The Manaslu Circuit Trek is currently closed after flash floods destroyed two suspension bridges and four houses near Namrung in the Budhi Gandaki Valley on September 6, 2026. The Gorkha District Administration Office has officially suspended all travel along the Manaslu Circuit trekking route and Larke Pass until further notice. Travelers should not attempt to enter the affected sections until local authorities confirm the route is safe and operational.
Flash floods struck the Manaslu Conservation Area early on Sunday, September 6, 2026, after heavy overnight rain caused the Therang Khola river to swell and burst downstream. The flooding hit Namrung, Ward No. 4 of Chumanuwri Rural Municipality in northern Gorkha District at around 3:00 AM.
The Therang Khola had been temporarily blocked by debris upstream before the blockage gave way, sending a sudden surge of water and sediment through the valley. Municipal chairman Nima Lama told the Everest Chronicle that the flooding destroyed four houses and two suspension bridges. Two micro-hydropower projects were also washed away.
The bridge going downhill from Namrung and the bridge going uphill were both destroyed. Lakpa Dundup, a Namrung resident, described the situation plainly: movement in any direction from the village has become impossible. The loss of the micro-hydropower plants has also cut electricity, communication and power-dependent services in the area.
The Manaslu Circuit Trek is closed. The Gorkha District Administration Office has formally suspended all trekking on the Manaslu Circuit route and Larke Pass until it issues a new notice. Assistant Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma confirmed the suspension.
The official notice states that anyone preparing for the trek or currently en route should not travel or organize travel until the closure is lifted. This applies to the full Manaslu Circuit, not just the damaged section near Namrung. The closure affects both the trekking trail and the road access into the region.
The suspension of the Namrung Khola bridge, which sits on the main circuit path, means that no through-trekking is currently possible. Even if sections of trail above or below the damaged bridges are physically intact, the circuit cannot be completed without crossing the destroyed bridges.
The destroyed bridges are located near Namrung in northern Gorkha, on the trail between Deng and Samagaon. This is a critical mid-section of the Manaslu Circuit. Without these bridges, trekkers cannot continue north toward Samagaon and Larkya La, or south back toward Jagat and Machha Khola.
The Budhi Gandaki and Therang rivers both flooded in this area. Trail sections adjacent to the rivers may also be damaged by landslides and erosion, though detailed trail assessments have not yet been reported. Road access into the lower Budhi Gandaki Valley from Arughat and Soti Khola may also be affected by monsoon conditions, but specific road-damage information has not been confirmed separately.
The closure hits at the worst possible moment. September through November is Nepal's peak autumn trekking season, and Manaslu is one of the most popular restricted-area circuits. According to the Department of Tourism, 348 climbers from 29 teams have already obtained permits to climb Mount Manaslu during the autumn 2026 season. Hundreds more trekkers had planned to cross Larkya La.
No reopening date has been announced. Local authorities, the Manaslu Conservation Area office and Chumanuwri Rural Municipality are working together to restore access. Chairman Nima Lama told the Everest Chronicle that teams are searching for an old alternative trail that could reconnect traffic to the Nubri Valley, and that temporary arrangements are planned to allow foot crossings of the river.
Whether these temporary solutions will be adequate for full circuit trekking remains unknown. A temporary river crossing is not the same as a functional suspension bridge capable of handling regular trekker and porter traffic during peak season. Travelers should not assume the circuit will reopen on a specific date.
Local authorities are actively searching for an old trail that could bypass the destroyed bridges and provide an alternative connection into the Nubri Valley. Chairman Nima Lama confirmed that this work is underway and that temporary river-crossing arrangements are being planned.
However, no alternative route has been officially confirmed as open or safe for trekking as of this update. Until the municipality or district administration formally announces an alternative, travelers should treat the entire circuit as closed. Independent attempts to find a way around destroyed bridges or flooded river crossings are dangerous and not recommended.
|
Traveler Situation |
Recommended Action |
|---|---|
|
Manaslu trek already booked |
Contact your agency; wait for verified reopening confirmation |
|
Planning a new Manaslu trek |
Do not finalize dates until the route is officially reopened |
|
Already in Nepal |
Check with local authorities before traveling toward Gorkha |
|
Considering bypassing the closure |
Do not attempt; bridges destroyed, river crossings unsafe |
|
Looking for an alternative trek |
Consider routes unaffected by this closure |
If you have already booked a Manaslu Circuit trek: Contact your trekking agency immediately. A responsible agency will be coordinating directly with guides, lodge operators and local contacts in the Budhi Gandaki Valley. Do not travel to the trailhead without confirmed reopening information. Ask your agency for a realistic update, not optimistic guesswork.
