Best Time for Manaslu Trekking: A complete Guide

The Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you around Mount Manaslu (8,163 meters), the eighth-highest mountain in the world. This classic Manaslu trek offers an incredible variety of landscapes, ranging from subtropical forests to high-altitude deserts. Along the way, trekkers pass through traditional villages, ancient monasteries, and pristine alpine lakes, all set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.

The trek is relatively remote compared to other popular routes like the Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit Trek, making it a more tranquil experience. However, it also presents a more challenging terrain, including long ascents, and the high-altitude of Larkya La Pass at 5,160 meters. Therefore, preparation and timing are crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable trek.

Best Time for Manaslu Circuit Trekking

The best time to trek Manaslu Circuit depends on your preferences, weather conditions, and trekking experience. Overall, there are two best seasons for Manaslu Trek that are considered ideal time for the trekking:

Manaslu Trek in Spring Season

Spring is the perfect time for Manaslu Circuit Trekking to see the whole region in bloom. Nepal’s national flower, rhododendrons including other seasonal flowers are in full bloom. Additionally, there are less travelers on the trails presenting a more tranquil trekking experience. The season falls during the months of March, April, and May which balances the good weather, mild temperature, less-crowd, and stunning blooming nature.

Manaslu Trek in March

March is the early spring and a magical time to explore the pristine Manaslu Region. It is the beginning month of the trekking season every year. During this time, the cold weather fades away and the daytime temperature proceeds to warm up day by day, and night becomes freezing cold especially at high altitudes. You might come across slight rainfall or snowfall at high altitudes. 

The forest and grasslands begin to bloom with colorful flowers, especially rhododendrons and magnolias. The clear weather and clear sky provides a stunning sight of the snow-capped peaks shining like a white pearls. The overall experience is peaceful with less crowd and beautiful nature. 

 Manaslu Trek in April

 Manaslu Trek in April is the perfect choice for travelers looking for ideal weather conditions and lifetime experience of the wilderness of Manaslu region. The temperature is comfortable with stable climate in this time period. The days are usually sunny and clear with rainfall, and as you go higher there is less chance or slight rainfall. 

April comes just after the winter season, where the dry nature wears a green and fresh look with emerging new leaves. April is the month of blooming flowers and nature, the Manaslu region comes into an array of colors.Trekkers can savour the landscapes with colorful rhododendrons, orchids and many vibrant wildflowers in bloom under clear blue skies presenting a stunning visual. The lower elevations are wrapped in vibrantly blooming nature and higher elevations are covered in snow presenting the jaw-dropping outlook of the majestic mountains including Mt. Manaslu. 

While traversing through the charming remote mountain villages, you get to interact with locals who are still following the ancient traditional lifestyle. These villages become more vibrant with festivals like Ubhauli Parba and Buddha Jayanti where you can also participate in their celebrations. You can learn about the rich cultural heritage, festivals, and local lifestyles of the Manaslu region. 

April is the prime time which opens the perfect door to Manaslu Circuit Trek offering mind blowing scenery, cultural depth, favourable weather and easygoing journey. The perfect blend of clear blue sky, blossoming nature, vibrant landscapes and breathtaking crystalline snow-capped peaks makes April an alluring time to experience the lively yet not overcrowded atmosphere of the Manaslu region. 

Manaslu Trek in May

May is another favourable time for exploring the gem of the Himalayas, the Manaslu region. Being the transforming month between the alluring spring and hot summer, May is considered the warmest month. The temperature of the Manaslu region in May can reach up to 32°C at the lower part and around 8°C at the higher part. The day time gets longer with the warm and stable weather in May. The warm temperature is cooled down by the fresh chill breeze relaxing your skin. 

One of the main highlights of Manaslu  circuit Trek in May is the landscapes in the blossom era enhancing your trekking experience. The hills are covered with greenery and the hues of crimson, purple and pink blooming rhododendron adds more spark in the green landscapes. The visual created by the contrast of green meadows above the shimmering white mountains is something that you have never witnessed before and nowhere. Also experience the unique and simple lifestyle of the inhabitants of Manaslu region. 

The cloud free sky allows you to witness the panoramic glimpse of the mountains such as Manaslu, Annapurna massif, Ganesh Himal creating awe-inspiring moments in your Manaslu Circuit journey. This wonderful journey provides you an opportunity to explore the diverse flora and fauna of Manaslu Conservation Area. Trekkers have a huge probability of witnessing the Himalayan wild birds, and animals enjoying their life in their natural habitat. 

