No, the Manaslu Circuit is not running as usual right now. A landslide-triggered flash flood on the Budhi Gandaki River on 11 October 2026 destroyed several road and trail bridges in the lower valley, which every Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek must pass through. As of 17 October 2026, no official reopening date has been announced by the Gorkha District Administration Office (DAO) or the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP).
The high section of the trek, from Samagaun over Larkya La to Bimthang, was not hit by this flood. The problem is getting there: the approach from Arughat to Jagat and Philim is cut. If your trek starts in the next few weeks, plan to postpone or switch to another route, and wait for an official notice before travelling to the trailhead.
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What happened on 11 October 2026
Before dawn on Sunday, 11 October, a landslide near Chumchet in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6 blocked the Ungilung (Syar) Khola, a tributary of the Budhi Gandaki. When that natural dam gave way, a surge of water, mud and debris raced down the valley toward Arughat. Nepal Police reported the slide struck between Lokpa and Chumling at about 5:30 am.
This was not caused by heavy rain. A hydrologist with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said satellite images showed a large landslide near Chumchet, likely from the previous day, that may have dammed the tributary before releasing suddenly. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) told people to stay away from the river all the way down to Trishuli confluence until the flood passed.
It is the second flood to hit the Manaslu trail this autumn. On 6 September, a flash flood near Namrung washed out bridges on the Therang Khola; the DAO closed the circuit and reopened it on 9 September after locals built a temporary log bridge and bypass trail. The October flood is larger and hits a longer stretch of the route.
Damage to bridges, roads and villages
The flood cut both the road to the trailhead and the walking trail above it. Five people from a sheepfold at Ungiling, Chumchet, were reported missing, and an estimated 35 to 40 houses were swept away in Jagat Bagar, Salleri, Paiyu and Ghattikhola.
Key crossings lost or damaged:
- Arughat bridge (Gorkha–Dhading): a 22-metre section on the Gorkha side was washed away, halting vehicle traffic. Bailey bridge materials arrived from Hetauda and the Nepal Army began installation, with a target of about 10 days.
- Soti motorable bridge: the steel bridge linking wards 2 and 3 of Arughat Rural Municipality was destroyed, cutting road access toward Soti Khola and Machha Khola.
- Suspension footbridges: Nyakchet–Sirdibas and Machha Khola–Kerauja were swept away.
- Cliffside cantilever bridge (Sardibhir): lost, cutting ground access toward Jagat and Salleri.
- Budhi Gandaki hydropower camp (341 MW) at Salleri: construction camp and equipment swept away.
On 14 October, MCAP reported there was no usable trail at all between Philim and Jagat. Lodges in Jagat, Salleri and Machha Khola were damaged. The UN in Nepal and NDRRMA are supporting rapid assessments with drone and satellite imagery.
Trekkers stranded and evacuated
More than 100 foreign trekkers were stranded when the trail behind and ahead of them disappeared. Most were sheltering in Jagat, with others at Lokpa and in the Tsum Valley. Nobody on the trekking route was reported hurt.
The response moved quickly. NDRRMA mobilised 437 security personnel and four Nepal Army helicopters on day one, and private operators flew their own clients out. MCAP's Philim office said about 97 foreign tourists stuck around Jagat were lifted to Kathmandu or to the upper valley. Nine Bangladeshi trekkers stranded near Jagat reached Kathmandu on 13 October. By 15 October, Nepali Times reported that about 120 stranded trekkers and guides had been evacuated, and many travellers had switched to Everest or Annapurna.
Groups already high on the circuit, above Samagaun, could still finish the trek by crossing Larkya La and exiting via Bimthang and Dharapani on the Manang side.
Trail status, section by section
The damage sits in the lower and middle valley; the alpine half of the circuit is intact but unreachable on foot from the south.
