Best Time For Annapurna Circuit Trek

Want to know when is the best time for Annapurna Circuit Trek? Stay with us to find out!

Annapurna Circuit Trek is a beautiful and challenging trekking experience in Nepal. You can visit ACT all year round. However, trekking the Annapurna Circuit at a certain time can make the experience even more stunning.

Generally, the best time for ACT is dependent on the season in Nepal. Different season brings different types of difficulty for the trekkers along with opportunities. It is wise to avoid monsoon season as there is continuous heavy and mild rainfall. The monsoon season also brings natural disasters like floods and landslides.

Similarly, the Winter season is also equally challenging for trekkers going on the Annapurna Circuit. During the winter season, the trails are covered with snowfall which makes scaling routes even more difficult. Furthermore, the winter season also brings harsh winter conditions. This means temperatures of the Annapurna region drop below freezing degrees in the morning and night.

So if you are excited about Annapurna Circuit Trek, and want to know the best months for it then let’s delve into it.

Best Months for Annapurna Circuit Trek

Picking the best months for the Annapurna Circuit Trek is very crucial to enjoying your Annapurna Circuit Trek. There are four seasons in a year, and each season has different weather conditions that affect how good it is for trekking.

Spring: Many trekkers believe the Spring season to be the best for Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Summer: Monsoon season happens in summer, which means lots of rain and potentially dangerous conditions. Not ideal for trekking.
Autumn: This can also be a good time to trek because the rain has cleared up, and the weather is usually dry and stable. Think clear skies and beautiful fall colors.
Winter: It can be very cold and snowy in winter, especially at higher altitudes. This makes trekking more challenging and potentially dangerous.

April

April is the best month for Annapurna Circuit Trek. It falls in the peak Spring season. Many trekkers believe April’s climate is perfect for trekking.

The weather is moderate as you walk through the trek on bright sunny days during days but mornings and nights are a bit chilly.

The average temperature increases to 20 to 25 degrees Celsius during the daytime. In the morning and evening, the temperature decreases to less than five degrees.

The monsoon season is still a few months away so you can trek the clean and easy route. Furthermore, you can find blooming flowers like magnolias, orchids, and magnolias in the barren landscapes. You can also find lands with beautiful rhododendrons, pines, and pear forests enjoying the view along the way.

During April there is no humidity so the views of the far mountains are very clear. This month you can experience the stunning panoramic view from the Thorong La Pass.

October

October is another popular month for Annapurna Circuit Trek. The trails are dry and easy to scale but the difference is that only certain flowers bloom in this season. The weather is clear but still chilly and a bit colder than in April.

During October Thorong La Pass also seems majestic. It is the main thrilling part and the main appeal of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Climbing the peak of Thorong La Pass is the most daunting task of Annapurna Circuit Trek. However, once you are on the top of the pass, everything feels worth it.

Unlike other months, October falls in the Autumn season with moderate temperatures. Hence there is no chance of rainfall, however, there is a slight chance of snowfall since it lies at a higher altitude.

September

The third-best month of Annapurna Circuit Trek is September. There is little possibility of rainfall during September. However, when the middle of September starts the rainfall starts decreasing especially in the higher altitudes.

During September as the days pass, the temperature starts becoming warm. During day time the temperature increases to 15 degrees. This is the reason September is a better month than November. As November begins to start even the day starts to get colder which means in higher altitudes it decreases to cold.

The temperature decreases up to 5 degrees Celsius but it is still warmer than the cold month of November. In Thorong La Pass, the temperature is constantly near three to four degrees Celsius.

The trekking route is less crowded than other months. As the monsoon is beginning to end many trekkers prefer to wait to trek either in late September or the beginning of October.

So during this time if you book early, then you can get a peaceful route. Also, you will be able to get the proper accommodation and food services that you have hoped for.

May

May ushers in the pre-monsoon season in Nepal, offering pleasant trekking conditions in the Annapurna Circuit. Early May boasts bright sunshine and minimal rain, ideal for trekkers seeking comfortable temperatures.

However, prepare for frequent downpours in the latter half, mainly affecting lower altitudes. Temperatures range from 10-20°C, avoiding summer’s heat and winter’s chill. Be aware of potential crowds during this month, as accommodation availability might be few.

