Best Season for Manaslu Circuit Trek

Nepal provides many trekking adventures for both insider and outsider. Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the trekking sites in Nepal. Although Manaslu Adventure Trek is not as famous as compare to Annapurna Trek or Mt. Everest trek. But you can say that is it as much as an adventurous trek in Annapurna or Mt. Everest trek. By choosing the best season for Manaslu Circuit Trek you can enjoy the amazing beauty and get lost in the tranquility of nature.

Manaslu Circuit Trek is one of the most amazing and beautiful off-beaten treks for adventure lovers. It is an unforgettable trek with the stunning views of the Mt. Manaslu the eight highest mountains in the world with a height of 8163 meters. Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you through the beautiful landscapes, dense Sal and Rhododendron forest. On the way, you will pass through different ancient monasteries, the high mountain pass and the tropical waterfalls cutting the beautiful hills. Manaslu Circuit Trek is popular for its walk through the mountain vista, a unique combination of culture and multi-ethnic. The trek starts from an altitude of 600 to 5500 meters. Manaslu trekking enriches with biological diversity, a wonderful combination of cultural heritage. A breathtaking view of Himalayan Flora and Fauna which makes the Manaslu region is one of the outstanding trekking destinations.

Weather at higher altitude is unpredictable and the weather at Manaslu is as much unpredictable as in other regions such as Everest and Annapurna Region. But this unpredictable weather makes the trek more exciting and adventurous. With some general ideas about the weather, you will be well prepared for the trip. The weather all depends on the time of year you plan your trek too. 

We have broken down the season and help you understand the weather during each season and month in Nepal. There are generally four seasons which are Spring season (March to May), Monsoon Season (June to August), Autumn Season (September to November), and winter season (December to February).

Here are some of the ideas about the best seasons for Manaslu Circuit Trek according to the month:

Spring Season (March to May):

Spring lasts from March to May and is one of the peak seasons. In spring season the sky clears and a temperature range from warm to moderate which makes a perfect time to go trekking. 

March

At this time the entire region welcomes spring where you can enjoy the beautiful and colorful blooms of rhododendron in the lower region of Deng. The cool temperature and bright days are perfect for treks to Manaslu. It is neither too cold nor too hot and you can enjoy the clear blue skies with the warmth of the sun. So, it is one of the best seasons to go to Manaslu trek.

April

In April, the rhododendron blooms are at their colorful best. Due to the stable weather condition, this month is more suitable for mountain trekking. Because of stable condition, you can see many other climbers in action which help you to also inspire for climbing. On the tea houses of the region filled with energy and aura of the climber, trekkers, and travelers.

May

With May, spring comes to end and you see the last blooms of the flowers on the hillside. The temperature starts rising to 20 degrees Celsius in the lower region and even the higher altitude region fills less chill during this month. The days are bright and long in this season so you should avoid the afternoon for your treks as it becomes too hot. But for the people who don’t mind the heat, this season may find the best for themselves. This month has considerably fewer trekkers as compared to March and April.

Monsoon Season (June to August):

The monsoon is beautiful as green forests and pretty flowers embrace you. Rain, however, may create some problems for the trekkers while trekking. Leeches, landslide risk, slippery trail and dark clouds that can block the amazing Himalayan views are some of the drawbacks of this season. Monsoon season begins around mid-June and continues till August in Nepal. 

June:

June is the start of the Monsoon season that awards the best scenes of nature. As the weather is slightly humid, you can experience nature wet and cool. It is the best month if you love rain, rainbows, and less crowded trails. During this month the air starts getting humid with continuous rainfall and the weather is rather cold, and you need to be prepared to warm yourself at higher altitudes. Despite monsoon, you can cherish the natural beauty of the Manaslu Circuit Trek as the lower valley turns into a lush green with a high possibility of seeing awesome beautiful rainbows.

July:

You will be getting the highest rates of rainfall in the month of July. The probability of rain is almost every day but once it becomes sunny the days are warm and smooth. As the monsoon set comfortably in the region, nature comes alive. and you can enjoy the rich and dense green forests, landscapes. You can also see the water sources come to life like the forming of streams, rivulets, waterfalls during this month.

