One of Nepal's most coveted trekking routes is off-limits for now. Flash flooding on the Budi Gandaki river has wrecked sections of trail and washed away bridges along the Manaslu Circuit, sealing off the route just as the peak autumn walking season should have kicked off.
The timing could hardly be worse. Late September through November is when trekkers typically arrive to cross the 5,106-metre Larke Pass, the high point of the circuit, or branch off into the culturally distinct Tsum Valley. With the approach along the Budi Gandaki damaged, that inflow has been cut off entirely.
It was a serious situation for a while. Around 120 trekkers and their guides were stranded upstream, unable to move in either direction, until the Nepali Army flew helicopter evacuation missions to bring them out. There are no reports of injuries, but the episode underlines how quickly conditions can change in Nepal's narrow river valleys during and just after the monsoon.
For trekkers already booked or dreaming of Manaslu this autumn, the realistic options are to postpone, or reroute. Many hikers who had planned Manaslu itineraries have shifted to Everest and Annapurna region trails, which were unaffected and are in full seasonal swing. That said, Annapurna in particular is already busy in autumn, so expect busier teahouses and busier passes if you make the switch late.
Rebuilding will take time. Trails along the Budi Gandaki need repair and replacement bridges need to be installed before the route is safe for trekking traffic again — no firm reopening timeline has been announced. Anyone with a Manaslu trip booked in the coming weeks should stay in close contact with their trekking agency, keep flexibility in their permits and flights, and consider travel insurance that covers itinerary changes and evacuation.
The longer-term picture is more encouraging. Manaslu remains one of Nepal's great walks — a teahouse-based circuit that circles the world's eighth-highest mountain, far quieter than Everest or Annapurna, with Tibetan-influenced villages and a dramatic pass crossing. When the trail is repaired, it will return to that status. For now, though, treat autumn 2025 Manaslu plans as on hold and watch for official trail condition updates before committing.
