manaslu weather by month

Why Manaslu Weather Matters

When you plan to explore the Manaslu Region, you should be aware that it’s a high-altitude trekking area, and what’s certain is that the weather will play a crucial role in your trip. As you gain elevation, circumstances such as dropping temperatures and reducing oxygen levels are expected, making your journey challenging.

Therefore, learning about the weather will help you prepare for sudden conditions during the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You’ll need to do yourself a favour by packing the right gear according to the season to stay safe throughout the journey.

The weather in the region can change quickly over the course of a day. Even if you wake up to a clear morning, by day, it can turn into freezing wind, snowfall, or fog, especially in the upper section, like Larkya La (Larke Pass), the highest and main point of the trek at 5,106 m (16,752 ft).

Hence, it’s essential to plan accordingly. By doing this, you can avoid an unwanted situation anywhere along the trail. Safe adventure and spectacular mountain views are only possible when the weather is good. The risks of natural disasters (landslides, avalanches, snowstorms, and altitude-related issues) are lower in such conditions.

To enjoy the stunning panorama of Mt. Manaslu and other neighbouring peaks in the Mansiri Range, the weather must be in favour. That’s why it matters for a comfortable trip.

Manaslu Weather Overview By Season

Here, in this section, it’s explained in detail about the best time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek. There are four seasons in a year: winter, spring, monsoon, and autumn. Each consists of three months and has its own weather conditions.

Below is the table showing season-wise approximate temperatures and their weather conditions:

Season	Months	Approx. Day & Night Temp. In The Lower Section	Approx. Day & Night Temp. In The Upper Section	Conditions	Difficutly
Winter	December, January, and February	5°C to 10°C in the day & 0°C to 5°C at night.	-5°C to 5°C in the day & -10 to -20°C at night.	Frigid (especially in the higher-elevations), snowy, fewer crowds, challenging crossings.	Challenging
Spring	March, April, and May	10°C to 20°C in the day & 5°C to 12°C at night.	0°C to 10°C in the day & 0°C to -5°C at night.	Mild temperatures, stable weather, clear skies, amazing mountain views.	Moderate to Challenging
Monsoon	June, July, and August	15°C to 25°C in the day & 10°C to 17°C at night.	5°C to 12°C in the day & 5°C to 0°C at night.	Warm but humid, mostly cloudy skies, pouring at lower elevations, leech bites in grassy areas, high risk of natural disasters (landslides and avalanches).	Extreme
Autumn	September, October, & November	10°C to 20°C in the day & 5°C to 10°C at night.	-2°C to 10°C in the day & -5.°C to -10°C at night.	Peak trekking season, clear visibility, cool temperatures.	Moderate to Challenging

According to the table above, the best time for the Manaslu Trek is during spring and autumn. Among these two seasons, autumn is considered the peak time for trekking. While winter and monsoon are recognised as the off-seasons for trekking due to their harsh weather, especially in rainy conditions. As a result, we highly suggest that you don’t plan your trek on the Manaslu Circuit during either of these seasons.

In winter, it's somehow okay if you’re an experienced hiker and want some extreme this time. But, in the rainy season, it isn’t even wise to plan this trek for experienced individuals.

Manaslu Weather By Month

Refer to the table below for month-wise weather in the Manaslu Region:

Month	Average Temperature	Visibility Level	Trekking Condition	Good For Trekking?
January	Extreme Cold	Good	Freezing at night, snowfall is expected..	No
February	Cold	Average	Cold but improves gradually at the end of the month.	Maybe
March	Cold to mild	Good	The ice and snow on the trails starts getting dry.	Yes
April	Mild	Very good	Ice and snow melts thoroughly, resulting in dry trails.	Yes
May	Mild	Good	Very little rainfall in the afternoon sometimes, but still stable weather.	Yes
June	Mild	Average	Start of the monsoon.	Maybe
July	Mild	Poor	The skies are mostly cloudy and heavy rainfall is expected, resulting in muddy and slippery trails.	No
August	Mild	Poor	Same as July.	No
September	Mild	Improving	Days are mostly clear with less rain.	Maybe
October	Cool	Excellent	The weather is stable, resulting in clear skies and best views.	Yes
November	Cool to cold	Very Good	Days are warm and dry, and nights are cold but manageable.	Yes
December	Cold	Good	Start of winter, snowfall at higher altitudes.	Maybe

As per the table above, April in spring and October in autumn are perfect for trekking the Manaslu Circuit, as these two months have the most stable weather, clear skies, and dry trail, offering stunning mountain views.

Temperature In Manaslu By Month

The temperatures at night are certainly lower than in the day, causing cold while sleeping, mainly in the upper section of the Manaslu Trek. The risk of cold in the location near Larkya La, which is Dharmashala, is mostly high. The condition is frigid at night and in the early morning almost all the time of year.

