The Manaslu Circuit Trek is closed for the 2026 season after a flash flood hit the region on September 6, damaging the Budhigandaki and Therang rivers near Namrung in Gorkha district. The surge took out the main suspension bridge over the Budhigandaki, along with a second bridge, four homes, and two micro-hydropower plants.
Within hours, the District Administration Office in Gorkha suspended travel on the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Larkya La route, and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project issued a matching advisory. No injuries or deaths have been reported. If you've got a Manaslu trip planned this season, here's what you need to know.
Quick Answer
The Manaslu Circuit Trek and Larkya Pass are currently suspended until further notice after a September 6, 2026 flash flood near Namrung, Gorkha, washed away two bridges. The District Administration Office (DAO), Gorkha issued the suspension notice, while the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) also advised trekkers not to proceed. No human casualties have been reported so far.
What Happened in the Manaslu Region?
Early Sunday morning, September 6, 2026, a flash flood hit the Budhigandaki and Therang rivers inside the Manaslu Conservation Area. This wasn't your average monsoon swell either.
Gorkha's Assistant Chief District Officer, Netra Prasad Sharma, explained what triggered it. A pile of debris had blocked the Therang Stream close to where it originates, and once that blockage broke apart, the trapped water rushed downstream all at once, straight into Namrung, Ward No. 4 of Chumanuwri Rural Municipality.
The flood swept away two bridges, including the main suspension bridge over the Budhigandaki. That bridge is basically the backbone of the trekking trail in that section. It also destroyed four homes and knocked out two micro-hydropower plants, which means the area lost power and communication almost overnight.
Here's the good news, though: no human casualties have been reported. Locals moved to higher ground before the water hit, and both the district police and administration confirmed this. Honestly, that's the one bright spot in an otherwise messy situation.
Official Closure Notice: What the Government Actually Said
The Notice Says:
This notice is published for the information of all concerned that on Bhadra 21, 2083 (approx. September 6, 2026) at around 3:30 AM, a flash flood occurred in the Therang Stream located in Namrung, Chumanuwri Rural Municipality-4. The flood washed away the iron bridge connecting Ward No. 4 and Ward No. 2 of Chumanuwri Rural Municipality, as well as the suspension bridge over the Budhigandaki River along the trail leading from the forest towards Namrung. Therefore, anyone preparing for or currently on a trek along the Manaslu Trekking Route or the Larkya Pass Trekking Route is requested not to undertake or allow trekking until another notice is published.
If any disaster or abnormal situation arises, or if information regarding such a situation is received, everyone is requested to inform the nearest security unit/police post, local authority, and the following contact numbers as soon as possible:
- District Administration Office, Gorkha: 9856057777, 9856057778, 9856057780
- District Emergency Operation Center, Gorkha: 1234, 064430200, 9867173694
- District Police Office, Gorkha: 100, 9856055555, 9856061190
- Armed Police Force, Nepal, Gorkha: 9851272233
Two separate authorities confirmed this closure, and that's what tells you it's serious, not just a local precaution.
District Administration Office (DAO), Gorkha
The DAO, Gorkha, issued an urgent notice on September 6, 2026, suspending travel on the Manaslu Circuit Trek and the Larkya La route until further notice. This isn't a rumor. We checked the DAO Gorkha official government website (daogorkha.moha.gov.np) directly, and the notice is listed right there in the update feed, dated September 6, telling people not to undertake trekking or hiking in the area.
The notice specifically asks anyone already preparing for the trek, or currently on the trail, to hold off until the next official update is published. That's about as official as a Manaslu trek suspended 2026 notice gets.
Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP)
MCAP, the office that issues permits for this region, put out a matching advisory the same day. They asked trekkers, operators, and residents to postpone travel and avoid crossing damaged bridges, unstable riverbanks, and other hazardous sections until the trail gets properly inspected. They also asked people to coordinate with local authorities and security personnel before attempting to move through the affected area at all, even for essential travel.
Two authorities, same day, same message. That's not a small local warning; that's a full route suspension, and neither office has put out a reopening timeline yet. Any date you see floating around online that isn't sourced back to DAO Gorkha or MCAP directly should be treated as a guess, not a fact.
Larkya La Pass Status: Closed Along With the Main Route
Larkya La Pass is closed too, and once you understand the setup, it's not surprising. Larkya La isn't its own separate trek; it's the highest point on the Manaslu Circuit itself, sitting at around 5,160 meters. So whatever happens to the main trail happens to the pass as well.
Right now, the Budhigandaki bridge is gone, and that bridge is basically the only safe way to reach the approach toward Larkya La from this side. No bridge means no realistic way to get there, at least not without putting yourself at serious risk. So the Larkya La trek status 2026 is directly tied to when the lower trail reopens, not something separate you need to track on its own.
This is already affecting real people. Hundreds of trekkers who were heading toward Larkya La this season are currently stuck partway through their trip or scrambling to rework their itinerary because of this exact bridge situation.
Don't Confuse This With the August 26 Rasuwa Flood
This part trips people up a lot, so let's clear it up.
There was a much bigger, far more devastating flood on August 26, 2026, in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems near Rasuwa district, close to the Nepal-China border. That disaster hit the Langtang Valley, Tamang Heritage, and Gosaikunda trekking routes hard and caused a serious loss of life along the Bhote Koshi corridor, with search and recovery efforts still ongoing in the weeks after.
This Manaslu Gorkha flash flood is a separate, smaller event. Different river system (Budhigandaki and Therang, not Bhote Koshi or Trishuli), different district, different date. If you've read somewhere that Manaslu was affected by "the big Nepal flood," that's likely referring to the August Rasuwa flood, not this one.
