Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Fully Reopen After Monsoon Flood Damage

The Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley are back in full operation for the 2026 autumn trekking season, according to confirmations from the Gorkha District Administration Office and the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN). The reopening follows extensive flood damage in August and early September that washed out trail sections and cut road access to key trailheads.

On September 11, the District Administration Office in Gorkha confirmed that damaged structures along the Manaslu route had been repaired and the corridor was safe for trekkers. TAAN reinforced this in its October 25 seasonal advisory, stating the Manaslu Circuit is operating normally and Tsum Valley has reopened. Vehicle access now reaches Machha Khola, the traditional roadhead for the circuit, eliminating the multi-day walk-in that was required when the road was severed.

“The monsoon took out bridges and trail sections we've used for decades. Seeing the circuit reopen this quickly is a testament to the local crews who know every meter of this valley.”

— Mingma Sherpa, senior guide, Holy Himalaya Expeditions

The August floods, triggered by extreme rainfall events across the central Himalaya, damaged multiple suspension bridges and eroded trail foundations between Soti Khola and Deng. The same system caused the Krishnabhir closure on the Prithvi Highway that continues to limit access to Langtang — a separate corridor where road repairs have not yet been scheduled.

For trekkers booking Manaslu or Tsum Valley departures, the practical implications are straightforward: standard itineraries from Machha Khola are viable again. Teahouses along the route have restocked, and the Larkya La crossing (5,106 m) is reported clear of early-season snow as of late October. Helicopter evacuation corridors from Samagaon and Dharamsala are operational, though operators should note that the Nalinchowk Heliport in Gorkha district remains subject to weather-related closures under the CAAN monsoon directive that runs through October.

The reopening does not extend to all flood-affected corridors. The Prithvi Highway at Krishnabhir remains closed with no committed reopening date from the Prime Minister's office, meaning Langtang access still requires either a helicopter charter to Syabrubesi or a lengthy detour via the Trishuli corridor. Trekkers headed for Langtang should confirm current access plans with their operator before committing to international flights.

For our autumn groups, the Manaslu reopening restores one of the Himalaya's most complete high-altitude circuits to the schedule. The route's combination of cultural depth — Tibetan-influenced villages, active monasteries, and the restricted-area permit system that limits crowding — and genuine altitude progression makes it a preferred alternative for guests who want Everest-region scale without Everest-region traffic.

Permit requirements remain unchanged: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (USD 100 per week for the first seven days in autumn, USD 15 per day thereafter), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (NPR 3,000), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (NPR 3,000) for the circuit's western exit. Tsum Valley requires its own Restricted Area Permit (USD 40 per week for the first seven days). All fees are consistent with the autumn 2026 schedule published in mid-October.

Weather windows through early November remain favorable. The post-monsoon stability that typically holds through the first half of November is intact, though the increasing frequency of late-season cyclonic systems in the Bay of Bengal — a pattern noted in recent ICIMOD assessments — means groups crossing Larkya La after November 10 should build an extra buffer day into their itinerary.