Manaslu Circuit Trek Closed After Budhi Gandaki Flood 2026?

How Has the Budhi Gandaki Flood Affected the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Region?

Manaslu Trekking Route begins from Machha Khola, and then it passes through Jagat, Philim, Deng, Namrung, and Samagaun till it ends in Samdo, passing through Larkya La Pass in the Budhi Gandaki Valley. Suspension bridges join the villages along the trek route. Floods on October 11 have affected some of these river bridges and even communities that are part of the treks.

Jagat and its nearby riverside communities have been heavily affected by the floods, whereas those located near Sirdibas and Machha Khola have been completely washed away. This becomes a great obstacle in reaching the upper sections of the Manaslu circuit.

It may be noted that the villages after Namrung might not have been directly affected by the floods; however, to reach these villages through the trekking route requires the presence of the whole chain of river bridges from the bottom of the valley. The lack of even a single bridge or safe route near Jagat makes it difficult for trekkers to reach Samagaun.

Latest Manaslu Circuit Trek Status: October 11, 2026

The District Administration Office, Gorkha, and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project are significant authorities in determining the status of any trail restrictions and later opening up.

None of the existing reports mention a new blanket closure order for the whole Manaslu circuit. Nevertheless, the damage is sufficient to make trekking agencies doubt that their previously planned route is still open.

Also Read: Nepal trekking routes are safe after the flood in August?

Which Sections of the Manaslu Circuit Trek Are Damaged?

The key issue is the route via the lower Budhi Gandaki gorge, which is the starting point of all Manaslu circuit routes. Although the trek can last more than a week after Jagat, people should pass through the damaged lower villages before that.

Machha Khola to Jagat: Lower Trekking Corridor Affected

Machha Khola is the point at which road transport begins for most of the trekking circuits around Manaslu. The floodwater inundated homes and other constructions in the lower village, and the suspension bridge that connected Machha Khola and Kerauja was carried away by the floods. Moving further up along the lower valley, the villages around Jagat had damage reports, where houses by the riverside were destroyed, and people migrated to higher locations. Though not all the damaged bridges may be on the exact foot trekking route, the destruction of several bridges raises doubts about the reliability of any access routes in the region. Trekking cannot be done without considering the condition of both crossings and the trekking route hillsides between Machha Khola and Jagat.

Jagat, Sirdibas and Philim: Critical Access Requires Inspection

Jagat is a significant checkpoint on the Manaslu Circuit. The flood has caused destruction of the houses in Jagat Bagar and other settlements. The bridge between Nyakchet and Sirdibas has been swept away. There was also some destruction at the connection between Nyakchet and Philim Bazaar. This crossing provides access between villages in the Budhi Gandaki valley. This destruction can affect travel even when there is still a trail visible on the path. For trekkers to come back, guides and authorities need to ensure that there is an unbroken path from Jagat to Philim and the higher Manaslu region.

Deng, Namrung, Samagaun and Larkya La: What Is Known?

The October 11 reports considered do not provide any information about direct damage from floods in the villages of Deng, Namrung, Samagaun, Samdo, or the Larkya La Pass. But the lack of reporting about the damage does not mean total safety of the area. These places depend on the passage through the lower corridor and require good accommodation, arrangements for emergency evacuations, and proper supply of goods along the entire route. What matters here is not the flooding of Larkya La Pass itself. What matters is the ability to reach the pass from the starting point.

What Caused the Budhi Gandaki Flood in the Manaslu Region?

Reports suggest that the flood on October 11 was triggered by a landslide at Chumchet, Chumnubri Rural Municipality. Satellite imagery analysis conducted by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of Nepal showed a huge landslide around a tributary of the Budhi Gandaki. It is suspected that the debris from the landslide blocked the flow before releasing the floodwater.

Residents of the areas around Lokpa reported strange sounds and changes in water levels during the early hours of the day. The flood continued through the narrow valley, damaging homes and structures. The cause of the flood still remains unclear, although there have been reports about an avalanche that could not be proven. Manaslu trekkers should consider riverbank erosion, debris, and unstable slopes hazardous even after the floodwater subsides.

Is the Tsum Valley Trek Also Closed After the October Flood?