Section | Altitude (approx.) | Status as of 17 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Kathmandu – Arughat (road) | 600 m | Arughat bridge out; Bailey bridge being installed |
Arughat – Soti Khola – Machha Khola (road) | 700–930 m | Cut: Soti bridge destroyed, Machha Khola footbridge gone |
Machha Khola – Jagat | 930–1,340 m | Severely damaged; Jagat houses and lodges hit |
Jagat – Philim | 1,340–1,570 m | No trail (MCAP, 14 Oct) |
Philim – Lokpa (Tsum junction) – Deng | 1,570–1,860 m | Not reachable from below; Tsum side closed at source of flood |
Deng – Namrung – Lho – Samagaun | 1,860–3,530 m | Not damaged by this flood; Namrung on temporary bridge since Sept |
Samagaun – Samdo – Larkya La – Bimthang | 3,530–5,106 m | Not damaged; usable as an exit for groups already up high |
Bimthang – Dharapani | 3,590–1,860 m | Open |
Status changes daily. Confirm with your operator before you travel.
When will the Manaslu Circuit reopen?
No date has been set. MCAP's chief at Philim said there is little prospect of an immediate reopening, and no timeline has been given for rebuilding the trail bridges.
Reopening depends on four things:
- Road access restored – the Arughat Bailey bridge first, then a crossing at Soti so jeeps can reach Machha Khola again.
- Trail crossings rebuilt – temporary bridges or bypass trails between Machha Khola, Jagat and Philim.
- Upstream landslide confirmed stable – so a second dam-burst is not a risk.
- An official notice from the Gorkha DAO and MCAP, as happened on 9 September after the Namrung flood.
In September, local communities restored access within three days. This time the damage covers many more crossings and a vehicle road, so expect weeks rather than days. Realistically, much of the remaining autumn 2026 season on Manaslu is likely lost; watch for official updates through November.
If you have a Manaslu trek booked
- Starting in October or early November 2026: assume the trek will not run as planned. Postpone to spring 2027 or switch routes.
- Do not travel to Arughat or Soti Khola until the DAO or MCAP issues a reopening notice.
- Tsum Valley bookings: the flood started in the lower Tsum area, so expect Tsum to stay closed longer than the main circuit.
- Insurance: check that your policy covers trip changes and helicopter evacuation up to 6,000 m.
- Permits: if you already hold a Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, ask your agency how it will be handled for new dates.
Good alternative treks this autumn
Several routes give a similar mix of big peaks, villages and a high pass, and are not affected by the Budhi Gandaki flood:
- Annapurna Circuit – the closest match: a similar high-pass crossing at Thorong La (5,416 m), and it shares the Dharapani end with Manaslu.
- Everest Base Camp or Gokyo Lakes – well-served teahouses and flights into Lukla.
- Annapurna Base Camp / Mardi Himal – shorter options from Pokhara.
- Nar Phu Valley – a restricted-area trek with Manaslu's remote, Tibetan-influenced feel, accessed from the Manang side.
At Actual Adventure, our team can rework your itinerary to one of these routes. Contact us before you travel for the latest on-the-ground update.
Outlook for spring 2027
Spring 2027 (March–May) looks like a sensible target for anyone who had Manaslu planned this autumn. Before the monsoon, the Budhi Gandaki runs at its lowest and side streams are often dry, which lowers the flood risk that caused this year's damage.
Most teahouses above Philim – Deng, Namrung, Lho, Samagaun, Samdo and Bimthang – were not damaged by either 2026 flood and are expected to open as normal. The open questions are how quickly the lower-valley road and bridges are rebuilt, and how much the lodges in Jagat, Salleri and Machha Khola recover. We will update this article as official notices come out.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Manaslu Circuit trek open in October 2026? No. Since the 11 October flood, the lower approach is cut and no reopening date has been announced.
Is Larkya La pass affected? No. The pass and the trail from Samagaun to Bimthang were not damaged, but new trekkers cannot reach them from Arughat.
Can I fly in by helicopter to Samagaun and trek out over Larkya La? Technically yes; helicopters have been operating in the valley. Ask your operator about permits, acclimatisation (Samagaun is 3,530 m) and cost before considering it.
Is Tsum Valley open? No. The flood started in the lower Tsum area near Chumchet, so Tsum is likely to reopen after the main circuit.
Was anyone killed? Five villagers from Chumchet were reported missing. No trekkers were reported injured.
Is the rest of Nepal safe for trekking? Yes. The Budhi Gandaki flood is local to northern Gorkha. Major routes such as Everest and Annapurna are operating; check current conditions for any region before you go.