Two separate disasters, two separate regions. Only this one is currently closing the Manaslu trail.
Bad Timing: Manaslu Closure Hits at the Start of Autumn Trekking Season
This closure hit right at the start of autumn trekking season, which is usually the busiest and most profitable stretch of the year for the region.
According to Nepal's Department of Tourism, 348 climbers across 29 teams already had permits to climb Mount Manaslu this autumn. That's the vast majority of all 367 mountaineering permits issued so far this season. So this isn't just affecting casual trekkers; it's hitting a huge chunk of the season's climbing expeditions too.
Plus, Manaslu has been steadily growing in popularity for years now, going from around 15,000 trekkers back in 2015 to noticeably higher numbers since. If this closure ends up dragging into the peak weeks ahead, that's a real hit, not just for trekkers and climbers, but for local teahouses, guides, and porters who depend on this exact stretch of the season for income.
Is the Tsum Valley Trek Closed Too?
No, not officially, at least not as of now. But that's not the same as saying it's completely unaffected.
The lower Manaslu trail and the Tsum Valley trek share the same approach route before splitting near Lokpa. Official notices from DAO Gorkha and MCAP only name the Manaslu Circuit and Larkya La specifically, so Tsum Valley hasn't been listed as closed. That said, since the affected area sits so close to that shared lower trail, I wouldn't just assume it's fine either. If your Tsum Valley trip is planned; confirm directly with your operator or check DAO Gorkha's notices yourself before assuming anything.
If you're weighing your options, our Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley trek itinerary is worth a look once things settle, since it covers both regions in one trip.
What to Do If You Have a Manaslu Trek Booked
If your trip is coming up soon, here's honestly the most practical way to handle it:
- Don't travel toward the region until the suspension is officially lifted. This covers both the Manaslu Circuit and the Larkya La crossing.
- Get in touch with your trekking operator right away so they can check your specific dates against the current situation.
- Stay flexible. Nobody knows exactly when this reopens yet, since it depends on temporary or permanent bridge repairs and official trail inspections.
- Think about an alternative if your dates are fixed. The Annapurna Circuit Trek runs through a completely separate river system (Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki, not Budhigandaki), so it hasn't been affected by this flood at all. It also has a high pass crossing (Thorong La) if that was part of the appeal for you. If you're short on time, the Short Annapurna Circuit Trek covers the same highlights in fewer days.
At the end of the day, no legitimate operator should be pushing groups onto this route while the government suspension is active, no matter what your original itinerary said.
Our Commitment to Your Safety
Government suspension means government suspension, full stop. If DAO Gorkha and MCAP haven't lifted it, Nepal Gateway Trekking isn't putting a group on that trail, whether you booked six months ago or six days ago. That's just how we operate, no exceptions for anyone's timeline.
We're checking official updates regularly, and the moment DAO Gorkha or MCAP confirms the route is safe again, we'll reflect that here first, not after everyone else has already posted about it. We also keep an eye on notices from the Nepal Tourism Board, since they track conditions across all trekking regions, not just Manaslu.
One thing worth thinking about either way: if you switch routes or push your dates back, make sure whatever travel insurance you're holding actually covers the trek you end up doing. High-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation coverage isn't always automatic, so it's worth a quick check before you commit to new dates.
Final Thoughts
This is a real closure, not internet noise. It's backed by two official sources and confirmed directly on the DAO Gorkha government site, not just travel blogs repeating each other. If you've got a Manaslu trip planned this autumn, don't try to wing it or hope the trail reopens in time. Talk to your operator, keep an eye on official updates, and stay flexible with your dates.
Floods like this aren't unusual in the Himalayas, especially right after monsoon season, and local authorities and conservation offices in Nepal have handled similar bridge damage before. But until there's an official green light from DAO Gorkha or MCAP, treat this closure as real and plan your trip around it, not against it.
Still figuring out what to do with your booking? Reach out to our team and we'll help you rework your dates, switch to a safer alternative, or hold your spot until Manaslu reopens.
FAQs
Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek permanently closed?
No. This is a temporary suspension caused by flood damage to bridges, not a permanent shutdown. There's no confirmed reopening date yet, and it depends on how fast temporary or permanent bridges get rebuilt and inspected.
Why is the Manaslu Circuit Trek closed right now?
A flash flood on September 6, 2026, destroyed the main suspension bridge over the Budhigandaki River near Namrung. Without that bridge, the trail is effectively cut off, so both DAO Gorkha and MCAP suspended travel until it's safe again.
Is Manaslu Circuit Trek open now?
No, it's currently suspended. Both the District Administration Office in Gorkha and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project confirmed the closure on September 6, 2026, and neither has issued a reopening date yet.
Are there injuries from the Manaslu flood 2026?
No human casualties have been reported. Both the Assistant Chief District Officer of Gorkha and local police confirmed this, since residents got to higher ground before the flood hit.
Can I still trek Tsum Valley after the Manaslu closure?
It's not officially named as closed, but it shares an approach trail with the affected Manaslu route near Lokpa. Confirm current access with your operator or check DAO Gorkha's notices before assuming it's unaffected.
Is Larkya La Pass safe to cross in 2026?
Right now, no. With the Budhigandaki bridge destroyed, there's no safe way to reach the approach toward Larkya La from this side, so the pass is effectively inaccessible until the trail reopens.
What is the alternative to the Manaslu Circuit Trek right now?
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is the closest match in experience, a full circuit trek with a high pass crossing at Thorong La, and it runs through a completely different river system that hasn't been touched by this flood.
When will the Manaslu Circuit Trek reopen?
There's no official date yet. Locals are working on temporary pedestrian crossings, but any real reopening will need to be confirmed directly by DAO Gorkha or MCAP, not by random online sources.
