Annapurna Circuit trek is a popular trekking route in the Annapurna region. This trek encircles the Annapurna region and provides the trekkers with flavors of natural beauty and cultural variations.
Trekking to Annapurna circuit is possible at any time of the year. However, the best time for Annapurna Circuit trekking is during Autumn (September, October, and November). The time between mid-September to mid-November is the peak time to go. After Autumn, Spring is the second best time. Spring is a season of colors. During these times, the weather and temperature conditions at the Annapurna region will remain perfectly stable.
The trek to Annapurna Circuit rewards the trekkers with the breathtaking views of majestic Himalayan peaks. During the trek, you’ll walk into beautiful lush jungles and through variable landscapes. You will also see the amazing distribution of biodiversity and wildlife.
Along with the natural wonders, the trek is equally rich in cultural variations. While walking through different villages and settlements, you can see the varying ethnicity, culture, traditions, and daily lifestyles. The region is rich in enticing culture. Local people that you’ll meet while trekking is very hospitable and cheerful. You’ll feel amazed during this trek.
Trekking in the best time means you can trek under great weather conditions. Also, you can witness the best scenic views of the Himalayan ranges, hills, as well as the surrounding landscapes. Also, while trekking in the peak times, you won’t have to face the difficulties due to unstable weather as in winter and in summer.
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Annapurna Circuit Trek in Autumn - Best Time
Autumn is the most popular time of year to trek in the Annapurna circuit. In this season, trekkers flood into the Annapurna region to trek in the popular trek routes like Annapurna Base Camp trek, Annapurna Circuit trek, and many others.
The Autumn months experience the most stable weather and temperature conditions of the year. Days are consistently bright and sunny with cloudless skies. The surrounding views are marvellous. Skies are clear even during the nights making Autumn a popular time for star watching as well.
In Autumn, the chances of rainfall are very less. You might encounter a few occasional showers of rain. You will have easy trekking under the nice and warm sunlight. The daytime temperature is mild. At nights, the temperature can drop to zero. However, with some warm gears, you will do great.
Highlights of Trekking in Autumn
- Perfect Climate and Weather
- Unobstructed Scenes
- The celebration of Dashain and Tihar, the major festivals in Nepal
- Radiant nature enriched with greenery
- Mesmerizing views of Annapurna I, II, III, IV and Dhaulagiri range
Weather and Temperature at Annapurna CIrcuit in Autumn
Autumn (September, October, and November) experiences three different kinds of weather conditions.
Post Monsoon weather is the weather that takes place in early Autumn. In early September, it might still rain in the Annapurna region. While trekking in this time, you might still see the wet trails and moist atmosphere. There are possibilities that it might rain during the nights as in monsoon.
Stable Weather is the weather experienced in the time between Mid- September to mid- November. During this time, there are the least chances of rainfalls and snowfalls. Both the days and nights are clear and beautiful. The temperature in both days and nights are moderate.
Pre-Winter Weather is the weather when the temperature at the Annapurna region lessens and inches towards the winter temperature. This weather occurs as Autumn comes to its end. The temperatures in both the days and nights decreases and the region become colder.
Tips for Annapurna Circuit Trekking in Autumn
- Book early for your accommodation
- Carry lightweight warm gears for the nights
- Carry rainproof gears if you’re trekking in early September
Planning to trek Annapurna Circuit? We will organize the best treks and tours in Nepal Contact Us.
Annapurna Circuit Trek in Spring - Best Time
Spring is the second best time for trekking in the Annapurna circuit. Spring is the season of colors. The wildflowers and Rhododendron blossoms cover the hills and the forested trails. The combo of fresh air with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers is refreshing.
Skies are clear with frequent white and low clouds making illusive images on the sky. Weather tends to remain stable for a long span of time. During Spring, there are very few chances of snowfall and rainfalls in the Annapurna region.
You will see the dazzling views of Himalayan ranges, valleys, hills, and mountains. Spring arrives after winter. With the arrival of Spring, the wildlife and plants in the region rejuvenate after their winter hibernation. You’ll see the sprouts of grasses tearing the ground. Likewise, you’ll see the trees grow buds that grow into infant leaves.
Highlights of Annapurna Circuit Trekking in Spring
- Colorful forested trails with lots of Rhododendron blossoms
- Warm temperature
- Clear and beautiful views
- Chances of witnessing wildlife species
Weather and Temperature at Annapurna Base Camp in Spring
Post-Winter Weather is the weather experienced during early Spring. During the Annapurna circuit trek in early March, you will experience the remainings of winter weather. In early Spring, the temperature is colder. Also, trekking to the Annapurna circuit in early Spring doesn’t guarantee clear skies and pleasant temperatures. During this time, you might even encounter a few snowfalls on the trail.
