Pick the right month and the best time for the Manaslu Circuit trek takes care of three things at once: you see the mountains, Larkya La is open, and you get a bed at Dharmasala. Pick the wrong one and you walk for two weeks inside a cloud. This guide covers Manaslu Circuit weather month by month, with real temperatures for Machha Khola and Samagaon, written by guides who have led this trail since 2009.
When Is the Best Time for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?
The best time for the Manaslu Circuit trek is October to November and March to May. Mid-April and late October are the most reliable weeks, with clear skies and Larkya La (5,106 m) usually open. Avoid June to August unless you accept daily rain, leeches, landslides and hidden peaks.
Jump to the month-by-month table
- Best overall: mid-October to mid-November. Clearest skies of the year.
- Best for flowers: April. Rhododendron forest between Deng and Namrung.
- Quietest good month: March. Cold, with snow still on the pass.
- Hardest months: January (pass often snowbound) and July to August (peak monsoon).
Manaslu Circuit Weather Month by Month
Temperatures are for two villages you sleep in: Machha Khola (930 m), your first night on the trail, and Samagaon (3,520 m), where you spend two nights before the pass. Highs are daytime, lows are night.
| Month | Machha Khola (930 m) high / low | Samagaon (3,520 m) high / low | Rain / snow | Larkya La | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17 / 6 °C | -1 / -10 °C | Dry, snow up high | Often snowbound | Very few | Avoid |
| Feb | 19 / 8 °C | 1 / -9 °C | Dry, snow storms | Often snowbound | Very few | Possible (late Feb) |
| Mar | 23 / 11 °C | 3 / -5 °C | Low rain, snow on pass | Open, snow on trail | Low | Good |
| Apr | 26 / 14 °C | 6 / -1 °C | Low rain, afternoon cloud | Usually open | Moderate | Best |
| May | 27 / 18 °C | 8 / 3 °C | Showers build late May | Usually open | Moderate | Good |
| Jun | 28 / 22 °C | 13 / 7 °C | Monsoon starts | Open, wet, cloudy | Very few | Avoid |
| Jul | 27 / 23 °C | 15 / 10 °C | Heavy daily rain | Open, wet, cloudy | Very few | Avoid |
| Aug | 27 / 23 °C | 15 / 10 °C | Heavy daily rain | Open, wet, cloudy | Very few | Avoid |
| Sep | 27 / 21 °C | 13 / 8 °C | Wet early, drying late | Open | Low to moderate | Good (late Sep) |
| Oct | 25 / 17 °C | 8 / 2 °C | Dry, clear | Open, most stable | High | Best |
| Nov | 22 / 12 °C | 5 / -3 °C | Dry, clear, colder | Open, snow risk late | Moderate to high | Best |
| Dec | 18 / 8 °C | 3 / -8 °C | Dry, snow up high | Can close after snow | Very few | Possible |
Manaslu Circuit Trek in Spring (March to May)
Spring is the second-best season and the best one for colour. March opens quietly. Lower trails warm up fast, but Samagaon still drops to about -5 °C at night and snow often lies on the climb from Dharmasala to the pass. You trade a colder crossing for near-empty lodges.
April is the spring sweet spot. The pine and rhododendron forest between Deng and Namrung turns red and pink, and Samagaon reaches about 6 °C by day. These are the warmest clear weeks of the year above 3,000 m. Mornings are sharp; cloud and wind tend to build after lunch. Nepali New Year falls in mid-April. Read our full guide to the Manaslu Circuit trek in April.
May is hot low down. Machha Khola averages 27 °C by day, so start walking early. Haze and afternoon showers build through the month as the monsoon gets closer. Early May is good; late May is a gamble on views.
Daylight runs from about 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in spring, which helps on the long pass day. Spring also brings a smaller wave of Manaslu climbing expeditions, though the main climbing season on the peak is autumn.
