Best Time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp

Best Time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp: The jaw-dropping beauty of Annapurna Base Camp brings thousands of trekkers to this classic trekking route. This trek allows you to experience classic Nepali villages, lush green forests and the majestic mountains of this region. You can come to trek in this region all year round.

Different people like different trekking conditions. Some might prefer to trek in during the winter season when it is really cold while others enjoy the warmth of the summer during their treks. So in order to know which is the best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp, you will need to look at the weather pattern of each season and decide which the best time for you is.

Another factor which might help you choose the best time to trek to Annapurna Base Camp is the number of trekkers in the region. During some seasons, the Annapurna Base Camp is more crowded than the others. If you are someone who prefers to trek in solitude, you might prefer coming here is off-season.

Let us look at the seasons in the Annapurna Base Camp, what the climate is like in those seasons and how popular these treks are during those seasons.

Seasons in Annapurna Base Camp

Just like any other part of Nepal, Annapurna Base Camp has four seasons. They are Summer, Spring, Winter, and Autumn. These seasons fall in different months and have their unique climatic conditions.

The climatic conditions of Annapurna Base Camp depend upon various factors like the number of sunshine hours, the maximum and minimum temperatures, wind speed as well as precipitation. The best time trek Annapurna base camp is during autumn season. Let us take a look at all these factors in detail to see which is the Best Time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp.

Summer Season in Annapurna Base Camp

The Summer season in the Annapurna Base Camp falls in the month of June, July, and August. Needless to say, these are the hottest months in the Annapurna Base Camp. You might be tempted to go to Annapurna Base Camp trek during this month but you have to be wary of the rain too.

During Summer season in Nepal comes the monsoon rain. So summer along with being the hottest season is also the wettest. There are also some chances of being infected with leech and the problems of mosquito bites are also present.

Rain during monsoon is not unending. Most of the times, it rains for a certain period of time after which the skies are clear and you can resume trekking. Also, it doesn’t rain every day during the monsoon. So you don’t have to worry about spending many numbers of days idly.

August is the wettest month of the year in Annapurna Base Camp. An average precipitation of 136 mm is observed in August. June is the coldest of the summer months and receives the lowest amount of rainfall in this season. The minimum temperature of the Annapurna Base Camp during June is 0 degree C.

The maximum temperature of Annapurna Base Camp during the summer is 22 degrees C. The lower regions of the trek have even higher temperatures. The lower regions also receive a higher amount of rainfall than the high altitude regions.

If you want to come for a summer trek to the Annapurna Base Camp, you need to have a flexible schedule. You have to accommodate for the fact that some days you might not trek due rain.

While packing for trekking in Annapurna Base Camp during summer, make sure you have trekking boots that have a firm grip. Some tracks might get slippery and having shoes with firm grips is necessary. You should also bring rain covers, waterproof down jackets as well as trousers. Umbrella is another piece of equipment that you will need for summer trekking in Annapurna Base Camp. In conclusion, with appropriate preparation, the Summer season is one of the Best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp.

Pros of ABC Summer Trek

• Only a limited number of people complete the summer treks. So you can enjoy trekking and viewing the mountains of this region in solitude.
• Due to rain, the pollution of the places will be at a bare minimum. Thus the air is fresh and dust free.
• Bargaining during summer season might bring about discounts in your accommodation.
• You don’t have to queue up for charging your devices.

Cons of ABC Summer Trek

• Interruptions of your trek due to rain might extend your trip.
• You have to be wary of leech, mosquitoes and poor quality of drinking water.
• If you are not careful during trekking, you might slip.

Autumn Season in Annapurna Base Camp

Autumn in Nepal falls in the month of September, October, and November. These are months that are the most popular for trekking in the Annapurna Base Camp.

Among all the months of Autumn, September is the wettest month in Annapurna Base Camp. 62 mm of precipitation is observed in the month of September. The latter parts of September are relatively drier than the earlier days.

Merely 6 mm of precipitation is observed in the Annapurna Base Camp during the October whereas there is virtually no precipitation during November. The mean daily maximum temperature during these months is 17 degrees C and 11 degrees C respectively.

The maximum number of sunny days in Autumn season is observed in the month of November. You are likely to encounter 28 sunny days in the Annapurna Base Camp in November compared to 13 sunny days, 12 partly cloudy, and 5 days of overcast conditions in September.

However, the nights can be extremely cold in November. The average minimum temperature during November is -5 degrees C. This can get as low as -10 degree C as well. Even in the coldest nights in September, the lowest temperature is 0 degrees.

As long as you have packed well to avoid any mild forms of rain and to keep yourself warm when the temperatures are as low as -10 degrees C, autumn treks will be perfect. Unlike the summer season, you won’t have to worry about the slippery surfaces along your trek. Even in the lower parts of the trek, the temperatures are not very high. Therefore, autumn is popular as Annapurna base camp trekking the best time. Autumn is on the top and best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp. These factors make the autumn trek to Annapurna Base Camp extremely popular.

Pros of ABC Autumn Trek

• During the latter months of the autumn, the chances of cloud covering or rain are practically non-existent.
• There are many travelers along the way with whom you can share your experiences.
• Major festivals in Nepal fall in the autumn season making the environment pleasurable.

Cons of ABC Autumn Trek

• If you are a lover of trekking in solitude, Autumn might not be the season for you.

Winter Season Trek in Annapurna Base Camp

Needless to say, that winters are cold. But when you go to the higher altitude places of the mountains, the winter gets a lot more chilling. The same is true for the winter in Annapurna Base Camp.

Winter is Annapurna Base Camp falls in the month of December, January and February. The precipitation in these months is quite low and the same is true about the daily temperatures. Thus it is extremely important for you to pack well for trekking in the winter season in the Annapurna Base Camp.

The coldest of all winter months is February where the temperature in the Annapurna Base Camp can be as low as -19 degree C. Even in the hottest of days, the highest temperature of the Annapurna Base Camp in February is merely 7 degrees. So warm clothing, footwear, and headgear will be things you cannot do without while trekking to ABC during the winter season.

The precipitation in these months varies from 5 mm to 14 mm. At the maximum, you will encounter 3 overcast days in a month during winter. So the chances of cloud covering the views of mountains are pretty low.

Another major factor to consider while trekking to Annapurna Base Camp during the winter season is the speed of wind that blows. For around half of the month, the speed of wind in the Base Camp is over 28 kilometers per hour. For a couple of days a month, wind speed can be as high as 38 kilometers per hour.

There might also be occasional snows in the mountains during the winter. High Passes in the Annapurna Region like the Thorong La pass are usually closed in the winters.

Accommodation during the winter in the Annapurna Region is open. In fact, tea houses, lodges and hotels are open all year round. The same is true of eateries and restaurants.

Pros of ABC Winter Trek

• Just like the summer trek, winter treks to EBC are peaceful as the number of trekkers is quite low.
• Unlike other seasons, you won’t have to worry about mosquito bites or leeches.
• You can celebrate New Year or Christmas in the mountains in a splendid fashion.
• Skies are clear almost all month round. This invites for excellent photography as well as videography.

Cons of ABC Winter Trek

• You have to prepare extremely well for trekking in this season.
• You might not be able to visit High Passes due to snowfall.

Spring Season Trek in Annapurna Base Camp

The weather of the spring season in the Annapurna Base Camp is quite similar to that of the autumn season. The precipitation is usually low, the temperatures are mild and the views of the mountains are not interrupted due to cloud cover.

Spring season falls in the month of March, April, and May. The precipitation in the Annapurna Base Camp in these months is between 8mm and 13 mm. So you will encounter many sunny days with occasional overcast conditions.

The coldest of the autumn months is March where the temperature can be as low as -15 degrees C on the coldest of days. But April and May are much warmer and even in the worst of cold, the temperature in these months can only get as low as -9 and -3 degree C respectively.

The wind speeds in the spring months are also quite low. Most often the wind speeds in the spring tend to be around 19 kmph. There is some possibility of snow in March but you’re unlikely to observe snowfall in April and May.

The lower parts of the Annapurna region trek might be hot during spring. So it is always better to put on layered clothing so that you can add or remove clothing according to the temperature.

During this season, the flora of the Annapurna region come to life. Many trekkers come to trek to Annapurna Base Camp during the spring season. In terms of its popularity, it is second only to autumn trek.

Pros of ABC Spring Trek

• Mild daytime temperatures that range from 10 – 23 degree C makes trekking a pleasurable experience.
• As there is no snow, High Passes are also accessible during your trek.

