Manaslu Circuit Trail Status: October 2026 Update

Last updated: October 6, 2026

The Manaslu Circuit is one of Nepal's great remote treks. It follows the Budhi Gandaki river north from the foothills, climbs through Gurung and Tibetan-influenced villages, and crosses Larkya La at around 5,100 meters before dropping to the Annapurna side. October is prime season for it.

This autumn started badly. A flash flood near Namrung on September 6 destroyed two bridges and closed the route. A landslide above Samagaun on September 27 frightened trekkers and climbers in the village. Status has changed more than once since then, so many people are asking the same question: is the Manaslu Circuit open right now?

This page gives the answer one stage at a time, and it separates what has been confirmed from what we have not been able to confirm. Permit information comes from a notice by the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN). Trail information comes from district administration notices, TAAN advisories, and news reports. We update the page when new information appears, and the date at the top shows the last check.

The Short Answer: Is the Manaslu Circuit Open?

Partly confirmed, and with care required. TAAN has confirmed that permits for all trekking routes in the Manaslu Conservation Area are being issued, and the checkpoints at Jagat, Chhekampar, and Filim are working. The route reopened on September 8 after the flood, using a community-built bypass with temporary wooden bridges near Namrung.

What we cannot confirm is the condition of every stage since the Samagaun landslide on September 27. The newest trail report we found is from September 28. We found no newer report on the Namrung crossing, the trail above Samagaun, Larkya La, or the road from Arughat to Soti Khola. Until those are confirmed, treat the route as open with checks, not as fully clear.

Trail Status at a Glance

A permit office being open is not the same as a clear trail. Checkpoints tell you where you can register. They do not tell you whether a bridge is standing.

What Happened: The Floods and Landslides

September 6: flash flood at Namrung. Flash floods in the Therang Khola and the Budhi Gandaki swept away two bridges in Chumnubri Rural Municipality in Gorkha. The Gorkha District Administration Office suspended travel on the Manaslu and Larkya Pass routes until further notice and asked trekkers not to start or continue their trips. TAAN advised trekkers to delay Manaslu trips for a few days and to postpone Manaslu Base Camp and Larkya Pass.

September 8: bypass opened. TAAN announced that the route had reopened on a community bypass with temporary wooden bridges. We covered this in Manaslu Circuit Trek Reopens 2026: Namrung Flood Update.

September 27: landslide above Samagaun. At about 3am, after days of heavy rain, a landslide came down above Samagaun. Trekkers, climbers, and expedition staff left their rooms and sheltered in the village. No casualties or damage were reported that morning. Some climbers on Manaslu retreated to lower altitude after the weather turned, and bad weather grounded rescue helicopters for several days.

Mud and rock slides also hit the Annapurna side of the circuit at the same time. Our separate report covers the Marsyangdi valley: Is the Annapurna Circuit Open? Latest Status After the Chame and Koto Landslides. The Manaslu Circuit ends in that valley, close to where the Annapurna Circuit begins, so both reports matter if you plan to walk the full loop.

Why the Manaslu Route Is Prone to Disruption

The trail follows the Budhi Gandaki through a narrow gorge, and side streams like the Therang Khola drop steeply into it. After days of heavy rain, a small stream can carry rock and mud that a footbridge cannot withstand. Many crossings on this route are suspension bridges and wooden spans, so one lost bridge can stop a whole day's walk.

The road to the start matters too. Most itineraries drive from Kathmandu to Soti Khola or Machha Khola, and landslides on that road can delay day one. At the top end, Larkya La is exposed to wind and fresh snow, and rain at lower altitude often means snow above 4,000 meters.

Stage by Stage: What to Ask Before You Go

Approximate altitudes are listed so you can see where the high sections begin. Sources differ by a few dozen meters.

Permits: Being Issued

TAAN has confirmed that permits for all trekking routes in the Manaslu Conservation Area are being issued. The Manaslu Circuit usually needs three permits: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), plus a local municipality fee. The restricted area permit can only be obtained through a registered trekking agency. Since March 22, 2026, a single trekker can apply, but a licensed guide is still required at all times.

Arughat, Soti Khola, and Machha Khola

This is the road section at the start. We found no recent report on it. Ask your operator whether vehicles are reaching Soti Khola or Machha Khola, and whether the plan includes walking part of the road.

Jagat to Deng

Jagat is the first checkpoint and the entry to the restricted area. We found no specific disruption report for this stage, but "no report" is not a confirmation. Your guide should be able to tell you the current state from guesthouse owners and other groups.

Namrung: The Temporary Crossing

This is the stage hit hardest by the flood. The route reopened on September 8 on temporary wooden bridges and a community bypass. Temporary crossings can be damaged by new rain, so ask your operator when they last had a confirmed report and how groups are crossing.

Samagaun: Check Before You Commit

Samagaun is where most itineraries spend an acclimatization day. The September 27 landslide came down above the village, and the last reports we found are from September 28. Ask whether lodges are open, whether the slope above the village is stable, and whether groups are staying there normally.

Samdo, Dharamsala, and Larkya La

We found no notice confirming crossings of Larkya La this autumn, and the September 6 district suspension has not been reported as lifted in anything we could find. This does not mean the pass is closed. It means we cannot confirm it from published notices, so ask your operator for the current position and whether a weather or snow hold is in place.