Warm and Stable Weather occurs at the Annapurna region during mid of Spring (late March to late May). During this time, the region begins to warm up day by day. This time is perfect for the trekkers who don’t prefer cold. Also, because of the warming atmosphere, the flora and fauna en route seem to be much active. This is the idle time of Spring to trek to Annapurna CIrcuit.
In the late Spring, you will experience a humid pre-monsoon weather. During late May, the Annapurna circuit becomes hotter. At the lower elevations on the trek, you might even encounter a few rainfalls. Rainfalls become more frequent when Spring progresses towards monsoon. There are probabilities of seeing storms too.
Tips for Annapurna Circuit Trekking in Spring
- Book Accommodation in Advance
- Carry gears for cold if you are trekking in early March
- You might even see the remainings of snows on the trail in early March. Be careful while you trek.
- In late Spring, the Annapurna region becomes hotter. You might even see some rains. Carry appropriate rain gears.
Annapurna Circuit Trekking in Winter - Off Season
The Annapurna Circuit trek is a moderate level trekking. You can go on this trek at any time of the year. However, Annapurna circuit trek in off-seasons (Winter and Monsoon) isn’t as popular as in the peak seasons (Autumn and Spring).
The Annapurna circuit trek route meets an altitude of 5416 meters at the Thorong La Pass. The weather changes at the top of the pass are dynamic. Due to its high altitude, the temperature at the pass becomes very cold. As a result, the pass experiences snowy weather. The pass remains dipped inside the huge piles of snow and thus remains closed for trekking.
Due to this reason, we do not recommend trekking in the Annapurna region in winter. Trekking in winter means you will see heavy snowfalls at other higher areas on the trek too. The snow falls is generally accompanied by harsh blizzards. Even the local people in the higher altitude migrate towards the lower elevations to escape the dreary winter.
However, the Himalayas look gorgeous while covered with huge piles of white snow. To the daring trekkers, the Annapurna circuit trek in winter is a perfect adventure.
But make sure you prepare yourself to see the worst weather conditions and other challenges that might come along while trekking. Also, you must be extra cautious regarding your safety. Also, you must take appropriate and adequate trekking gears for trekking in Annapurna circuit in Winter.
Planning to trek Annapurna Circuit? We will organize the best treks and tours in Nepal Contact Us.
Annapurna Circuit Trekking in Monsoon - Off Season
Monsoon and Summer coincide in the Annapurna region. This means the Annapurna region will get hot and wet at the same time in Monsoon. Monsoon is the time when you will see frequent heavy downpours in the Annapurna region.
In monsoon, it generally rains during the nights and continues till the next morning. Because of the frequent rainfall, the trails in monsoon becomes too moist and slippery. Also, the monsoon rain causes the water in the rivers, streams, and waterfalls to rise.
While you trek through the jungles, there are chances of getting leech bites. Along with the leeches, the other summer bugs like mosquitoes are also active on the trails. You must carry some insect repellents with you.
There are also some portions on the trail with risks of avalanche and landslides where you must be extra careful. At some places, you have to take off your shoes as water from the streams overflows in the trail.
Aren’t you thinking of what will be the experience like when you have to cross the Thorong La Pass in the monsoon? Crossing the pass is the real challenge while trekking in Annapurna circuit in monsoon. It will be very challenging as the trails are muddy and slippery.
If you will ask us if you should do this trek in monsoon, we would recommend you to do Upper Mustang Trek instead. This trek passes through the rain shaded region. So, you won’t have to worry about the wet trails and moist atmosphere.
At Last,
You can never feel assured about the weather in the mountains is perfect. Even if you are going in the peak seasons, the weather in the Annapurna region can change as you walk towards the higher altitudes. The highest point on this trek, the Thorong La pass is a place with high uncertainty of weather.
Thus, you must always make strong preparations with essential training and adequate gears. Also, you must keep updated on the currently prevailing weather conditions at different points on the trek. Also, we recommend you to trek with a guide as they will take care of you and will help you out of any bad situations.
We have two trekking packages for Annapurna circuit trekking. If you want to go on the Annapurna Circuit trek or Tilicho Lake with Annapurna Circuit trek with Index Adventure, let us know. We will organize the best treks and tours in Nepal. Contact Us.
