Best Time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Thinking about what would be the best time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Planning the best time for the trek is very essential, so that you can experience the real beauty of Nepal’s Himalaya in the Annapurna Region.

The ABC trek is on the bucket list of almost every adventure lover from around the world.

But it is also necessary to understand when to step out of your comfort zone to test your limits and embrace what nature has to offer before embarking on an adventure. Yes, it is true that nature can offer you far more beautiful things to enjoy than man-made things.

Nothing can top the beauty of nature. Nevertheless, we cannot be sure that we can enjoy our time in nature to the fullest at any time we want. It all varies depending on the weather, which always plays a crucial role whenever it comes to trekking.

During the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek, you’ll be able to witness the closer views of the peaks in the Annapurna Range if you go on this adventure at the right time. There are several stunning peaks in the range. Anyway, some of these peaks are as follows:

• Annapurna I (world’s 10th highest peak, 8,091 m/26,545 ft)
• Annapurna II (7,937 m/26,040 ft)
• Gangapurna (7,455 m/24,459 ft)
• Machhapuchhre (Mt. Fishtail, 6,993 m/22,943 ft)
• Hiunchuli (6,441 m/21,132 ft), and others

For this reason, I’m writing this blog to help you find out the ideal season for trekking to the ABC, where the weather will be in your favour. Read it till the end and make your future journey successful.

What Is The Best Time For Annapurna Base Camp Trek

As we all know, there are four distinct seasons in a year. Among them, spring and autumn are considered the best seasons for the ABC Trek or any treks. The other two, winter and monsoon, are off-season.

Spring and autumn welcome many tourists to the country, and there are a few reasons behind it. We’re gonna discuss the reasons in the section below:

ABC Trek In The Spring Season

March, April, and May are the months that fall in this season. Among these months, April is recognised as the best time to trek the Annapurna Base Camp due to the mild weather, where there’s no extreme cold temperature and no chance of rainfall.

The weather conditions are almost the same in all these months. However, April is a bit more reliable. Therefore, you won’t regret planning this adventure during either of these months in the spring.

Below are the reasons behind considering the spring the best season for trekking the ABC:

• Clear Views: The skies mostly remain clear, offering you the panoramic views of the peaks in the Annapurna Range.
• Stable Weather: Warm days and moderately cool nights make perfect conditions for covering a long distance during trekking.
• Extended Daylight Hours: Since it’s post-winter, the days are longer. Hence, you can hike patiently without worrying about reaching the place for your overnight stay.
• Colourful Scenery: The trail comes back to life with colours, as the rhododendron (Nepal’s national flower) and other wild flowers paint and make it more attractive.
• Safer Trail: The route is more accessible for hiking because there’s no snow blocking it like during winter.
• Festival Vibes: Some local festivals, such as Holi (the festival of colours), Nepali New Year, and Buddha Jayanti (Lord Buddha’s Birthday) occur during this season, offering you the chance to experience the celebration of these festivals with locals.

ABC Trek In The Autumn Season

This season includes September, October, and November. Like April in spring, it's October here, which is the best time for this trip due to the perfect weather conditions.

At the beginning of September, the region experienced a little bit. Similarly, at the end of November, winter is almost there. Thus, freezing temperatures, especially at night and in the early morning, are common.

Nevertheless, from October to the mid of November, the weather is mostly stable. But it doesn’t mean you’ll face huge problems if you go for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in September or late November.

You may go on this journey anytime during autumn. It's just about your leisure and would be best if you choose October.

Below are the reasons behind considering the spring as the overall best time to go to ABC:

• Best Visibility: There’s no dust and pollution, only fresh and clean air during this season because it’s post-monsoon. The clear skies allow you to experience the real beauty of Nepal’s Himalaya.
• Pleasant Weather: Days are mostly dry with comfortable temperatures, and nights are cold but manageable. Additionally, there’s very little chance of rainfall.
• Vibrant Landscapes: Due to monsoon rain, the hills and villages along the trail turn lush and green. Moreover, the waterfalls and rivers look huge and exceptional.
• Safer Route: Since the season has a very low chance of experiencing rainfall, there’s no danger of landslides, floods, or slippery trails.
• Cultural Highlights: You can immerse yourself in the celebration of Nepal’s biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar, with locals along the way. It’s a chance to not only witness nature’s beauty, but also learn about the local culture and traditions.