Yes, the Tsum Valley Trek uses the lower Budhi Gandaki route, which is similar to the Manaslu Circuit route up until the point where the routes split at Lokpa, then continue towards Chumling and into the upper valley. The supposed landslide is believed to be located in this region. Locals and tourists in the Lokpa-Chumling region have reportedly relocated to safer areas due to increasing river levels. People who are trekking in Tsum Valley or in both the Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley need to wait until it is confirmed that the trails are safe. There is no report of a government-imposed closure of the entire Tsum Valley Trek route.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Floods in August, September and October 2026: What Changed?

The flood on October 11 is another important event in the Himalayan region, apart from the Trishuli flood that occurred in August and the shutting down of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in September.

On August 26, 2026, there was an enormous ice-rock avalanche that created huge flooding in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa and spread further to the Trishuli and Narayani rivers. As a result, there was heavy damage to the roads, bridges, and settlements, thus making it difficult for people to access popular treks like Langtang Valley Trek, Tamang Heritage Trail, Gosaikunda Lake Trek, and Langtang Gosaikunda Trek. The flooding damaged the roads to Syabrubesi and the Dhunche access route. However, it is necessary to note that the flood did not affect the Manaslu Circuit Trek since it passes through the Budhi Gandaki Valley.

It was on the 6th day of September in the year 2026 that, due to the rain causing flooding in nearby areas of Therang Khola in Namrung, two bridges were destroyed, effectively causing the Gorkha District Administration Office to suspend the operations of the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Manaslu Larkya La Pass Trek, and other trekking expeditions to Samagaun. The residents living near this site constructed a temporary wooden bridge and re-established a path, enabling the trekking to restart on 9th September.

Another flash flood occurred on October 11, 2026, which damaged bridges, villages, and trekking trails around the Budhi Gandaki River in Jagat, Sirdibas, and Machha Khola. This brought about the destruction of sections of the trekking trails leading to the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Tsum Valley Trek, and the Manaslu Circuit with Tsum Valley Trek. The flash floods in September occurred in Namrung, while those in October occurred in various sections of the lower portion of the trekking trails.

Are October and November 2026 Manaslu Circuit Treks Cancelled?

Not all the October/November Manaslu Circuit Trek departures have been officially canceled. But the flood at Budhi Gandaki on October 11 has destroyed the bridges and made trekking in the lower Manaslu area difficult due to a lack of safe access. At Mountain Rock Treks, we had planned the following fixed departure dates for autumn 2026:

In case you have registered yourself for the Manaslu Circuit Trek with Mountain Rock Treks on any of the above dates, then do not make changes to your international flight itinerary or move towards Machha Khola.

Our team will analyze the latest trail conditions, feasibility of accessing bridges, transportation, and restrictions before informing you about the feasibility of your trip departure. If you are leaving immediately, then we would advise postponing it till safe passage is confirmed. In case you are booking the trek in late October and November, we will be analyzing the condition as and when required.

In case of unavailability of passage, we can reschedule your booking or consider other treks such as Annapurna Circuit Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek, provided that they are available under the same terms and trail conditions.

In case you have booked the Manaslu Circuit Trek for October and November 2026, then contact Dipak Pande, Managing Director, Mountain Rock Treks, on his WhatsApp or Viber (+977 9851037679) with your proposed departure and booking details.

When Will the Manaslu Circuit Trek Reopen?

There are no specific plans yet on when to reopen the route due to the Budhi Gandaki floods on October 11, 2026. Reopening may require bridge repairs, repair of damaged trails, and inspection of slopes near the river. There must be an assessment of the possible threat caused by the blockage upstream of the river.

Before the trails can go back to their normal condition, there are specific requirements that should be fulfilled, such as:

• Safe river crossing between the disrupted segments of the trails.
• Inspection of the flood-ravaged trail and the instabilities along the banks of the river.
• Availability of accommodation and logistical support from the lower villages.
• Effective communications and evacuation system in place.
• Approval from the district and conservation authority concerned.

Any announcements of trail openings will not apply to the whole Manaslu Circuit Route. The District Administration Office (Gorkha) and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project are important sources for trekking information.

What Should Trekkers With Manaslu Bookings Do Now?

