Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Open? Latest Bridge Status & Travel Advisory

Post Date: 09 Sep 2026 Post by - Kul Bahadur Gurung

Quick answer: As of September 9, 2026, the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek, and Larkya La Pass remain officially suspended by Nepal’s District Administration Office (DAO) in Gorkha, following a September 6 flash flood that destroyed two bridges near Namrung. This blog will cover: Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Open? and Alternative trekking destination which are open. However, field reports indicate residents have already built a temporary wooden bridge and bypass trail, restoring basic pedestrian and mule access even though the formal government suspension has not yet been lifted. In practical terms: the trail is passable on the ground, but it is not yet officially reopened, and trekking companies cannot lawfully or safely send clients through until DAO Gorkha inspects the crossing and issues a new notice.

Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek Open Right Now?

Here is a case where the situation on the ground and the official status are different:

Status Type	Current Situation
Official DAO Gorkha suspension	Still in effect; no formal notice has been issued lifting it.
Physical trail access	A temporary wooden bridge and new bypass trail reportedly built by residents are functional.
Guided commercial trekking	Not authorized to resume until DAO Gorkha formally inspects and reopens the route.
Local and resident movement	Reportedly using the new pedestrian/mule crossing already.

According to the field update on 9th September 2026 from a local resident, a team of roughly 30 residents organized under the ward chairperson has constructed a temporary wooden bridge along with a new section of trail bypassing the destroyed crossing. But the District Administration Office hasn’t published a notice regarding this.

What Causes the Original Manaslu Circuit Trail Closure?

The closure was caused due to a flash flood struck at the Therang Khola in Namrung, Chumnubri Rural Municipality Ward 4, at around 3:30 AM on September 6, 2026. According to the source, The debris had temporarily dammed rhe Therang Stream near its source and blocked the river and collected water surged downstream all once into Namrung.

Detail	Information
Date of flood	September 6, 2026, approx. 3:30 a.m.
Location	Therang Khola, Namrung, Chumnubri Rural Municipality-4, Gorkha
Cause	Debris dam burst on the Therang Stream, releasing a sudden surge.
Bridges destroyed	Iron bridge (Wards 2–4) + main suspension bridge over the Budhi Gandaki
Other damage	4 homes destroyed, 2 micro-hydropower plants knocked out
Casualties	None reported; residents reached higher ground in time.
Authorities involved	District Administration Office (Gorkha), Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP)

What Has Changed Since the Closure? (September 9, 2026 Update)

The most significant development since the initial closure is the community led temporary bridge effort. Rather than waiting for a full engineered rebuild, local resident mobilized directly:

Approximately 30 residents from the Namrung area organized the rebuild effort
The work was led by the local ward president
A temporary wooden bridge now spans the previously destroyed crossing point
A new stretch of trail was cut to bypass the most damaged section entirely
Reports indicate the crossing is functional for pedestrian and mule traffic

When Will the Manaslu Circuit Officially Reopen?

No official reopening date has been announced. Reopening for commercial trekking purposes depends on:

DAO Gorkha or MCAP formally inspecting the new temporary bridge and bypass trail
A published notice lifting the current suspension
Confirmation that the crossing can safely handle trekker and porter traffic, not just light local pedestrian movement

How Should Trekkers With a Manaslu Booking Respond?

Do not attempt to use the temporary community bridge independently. It hasn’t been officially inspected, and conditions on an informally built crossing can change quickly.
Contact your trekking agency directly for the most current, verified status — operators on the ground are typically the fastest source of updates once DAO Gorkha issues new guidance.
Ask about rescheduling rather than cancelling outright. With a physical crossing now in place, an official reopening may come with less lead time than initially expected.
Keep an alternative route in mind in case your travel window can’t flex around the reopening timeline.
Avoid relying on unofficial reopening dates shared on social media or forums until confirmed by DAO Gorkha or MCAP directly.

Where Can You Trek Instead While the Suspension Remains Official?

Trek	Status	Why It’s a Good Manaslu Alternative
Annapurna Circuit Trek	Open	Closest match in style — a full circuit trek with a high pass crossing (Thorong La, 5,416 m), on a separate river system.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek	Open	Shorter alternative with dramatic high-altitude scenery, unaffected by either 2026 flood.
Everest Base Camp Trek	Open	Sits in a different watershed entirely (Khumbu), untouched by both the Rasuwa and Manaslu floods.
Upper Mustang Trek	Open	Rain-shadow region, largely unaffected by monsoon-related flooding.
Langtang Valley Trek	Affected (separate closure)	Impacted by the earlier August 26 Rasuwa flood; confirm status separately before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek open as of September 9, 2026?

Officially, no — the District Administration Office’s suspension remains in effect. On the ground, a community-built temporary wooden bridge and bypass trail reportedly restored basic pedestrian and mule access, but this hasn’t been formally inspected or approved for commercial trekking.

Who built the temporary bridge near Namrung?

Field reports indicate a group of roughly 30 local residents, organized by the local ward president, built the temporary wooden bridge and cut a new bypass trail around the damaged section.

Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit using the new temporary bridge?

Not through a licensed agency at this time. The crossing has not been officially inspected or approved by DAO Gorkha, so commercial trekking remains suspended regardless of the community bridge’s existence.

Is the Manaslu closure connected to the Rasuwa/Langtang flood?

No. These are two separate events on two different river systems — the Rasuwa flood struck the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridor on August 26, while the Manaslu flood struck the Budhi Gandaki and Therang rivers on September 6.

What should I do if I have a Manaslu trip booked soon?

Contact your trekking agency directly for the latest verified status, and ask about flexible rescheduling or an open alternative like the Annapurna Circuit if your dates can’t move.

Get the Latest Manaslu Circuit Update

Alliance Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd. can confirm the current official status before you book, and help you plan an open alternative route if your travel dates are fixed: