Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most adventurous treks you can choose in Annapurna region. It is very moderate kind of trek and can be done in different time frame with various options.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek offers an ample of opportunity to surround yourself with the beautiful snow-capped mountain.
There are different trailheads that connect the Annapurna Base Camp Trek region. It is just one or two-hour drive away from the Pokhara.
You can starts your trekking trip from Nayapul about 40 kilometers northwest from Pokhara to Ghorepani. It is a famous viewpoint of the Poon Hill. From Ghorepani, you can take east to Chhomrong and again another turn to North and it will lead to the base camp.
Either you also can take the Jhinu Danda route, where you can enjoy natural hot springs in order to give your muscles a good rest.
Trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp can be done independently in all season. However, autumn and spring season are considered as the best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp.
You may like: Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary
The Best Time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp
The higher section of the Annapurna region is known for extremely cold and adverse weather conditions. Throughout the year, there are certain times where the weather stabilizes and making it the great time for trekking.
Before planning your trek, it is very important to understand the weather patterns of the region. You need to take few considerations when deciding on the best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp. Broadly these are the weather conditions, visitors numbers and the availability of the guided tours.
If you are after the best views and the weather then go in peak season but at the same time, visitors numbers are also very high.
During the winter and the rainy months, trekking route is quiet and cheap. But you will not get the clear views because of the inconsistency in weather conditions. Still, there a plenty of clear days even at these times so many trekkers prefer to go in these months.
Here is an overview of the seasons in Annapurna region of Nepal and how they affect the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Spring Season
This is the second most popular trekking season in Nepal. The blossoming wild flora such as Rhododendrons and warmer weather brings more trekkers during this period.
Early springs tend to be a bit chilly, with the average daytime temperature is mid-low at lower altitudes (800-2000m). This makes the trekking in the region as lower Annapurna very pleasant.
April is the best time for the crystal clear views. The average daytime temperature at lower altitudes is around 10°C while nights are usually just on freezing.
Obviously the higher you go the colder it gets. Over 4000m is usually freezing the cold in the evenings and mornings.
May is usually much warmer than April as the heat builds towards monsoon period. During May a strange haze often appears over the mountains that can be seen at low altitudes.
Likewise, at the high altitudes, the views are crystal clear.
During May, the day temperatures reach 20°C at lower altitudes and night temperatures are around 5°C. In this time, also you should expect freezing cold weather at the higher altitudes.
The lower sections of the Annapurna region can get uncomfortably hot. Here the climate might turn into arid so you need to drink plenty of water and remember to wear in layers.
Reasons to Visit
- Temperature in upper hill and lower mountain ranges from 16-23°C
- Pleasant, warm trekking conditions in the day and warmer nights
- Fewer trekkers compared to Autumn season, that means more chance to experience the remote corners of the Himalaya
Reasons not to Visit
- Trekking can get hot and sweaty at lower altitude
- Afternoon clouds are common which can bring clouds and some downpours
Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Summer (Monsoon) Season
The summer season is the rainy period in Nepal. During this time, temperatures are high and receive torrential downpours.
Generally, mountainous regions are enveloped in clouds and the lower trekking route of Annapurna region are muddy. But this does not mean that you won’t be able to experience the glory of the Himalaya during this period.
You have one good side that is during the monsoon it won’t rain every day or it won’t always rain on the day long. So, you need to be prepared for significant rain and dress accordingly.
If you don’t get disturbed by rain then you can go to Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
The advantage of the trekking in monsoon season is rain keeps the pollution and dust down, and you will get the best green landscape view.
You can still see the world heritage site and numerous old Buddhist monasteries. You can also have a wonderful interaction with the local people and experience their unique culture, traditions, and lifestyle.
You can wear a lightweight hard shell rain jacket over your layers. This will also allow you to use the jacket lower down on the trail where temperatures are higher. At the higher altitudes, you can wear the hard shell over your warm winter jacket where the temperatures are down.
