It is hard to predict the weather in the mountains, and a person who has been to the mountains knows that the weather changes rapidly within just one day. Information on the Manaslu Circuit Trek weather conditions in different seasons is essential for safe traveling.
Starting from April with blossoming rhododendrons all the way through November when the freezing starts and beyond, there is something unique about each month on this hiking trail, as well as specific problems you may encounter along the way. This Manaslu Circuit Trek weather guide presents the climate in monthly breakdowns to give you the exact forecast before the trip.
This is based on years of experience conducting the Manaslu Circuit trek in every season, and not from some generalized seasonal chart. By the time you finish reading this guide, you will know exactly which month is best for your trek and what to pack for it.
Manaslu Circuit Trek in Spring (March to May)
The Manaslu Circuit really starts to come alive during spring after being dormant for many months during the winter. The forests along the trail become alive once more as trees that were just bare start blossoming, while the villages start to thrive due to the revival of the farming season.
The quality of the trail improves throughout the season, although March can still be quite cold depending on your altitude level. The month of April is generally regarded as the best period of the spring season.
Manaslu Circuit in March
Manaslu Circuit Trek in March marks the beginning of the two seasons and can be clearly observed due to the climatic behavior.
The maximum and minimum temperatures for the valley are 10°C and 15°C while the daytime temperatures for Samagaon and Dharamsala fall between 0°C and 5°C.
Temperatures beyond 3,500 meters fall to -10°C in the month of March in Manalsu Circuit. There could also be some remnants of snowfall from the past winter at the higher altitudes of Larkya La. Rhododendrons at lower altitudes are blooming. But it is not the season for the flowers to bloom fully yet.
It is also quiet in March compared to the month of April which suits those trekkers looking for solitude rather than the full bloom of flowers. It is imperative for one to have an experienced guide this early in the season because the snow conditions have to be analyzed before attempting the pass.
Manaslu Circuit in April
April is considered as the best month for the spring season in the Manaslu circuit. The temperature in the valleys during the day is around 15°C to 20°C, whereas the villages that lie above are at 5°C to 10°C.
The nights between 3,500 and higher meters are within the range of -5°C and -10°C, temperatures which are cold, but very workable as long as you have a proper sleeping bag. The rhododendrons are blooming and giving deep red and light pink colors to the lower and middle parts of the trail.
Clear view of Mount Manaslu on a clear morning
The winter snow covering the Larkya La normally melts and firms up by April, thus ensuring an easy passage through the mountain pass. The weather is usually very clear during mornings, offering excellent visibility, which is precisely why trekking groups prefer this month more than any other month.
Manaslu Circuit in May
May retains the heat of April but adds an element of its own as the pre-monsoon season starts. Temperatures during the day in the valleys range from 18°C to 22°C, while in the high hills, it ranges between 8°C and 12°C.
Early May still falls near April with respect to dependability and clearness of skies. In contrast, late May sees the development of clouds in the afternoons with some short spells of rain.
Larkya La will remain passable well into May, but with the daily weather windows becoming shorter compared to those in April. If you decide to trek in the latter half of May, be prepared for early mornings since afternoon buildups become increasingly common.
Manaslu Trek in Monsoon (June to August)
The Monsoon Season on the Manaslu Circuit trek is not really organized by many agencies. The heavy downpour makes the lower trail extremely challenging, while visibility is drastically reduced in the upper part of the trek for the major portion of the season.
The three months of the monsoon season do vary in strength, but none of these three provide the right circumstances for your maiden Manaslu trek.
It is important that you understand what each month brings about in order to better comprehend why this particular period of the year should be avoided.
Manaslu Circuit in June
The onset of monsoons generally takes place in the first or second week of June. The weather becomes hot and humid with daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C in the valleys; however, the discomfort of such temperatures is compensated for by heavy rainfall.
Rainfall begins to rise consistently through June, while the section of the track from Jagat to Deng displays the first indication of potential landslides during the year. The leeches come alive in the lower stretches of the track within the forests once it starts to rain.
While the hike to Larkya La via the top trail is theoretically possible in early June, we would not advise any pass crossing at this time. The weather conditions and the state of the trails become increasingly unstable as the month progresses.