Note: It’s a wise move to stay updated with the weather forecast for the date of your journey when planning, because the weather can change suddenly. Even during spring and autumn, heavy rainfall can occur, especially in May and September. 

Temperature Guide For Annapurna Base Camp Trek

For your convenience, I’ve prepared two tables below showing the average temperature for the ABC Trek. One table is for spring and the other is for autumn.

Temperature During Spring

Month	Average Day Temperature at ABC	Average Night Temperature at ABC
March	0°C to 10°C	-5°C to -10°C
April	5°C to 12°C	-4°C to -1°C
May	8°C to 15°C	0°C to 5°C

 

Temperature During Autumn

Month	Average Day Temperature at ABC	Average Night Temperature at ABC
September	8°C to 15°C	5°C to 0°C
October	5°C to 12°C	-2°C to -6°C
November	4°C to 10°C	-5°C to -10°C

 

Temperature During Winter

Month	Average Day Temperature at ABC	Average Night Temperature at ABC
December	0°C to -10°C	-14°C to -8°C
January	-2°C to -15°C	-19°C to -12°C
February	2°C to -12°C	-16°C to -8°C

 

Temperature During Monsoon

Month	Average Day Temperature at ABC	Average Night Temperature at ABC
June	16°C to 21°C	3°C to 8°C
July	18°C to 23°C	6°C to 9°C
August	19°C to 22°C	7°C to 8°C

 

Annapurna Base Camp Trek During Peak Seasons

Crowd During Spring

Due to stable weather, good visibility, and blooming flora, many nature lovers around the world are attracted to this trail, making it a busy season. Among March, April, and May, it's April to mid-May, when the route mostly experiences traffic.

Hotels and tea houses along the way also get packed, making it difficult to find a room sometimes. Therefore, early booking is a wise move during the trekking season.

Crowd During Autumn

This season is the peak trekking time of the year. Compared to spring, it welcomes more tourists because the monsoon rain washes away all the dust and haze in the region, which results in clear skies, lush and green surroundings, and pleasant weather.

During this time, all the hotel businesses along the trail get more packed, especially in October to mid-November. Finding a room is more challenging than during spring.

Even if you get one, you can’t have a private room. You will need to share it with some random hikers if you are alone in your group. As a result, early booking is a must during this season.

Off-Season Trekking In Annapurna Base Camp

As mentioned above, winter and monsoon are in the category of off-season. These two seasons aren’t highly recommended for trekking. Most trekkers also don’t make plans during these times of the year.

Even if you make a plan for ABC Trekking during either of these seasons, there is a high chance of facing challenges along the route. Even though this journey is moderate in difficulty, you may find it challenging.

Anyway, if you’re an experienced hiker and want to do some extreme adventure next time, then you can choose to go on this trip during the off-season. Yes, it’s non-recommendable during the off-season, but it also varies depending on the weather.

Even in winter and the rainy season, the weather sometimes gets favourable. It also depends on your luck.

Below is the breakdown of the situation of Annapurna Base Camp Trekking during either of these seasons:

Annapurna Base Camp Trek In The Winter Season

December, January, and February are the months of winter. It’s still possible to trek to the ABC up to mid-December. After that, the weather gets frigid at night and in the morning.

Even in the day, you feel cold while hiking. And from January, snowfall begins, making it hard to enjoy the journey.

At the end of February, winter is almost over. The weather is also becoming more favourable, and the trail gradually starts to get crowded.