Manaslu Circuit Trek in Monsoon (June to August, into September)
Here is the honest picture. From June to August it rains most days, often hard, mainly in the afternoon and at night. Cloud hides Manaslu for days at a time. The lower forest trails are muddy and full of leeches. Landslides can cut the trail and the roads to Machha Khola and from Dharapani to Besisahar may close. This is the quietest time of the year on the trail.
Rivers stay high into autumn. On 11 October 2026 a Budhi Gandaki flood damaged bridges on the Tsum Valley route, which has since reopened on temporary bridges. Late-season floods are rare, but they happen.
There are upsides. The valleys are deep green, lodges are empty, and the Restricted Area Permit costs less from December to August. The Tsum Valley sits partly in a rain shadow, so it is drier than the main Budhi Gandaki valley. If monsoon dates are your only option, add two or three buffer days and pack proper rain gear and leech socks.
Manaslu Circuit Trek in Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is the best season for the Manaslu Circuit, but it starts later than the calendar says. Early September still has monsoon rain and cloud. By late September the trails dry out and the views open up, with fewer trekkers than October.
October gives the clearest skies of the year. Samagaon sits around 8 °C by day and 2 °C at night. It is also peak season, so lodges fill fast. Dharmasala (4,460 m), the last stop before the pass, has only basic lodges and can run out of beds. In a busy week some trekkers share a tented space. Book early. Late September and early October is also the main Manaslu climbing season, so expect expedition traffic around Samagaon and base camp.
November stays clear and gets colder. Samagaon drops to about -3 °C at night and it is dark by about 5:30 p.m. Late November brings a small risk of snow on the pass.
Dashain and Tihar, Nepal’s biggest festivals, fall in October or November. Buses out of Kathmandu fill up and many guides and porters go home for the main days. Plan transport and staff around them.
Manaslu Circuit Trek in Winter (December to February)
Winter is cold, dry and very quiet. Samagaon nights fall to about -8 °C in December and -10 °C in January. Up at Dharmasala and on the pass it is far colder, and the wind makes it feel worse. Skies are often clear, so the views can be superb.
The problem is snow. One heavy storm can close Larkya La for days. Many people in the upper villages move down for the winter, so some lodges in Samdo and Dharmasala close for the coldest weeks. You need a four-season sleeping bag, flexible dates and a guide who will turn back when the pass is not safe.
December and late February are the more workable winter windows. January is the hardest month of the year. If you want the Manaslu region without the pass risk, ask us about a shorter out-and-back to Samagaon. Read more in our winter Manaslu Circuit trek guide.
Manaslu Weather by Altitude: From Machha Khola to Larkya La
The circuit climbs from 930 m to 5,106 m, so you walk through several climates in one trip. A rough rule: the air gets about 6 °C colder for every 1,000 m you climb. The table uses that rule to estimate the higher stops from the Samagaon and Machha Khola averages.
| Stop | Altitude | October day / night | January day / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machha Khola | 930 m | 25 / 17 °C | 17 / 6 °C |
| Dharapani (trek end) | 1,963 m | about 19 / 11 °C | about 11 / 0 °C |
| Samagaon | 3,520 m | 8 / 2 °C | -1 / -10 °C |
| Samdo | 3,875 m | about 6 / 0 °C | about -3 / -12 °C |
| Dharmasala (Larke Phedi) | 4,460 m | about 2 / -4 °C | about -7 / -16 °C |
| Larkya La | 5,106 m | about -2 / -8 °C | about -10 / -20 °C |
Below about 2,000 m you walk in a T-shirt for most of the year. From Namrung up, the nights get cold. Above 4,000 m, nights fall below freezing in every season, even in summer.
Larkya La Pass Weather: When and How to Cross
Larkya La (5,106 m) is the high point of the trek and the day that decides your timing. The crossing from Dharmasala to Bhimthang takes 7 to 8 hours.
- Start before dawn. Most groups leave Dharmasala around 4 to 5 a.m. Mornings are the calmest and clearest time on the pass.
