The short answer
Two seasons work best for almost every trek here. Autumn, from late September to November, gives the clearest air and the most reliable mountain views of the year, once the monsoon has washed the dust out of the sky. Spring, from March to May, gives longer, warmer days and flowering forest, with more haze and the odd afternoon storm.
The other two seasons are not closed, just more specialised. Winter is cold but often very clear, and it suits the lower treks below 3,300 m. The monsoon soaks the southern trails but leaves upper Manang and the Mustang side of Thorong La surprisingly dry. Which months are best depends on the trek you have in mind and how much cold or cloud you will accept.
Month by month at a glance
Temperatures are rough daytime highs and night lows in °C, taken from what our guides see on the trail rather than from a weather station. Rooms in teahouses are unheated, so night figures are close to what you feel at 5 am. Crowds refer to the main trails to Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp.
| Month | Ghorepani 2,874 m | ABC 4,130 m | Manang 3,519 m | Sky and trail | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 / −5 | −2 / −15 | 3 / −12 | Clear, snow above 3,000 m, Thorong La often shut | Low |
| February | 9 / −4 | 0 / −13 | 5 / −10 | Clear spells, late snowfalls, avalanche risk above Deurali | Low |
| March | 13 / 0 | 4 / −9 | 10 / −6 | Clear mornings, haze by noon, rhododendrons from mid-month | Rising |
| April | 16 / 4 | 8 / −5 | 14 / −2 | Rhododendron peak, afternoon cloud and showers | High |
| May | 18 / 8 | 10 / −2 | 16 / 2 | Warm, hazy, pre-monsoon storms late in the month | Moderate |
| June | 19 / 12 | 11 / 1 | 18 / 7 | Monsoon arrives mid-June, leeches below 2,500 m | Low |
| July | 19 / 13 | 11 / 2 | 18 / 9 | Heavy rain south, landslides on roads, Manang drier | Very low |
| August | 19 / 13 | 11 / 2 | 18 / 9 | Rain continues, views brief and early | Very low |
| September | 18 / 11 | 10 / 0 | 16 / 5 | Rain fades in the second half, green and fresh | Rising |
| October | 16 / 5 | 7 / −5 | 13 / 0 | Clearest month, dry trails, Dashain and Tihar | Peak |
| November | 12 / 0 | 4 / −9 | 9 / −5 | Very clear, cold nights, first snow on high passes | High, falling |
| December | 9 / −3 | 0 / −12 | 5 / −9 | Clear and cold, Thorong La snow risk from late month | Low |
Autumn: September to November
October is the month most people picture when they think of trekking in Nepal. Days at Ghorepani reach about 16 °C, the sky is usually cloudless until late morning, and Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri stand out sharply at sunrise. The trails are dry and firm after the rains. The cost is company: lodges at Ghorepani, Deurali and Annapurna Base Camp fill by early afternoon, and some trekkers sleep in dining rooms.
Late September can be a good compromise if you accept the odd shower. The rice terraces around Ghandruk and Landruk are green and gold, the waterfalls in the Marsyangdi gorge run full, and the crowds have not yet arrived. November is colder, with ABC dropping to around −9 °C at night, but it has some of the year's clearest air and fewer people after the first week.
Spring: March to May
Spring belongs to the rhododendron. Nepal's national flower covers the forest between Ulleri, Ghorepani and Tadapani from late March to mid-April, with red flowers lower down and pink and white ones above about 3,000 m. The forest below Mardi Himal's Low Camp and around Dobato on the Khopra route turns the same colours. Days are long and warm, so it is a comfortable season for families and older trekkers.
The drawback is haze. Dust and smoke from farm fires in the plains build through April and May, and by mid-morning the far peaks can fade to grey outlines. Start walking early, take photographs before 9 am, and expect cloud and short storms on afternoons from late April. Snow lingers on Thorong La into March and sometimes early April, and on the ABC trail avalanche risk above Deurali stays high until the slopes have shed their winter load.
Monsoon: June to August
The monsoon reaches Pokhara in mid-June, and Pokhara is one of the wettest towns in Nepal. On the southern treks, mornings may start clear before cloud builds and rain falls most afternoons and nights. Leeches are common on forest trails below about 2,500 m, between Nayapul and Ghorepani and through Bamboo and Sinuwa on the ABC route. Salt, long socks and insect repellent on boots help. Landslides close roads and occasionally trails, and flights to Jomsom are often cancelled.
The exception is the rain shadow north of the main range. Upper Manang, from about Pisang onwards, and the Mustang side around Muktinath and Kagbeni get only a fraction of Pokhara's rain, because the Annapurnas block the clouds. The Circuit is walkable in July and August, though the jeep road along the lower Marsyangdi is at its worst. Hindu pilgrims also climb to Khayer Lake above Khopra for Janai Purnima in August, a monsoon pilgrimage rather than a trekking season.