• Contact the Mountain Rock Treks team: See that your schedule fits into October and November 2026.
• Postpone any immediate departures due to the risk of danger, and ask about rescheduling your trek.
• In the meantime, consider the Annapurna Circuit Trek or the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, both of which are still open and ready to welcome you into their pristine valleys.
• Avoid crossing the river if at all possible and do not attempt to use any alternate route that may be suggested to you if bridges and roads are damaged, under construction, or otherwise unpassable.
• If you are already on this trek, stay with your licensed guide and follow official instructions from local authorities.
• Verify your travel insurance policy to see if this coverage is included in your cover, in the event of interrupted travel, high-altitude trekking, or emergency evacuation.

Mountain Rock Treks' Safety Measures and Support for Manaslu Trekkers

The safety of our clients is our priority; there will be no trek via Machha Khola until the bridges and trekking path in that particular area become safe. Before scheduling the departure, the group will survey the path from Machha Khola to Jagat and Philim with the help of local guides. We will also consider the notices given by the administration of Gorkha district as well as by the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP). In case your trekking trip has been scheduled in the month of October or November, we request you to contact us before leaving for your journey. We will help you either rearrange your schedule or give you alternative trekking destinations. We strongly recommend that all trekkers review their travel insurance policies to cover themselves for high-altitude trekking evacuation or disruptions.

What Will Happen to Trekkers Already on the Manaslu Circuit Trail?

1. The flood on October 11 occurred at a time when there is an active trekking and climbing season in Nepal. Based on the report by the Department of Tourism, there are 500 climbers from 43 expedition teams with permits to climb Mount Manaslu (8,163 m) as of October 8, 2026, excluding those who regularly trek on the Manaslu Circuit.
2. Manaslu trekkers currently in the upper areas such as Namrung, Samagaun, and Samdo will be delayed on the way back due to the flood since all bridges on the trail down from Jagat and Machha Khola have been swept away by floodwaters.
3. Manaslu trekkers who have crossed Larkya La Pass can continue to Bimthang and Dharapani if it is confirmed by their guide that the trail is safe and accessible.
4. Manaslu trekkers reaching areas where the flood took place need to stay in safe villages until permission to cross another route is approved. Some Manaslu trekkers will not be able to return through the normal route and need evacuation services.
5. Tourists, as well as those at the Jagat checkpost, according to the Manaslu Conservation Area project, have been reported safe. Still, the number of trekkers stranded on the circuit has not been confirmed yet.
6. Trekkers should listen to the guidance from their guides and stay away from unsafe river crossings.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Manaslu Circuit Trek Flood 2026

Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek accessible on October 11, 2026?

The normal approach has become very difficult to reach after the October 11 flood. Several bridges were damaged, and access through the affected villages still needs to be determined. No independent confirmation of the new government closure policy for the whole circuit was found.

Is the Larkya La Pass affected by the flood?

There was no record found regarding the direct damage to the Larkya La Pass from the October 11 flood reports. However, accessing the Larkya La Pass will require checking that the approach through the lower Manaslu passageway is safe.

Is the Tsum Valley Trek accessible?

The accessibility of the Tsum Valley has not been checked as of now since the area shares the same lower Manaslu approach.

Is it possible for the Manaslu Circuit Trek to open again in November 2026?

Reopening is feasible depending on the restoration of the vital points within the trail, but no official dates have been provided yet.

Will Mountain Rock Treks cancel future treks on the Manaslu Circuit?

The affected trek dates will be evaluated by Mountain Rock Treks based on the departure schedule and the conditions of the trekking routes. In case there is no possibility of accessing the trail safely, the discussion for changing the schedule of the trek or arranging other suitable alternatives will take place instead of suggesting travel through damaged routes.

Can I reschedule the date of my Manaslu Circuit Trek with Mountain Rock Treks?

Guests may contact Dipak Pande, the Managing Director of Mountain Rock Treks, through WhatsApp or Viber at +977 9851037679 to discuss the possible date change and itinerary. The decision regarding rescheduling and related expenses would depend upon the booking conditions of the trip and services arranged earlier.

What Alternative Treks Can Mountain Rock Treks Arrange?

As such, if the Manaslu Circuit is not feasible, we could help you get onto the alternate option of the Annapurna Circuit trek, which also has a mountain pass crossing at Thorong La (5,416 m). If you want to go for something brief, then the Annapurna Base Camp Trek (4,130 m) would be one of the options for you. In addition, the Mardi Himal Trek and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek may also be discussed if you don’t have many days.