Manaslu Circuit Trek, a beautiful and famous trek in Nepal, boasts unparalleled natural and cultural beauty. Trekking the Manaslu Circuit is one of the most challenging treks in Nepal.
Opened for outside trekkers only in 1993, Manaslu Circuit Trek has gained so much in popularity that it is possible to do teahouse based trek and its not mandatory to setup tents anymore to enjoy it.
You can do Manaslu Circuit trek in different seasons as per your choice and schedule. However, best seasons to do this incredible trek is during months of Spring and Autumn.
It is not impossible to trek Manaslu during winter or monsoon but it is going to be far more challenging due to harsh weather conditions in both seasons. However, with enough preparation, you can easily choose and plan to do this trek in different seasons.
Keep on reading and if below information can’t help you make decision about Manaslu Trek in Different Seasons then please get in touch with us, we will help you plan to do it
So, for all wanting to know when best to trek to Manaslu or if it is possible in the unusual months of January or July, read the following.
Manaslu Circuit trek in different seasons
In Spring
Spring lasts from March to May. It is one of the peak seasons. The sky clears and a temperature range from warm to moderate, a perfect time to go trekking.
All sorts of colorful flowers and rhododendrons blooms, Nepal’s national flower, make for a pleasant trek.
Spring follows winter. Therefore, lodges may get closed for the winter and may not have opened early in March; so get up-to-date information before heading for the trek.
However, the weather is good– not too hot at lower altitudes and nor too cold at the higher altitudes.
In April, the temperature starts to rise but rhododendrons are now in full bloom. Early to mid-April must be the best time, even in spring.
May is still a peak time. The only problem is that it gets hot in the lower regions and mountain views can be blurry because of the haze. This is not a good enough reason to not do Manaslu Circuit trek though if you happen to come in May.
Spring is considered the second-best season to trek in Nepal in comparison to autumn and is less crowded. So for those who prefer a quieter vacation, I’d say spring is for you.
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In Monsoon
Monsoon is beautiful. Lush green forests and pretty flowers greet you. Rain, however, may create some problems. Like, leeches, landslide risk, slippery trail and dark clouds that can block the amazing Himalayan views.
Monsoon in Nepal begins around mid-June and continues till August. If you don’t mind the rain that may fall on you anytime, you could get a glimpse of the lovely mountains early in the morning. This is at the beginning of June.
In July, it rains heavily. It may rain nonstop for days. This is also the time when landslides occur. Monsoon may decide to stay till early September. Weather is a little unpredictable these days.
But, during this time you get to enjoy the surrounding in the lush green bloom and cool weather. This is the best time to trek Manaslu Circuit if you want to explore the budding nature in a clean surrounding. And the spectacular views of the terraced paddy fields in lower elevations is much enticing.
In Autumn
Autumn is the best time for Manaslu Circuit Trekking. It is also the most crowded, which is still lesser when compared to Annapurna Base Camp Trek or Everest Base Camp Trek.
Autumn falls in September, October, and November. First two weeks of September may still see some rain. Light clouds may cruise the sky. Go in October and November if possible.
No rain and no clouds. Also, paddies turn golden and oranges cover the trees in October. November is equally best month, starts to get a bit chilly in late November but that means drier and cleaner air.
In Winter
Mountains are in their best in winter and the sky turns a perfect blue. However, winter at higher altitudes is extremely cold. So, you must be well-prepared with the proper gears and clothing.
You may face difficulty in finding the rooms for a night stay as tea houses may get closed due to cold and heavy snow. So, it is always a good option to pre-informed about the tea houses en route.
You must take extra clothes and camping gear but all this will be for nothing if Larkya La Pass becomes impassable due to ice and snowstorm. The possibility of having to trace back your steps should be kept in mind.
We suggest not to opt for this trek if this is your first trek. Especially in the winter and monsoon because the weather is quite hostile and you must walk cautiously.
So, if you are a beginner you can rather choose to do short treks in Nepal like Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, Chisapani-Nagarkot trek, Siklesh trek, and so on.
Or, you can trek to rain-shadow parts like Upper Mustang trek, Muktinath trek to escape the extreme weather conditions in the trek route.
Manaslu Circuit Trek is, without a doubt, one of the most gratifying treks in Nepal no matter what season you choose.
Its rich flora and fauna, wildlife, breathtaking scenery and traditional Hindu and Buddhist settlements make all your hard work worthwhile. Better not to push yourself in doing it in winter. Happy trekking!
Want more information? Send us your query, and our experts will get back to you within 24 hrs.
Madhav started working as a porter in 2001 and then moved on to work as a trekking guide. After working in the trekking and tourism industry for eight years, he co-founded Mosaic Adventure in 2009.
Madhav has trekked to most of the trekking destinations in Nepal, including Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Jomsom Muktinath Trek, Indigenous Peoples Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, and all of the day hikes around Kathmandu.
He has also extensively traveled to other countries such as Australia, the USA, the UK, France, Hong Kong, Japan, China, the Philippines, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Thailand, Turkey, and India. Madhav is the one who answers most of your questions about trekking and tours and helps to plan your trip by giving a personal touch.
