The Annapurna Circuit Trek through different seasons
The four seasons are the standard when it comes to trekking in Nepal. Spring, Autumn, Summer, and Winter seasons are universally followed, but out of these four seasons, two of them are known to be the peak seasons for trekking and tourism, and they are spring and autumn. While summer and winter see a significantly lower number of tourists in general and are known as off-season.
Spring and autumn see more influx of tourists because of the moderate temperature and clear weather, whereas people generally tend to avoid summer due to the rain and winter due to the cold. The summer and winter seasons do have some tourists still willing to go on a trek to the mountains so it is really not that uncommon either; it is just lesser compared to the peak seasons. For more details, read below:
The Annapurna Circuit Trek in Spring
The spring season is known to be one of the most pleasant seasons overall. The pleasant weather with clear skies, moderate temperatures, and above all, it is also the time where many different plants are blooming the most colorful and beautiful flowers. The trail of the Annapurna Circuit Trek will be filled with lush greenery adorned with the colorful blend of the national flower of Nepal, rhododendrons, during the season of spring. It is definitely heaven for those who enjoy nature and all its other aspects.
The mountain view during this season is immaculate—something straight out of the movies. The serene pathways leading to the heart of the mountains that go from vibrant colors of green, red, pink, and other warm colors to brown, grey, and white of the mountain landscapes is something you can only get to experience during the spring. Passing through the villages of Besi Sahar, Manang, Muktinath, Jomsom, and other smaller ones will be the highlight of the trek, including conquering the world’s highest pass, Thorong La.
With moderate temperatures, clear climatic conditions, and clear weather, doing the Annapurna Circuit will truly be one of the best decisions you can make for travelling. The temperature during this trek can range from 10°C to 15°C during the daytime and 5°C to -2°C during the night.
While spring certainly has one of the best weathers for the trek, it also tends to get a bit overcrowded at times, as most of the trekkers also choose this season for trekking. So for people who generally do not enjoy trekking amongst the crowds, it can be a bit of a challenge in this regard and is best to choose other times to trek here.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek in Autumn
Similar to the spring season, autumn or fall is another season that is a preferred time for trekking. The temperatures are a bit cooler compared to the spring but still pleasant with clear weather that allows you to see the panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The lush green forest will now turn into different shades of brown, yellow, and gold, bringing the vibe of the fall season. And in terms of weather, it is considered to be even better than spring.
The autumn season also comes with joys of festivities, as many people in Nepal will be celebrating the Hindu festival known as Dashain and Tihar. You can plan your trip around that specific time so you can get the overall experience of the mountains, nature, and the diverse culture of Nepal. As the majority of people also plan their trek around this particular season, you can expect the trails and the tea houses to be a little crowded. So again, if trekking through the trails where you constantly encounter people is not something you are particularly fond of, you can plan your treks in off-season.
The temperature of the Annapurna Circuit in autumn can range from anywhere between 5°C and 12°C during the day, whereas during the night it can range from 0°C to -5°C. There will be little to no chances of rainfall, with fresh and cool air and bright and sunny days enhancing the experience tenfold.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek in Summer
The summer season not only brings the heat but also the rain. Though summer in the mountains is different from summer in the cities or the plane lands, for one it will still be cold. Granted, it will be a little less cold compared to the winter or autumn, but you will still need warm clothes. Rain is another challenge of the summer, as it will also be monsoon season in Nepal and many parts of Nepal will experience heavy rainfall.
But one of the perks about the Annapurna Circuit is that two of the districts, Manang and Mustang, are known to be in what is called a shadow zone, where the chances of rainfall are very low. In fact, Mustang District gets the lowest amount of rainfall compared to the entire country.
So unlike other trekking destinations that get heavy rainfall, this one can be the exception. But of course, getting there is another story. While the trails of Manang and Mustang might be exempt from rainfall, other places, however, are not. That being said, the parts of the trekking trail that do get rainfall, such as the roads from Kathmandu to Besisahar and the roads that lead back to Kathmandu as well, get frequently affected by landslides. Furthermore, there will also be high chances of flight delays and cancellations due to bad weather.
And while the higher parts of the Annapurna Circuit trail might not get rainfall, the lower region does, so you will have to be well equipped for such conditions with raincoats, raincovers, umbrellas, and other items to make sure you remain dry. The other challenges include slippery trails and leeches
The temperature during the summer can range from around 20°C in the lower regions and can drop to 0°C to -5°C in the higher regions. The trek during the day can be pretty hot if not for the rain to cool it down a bit. And since it is the off-season, the trail will be peaceful and quiet, perfect for those who want to avoid crowded trails during the peak seasons. You just need to make sure you are appropriately prepared to take on the challenges of the monsoon.