You will also encounter with very few trekkers. This added benefit of seeing all the beautiful flora and fauna which makes the trek ultimately lovely.
Reasons to Visit
- Rain keeps dust and pollutants away
- In this time, fewer trekkers are received, which means you can enjoy the beauty and solitude of the mountains without crowds.
Reasons not to Visit
- The monsoons in Nepal leads to wet and humid conditions
- Normally trails will be muddy and slippery
- You will encounter with many leeches along the trail
Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Autumn Season
Autumn season is considered as the best trekking season in Nepal. Numbers of hikers flock to the region to experience the clean, fresh and vitalized area.
Normally, after the monsoon, the dust and pollution are cleared from the atmosphere. During this time, the weather is clear with mild to warm days and cold nights.
On the lower altitudes, the weather is generally warm with an average temperature of 15°C and night temperatures remain above freezing.
However, in the higher altitudes, the night drop into freezing temperature.
In this season, the mountain views are crystal clear. Rainfall is very low and there are more sunny days during this period than any others.
The night sky is particularly good at this time you will be amazed by the bright night.
In the beginning of December, the evenings begin to cool quite quickly, especially at the higher altitudes. So, you will need warm layered clothing and a 4-season sleeping bag.
Because of the favorable weather, this is the busiest period.
Reasons to Visit
- The weather is stable with clear skies and wonderful views
- Temperature in uphill and lower mountains reach about 15-24°C
- Days tend to be warmer
Reasons not to Visit
- Generally with the better weather comes more travelers.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Winter Season
The winter season is the coldest weather period in the Annapurna region. Normally, the daytime temperatures can range between 9-12°C and evenings can drop to sub-zero temperatures.
In winter, mornings are foggy, but afternoons are usually clear with the occasional snow in the mountains. So, high passes such as Thorong La in the Annapurna region are usually closed from early December to March.
In spite of this, tea house remains open during the cold winter period. So, if you are planning to go trek in this time you will find warm meal and place to rest your head each night after the trek.
The winter period generally consists of cloudy days that obscure views. But more often there are frequently crystal clear days that are more clear than mid-summer.
Along the trail, you will see the dazzling displays of Rhododendrons as they begin to bloom towards the end of the winter period.
Although very cold, the weather is generally fairly stable and dry. The coldness of the weather will depend upon how high you want to trek. However, if you stay in the lower hills the temperatures will remain fairly moderate and you will have no problem.
If the cold doesn’t bother you, it is the best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp because there are far fewer people around compared to October and November.
Reasons to Visit
- The skies tend to be clear with perfect views and stunning photography
- The trekking routes are quiet, you can give more attention to the scenery and people
- You can celebrate New Year or Christmas in the mountains with incredibly friendly local people
Reasons not to Visit
- Many of the high passes are closed due to the heavy snowfall
- Colder temperatures require more planning and equipment
Conclusion
In Nepal, trekking never stops and people can still undergo trekking at any season or month they choose. As all four season have their distinct features. Thus, each season provides quite different trekking experience.
One of the major attraction of trekking in the Annapurna region is that it is much drier all year around than in the Everest region.
Besides the weather for trekking, there is a number of other factors you might consider for the best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp.
You also can coincide your trekking time with Nepal’s festivals. The very famous lake city in Nepal, Pokhara serve as the starting point of the trek. Pokhara hosts some of the best festivals in the region.
The Phewa festival is celebrated during the Nepali new year in April. There is also a huge food festival in the Pokhara during this time.
The Annapurna Jayanti festival, the birth anniversary of Goddess Annapurna falls in December. And then there are the Nepal biggest festivals Dashain and Tihar fall in October.
However, mountains can bring unpredictable weather especially once you get to the high altitudes. You should be always prepared for any type of weather even in peak season.
I hope this article will guide you in planning Annapurna Base Camp trek in the best time. Happy Journey!!!!!!
