himalayan Travel Experience