- Be over the top before the afternoon. Wind and cloud usually build from late morning, and the long descent to Bhimthang is easier in daylight.
- Carry a buffer day. If fresh snow or high wind closes the pass, you wait at Dharmasala or Samdo for it to clear.
- Know the fallback. If the pass stays shut, you retrace the valley back down through Samagaon and drive out the way you came in.
Festivals on the Manaslu Circuit by Month
| When | Festival | What it means for your trek |
|---|---|---|
| February or March | Losar (Tibetan New Year) | Celebrated in the Tibetan Buddhist villages of the upper valley. A good cultural bonus on a late-winter or March trek. |
| Mid-April | Nepali New Year | Public holiday. Expect busier roads around Kathmandu. |
| October | Dashain | Nepal’s biggest festival. Buses fill up and many staff travel home. |
| October or November | Tihar | Festival of lights, about two weeks after Dashain. Same effect on transport and staff. |
Plan Your Dates and Book the Trek
Our 14-day Manaslu Circuit trek package runs in both main seasons, spring and autumn. Pick a date on the trip page’s availability calendar, or message us with your dates and we will tell you what to expect that month. For October, book at least two to three months ahead so we can secure lodges at Dharmasala.
- Less time? The Manaslu Short Trek covers the circuit in 11 days.
- More time? Add the hidden valley with the Tsum Valley Manaslu Circuit Trek.
- New to the route? Start with everything you need to know about the Manaslu Circuit trek.
Manaslu Circuit Best Time: FAQs
Can I trek Manaslu in July?
Yes, but it is the hardest month for weather. July is peak monsoon, with heavy daily rain, leeches, landslides and cloud that hides the peaks. Roads to Machha Khola can close. Add buffer days and bring full rain gear, or choose October or April instead.
Is December too cold for the Manaslu Circuit?
December is cold but possible for well-prepared trekkers. Samagaon averages about 3 °C by day and -8 °C at night, and the pass is much colder. Heavy snow can close Larkya La and some upper lodges close, so you need a four-season sleeping bag and flexible dates.
When is Larkya La closed?
Larkya La has no fixed closing date. It closes when heavy snow or high wind makes it unsafe, which is most likely from December to February. Early March can still have deep snow. In spring and autumn it is usually open, but a storm can shut it for a day or two at any time.
Is September a good month for the Manaslu Circuit?
Late September is good. Early September is often still wet, because the monsoon usually eases only in the second half of the month. If you go in September, start after mid-month for drier trails, clearer views and fewer trekkers than October.
What is the best month for Manaslu Circuit photography?
Late October to mid-November gives the clearest, sharpest mountain views after the monsoon rain has cleaned the air. April is best if you want rhododendron forests in the frame. In any month, shoot early, because cloud builds from late morning.
Is spring or autumn better for the Manaslu Circuit trek?
Autumn has clearer skies and the most stable weather for Larkya La, but it is busier and the permit costs more. Spring is warmer at altitude, quieter in March and full of rhododendron blooms in April, with more afternoon cloud. Both are good choices.
How cold is it at Larkya La Pass?
In October, expect roughly -2 °C by day and -8 °C at night at 5,106 m, based on about 6 °C of cooling per 1,000 m above Samagaon. In winter it can reach about -20 °C at night. Wind makes it feel much colder, so carry a down jacket and warm gloves in every season.
Questions About Your Dates?
Not sure which month suits you? Tell us your dates and we will give you an honest picture of the trail for that week. Email info@manaslucircuittreks.com, call +977 9851179975, or WhatsApp us at +977 9851179975. When you are ready, book the Manaslu Circuit trek on the trip page.
Want to know more about this trek?
Chat with us — real trekking experts, not bots.
Online nowWritten by Nim Bhatta, a Nepal Department of Tourism licensed guide who has led treks on the Manaslu Circuit since 2009. Updated November 2026.