Winter: December to February
Winter mornings are often the clearest of the year, and the trails are quiet. Poon Hill, Ghandruk and the lower Mardi trail are good trips in December and January, with frost on the paths and Ghorepani dropping to about −5 °C at night. Lodges keep the dining-room stove lit in the evenings, and some higher teahouses close for a few weeks.
Higher up, snow changes the plans. Thorong La is most often closed by snow from late December to February and can be blocked into March. Tilicho Lake is frozen from about December to April, and the trail to it crosses landslide slopes that become dangerous when icy. On the ABC route, avalanches off Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp have closed the trail for days at a time in January to April. Check current status before you travel in these months.
Festivals and holiday crowds
Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival, falls in late September or October, and Tihar, the Nepali Diwali, follows two to three weeks later. During both, buses and flights out of Kathmandu are full of people heading home, offices including the permit counters close for several days, and some lodge staff go back to their villages. Book transport early if your trek overlaps them. Indian school holidays in May and June and the Puja holidays in October also bring more Indian families to Pokhara and Ghandruk.
Tamu Lhosar, the Gurung New Year, falls on 15 Poush in the Nepali calendar, around 30 December. Gurung villages such as Ghandruk celebrate with dances in traditional dress, community feasts and gatherings, and visitors are welcome to watch. It is a good reason to choose a winter Ghandruk trek.
Best months for each trek
Each trek has its own window, set by its highest point and how exposed it is. These are the months we schedule our departures, with the best ones first.
- Ghorepani Poon Hill (3,210 m): October to November and March to April; December to February also good for clear, cold views
- Ghandruk family trek (up to about 2,100 m): almost all year except July and August; late December for Tamu Lhosar
- Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m): October to mid-November and March to April; avalanche risk above Deurali needs watching until spring is well advanced
- Mardi Himal (about 4,500 m): October to November and April to May; in winter, snow on the ridge often stops trekkers at High Camp
- Khopra Danda (3,660 m): October to November and March to April, when the rhododendron forest above Swanta is in flower
- Annapurna Circuit (Thorong La 5,416 m): October to November first, then March to May; July and August are possible in the rain shadow
- Tilicho Lake (4,919 m): October to November and May, when the landslide trail is dry and the ice on the lake is breaking up
Places in this guide
Questions travellers ask
What is the best month to trek Annapurna Base Camp?
October is the best month for Annapurna Base Camp, with clear skies, dry trails and nights around −5 °C at 4,130 m. November is colder but very clear and less crowded. For spring, late March to April brings rhododendron forest and warmer days, but avalanche risk above Deurali can still close the trail briefly. Avoid June to August if you want views.
Can I trek Annapurna in December?
Yes, for lower treks. Poon Hill, Ghandruk and Mardi Himal's lower trail are good in December, with clear mornings and nights around −3 to −5 °C at Ghorepani. ABC is possible but very cold, near −12 °C at night. Thorong La on the Circuit can close after snow from late December, so check current status before you travel.
Is it safe to trek Annapurna in monsoon?
It is possible but harder. From mid-June to early September, rain, leeches below 2,500 m, slippery steps and landslides on roads are common on the southern treks, and views are brief. The upper Annapurna Circuit beyond Pisang lies in a rain shadow and stays much drier. We run monsoon departures with flexible days and careful weather checks.
When do rhododendrons bloom on the Poon Hill trek?
Rhododendrons bloom on the Poon Hill trek from late March to mid-April, with red flowers between Ulleri and Ghorepani and paler pink and white ones higher up near Poon Hill. Timing shifts a week or two with altitude and how cold the winter was. Expect morning views and some afternoon haze in this season.
When is Thorong La Pass closed?
Thorong La is most often closed by snow from late December to February and can stay difficult into March or early April. It is usually open from March to early December, but a single storm can shut it for a day or two in any month. Our Circuit departures run from March to May and September to early December.
Is October too crowded for Annapurna treks?
It is the busiest month, especially at Ghorepani, Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp, where lodges fill by mid-afternoon. It is still worth it for the clearest skies. To avoid the worst crowds, go in late September or mid-November, start walking early, or choose quieter treks such as Khopra Danda or Mardi Himal.
Is Tilicho Lake frozen in winter?
Yes. Tilicho Lake at 4,919 m is usually frozen from around December to April. The trail from Shree Kharka crosses steep landslide slopes that become dangerous when covered in snow and ice, and some lodges at Tilicho Base Camp close. We run our Tilicho trek from late April to May and from September to November, when the trail is clear of ice.
How cold is Annapurna Base Camp at night?
In October, nights at Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 m are around −5 °C, falling to about −9 °C in November and −12 to −15 °C in December and January. Rooms are unheated, so bring a sleeping bag rated to −10 °C or lower and warm layers. Days in autumn reach about 7 °C in sunshine.
When is Tamu Lhosar in Ghandruk?
Tamu Lhosar, the Gurung New Year, falls on 15 Poush in the Nepali calendar, which is around 30 December. In Gurung villages such as Ghandruk, people celebrate with dances in traditional dress, feasts and community gatherings. Visitors can watch respectfully. It fits well with a short winter trek from Pokhara.
