Manaslu Circuit Trek update for September 29, 2026. Check the latest route status, trail conditions, weather, permits, Larkya La and safety information.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Update – September 29, 2026
Is the Manaslu Trek Open or Closed? Latest Route, Weather, Trail and Permit Information
Last Updated: September 29, 2026
Travelers planning the Manaslu Circuit Trek this autumn have been asking an important question: Is the Manaslu trekking route open or closed right now?
Based on the latest official information available from the District Administration Office, Gorkha, and the Nepal Tourism Board, the Manaslu trekking route is open for trekking.
However, recent heavy rain, flash floods, snowfall and trail damage in parts of the Manaslu region mean that trekkers should continue to travel with caution and check local conditions before departure.
Is Manaslu Circuit Trek Open Today?
YES – the Manaslu trekking route is currently open.
The Manaslu route was temporarily restricted after a flash flood damaged bridges and trail sections around Namrung in Chumnubri Rural Municipality–4, Gorkha, on September 6, 2026.
Following restoration of the affected trail structures, the District Administration Office, Gorkha lifted the restriction. The Nepal Tourism Board subsequently published an official situation update on September 11, 2026, confirming that the affected section had been restored to a condition suitable for trekking.
The Nepal Tourism Board stated that Manaslu is accessible, while advising travelers to continue monitoring local conditions and follow appropriate safety precautions.
Current status: OPEN FOR TREKKING
There is currently no newer official notice located that announces a general closure of the Manaslu Circuit.
What Happened in Namrung?
On September 6, 2026, heavy rainfall and flash flooding affected the Namrung area of Chumnubri Rural Municipality.
The flooding damaged important infrastructure along the Manaslu trekking route, including bridges and trail sections.
Because of the damage, authorities temporarily restricted trekking along the affected section and around the Larkya Pass route.
Local communities, ward authorities and conservation-area personnel worked to restore access. Temporary crossings and alternative trail sections were established, allowing trekking to resume.
The official reopening means that trekkers can proceed, but it does not mean that every trail, river crossing or road approaching Manaslu is permanently restored.
What Is the Trail Condition Now?
The most important distinction is:
Open does not mean completely risk-free.
Recent reports from the Manaslu region indicate that the area has experienced unusually persistent rain and snowfall during September.
Local reporting from Samagaun and the Manaslu base-camp area reported significant snowfall and difficult weather conditions for mountaineering teams. Several climbing expeditions were cancelled because of continued snowfall, unstable snow conditions and avalanche concerns.
These reports primarily concern high-altitude mountaineering, not an official closure of the Manaslu Circuit trekking route.
Therefore, trekkers should not confuse the cancellation of Manaslu climbing expeditions with a closure of the entire Manaslu trekking circuit.
Is Larkya La Pass Open?
The Manaslu Circuit normally crosses Larkya La Pass at approximately 5,106 metres.
The official reopening of the Manaslu trekking route allows trekking to resume, but conditions around Larkya La remain highly dependent on:
- snowfall
- visibility
- wind
- trail conditions
- ice and snow accumulation
- altitude
- weather forecast
- local guide reports
Therefore, the decision to cross Larkya La should be made on the ground, based on current weather and trail conditions.
A route being officially open does not guarantee that the pass will be safe to cross on every particular day.
Are Manaslu Trekking Permits Still Being Issued?
YES.
There is currently no indication that Manaslu Restricted Area Permits have been suspended.
The Department of Immigration's current trekking-permit information lists Gorkha Manaslu as an active restricted trekking area covering Chumnubri Rural Municipality Wards 1–4.
For the current September–November 2026 season, the published Restricted Area Permit rate is:
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
September–November:
- USD 100 per person for the first 7 days
- USD 15 per person per additional day after 7 days
For the December–August period, the published rate is lower:
- USD 75 for the first 7 days
- USD 10 per additional day
The current official Department of Immigration fee table confirms the September–November rate of USD 100 for the first week plus USD 15 per additional day.
Other Permits Required for the Manaslu Circuit
Depending on the exact itinerary, trekkers generally need the following permits/fees:
1. Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
This is the main restricted-area permit for the Manaslu section.
September–November 2026:
USD 100 for 7 days + USD 15 per additional day
The permit is processed through an authorized trekking agency.
2. Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
Foreign trekkers require a Manaslu Conservation Area permit.
The commonly published 2026 fee is:
NPR 3,000 per foreign visitor.
3. Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
The Manaslu Circuit exits toward Dharapani, entering the Annapurna Conservation Area.
The commonly published 2026 fee is:
NPR 3,000 per foreign visitor.
Current trekking-permit guides and 2026 operator information list MCAP and ACAP at NPR 3,000 each.
4. Chumnubri Rural Municipality Fee
Some current 2026 trekking information also lists a local rural-municipality fee payable in the Manaslu region.
Because local fee collection arrangements can change, trekkers should confirm the current amount with their trekking agency before departure.
Is TIMS Required for Manaslu?
The permit situation has changed in 2026, and different websites are still publishing conflicting information.