If you are planning to book: Wait. Do not commit to fixed travel dates based on assumptions about when the trail will reopen. The damage involves bridges, not just trail surface, and bridge reconstruction takes longer than clearing a landslide. Book with an agency that offers flexibility if conditions change.
If you are already in Nepal: Do not attempt to enter the Manaslu Circuit independently or try to find your own way around the destroyed bridges. Swollen rivers, unstable banks and missing crossings are a serious safety risk, particularly during active monsoon season. Check conditions directly with the Gorkha District Administration Office or your local trekking operator.
Trail surfaces in the Himalaya get damaged and repaired regularly during monsoon season. Landslides block paths, and local crews clear them within days. Bridges are different. A destroyed suspension bridge cuts the route entirely, and replacing one requires engineering, materials, transport and time.
The Namrung area has now lost both the uphill and downhill bridges. Even if the trail on either side is intact, there is no safe way to cross the river at those points. River levels in the Budhi Gandaki system fluctuate significantly during September, making improvised crossings especially risky.
Nepal's mountain infrastructure has been under repeated pressure this monsoon. The Bhote Koshi flood that struck Rasuwa on August 26 destroyed bridges, roads and hydropower projects across multiple districts. Chairman Lama specifically noted that the Manaslu flooding was different in character from the Rasuwa event, but the pattern of monsoon-triggered bridge loss affecting trekking access is consistent across the Himalaya this season.
The Manaslu Circuit closure does not affect other trekking regions in Nepal. Routes in the Annapurna, Everest, Langtang and other areas continue to operate under their normal seasonal conditions, unless separately affected by localized weather events.
Travelers who had planned a Manaslu trek and need to consider alternatives may want to look at the Manaslu with Tsum Valley itinerary once the route reopens, as conditions may have changed the typical schedule. For those with flexible plans, other autumn treks that do not pass through the affected area remain available. Your trekking agency can help identify the best option based on your dates, fitness level and interests.
No official reopening date has been announced. The Gorkha District Administration Office stated the closure remains in effect until a new notice is published. Local teams are working to find alternative access and build temporary crossings, but no timeline has been confirmed.
Reconstruction of permanent suspension bridges typically takes weeks to months depending on materials, funding and access. Temporary solutions may allow limited access sooner, but the distinction matters: a temporary river crossing that works for local foot traffic may not be suitable for fully loaded trekking groups with porters.
The most reliable source of reopening information will be the Gorkha District Administration Office and local trekking agencies with direct contacts in the Manaslu Conservation Area. Online forums and social media may circulate unverified claims about trail conditions. Verify any reopening report through an official or local source before making travel decisions.
1. Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek currently closed?
Yes. The Gorkha District Administration Office officially suspended all travel on the Manaslu Circuit route and Larke Pass on September 6, 2026, following flash-flood damage. The closure remains in effect until a new notice is issued.
2. Why is the Manaslu Circuit Trek closed?
Flash floods in the Budhi Gandaki and Therang rivers destroyed two suspension bridges near Namrung, cutting the main trekking route. Four houses and two micro-hydropower projects were also destroyed. Movement through the area is not possible.
3. When did the flash flood happen?
The flooding occurred early on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at approximately 3:00 AM, after heavy overnight rain in the Chumanuwri Rural Municipality area of northern Gorkha.
4. Were there any casualties?
Assistant CDO Netra Prasad Sharma confirmed that no human casualties have been reported so far.
5. When will the Manaslu Circuit reopen?
No reopening date has been announced. Local teams are working on temporary crossing solutions and searching for alternative trail connections. Check with the Gorkha District Administration or a local trekking agency for the latest status.
6. Can I still trek Manaslu if I already have a booking?
Contact your trekking agency for the latest ground-level information. Do not travel to the trailhead until the route has been officially reopened. A responsible agency will help you adjust your plans.
7. Is there an alternative route around the damaged section?
Local authorities are searching for an old trail that could reconnect traffic to the Nubri Valley, but no alternative has been officially confirmed as safe for trekking.
8. Is it safe to cross damaged bridges or ford the river independently?
No. The Budhi Gandaki is a major river system with unpredictable water levels during monsoon season. Crossing at destroyed bridge points or fording swollen rivers is life-threatening.
9. Should I postpone my Manaslu Circuit Trek?
If you have fixed autumn dates, wait for official confirmation before committing. If the route has not reopened by your travel window, postpone or consider an alternative trek.
10. Are other trekking routes in Nepal still open?
Yes. The Annapurna, Everest, Langtang and other trekking regions remain operational under normal seasonal conditions unless separately affected by localized weather.
North Nepal Travel & Trek will continue to update this page as confirmed information becomes available. Check with your trekking agency or the Gorkha District Administration Office for the latest Manaslu Circuit status before making travel decisions.
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