Manaslu Trek in Autumn Season

Autumn is the peak trekking season in Nepal.

Manaslu Trek in September

September marks the initial month of autumn and post-monsoon time  with the fresh atmosphere after the summer rains. The days are mostly sunny and clear with cool air and pleasant temperature. The temperature during September rises around 16°C to 21°C and can drop to 10°C in the lower region. And at the higher region temperature starts to drop slowly with around 11°C at daytime and approximately -4°C at night.

The monsoon rain washes the dirt and nourishes the beautiful landscapes making September, a perfect time to trek the Manaslu region and enjoy the first wave of autumn. The fresh aroma makes the Manaslu wilderness trail even more thrilling. You will traverse through the scenic trekking trail, savoring the stunning scenery with half spring and half autumn colors. The charm of the cascading waterfalls and rivers are still in their prime after monsoon. 

Manaslu Circuit Trekking route is famous for serving the enchanting views of the Himalayas including Mt. Manaslu, Annapurna, Himalchuli and other spectacular peaks. The fresh atmosphere and clear weather of the Manaslu Circuit  trek in September creates the most photogenic moments to witness the incredible mountain vistas from every part on the trail. Some local festivals and its celebrations in the Manaslu region make your adventure more exhilarating.

Manaslu Trek in October

One of the most favourable times to Trek Manaslu Circuit is October when the weather is clear, dry and sunny, a perfect conditions for hiking. The weather is the best part of trekking in October as there is no fear of snowfall, cold, rain and atmosphere are wonderful for exploration. The temperature is around 15°C to  18°C at daytime and falls down to -2°C during night at higher altitude above 4000 meters. Always remember that the weather in the high Himalayas can change anytime due to the variations in wind and clouds. October is the one of the bestest months ever when the brown color and clear blue sky adds soothing color in the dense green vegetation. 

Though October is the busiest month for trekking, you will get a chance to meet a diverse group of trekkers from different corners of the world. You will get a great opportunity to interact with them and share your trekking experiences, fun moments and ideas with each other. October is a festive month in Nepal, as the two biggest festivals of Dashain and Tihar fall during this time.

This is the time when people share love, blessings, spread happiness and joy across the country and have a really great time. All the love and joy of these festive colors spreads in the air brightening the atmosphere. You get to savour various festival special foods. The Manaslu Larkya La Pass Trek in October provides a wonderful way to learn about the Nepalese cultures, festivals, traditions, delicacies and peoples that are the uniqueness of this season. You can even prolong your Manaslu Circuit Trek by adding Tsum Valley Trek in your plan to experience more authenticity and the rural lifestyle of the Nepalese Himalayan region. 

The month marks the post monsoon time, the monsoon rainfall clears the air dust, with clear blue sky and more visible atmosphere. The charm of the Manaslu region is enhanced by the spectacular snowy peaks and shining autumn colours. Trekkers will be treated to the breathtaking beauty of almighty Mt. Manaslu and the surrounding vistas. The beauty of Manaslu region is not enough, this place is a mythical heaven which always enchants you with its mesmerizing beauty.

The jaw-dropping view of sunlit Himalayas from the charming villages like Samdo, Samagao and a different perspective of the snowy Himalayas, rocky terrains and lush hills from the Larkya La Pass top will rejuvenate your eyes and soul. The panoramic vistas, cultural as well as overall trekking experience will make you feel that you took the best decision of your life.

Manaslu Trek in November

Manaslu Trekking in this ideal autumn month of November is the best time to explore this beautiful region. November offers a clear atmosphere, breathtaking sight of snow-capped peaks and stable weather with mild temperature. There will be less crowds creating a tranquil environment for Himalayan exploration. The temperature during November can rise 12 °C and falls down up to -3°C or under in the higher elevations. There will be occasional snowfall at higher parts by the end of the month. 

Though, November provides a very comfortable and wonderful experience with some of the most spectacular Himalayan ranges. Trekkers are treated to the stunning outlook of the mountains and landscapes. The natural vegetation and landscapes are soaked in the beautiful color of autumn. There is a high chance of encountering several Himalayan endangered species in the Manaslu Conservation Area. Along with the magnificent mountain vistas under the clear blue sky, the cool fresh morning and evening breeze makes everyday refreshing and rejuvenating. 

Trekkers get to experience some of the main festivals of Nepal during this time. As Nepal follows Vikram Samvat ( lunar calendar system), some of the grand festivals occasionally shift to different months of autumn. The joyful festivals celebrated throughout the country makes your Manaslu Trip extraordinary as well as an unforgettable experience in Nepal.