Larkya La is a long day. Groups usually start in the dark from Dharamsala, and wind builds by late morning. Your guide should check the forecast and the trail each morning, and the decision to go or wait belongs to them.

Tsum Valley

TAAN reported a landslide near Chaurikharka in early September and advised waiting. If you plan to add the Tsum Valley trek, ask for a current report on the trail to Lokpa and Chhekampar before you commit.

What This Means for Your Plans

If you are booked for the coming weeks. Ask your operator three things in writing: which sections of your itinerary use the Namrung crossing and the Samagaun slope, what the plan is if a bridge or the pass is closed, and when they last had a confirmed report from the trail. A clear answer to those questions tells you more than a general "it's open."

If you paused your plans. Permits are being issued again, and autumn conditions are usually good through October and into early November. Rescheduling is realistic, but the information gap above Namrung is a reason to keep your dates flexible and add a spare day.

If you are already on the trail. Check with your guide and guesthouse owners each morning. People who walked the section yesterday know more than any notice.

Your Manaslu Trek With Outshine Adventure

Outshine Adventure runs the 17-day Manaslu Circuit trek, and our guides and operations team follow notices from the district administration, TAAN, and the checkpoints.

• Permits: We arrange the Manaslu permits and the paperwork that goes with them.
• Daily decisions: Your guide checks the weather and the trail each morning and adjusts the day if needed. Acclimatization days stay in the plan.
• Updates: If a notice affects your dates, we contact you directly.

If you have questions about your dates or your route, message our team through our contact page, or by phone or WhatsApp at +977 9851126351. Tell us when you want to trek, and we will explain how the current conditions apply to your plan. You can also browse our featured trips, which include the Manaslu Circuit and the Tsum Valley trek.

Practical Preparation for an Autumn Manaslu Trek

• Add spare days. One or two days at the end of the itinerary absorb a bridge repair, a landslide delay, or a weather hold on Larkya La.
• Protect acclimatization days. The rest day at Samagaun is part of the plan. Skipping it raises the risk of altitude sickness before the pass.
• Pack for cold nights. Temperatures above Samagaun drop well below freezing. Bring layers, a warm hat, gloves, and a good sleeping bag.
• Carry permit copies and the right insurance. Checkpoints check paperwork. Your policy should cover trekking above 5,000 meters and helicopter evacuation.
• Cross slide zones one at a time. Loose rock can fall for days after a slide. Follow your guide, move quickly through exposed sections, and do not stop under a slope.
• Watch for altitude symptoms. Report headache, nausea, or unusual tiredness to your guide at once. Going down is the safest response to worsening symptoms.

How to Check Conditions Before You Travel

Bridges and trails can change faster than any web page can be edited. For the latest information, check these sources:

• TAAN official page
• Gorkha District Administration Office notices
• Your operator's most recent field report

Conclusion

The Manaslu Circuit is not closed, but it is not fully confirmed either. Permits are being issued, checkpoints are working, and the Namrung crossing reopened on a temporary bypass on September 8. The gaps are real, though. The landslide above Samagaun on September 27 and the lack of recent reports on the upper trail and Larkya La mean you should rely on a current report from your operator, not on this page alone.

If your dates are flexible, keep a spare day and ask for written updates. If your dates are fixed, ask your operator the three questions above before you pay for the trek. Contact the Outshine Adventure team through our contact page or on WhatsApp at +977 9851126351, and we will tell you where things stand for your dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Manaslu Circuit open in October 2026? Partly confirmed. TAAN says permits are being issued for all Manaslu Conservation Area routes, and the route reopened on September 8 after the Namrung flood. We could not confirm current conditions above Samagaun or on Larkya La, so check with your operator before you travel.

What happened on the Manaslu Circuit in September 2026? A flash flood on September 6 destroyed two bridges near Namrung, and the district administration suspended travel. The route reopened on September 8 on a community bypass with temporary wooden bridges. On September 27, a landslide came down above Samagaun after days of heavy rain.

Are Manaslu permits available right now? Yes. TAAN has confirmed that permits for all trekking routes in the Manaslu Conservation Area are being issued, and the checkpoints at Jagat, Chhekampar, and Filim are operational.

Is Larkya La Pass open? We could not confirm this from published notices. A district suspension was issued on September 6, and we found no notice lifting it or reporting a crossing. Ask your operator for the current position.

Is the Namrung bridge repaired? The route reopened on September 8 using temporary wooden bridges and a community bypass. We found no report of permanent repairs, so ask how groups are crossing now.

Is Samagaun safe after the landslide? No casualties or damage were reported on the morning of September 27, and trekkers sheltered in the village. Check the current state of the slope and the lodges with your operator before you plan a stay there.

Can I trek the Manaslu Circuit solo in 2026? Since March 22, 2026, a solo trekker can apply for the Restricted Area Permit through a registered agency. A licensed guide is still required for the whole route.

What permits do I need for the Manaslu Circuit? You need the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit, the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit, and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, plus a local municipality fee. Your agency arranges the restricted area permit.

Is autumn a good time for the Manaslu Circuit? Yes. October and November usually bring clear skies and stable weather. This year, keep your dates flexible and add a spare day.

How often is this page updated? We revise it when TAAN, the district administration, or our field team report a change. The "Last updated" date at the top shows the last check.