Cons of ABC Spring Trek

• Early days of spring might be colder than you expect.
• As there is a fair number of travelers, trekking is not as peaceful as that in the summer of winter.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Routes

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the most visited routes in the western valleys. Trekkers from all around the world visit Nepal to trek in these exotic and thrilling routes.

There are various routes you can choose from to complete this trek. And we have mentioned a few of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek Routes below:

Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Via Poon Hill is the combination of the two most popular trekking trails in Nepal. This trail leads you to the two most visited places in the Annapurna region. These places are famous for viewing magnificent peaks and sunrises.

The route of Poon hill ABC trek is full of exciting adventures that attract trekkers every year. You get to visit natural hot springs, view majestic peaks, walk beautiful forest paths, and many more.

The best time to hike Annapurna base camp is during Autumn Season. This is why, ABC Trek via Poonhill is regarded as one of the best Annapurna Base camp Trek routes.

On this trek, you will be reaching the base of Mount Annapurna and visiting the hill station in Poon Hill. This trek is an ideal destination for nature lovers. Trekkers get to see the breathtaking view of snowy peaks from a lower elevation. And wander around the high Himalayas exploring their culture, icefalls, and glacier marines.

Poon Hill Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a part of the Annapurna Conservation Area. You will be trekking through the beautiful and dense jungle inhabited by various endangered animals and plants. Some of them are snow leopard, musk deer, Tibetan wolf, oak, sissau, sal, Himalayan Pheasants, and many more.

This region is home to various ethnic groups such as Gurung, Thakali, Magar, etc. You get to experience and know more about their Tibetan Influenced culture and lifestyle.

These are some friendly people that accept travelers with warm welcome and hospitality. During your trek, you will see various magnificent peaks along the way. Like Mt. Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Baraha Shikhar, Dhampus Peak, etc.

ABC Poon Hill trek takes about 14 days off your schedule and leads you to the wilderness of the Himalayas. This trek will be one heck of an unforgettable walk in the Annapurna region.

Your beautiful journey begins as you drive towards Pokhara from Kathmandu. After a few hour’s drive, you reach your destination, the city of lakes where you stay the night.

The next day you drive to Nayapul and begin your trekking journey by heading towards Tikhedhunga. Then you move towards Ghorepani, from where you hike to Poon hill, one of the highlights of this trek.

After seeing the breathtaking view of the sunrise, you spend some time there living the moment. Then again, begin your journey towards the next highlight of this trek.

Passing through and staying in several traditional villages like Tadapani, Chommrong, etc. You reach Annapurna Base Camp, situated at an altitude of 4130 m above sea level.

This base camp is another highlight of this trek. You get to see the breathtaking view of various peaks, landscapes, and the valleys from here. After a night here, you trek down passing several villages for days and drive back to Kathmandu.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu (1400 m) and Transfer to Hotel.

Day 2: Drive to Pokhara via Tourist Bus (950 m) 7 to 8 hours

Day 3: Drive to Nayapul (1010 m) 1.5 to 2 hours then Trek to Tikhedunga (1570 m) 3 to 4 hours

Day 4: Trek to Tikhedunga to Ghorepani (2840 m) 6 to 7 hours

Day 5: Hike to Poon Hill (3210 m) 45 minutes then trek to Tadapani (2520 m) 4 to 5 hours.

Day 6: Trek to Chommrong (2140 m) 4 to 5 hours

Day 7: Trek to Dovan (2500 m) 5 to 6 hours

Day 8: Trek to Deurali (3200 m) 4 to 5 hours

Day 9: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m) via Machhapuchre Base Camp (3700 m) 5 to 6 hours

Day 10: Trek to Bamboo (2345 m) 6 to 7 hours

Day 11: Trek to Jhinu Danda (1780 m) 4 to 5 hours

Day 12: Trek to Siwa (1230 m) 3 to 4 hours then drive to Pokhara (950 m) 2.5 to 3 hours.

Day 13: Return To Kathmandu via Tourist Bus 7 to 8 hours

Day 14: Departure

You may also like:

• Short Annapurna Circuit Trek 10 Days
• 12 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek Return Back by Helicopter

Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Can you believe you can reach Annapurna Base Camp and return in 6 days? Well, the answer is yes, nowadays many agencies have brought this Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek Package. This is one of the most treasured Annapurna Base Camp Trek Routes.

