Nepal Trekking After 2026 Floods: Everest, Annapurna & Manaslu Still Open

Which areas are closed and restricted after the flood?

Although the flood was large, it affected only certain areas, starting in Rasuwa and impacting Trishuli. The flood came from a glacier burst that flooded a lake and swept down the Bhte Koshi into Rasuwa District, then into Trishuli, which in turn blocked the Langtang gateway at Syabrubesi.

Closed Temporarily / Postponed 

The Langtang Valley, Gosakunda trek, the Tamang Heritage Trail, and the Rasuwagadhi remain the only trekking regions that were affected by the flash flood. It is to be noted that these regions were only hit in a way that blocked the major trails and routes. These regions remain closed and restricted due to reasons like them having to be cleaned up because of them blocked by the aftermath of the flood, and most of the trails have been hit with destruction, and active work to recover the trails is being done and will continue for some time.

Restricted Riverside camps

The well-renowned Trishuli rafting sections and the riverside camps that were on the banks of the river connecting Kathmandu and Pokhara remain closed due to the river still being fierce. The river is yet to calm down even though the flood has calmed down and has settled; that is the reason the river banks are restricted at the moment for everybody.

Safe trekking regions in 2026 (after the August - September floods)

For the peak 2026 autumn season, Nepal's trekking map is essentially "most regions open while only a few are restricted". The late-August Bhote Koshi/Rasuwa and the early September flash flood in northern Gorkha have impacted only specific valleys and accessible routes. As we mentioned before, excluding the trekking regions of Langtang, Gosaikunda, and Tamang Heritage Trek, all the other commercialised treks are still open and functioning without any problems, such as teahouses or lodges in the region shutting down or the region being closed due to the flood. All the other regions, except the ones that are restricted for now, are open and functioning very well.

Regions that are open and functioning in 2026

Everest (Khumbu) region

One of the main territories, being completely unaffected by the floods, stands out to be the Everest region trails, where flights are operating well, to Lukla, or the roadway to Salleri-Phakding, too. The main trails like the Everest High Passes Trek, the standard Everest Base Camp (EBC), or the Gokyo Lakes, etc. are running safely throughout 2026.

• Status - Unaffected by the flood, open and booking normally.
• Access - Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla or use the road options, which go via Jiri 
• Popular treks in the region - The well - renowned Everest Base Camp Trek, The Gokyo Lakes Trek, The Everest Three Passes Trek, etc. 

Annapurna Region

Not located within the flood corridor, the Annapurna trails, such as Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), Annapurna Circuit (Thorong La Pass), Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, Tilicho Lake, and Upper Mustang, are completely open. Even though the roadway runs through the Prithvi Highway (Kathmandu - Pokhara road), saw short-lived mud and minor damage, so it is better if you take a direct flight from Kathmandu - Pokhara, lasting for just 30 minutes, and as Autumn is a peak season, the weather won't impact on flight delays and cancellation. 

• Status - Trails are normally just like usual; some post-monsoon repairs are being done on the suspension bridges, just like every year, and they remain passable.
• Access - A flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara seems like the best option for now, as a lot of mud is stuck in some sections of the Prithvi Highway that connects Kathmandu and Pokhara post-flood, so flying seems like the best option for now, temporarily. 
• Popular treks in the region: Annapurna Base Camp Trek, North Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit with the Thorong La Pass, Poon Hill Trek, Mardi Himal, Tilicho Lake, and Upper Mustang Trek. 

Manaslu Region

The Manaslu region trails itself has not been hit by the main Rasuwa/Bhote Koshi flood, and the main trekking trails such as Nubri Valley, Larke Pass, Tsum Valley, or extension to Serang Gompa are considered safe and secure for 2026 apart from the usual post-monsoon repairs, trail cleanups, and bridge inspections that happen every other.

Even though the Manaslu Trail is open, some sections of the road along the way to the Budhigandaki Corridor have temporarily been detoured and rerouted due to bridge work and some flood-damaged sections. But the good thing is it won't impact your trekking journey at all, as you have many alternative options to get to the trekking trails, Kathmandu - Maccha Khola. For instance, via Galchhi - Dhading Besi - Aarughat - Soti Khola, to get to the Maccha Khola, and the beginning of the trek, hence it is safe.

• Status - Completely safe and secure, excluding the usual routine post - monsoon repairs and cleanups done.
• Access - Some areas of the usual means of transportation along the trail may need redirecting and rerouting. 
• Popular treks of the region - Manaslu Circuit Trek, Tsum Valley, Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Trek combined, the Rupin Pass Trek, etc. 

Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Rolwaling, Helambu Regions

The eastern and mid-hill trekking areas were not affected by the flash flood; hence, the tea houses and lodges are operating normally, and the main access route remains open as usual. As they are remote treks, with no alternative transport options, it is still good to have an overview, once, checking current road/flight status and weather before the departure; hence, there are no flood-related closures in these regions for 2026.

• Status - Not hit and affected by the Rasuwa Flood; All the respective teahouses and Lodges of these regions operate normally with no changes
• Access - Their respective routes are open just like usual, but checking with caution is suggested as these are remote area treks

Far West Regions & Mid Western Regions ( Dolpo, Rara, Jumla, Humla )

Nepal’s Far-Western and Mid-Western trekking regions remain open and largely unaffected by the 2026 floods. With fewer visitors than the country’s popular trekking corridors, these areas are ideal for autumn journeys focused on solitude, raw landscapes, and off-the-beaten-path adventure. Access to many of the trails is through Nepalgunj or Dhangadhi. Flying is the quickest option, while travelling by road takes longer but offers a deeper look at the countryside along the way. Trekkers planning to fly should confirm the latest schedules before their trip, as services to remote mountain airports can change frequently following the monsoon season.

• Status - It is unaffected and is operating just like usual; the region has off-beat paths, which can be a great addition to your autumn trek if you decide to take it on 
• Access - The route taken usually goes en route from Nepalgunj or Dhangadi. Some trekkers decide to go by flight to save their time, but when looking for a more adventurous experience, they take the long road journey. If plannning from going through a flight, confirm the proper flight schedules for flights.

Routes to Avoid or Postpone

Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda, Tamang Heritage

Why Postpone: The route or road which is the access to these trekking regions, Syarubesi, is affected by the flood, and the trail is blocked due to the aftermath of the flood, which does not allow trekking to be done in the further regions of these trekking regions. The gap is an active recovery zone for the region, so the government has blocked people from going to these regions to avoid any casualties until further notice is given after the clearing of the mud and everything.

Guidance: If you were planning to trek through these listed regions, postpone or cancel it until the authorities responsible for clearing the area give the green light to access the trail and region again. Keep in mind that it will take at the very least several weeks before they allow the region to be open again for normal trekking, just like before.

Camping alongside the Trishuli and Rafting in the river

Why: The flood also joined the Trishuli River, making it really violent as it thrashed along the river and the river banks. River rafting is disallowed and will take some time before operating again, and the Trishuli River is affected, so in affect to that, the river banks are disrupted as well. So, they are closed for some time for both Rafting and riverside camping.

Practical Safety Tips for this Autumn

Get updates on the region

Make sure the trek you have chosen is operating as usual. When trekking with your trekking company, make sure that you have checked it through with them on multiple occasions before you go do your chosen trek, and if you want to be even more up to date with what is happening, make sure that you have checked with Nepal's Tourism Board or TAAN ( Trekking Association of Nepal). Confirm road access vs. flight access to Pokhara before deciding on your transportation before starting the trek in the chosen region.

Make your planning more flexible

When trekking in Autumn, as the season falls after the monsoon season, you need to be open-minded about allowing extra days for post - monsoon cleanups that are done on trails before letting the Autumn season's trek resume, especially in more off-beaten and remote regions like Manaslu and on high passes trek; these buffer days happen more prominently, so keep these specific points in mind before continuing on the trek to the chosen trekking region. Also, making sure that you carry cash at all times is very important, as ATMs along the routes are sparse and cannot be found in abundance and also make sure that you carry a basic first - aid kit with your for minor injuries if it happens when trekking and also make sure that you carry with you a powerbank for back up power as electricity ca be scarse and many teahouses charg extra for facilities like charging your phone and powerbank. 

Travel Responsibly

Most of the businesses that operate around the trekking regions are heavily dependent on tourism income, and it is their main way of supporting their day-to-day lifestyle. So, if you want to support the locals of the region, you can visit multiple areas that help families during recovery after the tragedy occurred. Although other regions besides the one we mentioned have not been hit, a lot of people had families in the main hit zones of the flood: Rasuwa and Syabrubesi, which also mentally affected a lot of people due to that. If you wish to help the flood relief cause, you can do so through the official fundraising means that have been promoted by the Nepali authorities.

For the safest and most up‑to‑date experience, book with local, licensed operators who monitor conditions daily. At Destination Himalaya Treks, we track trail status, road access, and weather in real time and adjust itineraries responsibly so you can trek with confidence this autumn.