If you're planning the Manaslu Circuit Trek this autumn, here's the honest, up-to-date picture of what's happening on the trail right now and what it means for your trip.

What happened?

Early in the morning on September 6, 2026, a flash flood struck the Budhi Gandaki and Therang Khola area near Namrung, in Chumnubri Rural Municipality, Gorkha district. The flood swept away two important bridges an iron bridge connecting wards 4 and 2, and a suspension bridge on the route toward Namrung forest. Some homes and small hydropower structures nearby were also damaged.

The good news: no human casualties were reported. Local residents managed to move to higher ground before the flood hit.

Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek currently closed?

Yes. Following the flood, the District Administration Office (DAO), Gorkha issued an official notice asking trekkers not to start or continue their journey on the Manaslu and Larkya Pass route until further notice. The Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) and the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) followed with the same advice postpone your trip until the situation is properly assessed.

Because Larkya La Pass (5,160m) is simply the highest point on this same circuit, and the damaged bridges sit on the only realistic approach to it, the pass is effectively closed too. There's no safe way around the broken crossings right now.

Is this a permanent shutdown?

No. This is described by local authorities and trekking operators as a temporary suspension, not a permanent closure. Nepal's Himalayan trails see this kind of disruption fairly often after the monsoon, and bridges are usually repaired or temporarily restored within days to a few weeks, depending on weather and terrain conditions.

Some operators estimate a rough recovery window of around four days for temporary access to be restored, assuming stable weather but as of this writing, no official reopening date has been confirmed by DAO Gorkha or MCAP. Treat any specific reopening date you see online as an estimate, not a fact, unless it's traced directly back to one of these two offices.

What about the rest of the Manaslu region?

It's worth noting this flood is a localized event around Namrung it is separate from the Rasuwa/Langtang flooding that happened in late August 2026 in a different valley. Other approach routes to the Manaslu region, such as via Dhading Besi or Arughat, remain usable, though trekkers heading toward Machha Khola or Jagat from Kathmandu should avoid the Malekhu route, since the Malekhu bridge has separately collapsed. The recommended detour is via Benighat–Arughat.

What should trekkers do right now?

If you're booked for an upcoming departure: talk to your trekking agency about rescheduling. Most operators are letting deposits carry over to new dates.
If your travel dates are fixed: consider switching to an open alternative, such as the Annapurna Circuit, which also features a high pass crossing (Thorong La) and a similar trekking experience.
Don't rely on secondhand dates. Always confirm the latest status directly with DAO Gorkha, MCAP, or TAAN or through a licensed trekking agency before you travel.

Final Thoughts

The Manaslu Circuit and Larkya La Pass are currently suspended after the September 6, 2026 flash flood damaged key bridges near Namrung. No casualties were reported, and the disruption is expected to be temporary, but there's no confirmed reopening date yet. If Manaslu is on your list this season, check official channels before you fly to Nepal, and keep a backup route in mind.

Sources:

Note: This is a fast-moving situation. Always verify the latest trail status with DAO Gorkha, MCAP, or a licensed trekking agency before departure.

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