Many trekkers believe May is one of the best months for trekking. There are blooms everywhere, clear blue skies, appropriate weather and temperature etc. However, in the latter part of May, the premonsoon season starts which ruins the entire month of May.

The rain starts mild or heavy continuously for a couple of days which makes the trek in the lower altitude sticky wet and difficult to scale. But as the days pass, the rains become heavier and the weather becomes more chilly.

Due to rain and humidity, the days begin to become warmer and nights start to get colder. The visibility starts to deteriorate as well.

Temperature and Weather during Spring

Spring is a beautiful season that starts from the middle of March to May. Hence the trekking conditions are fairly magnificent during this time in Nepal. Spring season gives the gifts of brilliant blue skies, perfect weather conditions, moderate temperature, and a blooming route towards your destination.

During the Spring season, there is little to no rainfall. Hence it is optimal time for ACT. Let’s discuss all the conditions you will find if you are trekking at Annapurna Circuit Trek in the Spring season.

Weather In Spring

While you are trekking ACT in the Spring season the weather is very favorable. The weather during Spring is mostly clear with blue skies and sunshine. This weather gives trekkers the best conditions to trek and offers stunning vistas of the Annapurna mountains.

The days are generally hotter while mornings and nights are colder. During the afternoon you will get fast cold winds that blow at 10km/hr. So you must be prepared with windproof or windcheater jackets.

During the Spring season, there is a slight chance of snowfall. So be aware of the surroundings and if you hear about snowfall then you might need proper hiking boots.

Temperature In Spring

ACT’s spring temperatures vary by altitude: moderate in lower areas, cooler mornings and nights, and up to 20°C during the day.

As you start to climb the altitude you will reach the height of 4000m. The temperature decreases considerably, especially during the night. During morning and night, the temperature can reach up to -2 degrees Celsius. In the daytime the temperature increases slightly with sunny weather it reaches up 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.

During ACT you will climb the altitude of over 5000m especially when you reach Thorong La Pass. The days start to get a bit cooler as the temperature reaches up to 5 degrees Celsius. The mornings and nights in the Spring season at such altitude are well below freezing point and can reach -10 degrees Celsius.

Temperature and Weather during Autumn

Just like Spring, Autumn is also quite good for trekkers to explore Annapurna Circuit Trek. Autumn generally falls between September and November. Autumn’s temperature and weather changes according to the altitude.

Weather In Autumn

Weather in Autumn is slightly more chilly than in summer or monsoon season but warmer than the winter season. Early Autumn is the post-monsoon period so there is a slight chance of rainfall.

The rain only occurs at lower altitudes. During days the weather is bright and sunny, while at night it becomes very cold. The winds are constantly blowing during the afternoon. The weather starts to get colder as the days progress in the Autumn season.

There is very minimal chance of snowfall especially at an altitude of over 4000m, The snowfall can make your day even colder and can block your trekking path.

Temperature In Autumn

ACT’s temperature in spring varies across three altitudes. Lower altitudes have moderate temperatures, while mornings and nights are cooler. Temperatures drop 5 to 7°C, rising to 20°C during the day.

In lower altitudes up to 3000m, the day’s temperature ranges from 10 to 15 degrees whereas at night it decreases to 5 degrees. Similarly, in middle altitude from 3000 to 4000m, the temperature decreases in the daytime and reaches up to 8 degrees to 10 degrees Celsius whereas at night it reaches up to a freezing point.

At higher altitudes over 4000m, the temperature in Autumn is very cold. During night time it reaches well below -5 degrees whereas during day it is still colder at 5 to 6 degrees Celsius.

In ACT, autumn temperatures vary significantly by month. September brings warmer days compared to November, contributing to a gradual transition into winter.

Can We Trek to Annapurna Circuit During Winter?

Yes, we can trek the Annapurna Circuit during winter but it is not the best time, unlike other seasons. The winter season in Nepal starts from November to February. November and December are the best months, if you want to trek in winter.

Winter seasons bring calmness and peace to trekking routes as they are not as crowded as Spring and Autumn. However, you must be careful about harsh cold temperatures. So if you are planning for ACT in winter always carry warm clothes.

In the afternoon the winds are constantly blowing which can cause difficulty in the open area of higher altitude. There are also chances of snow in December but certainly during February which can cause issues in trekking routes.

Pack your hiking boots and carry all the necessary equipment if you are heading towards the Annapurna region in winter.

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