Manaslu Circuit in July
The month of July marks the climax of the monsoon and is the wettest month in the Manaslu Circuit year-round. Precipitation peaks, and the trail from Jagat to Deng has its greatest threat of landslides.
The day is quite hot and humid with temperatures hovering between 20°C and 25°C, as it does in June, but it rains all the time, which makes walking on the trail hard. The teahouses in the higher parts of the trail cut down their operations because of poor business and logistical problems.
Shyala village, Manaslu during Monsoon
Visibility remains poor throughout the month because the mountains get hidden due to the cloud cover. This happens to be the only month of the year where we will try our best to advise the trekkers not to travel on the Manaslu Circuit.
Manaslu Circuit in August
In terms of weather, August continues the hotness of July up until midway into the month, after which the weather will slowly start to ease. There is still plenty of rainfall, high humidity, and temperatures will still range from 20°C to 25°C in the lower valleys.
The potential for landslides on the path from Jagat to Deng is high even in August, while the condition of the trail is difficult even after that period. It continues to rain on most days, although clear sky days can be observed during the last few days of the month.
This is still the time of year for seasoned trekkers with flexible schedules, but not one that we would advise other tourists to take advantage of. It just isn’t worth the effort.
Manaslu Circuit Trek in Autumn (September to November)
The time when Manaslu Circuit provides the perfect blend of climate and conditions to trek on the trail and enjoy the mountains at their best is autumn. It offers the most drastic change from the monsoon season to the clear skies after the monsoon season.
Each one of the three autumn months has its own unique character, whether that be the uncertain last days of the monsoon season in September or the bone-chilling cold of the latter part of November. It is the time when seasoned trekkers make plans for their Manaslu Circuit.
Manaslu Circuit in September
Late August sees the last vestiges of monsoon weather, but for the first couple of weeks in early September, it is practically like August. The amount of rainfall decreases as the month wears on, although there is quite a bit of year-to-year variation.
The transition normally occurs around the third week of September when the monsoon season is about to end and the path is getting dry. In some years, good weather comes in the last days of September, but sometimes it persists even in the first weeks of October.
Because of the unpredictability of conditions at that time, late September is a good choice for those trekkers whose schedules are not very rigid. For people who are traveling on fixed-schedule flights, it is recommended to wait until October.
Manaslu Circuit in October
October is by far the finest month of the entire year to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek. After the monsoon season ends, the weather clears up considerably, providing the clearest visibility in all the Himalayas.
Day temperatures at the lower trail are within 10°C and 15°C, whereas above 4,000 meters, temperatures during the day vary from 0°C to 8°C. Temperatures at night are -5°C to -15°C according to altitude, but it is still very manageable.
Birendra Lake broad view during Autumn
October is also the most crowded month for hikers along this route, where there are more hikers than at any other time during the year. Even with this higher number of hikers, the Manaslu Circuit is relatively less crowded than other trails such as the Everest or Annapurna trail.
It is inevitably the busiest time of year for the trek route because there will be more trekkers here than at any other time. Despite the higher number of trekkers in October, the Manaslu Circuit Trekking Route will remain much less crowded than the Everest or the Annapurna Circuit Trek Routes.
Manaslu Circuit in November
The month of November begins in temperatures that are almost similar to those in October but gets colder as the weeks progress. The temperatures in the lower parts range from 8°C to 12°C, whereas the higher villages are at temperatures of -2°C to 5°C.
October’s cold weather becomes more pronounced towards the latter part of the month, especially at high elevations around the pass area. As people disperse throughout the month of November, hikers benefit from the quiet experience that still retains the same wonderful visibility conditions of October.
November early-mid still stands out as an excellent time for crossing the Larkya La Pass provided that you have the appropriate winter clothing. However, when November ends, a sleeping bag of more than -15°C is not an option anymore; it is a necessity when staying at Dharamsala.
Manaslu Trek in Winter (December to February)
The winter months give the Manaslu Circuit trek its unique identity that involves complete silence, solitude, and extreme cold weather. The lower levels of the trek are accessible during the early and mid-winter months, while the higher regions close to Larkya Pass need some level of respect.
