The Manaslu Circuit Trek has reopened. The Gorkha District Administration Office lifted its trekking ban on September 9, 2026, after local residents, Chumanuwri Rural Municipality and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) built an alternative trail and a temporary wooden bridge at the flood-damaged crossing near Namrung. Trekkers heading toward Samagaon and Larkya La can move through the area again, but there are important restrictions to know before you go.
A flash flood in the Therang Khola struck Namrung at around 3:00 AM on September 6, 2026, sweeping away the Suksam suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki, a second bridge, four houses and two micro-hydropower projects. The flood cut all movement through a critical mid-section of the Manaslu Circuit. The Gorkha District Administration Office immediately suspended trekking on the Manaslu Circuit and Larkya Pass routes.
Within three days, Ward No. 4 Chair Pema Gyalpo Lama led a community effort involving MCAP staff and Namrung residents to find an old trail bypassing the destroyed bridges and to construct a temporary wooden bridge across Syurang Khola. The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) confirmed the route was operational again, and the Gorkha DAO lifted its ban.
The reopening comes with a formal restriction from Chumanuwri Rural Municipality. An official notice dated September 10, 2026, signed by Chief Administrative Officer Manoj Lamichhane, states that the temporary wooden bridge is open for pedestrian foot traffic only. Mules, horses and other pack animals are not permitted to cross.
The municipality explained that the bridge was built quickly using green timber, is narrow and would not support the weight of loaded animals. There is a genuine risk of the bridge collapsing under heavy loads or animals falling into the river. The notice asks all trekkers, guides and residents to comply fully.
This restriction matters for trekking logistics. Groups that normally use mule trains to carry supplies into the upper Budhi Gandaki Valley will need to arrange porters instead. Your trekking agency should already be adjusting plans for this. If you are booking a new Manaslu trek, confirm with your operator how they are handling cargo transport through the Namrung section.
The alternative trail and temporary bridge allow trekkers to pass through the flood-affected area on foot. The Tourism Times reported that the new trail section includes a view of a large waterfall near the crossing point. Bridge users have been urged to exercise caution, particularly when stopping for photographs.
Source: http://chumanuwrimun.gov.np
The river flow at Syurang Khola remains high. Roads into the Budhi Gandaki Valley are also partially blocked, which is making it difficult to transport construction materials for a permanent bridge. The municipality confirmed that upgrading the crossing will take time and that they are coordinating with relevant government agencies.
No human casualties were reported from the September 6 flood. The municipality distributed food supplies to the four families whose homes were destroyed and arranged temporary accommodation.
The reopening is good news for the 348 climbers from 29 teams who already hold permits for Mount Manaslu this autumn, and for the hundreds of trekkers planning to cross Larkya La during peak season. The route is passable, but it is not operating under normal conditions.
Expect a slower crossing at the temporary bridge. Expect porter-based transport instead of mule trains through the affected section. Expect conditions to keep changing as monsoon rain continues and repair work progresses. The Manaslu with Tsum Valley route passes through the same corridor, so the pack-animal restriction applies to those itineraries as well.
This flood followed the Bhote Koshi flood that devastated Rasuwa on August 26, which destroyed bridges, roads and hydropower infrastructure across six districts. Municipal Chairman Nima Lama told the Everest Chronicle that the Manaslu flooding was different in character from the Rasuwa event, but both show how quickly monsoon conditions can disrupt Himalayan infrastructure.
1. Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek open now?
Yes. The Gorkha District Administration Office lifted its trekking ban on September 9 after a temporary bridge and alternative trail were built near Namrung.
2. Can mules and pack animals use the temporary bridge?
No. An official notice from Chumanuwri Rural Municipality restricts the bridge to pedestrian foot traffic only. Pack animals are not permitted.
3. When will a permanent bridge be built?
No timeline has been confirmed. Road blockages are making material transport difficult, and the municipality says the upgrade will take time.
4. Were there any casualties from the September 6 flood?
No human casualties were reported.
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