Here’s the table below presenting the temperatures in the Manaslu Region by month:

Month	Average Day Temperature	Average Night Temperature	Cold Feeling	Cold Risk Near Larkya La
January	5°C to -10°C	-10°C to -15°C	Very cold	Very high
February	6°C to 12°C	-8°C to -12°C	Very cold	Very high
March	10°C to 15°C	-5°C to -8°C	Cold	High
April	12°C to 18°C	-2°C to -5°C	Cool	Medium
May	15°C to 22°C	2°C to 6°C	Cool	Medium
June	16°C to 23°C	6°C to 10°C	Cool	Low
July	18°C to 25°C	8°C to 12°C	Mild	Low
August	17°C to 24°C	8°C to 12°C	Mild	Low
September	15°C to 22°C	5°C to 8°C	Cool	Medium
October	12°C to 18°C	0°C to -5°C	Cold	High
November	8°C to 14°C	-5°C to -10°C	Very cold	Very high
December	5°C to 10°C	-10°C to -15°C	Very cold	Very high

Best Time To Trek Manaslu Based On Weather

The best times for the Manaslu Trek are in April during spring and October during autumn. During these months, the weather is stable, neither too cold nor rainy. They offer you the real beauty of nature as a reward. March and May, during spring and September and November, during autumn, are also good months, offering the best views as April and October do. However, March is just the beginning of spring. Therefore, winter snow and ice on the trail aren’t completely melted.

May is the pre-monsoon time. So, after the middle of the month, a little rainfall mostly occurs in the afternoon. September still experiences rainfall, not as frequently as during the monsoon, but it’s expected. While November is near winter. Thus, the weather is freezing at night and early in the morning.

The months to avoid for trekking are December, January, and February during winter and June, July, and August during the monsoon. These months have harsh weather conditions, mainly in January, July, and August. In January, the weather is extremely cold at higher elevations and snowfall is certain. On the other hand, July and August are the peak monsoon months. Natural disasters, such as landslides and floods, can occur at any time, and in grassy areas, leech bites can cause an itchy wound.

Refer to the table below to understand the best time to trek Manaslu based on the weather:

Category	Months	Weather Condition	Visibility	Trek Experience
Best Months	April and October	Stable and dry	Perfect	Excellent
Good Months	March, May, September, and November	Mostly stable	Good	Good with proper care
Avoid Months	January, July, and August	Heavy snowfall and rainfall, harsh weather	Poor	Not recommended

For a better experience, plan to trek the Manaslu Circuit in April and October. January, July, and August are the months to avoid thoroughly. Even if you’re an experienced hiker, we don’t recommend these months.

Worst Time To Trek Manaslu (Weather Risks)

The winter and monsoon are considered the off-season for trekking. The weather conditions are typically unfavourable in both seasons, making the Manaslu Trek even more challenging. During winter, snowfall occurs at higher elevations, especially in the Larke Passand its nearby villages. The area experiences frigid temperatures. Snow and ice on the trail make it slippery.

The way to the high pass can be blocked. Also, cold weather can decrease your sense of thirst, leading to dehydration and increasing the risk of altitude sickness later. During the rainy season, the weather is mostly unstable. The skies are cloudy most of the time, which makes the mountain views poor. Heavy rain in the lower section is for sure, making the route slippery and muddy.

The chance of landslides and floods is also high. Additionally, leech bites are common in the grassy areas, causing an itchy wound. Comparing them, the monsoon is the harshest season. Therefore, we never suggest anyone plan to trek the Manaslu Circuit during the rainy season.

Weather Tips For Manaslu Trekking

Here are the basic weather tips for trekking the Manaslu Circuit:

Check The Weather Forecast

Check the weather forecast for the dates of your journey when planning, and also stay updated with it every day, even when trekking during spring and autumn, because the weather isn’t certain in Nepal’s Himalayas.

Pack Enough Layers Of Clothing

At high altitudes, the weather is cold in every season, particularly at night and in the early morning. For that reason, pack enough warm clothes, such as a down jacket (rated below at least -15°C), a high-neck sweater, a thermocoat, a woollen hat, and woollen socks, along with a regular t-shirt and trousers for the night.

Start Hike Early

During spring, days are longer, giving you enough time to hike and reach your overnight destination. However, during autumn, days are shorter, especially in November, as winter is near. So, commencing your daily hike a bit early during the journey would be the smart move to reach another village before dark, safely.

Prepare For Sudden Change

As discussed above, the weather in the Himalayas is unpredictable. It can change at any time. Even during spring and autumn, you can experience heavy rainfall, as well as snowfall. So, bring a raincoat to protect yourself from getting wet as part of a preparation to trek the Manaslu Circuit. In addition, carry boot gaiters to cover your shoes and crampons to avoid slipping while descending from the Larkya La Pass, as the trail can be covered with ice and snow.

Choose The Right Month For Manaslu Trek

The weather always plays a vital role in deciding your trekking experience. Therefore, understanding the best time for trekking the Manaslu Circuit is important. Spring and autumn are the peak trekking seasons. Always plan your trek for either of these times of year by checking the weather forecast for your travel dates. Doing so can help you avoid some unfortunate circumstances.

Manaslu Weather by Month: Visibility