Here are some aspects that make winter the off-season for trekking in detail:

• Frigid Temperatures: At the base camp, the temperatures drop below zero at night, and even in the day, it’s still freezing.
• Snow-Covered Trail: The trail is most likely to be covered with snow, making it slippery and hard to walk on.
• Trail Blockages: Due to heavy snowfall, there’s a risk of an avalanche that can block the route and make it unsafe to walk.
• Shorter Day: Darkness falls very quickly in the evening after 5 P.M. Also, after 12 P.M., temperatures begin to drop, causing you to feel cold while hiking. So, an early morning hike is needed to reach your overnight destination.
• Limited Accommodation Facilities: Due to fewer crowds on the trail, most hotels and tea houses stay closed along the way, meaning fewer options for food and lodging.
• Health Risk: Due to frigid temperatures, your health is most likely to be at risk if you’re from a hot region, causing you some cold-related illnesses like hypothermia, frostbite, etc. Moreover, the risk of altitude sickness is higher in cold situations. You may not drink enough water, causing dehydration.
• Extra Gear: You need to pack extra gear to keep you warm during trekking. It makes your backpack heavy and feels difficult to ascend.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek In The Monsoon Season

Monsoon is not a preferred season for ABC Trekking or any other. There is a higher chance of facing difficulties during the journey than in winter.

Regarding the months, June, July, and August fall in the rainy season. In the context of Nepal, heavy rainfall is common in all these months. The trek is also located in Kaski, a district known for receiving the highest rainfall in the country.

Anyway, if you’re fortunate and the weather is clear during your trek in this season, you will have the opportunity to witness green and beautiful scenery along the trail. However, you shouldn’t rely on the weather during this time of the year in the first place.

Some of the reasons why the monsoon is among the off-seasons:

• Slippery Routes: Due to continuous rainfall, trails become muddy and slippery, making the trek challenging. Also, there’s a risk of injury while walking.
• Natural Disaster: The risk of landslides in the hills and floods due to water rising in the river is high during the monsoon, leading to life-threatening circumstances.
• Less Visibility: The weather is mostly cloudy, causing a lower chance of enjoying the mountain views at the base camp.
• Limited Accessibility: Heavy rain causes landslides in most parts of the country. The highway can get blocked, making travel from Kathmandu to Kaski difficult. Also, due to bad weather, flight to Kaski often gets cancelled or delayed.
• High Risk of Insects: During the trek in the monsoon, it’s certain that you’ll suffer a lot and have to go through, especially leech bites and other insects.

Packing Tips For The Annapurna Base Camp Trek In Spring/Autumn

It’s important to know what to pack according to the season when planning your ABC Trek. Nevertheless, spring and autumn have, not exactly but almost, the same kind of weather. Hence, the packing list for trekking during both seasons is the same.

Here are the packing tips for the ABC Trek during spring and autumn:

Clothing

For Overnight Stay

• A down jacket that withstands temperatures at least below -15°C.
• A down pant, especially if you’re trekking in November.
• A pair of down gloves.
• Enough undergarments.
• A normal t-shirt and trousers.
• High-neck.
• Thermal set.

For Hiking

• A sporty full sleeve t-shirt and waterproof trekking pants.
• Windcheater and waterproof jacket.
• A pair of thin gloves to protect your hands from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Raincoat.

Footwear

For Overnight Stay

• Sandal, normal shoes, or slipper.
• Woollen socks.

For Hiking

• Waterproof trekking shoes.
• Shoe gaiter to protect shoes in case of rainfall.
• A pair of normal socks.

Accessories

For Overnight Stay

• A woollen hat.
• Sleeping bag and liner (optional).

For Hiking

• A quality backpack with a capacity of at least 55 L with a rain cover.
• Sun cap or hat
• A buff mask to protect the face from UV rays.
• UV protection sunglasses.
• Headlamp for an early morning hike with extra batteries.
• Trekking poles to support your knees.
• Hard plastic water bottle (recommended brand Nalgene)
• Swiss knife (optional).
• Dry fruits, chocolates, and cookies.

First-Aid

• Detol.
• Brufen.
• Moov spray.
• Acetazolamide (Diamox) for altitude sickness (consult your trusted doctor before buying).
• Medical Bandage.
• Water purification tablets.
• Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS).

Toiletries

• Soap.
• Toothbrush and paste.
• Sunscreen (minimum SPF 50+).
• Shampoo.
• Lip balm.
• Facewash.
• Body lotion.

Necessary Permits

• TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System).
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).

Other Essential Things

• ATM Card
• Enough Cash
• Passport