August: 

August is not the best time of year to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek as it is colder than other months of the monsoon season. But some travelers may consider this time of year as the best time to explore the Manaslu region as there are very little travelers wandering around the Manaslu region. Due to the continuous rainfall, vegetables thrive and you can find a variety of freshly cut, seasonal vegetables. You can also experience the full flow of waterfalls, streams, rivers, and lakes. It presents the extra challenge and adventure for experienced and adventure seekers.

Autumn Season (September to November):

The peak season for tourism in Nepal falls within the Autumn season as the weather is the best and very suitable to travel and plan your trek and tour all around Nepal. Nature is fresh with a clear sky and cool warm weather makes this season-best for traveling at both higher as well as lower altitude. You will be able to explore Nepali culture, tradition and can enjoy the main festival Dashain and Tihar of Nepal with the local communities. The trails are busy with locals and tourist travelers from around the globe. The trail of Manaslu Circuit trek, as well as other trekking destination of Nepal, start being busy. The climate is dry and warm with no rainfall during the month of October and November making it most favorable for travelers to hike and trek to the high Himalayas. The trails are busy as Manaslu Circuit receives most wanderer around this season. It is the best season for Manaslu Circuit Trek compared to other seasons.

September:

The autumn season starts from September as the weather is beautifully stable and you easily go to Manaslu Circuit Trek. The trails are great and are it’s busier than earlier months. You can experience light, short bursts of rainfalls in early September as the monsoon is slowly saying its farewell to the region. By mid-September, you can experience cool temperatures along with bright and clear days. As the trails begin to dry and the weather becomes more stable, you can enjoy your treks with clear views of the encompassing panorama and moderate climate.

October:

October is regarded as the best month among the best season for Manaslu Circuit Trek. The weather is perfectly comfortable, and the mountain landscapes are awesome. You’ll be surrounded by the breathtaking panoramas of the snow-capped mountain. During this time of the year, there are countless trekkers in the trails so it’s a good idea to pre-book for the accommodation and transportation. The temperatures are perfect between 12 to 18 degrees Celsius making it neither too warm nor too cold for a trek. The skies are clear giving way to amazing, crystal clear scenes of the mountain peaks and surrounding landscape.

November:

November marks the end of the autumn season as the temperatures start to cool and become the driest. The temperature starts to decrease significantly. At the high altitude in the morning and night, the temperatures drop down below the freezing point. You can enjoy cool temperatures and clear skies with great visibility for a trek.

Winter Season (December to February):

The winter brings clear skies and dry weather in the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The temperatures are warm during the daytime but significantly decrease as the sunsets. Thus, the temperature easily goes down to -20ºC during the night-time and early morning. Mountains are in their best in winter and the sky turns a perfect blue in the winter season.

December:

From December, it begins getting cold but you can enjoy the trek in the lower regions with average temperatures of 8 degrees Celsius. However, the days are cool and bright. You can experience the clear weather with beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the mountains in December. Usually, around mid-December the locals of Samdo village move to Pokhara to flee the cold. Thus, most of the teahouses are closed only a few people reside behind to look after the village.

January:

The temperature at the beginning of January is very cold but the skies are often clear. You’ll see the trails are covered with the snow so to cross the pass you might require crampons. Since January is the coldest month of the year, you have to do enough struggle to pass the extremely cold night. Thus, only a few people can make their way to Manaslu Circuit during January. Many of the teahouses are closed so it is compulsory to bring a tent and sleeping bags along with your warm clothes.

February:

There is no vast difference between the temperature in February and January. Mid-February marks a rise in temperatures along with the melting of snow. The tea houses of the region begin to open along with the start of the blooming of the local flowers. February is a shoulder month as it marks a cross between the cold winter and the cool spring. 

Notes: The above weather information is just for plans as the mountain climate is unpredictable and may change any time. You may confront other weather patterns than the season you may be traveling in. But the landscapes are still the same you’ll be surrounded by the breathtaking panoramas of mountains and glaciers.