The Annapurna Circuit Trek in Winter
Winter, as one would assume, is the coldest of all seasons. The winter season spans from December to February, which means you can celebrate Christmas and New Years on the trek. Winter brings the crisp, cool air along with the white clouds of snow but at the same time it also brings clear skies with good weather to view the mountains in their full glory.
The snowy landscapes, bare-armed trees, and the trails too filled with snow will give you a different experience compared to any other season. The pristine beauty of the mountains under the azure sky and the small villages you encounter during the trek is unmatched. And another perk is that the trails are far less crowded compared to peak seasons, meaning you can even get accommodations and packages at a discounted price on many occasions. Therefore, for people who want to enjoy the trek in the solace of nature without many people to disturb their peace, this winter season will be the right choice.
But one thing is for sure: if you plan to do a winter trek, then you must be prepared for all the challenges that the winter brings, such as low temperatures, extreme cold, and snowy paths. For this, you can prepare by packing clothing, gear, and equipment that are appropriate for such situations. If there are any reasons why many people find themselves in a troublesome circumstance, it is because they did not do good research and prepare appropriately for the winter trek.
Equipment such as trekking poles and crampons is a must if you plan on taking the Annapurna Circuit Trek during the winter. As this trek already falls under the challenging category, winter will be even harsher, especially if you have to pass over the Thorong La Pass.
The temperature during the winter can go from 0°C to 5°C during the day, but at night it can drop as low as -10°C to -15°C. Therefore, make sure to pack items that will keep you warm from the cold of the mountains during the entire trek. Be very meticulous while packing for the Annapurna Circuit Trek during the winter, and then you can enjoy this trek without any problems.
Things to be Considered When Choosing the Best Time
Weather: Always make sure to know the current situation regarding the weather in the mountains. While the weather does stay generally clear during spring, autumn, and winter, it is still unpredictable, so always be ready for different situations. While the monsoon will bring rain to the lower parts, the upper region mostly stays clear.
Temperature: The temperature throughout the trek will always fluctuate because of the elevation. The lower regions are a lot warmer compared to the higher elevations. And of course, different seasons have different temperatures. Winter being the coldest, summer is the warmest, while autumn and spring are moderate.
Preparation and Fitness: You must know that the Annapurna Circuit Trek is known to be a bit challenging trek, mainly because of its long days of trek and high elevations. It means that you must be prepared not only physically but mentally as well. And you also need proper gear and equipment to complete the trek without any trouble.
Trail Crowdedness and Popularity: Trekking in Nepal has two peak seasons, spring and autumn, where you will find a lot of people trekking the same places. The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the popular trails in Nepal, so naturally it will have a lot of people on the trail. So, if you are not fond of crowded trails, then you can choose to trek during the summer or winter season when there are fewer people on the trail.
Preparation for Different Seasons
- For spring and autumn, since the temperatures are moderate and weather is generally clear for the most part, just make sure to pack essential items by making a thorough packing list.
- For summer, one of the major gears is your raincoat or poncho to protect you from getting wet. And of course you should have your regular trekking gear with you too.
- For winter, you will need warmer clothes more than the other seasons. So make sure to pack extra layers of clothes, including down jackets, fleece jackets, gloves, etc. And other essential gear includes sleeping bags, hand warmers, trekking poles, crampons, etc.
- Make sure you base your itinerary on when you are travelling. Get in contact with a company and know the details of the conditions of the trail and adjust your itinerary around it.
Our Advice and Recommendations
For Beginners
For people who are just exploring the world of trekking in Nepal and it is their first time, then it is better to go with the safer option of spring or autumn. Practically speaking, the spring and autumn not only have a good temperature and weather balance, but there will also be other trekkers side by side, giving you mental support.
For Experienced or Adventure enthusiasts
If this is not your first rodeo, then you can try trekking in winter for a change of scenery. Winter will have clear weather but can be challenging due to snow-covered trails and freezing cold. And if you want adventure, along with the winter season, summer is equally vibrant and fun but of course the challenge will be the rain in the lower regions. But with the right preparation, both the winter and summer treks to the Annapurna Circuit can be completed in a smooth manner.
For Avoiding Crowd
The Annapurna Circuit Trek has two main seasons, peak season and off-season. As mentioned above, spring and autumn are peak seasons where there is a heavy influx of tourists; meanwhile, winter and summer are off-seasons where the number of trekkers is very low. So, if you want to avoid crowds, pick the off-season.
Conclusion
Find the Best Time for You
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a mountain paradise with large specs of nature and culture engraved on each other. Planning a journey to such an adventurous destination takes time and effort, especially deciding when to plan the trek.
Therefore, make your decision based on weather and temperature balance, your experience, time flexibility, preferences for crowds, and other personal goals that you might have. It is better to have a company guide you through your planning process, as it will be efficient and cost-effective. Just make sure to do thorough research before committing to your plans for the best trekking experience of the Annapurna Circuit. For more details, you can email us or contact us via WhatsApp at info@alpineramble.com or +977 9851175531.