Not many trekkers do this season justice but it does have something to offer if you have the skills and gear to do so. The three winter months each come with their own challenges, especially when you get above 4,000 metres altitude.
Manaslu Circuit in December
The month of December sees true winter conditions arrive on the Manaslu Circuit; however, the lower circuit route below 3,000 meters remains easily walkable for almost all of the month. Daytime temperatures during the day can be expected at 5°C to 10°C and nighttime temperatures drop to about -5°C.
December sees the accumulation of snow in the upper reaches of the trail, making Larkya La increasingly difficult every week. The number of trekkers dwindles rapidly, leading some of the teahouses in higher altitude villages to close shop for the season.
Pass crossings in early December may still be possible provided that the guide is paying close attention to the conditions. On the other hand, crossing the pass later in December would require much more caution on their part.
Manaslu Circuit in January
January marks the time when temperatures drop to the lowest level of the year on the Manaslu Circuit and is the hardest month for people attempting to climb the Larkya La. Temperatures at Larkya La itself average between -10°C and -15°C with wind chill making it even harder.
Snowy route to Larkya La Pass
A large amount of snowfall is a regular feature on both routes, one while going up to Dharamshala and the other when coming down to Bimthang. In the case of heavy snowfall, knee-deep snow on the mountain pass would be quite common.
There are many organizations that halt their trekking from Larkya La during the month of January because of these factors. The path below 3,000 meters is much easier to follow, and one can enjoy peace and tranquility during winters.
Manaslu Circuit in February
The first part of February is quite similar to January in terms of conditions. The weather continues to be severe in this region during this period, especially for areas that are high in altitude such as the Larkya La pass.
The end of February may reveal early glimpses of the upcoming transformation into spring, but not always. There will still be snow on the pass that continues to pose a significant problem during the entire month.
It is not advisable to trek to the Larkya La pass in February unless you have an extremely skilled guide and are certain about the weather window. Just like in December and January, the lower part of the trekking route provides a great and safe winter experience, up to 3,000 meters.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Temperature Reference
Month | Lower Trail Day | Higher Villages Day | Night Above 3,500m | Conditions |
March | 10 to 15°C | 0 to 5°C | Below -10°C | Residual snow at pass |
April | 15 to 20°C | 5 to 10°C | -5 to -10°C | Minimal rainfall |
May | 18 to 22°C | 8 to 12°C | -3 to -8°C | Occasional showers |
June | 20 to 25°C | 12 to 16°C | 0 to -5°C | Rain increasing |
July | 20 to 25°C | 12 to 16°C | 0 to -5°C | Heavy rain |
August | 20 to 25°C | 12 to 16°C | 0 to -5°C | Heavy rain, easing late |
September | 18 to 22°C | 8 to 14°C | Around -5°C | Clearing late month |
October | 10 to 15°C | 0 to 8°C | -5 to -15°C | Clear, minimal rain |
November | 8 to 12°C | -2 to 5°C | Below -15°C late | Clear, cold |
December | 5 to 10°C | -5 to 0°C | Below -10°C | Snow begins upper trail |
January | 5 to 10°C | -10 to -15°C at pass | Extreme cold | Heavy snow at pass |
February | 5 to 10°C | -10 to -15°C at pass | Extreme cold | Heavy snow at pass |
Our Head Guide Recommends: "If trekking in late November, be prepared for night temperatures at Dharmasala to drop below -15°C (5°F)."
So Which Month Should You Actually Choose?
Even though there are several ideal times to go for treks in the Himalayas, October is undoubtedly the best month for Manaslu Circuit Trek, and the other one can be April, provided you are fond of the blossoms of the rhododendrons.
Late September is best for people who have a flexible schedule and do not mind taking some risks, while early to mid November is recommended for trekkers seeking October weather without October crowds.
A winter trek that is below 3,000 metres is an experience that can provide trekkers with much peace of mind without having to climb through the pass. The monsoon period, however, continues to be one that is best avoided by most people who undertake the Manaslu Circuit trek.
Ready to check the weather and book your Manaslu trek? Get in touch with us on WhatsApp at +977-9751042334 and let us create an itinerary according to your most suitable season. We'll take care of everything for you.