Some current 2026 trekking sources state that a separate TIMS card is not required for the Manaslu Circuit, while other pages still list TIMS among the paperwork.
For this reason, Trekadviser recommends confirming the current requirement with the authorized agency processing the trek rather than relying on an old blog or outdated itinerary.
Can Solo Trekkers Trek Manaslu in 2026?
The rules have changed in 2026.
Current 2026 trekking information reports that the previous minimum of two trekkers for the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit was removed, allowing a single traveler to obtain the restricted permit.
However, solo does not mean independent.
A licensed guide and authorized trekking agency remain important requirements for restricted-area trekking.
Therefore, anyone planning a solo Manaslu trek should arrange the trek through a registered trekking agency and licensed guide.
Is the Manaslu Circuit Safe After the Flood?
The current situation should be described as:
OPEN, BUT WEATHER AND TRAIL CONDITIONS REQUIRE CAUTION.
The September 6 flooding demonstrated that conditions can change rapidly.
The official reopening confirms that the affected structures were restored sufficiently for trekking, but travelers should remain prepared for:
- temporary trail changes
- unstable slopes
- landslides
- river crossings
- damaged bridges
- wet and slippery trails
- heavy rain at lower elevations
- snowfall at higher elevations
- changing conditions around Larkya La
The Nepal Tourism Board itself advises travelers to remain updated on local conditions and follow necessary safety precautions.
What About the Road to Machha Khola?
The trekking trail is only one part of the journey.
Before starting the Manaslu Circuit, trekkers normally travel by road toward Machha Khola, the traditional starting area for the circuit.
Road conditions in Nepal have also been affected by this year's unusually severe weather.
Therefore, trekkers should confirm the road situation shortly before departure rather than relying on standard journey times shown on older trekking itineraries.
A delay on the road does not necessarily mean that the Manaslu trekking route itself is closed.
Latest Manaslu Situation at a Glance
Item | Current Status – Sept. 29, 2026 |
|---|---|
Manaslu Circuit | OPEN |
Namrung affected section | Reopened |
Manaslu trekking permits | Being issued |
Larkya La | Weather-dependent |
Manaslu climbing season | Some expeditions cancelled because of weather |
Lower trail conditions | Monitor locally |
Road to Machha Khola | Check before departure |
Heavy rain/snow risk | Still possible |
Trekking recommendation | Proceed with local updates and caution |
Should You Cancel Your Manaslu Trek?
There is currently no official general closure of the Manaslu Circuit.
However, travelers should not make their decision based only on the word "open."
Before departure, confirm:
- The current road condition to Machha Khola.
- The latest condition around Namrung.
- The current condition of bridges and temporary crossings.
- Weather conditions along the route.
- Larkya La snow and visibility.
- Local guide reports from the previous 24–48 hours.
- Any new notice from the District Administration Office, Gorkha.
- Any new notice from the Nepal Tourism Board or Manaslu Conservation Area authorities.
If conditions deteriorate, local authorities can impose new restrictions.
Trekadviser Manaslu Safety Approach
At Trekadviser, we monitor the Manaslu situation not only through general online weather forecasts but also through local guides and teams travelling in the region.
Because the Manaslu Circuit passes through remote mountain terrain, conditions can be different from Kathmandu or Pokhara.
A route can be officially open while a particular section becomes temporarily difficult because of rainfall, snowfall, landslides or river conditions.
For that reason, our team checks the latest trail situation before confirming or starting a trek.
Safety comes before the itinerary.
Official Contacts for Manaslu / Gorkha
The Nepal Tourism Board's official Manaslu situation update provides the following emergency contacts:
District Administration Office, Gorkha:
9856057777 / 9856057780
District Emergency Operations Center:
1234 / 9748430200 / 9867173694
District Police Office, Gorkha:
100 / 9856055555 / 9856061190
Armed Police Force, Gorkha:
9851272333
Final Update – September 29, 2026
MANASLU CIRCUIT TREK IS OPEN
The Manaslu trekking route was temporarily affected by flooding around Namrung earlier in September, but the restriction was subsequently lifted after restoration of the damaged trail structures.
As of September 29, 2026, we have found no newer official government notice announcing a general closure of the Manaslu Circuit.
However, the region has experienced unusually difficult weather this September, including heavy rain and significant snowfall at higher elevations. Therefore, trekkers should treat the route as open but condition-sensitive.
For anyone planning to start the Manaslu Circuit in the coming days, the safest approach is to obtain a fresh local trail report immediately before departure and remain flexible with the itinerary.
The mountains decide the final schedule — safety comes first.
Sources checked
- Nepal Tourism Board – Manaslu Trekking Route Situation Update
- Department of Immigration – current restricted-area trekking permit schedule
- District-level information reported by Nepal media
- Recent local reports from Samagaun/Manaslu
- Current 2026 trekking-permit information
This article reflects information available on September 29, 2026. Mountain and road conditions can change quickly; trekkers should verify the latest local situation before departure.