Best time to do Annapurna Circuit Trek for the best trekking experience in Nepal

Annapurna region is the kingdom of trekking trails because inside this region there are various trekking trails. Those trekking trails are 3 nights 4 days to more than one month long. And the Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the longest and most beautiful treks inside the Annapurna region. However, to have the best trekking experience need to choose the best time too. Here is the list of the best time to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek for an amazing trekking experience.

All the trekking trails offer the best Mountain View, landscapes, lush forest authentic culture, and traditions of the local people. These elements will make trekking into the Annapurna region is best trekking region in Nepal. Annapurna region is also known as the Annapurna Conservation Area, this conservation area is the biggest and the first conversation area of Nepal.

The best time to do Annapurna Circuit Trek are spring and autumn. Except for these two seasons in another season like summer and winter possible for ACT Trek but you may face unpleasant experiences.

Inside this conservation area, there are different popular treks such as Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Upper Mustang Trek, Poon Hill Trek. There are some newly opened trekking trails as well such as Mardi Himal Trek, Mohare Danda Trek, Kumai Danda Trek, Kapuche Danda Trek. But the best time to do Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and all these treks are spring and autumn. 

The Nepal government categories two types of trekking normal trekking trail and restricted trekking trail; Annapurna Conservation area also have restricted trekking trails like Upper Mustang and Nar Phu Trek. And Annapurna circuit trek is one of the normal category treks, although it is a category of the normal trek; to have the successful Annapurna circuit trek needs to choose the best times.

The Spring season

The months of the spring season – March, April, and May

The Spring season is one of the best trekking seasons in Nepal. This season considers the best season because during this season the weather is very clear and offers the best mountain views. Also, temperature-wise during spring is neither very cold nor hot so during this season walking into mountains is perfect.

During the spring season do Annapurna Circuit Trek is not only the best for weather and temperature. Also, the best time to observe the rhododendron flowers in the hilly region. The rhododendron flower is the National flower of Nepal. So that the spring season is the best time to do Annapurna Circuit Trek.

The Autumn season

The months of the autumn season – September, October, and November

The Autumn season is the second-best trekking season in Nepal. To do Annapurna Circuit Trekking this season offers the best mountain and landscape scenery. Because, normally the weather, the condition will be clear and can enjoy the blue sky with white snowy peaks.

The second reason why this is the best season for the Annapurna round trek is the temperature in the Annapurna Himalaya. During the autumn season temperature will be cool and fine and that is great to walk in the high Himalayas too. Hance, passing Thorong La 5416m is not that very cold compared to other seasons.

The third reason why this is a great season for ACT trek is festivals. During the autumn season, many festivals will celebrate such as Dashain, Tihar, and Chat. Dashain and Tihar are the biggest festivals in Nepal. So if you are looking for cultural and natural experiences during a trek then choose the autumn season.

Annapurna Circuit Trek during the winter season

The months of winter season – December, January, and February

Well, the winter season is the season of cold and frozen. During this season the mountain region is very clear old and everything is frozen in the mountain. Steam water to reserves water, water in toile to water in tap everything will be frozen. That is why the winter season is not a good time to do Annapurna Circuit Trek.

However, if you are a snow lover, able to play snow, can fight with cold, and have a passion to wait to do something. Then the winter season is for you. I have an experience that I stayed for a week in the high amp because of the snow and was not able to cross Thorong La or back to Manang.

The summer season is also not a good time to do Annapurna Circuit Trek

The months of the summer season – June, July, and August

The summer season is the season of hot and wet. Due to hot and cold this is the season of rain and unclear weather. So during this season if you do this journey to Thorong La will not be that good choice. Because you can’t have the best mountain and surrounding views.

Another disadvantage to doing Annapurna Circuit Trek during summer or monsoon season is rain everywhere and wet trails to walk. Leech, the bloodsucker will be the common problem at the lower places. Carrying a raincoat or umbrella is not all the trekkers want.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary

Days	Places	Altitude
Day 1	Drive to Besisahar and drive to Bulbule
Day 2	Bulbule to Ghermu
Day 3	Ghermu to Taal
Day 4	Taal to Timang
Day 5	Timang to Chame
Day 6	Chame to Pisang
Day 7	Pisang to Manang
Day 8	Manang acclimitize day
Day 9	Manag to Yak Kharka
Day 10	Yak Kharka to High Camp
Day 11	High Camp to Muktinath via Thorong La
Day 12	Muktinath to Josmom
Day 13	Jomsom Pokhara (drive or flight

This is the standard Annapurna Round Trek itinerary and as a trekking guide, I have walked many times this route. And similarly, I have changed the walking trails and places where the accommodations are available. Therefore this itinerary can be changed as your holiday length and your strength to walk in a day.

During this trek, other side trekking trails can add for more adventure.

The first one is Nar Phu Trek, Nar Phu trekking trail is a restricted trekking trail and needs a special permit, and that cost a bit more expensive than a normal ACAP permit. But this side of trekking trails is so beautiful and need to pass more than 5000m passes (Kangla Pass)

Addable Nar Phu Trek during Annapurna Circuit Trek

Days	Places	Altitude
Day 1	Koto to Metha
Day 2	Metha to Phu Gaun
Day 3	Phu Gaun Explore
Day 4	Phu Gaun to Nar Village
Day 5	Nar Village to Nawal via Kangla Pass

The second option and this is the most common one and most of the trekkers will follow is the Tilicho Lake Trek. During Annapurna Circuit Trek the commonly adorable trek is hiking to the world’s highest Lake. For that, the trekking itinerary goes like this

Days	Places	Altitude
Day 1	Manang to Shree Kharka
Day 2	Shree Kharka to Tilicho Base Camp
Day 3	Tilicho Base Camp to Tilicho Lake and back to Shree Kharka
Day 4	Shree Kharka to Yak Kharka

Require trekking permits for Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek is a trek inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. So that the first thing you need to do before the trek is buy a conservation area entry permit. This permit can issue from Nepal Tourims Board. It cost 30$ per person and SAARC Nationalities need to pay $15 and for Nepali it’s free entry.

And also need to purchase TIMS Card (Trekking Information Management System Card) for individuals trekkers can buy this permit from Nepal tourism board and for an organize or group trekkers, organizing company will organize everything.

In conclusion,

Annapurna Circuit Trek is a diverse trek so this trek is one of the most popular trekking trails too. This trek starts at a very lower altitude and ends after crossing 5416m Thorong La. This trek can extend with other trekking trails too such as Nar Phu and Tlicho Lake Trek. To have the lifetime trekking experience from the Annapurna Circuit Trek you need to choose the best time of the year. The best season is the spring season and autumn season. I hope reading this article you got some information about a trek to Manang. If yes please comment in the comment section and if not please help me to complete this needed information for the information seekers.