You won’t miss out on any of the adventures but still visit the base camp and return in a short time. It’s like hiking in the Annapurna region while viewing beautiful scenarios.

On this trek, you will be exploring the western valleys of Nepal. The trials are full of beautiful vistas of the magnificent mountain peaks, landscapes, and vibrant cultures.

Passing through lush green forests and mountain villages, you get to see many picturesque views surrounding you. Not only view, but you also get to experience the rich culture and tradition of the Himalayan people.

The majority of people residing here belong to the Gurung community. You can also find people from Magar, Thakali, and other ethnic backgrounds. These people have a friendly nature and provide warm hospitality to travelers.

This trek leads you to the base of the world’s tenth highest mountain. Along the way, you get to see various magnificent peaks like Mount Annapurna, Mount Machhapuchhre, Himalchuli, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, and many more.

The route of Annapurna Base Camp is protected by the Annapurna Conservation area. So, you will be needing entry permits to complete this trek. This area is home to various species of flora and fauna. Like musk deer, snow leopard, and many more.

Your short Annapurna Base Camp trek journey begins from the beautiful city of Pokhara. You drive towards Siwai from there and then start trekking towards Chhomrong, where you stay the night.

Then you head towards the Himalaya viewing beautiful mountain peaks and landscapes. Staying the night there, you trek to Annapurna Base Camp the next day. Mount Annapurna along with other peaks looks mesmerizing from the base.

Following day you head down to Sinuwa and stay the night there. After that, you walk a few hours to Siwai and drive back to Pokhara. The rest of the day is unplanned. So you can tour around the city and relive the moments.

After a wonderful night there, you drive back to Kathmandu via Prithivi Highway. Viewing the beautiful hills, rivers, etc and passing several small villages, you reach your destination.

To complete this, you need to be physically and mentally fit. As you will be doing many up and downhill walks and walking for hours. So, you can do some physical exercises before the trek.

The best time to visit Annapurna base camp is during autumn season.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Pokhara (950 m) to Siwai (1230 m) – 2 to 3 hours then trek to Chommrong (2410 m) – 5 to 6 hours.

Day 2: Trek from Chommrong to Himalaya (2920 m) – 8 to 9 hours

Day 3: Trek from Himalaya to Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m) via Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700 m) – 7 to 8 hours

Day 4: Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Sinuwa (2100 m) – 8 to 9 hours

Day 5: Trek from Sinuwa to Siwai (1230 m) – 3 to 4 hours and drive back to Pokhara – 2 to 3 hours

Day 6: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1400 m) via Tourist Bus – 7 to 8 hours

Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Helicopter

Is it your dream to visit the Annapurna Base camp but don’t have time for that? Then the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Helicopter is the ideal choice for you. You get to visit Annapurna Base Camp and return in a few hours.

Nowadays, due to busy schedules Helicopter tours have been popular among travelers. This tour is a great cheat for people who love adventure but don’t have enough time in their hands.

ABC Helicopter tour is the fastest way to reach the base camp of Mount Annapurna. You get to see many beautiful peaks and breathtaking scenarios on this tour.

While flying over the Annapurna region you will see many majestic mountains. Some of them are Mt. Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and many more.

You get to explore the beauty of the Himalayas. The scenic views outside your windows will astound you with the beauty of nature. You also get an up-close view of Mount Annapurna.

This heli tour will take you over several villages, rivers, jungles, and many more. As you look below you can see the lush green hills. This tour is a great opportunity to view the dramatic landscapes and primitive valleys.

You begin your Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Helicopter from Pokhara. You board your flight from here and viewing marvelous scenarios land at Annapurna Base Camp.

Reaching the base will feel you with overwhelming feelings. It feels like a great achievement to reach the base of the world’s tenth highest mountain. You will spend about 25 to 30 minutes here.

Spending some quality time, clicking pictures, and many memories you now fly back to Pokhara from there. This aerial tour is a great option for people with restricted time.

Similar articles you may also like:

• Annapurna Base Camp Trek Difficulty
• 6 Days Itinerary Annapurna Base Camp Trek
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek Map

Flight Duration

8:00 Am: Board your ride from Pokhara (950 m) and fly to Annapurna Base Camp (4100 m)

8: 30 Am: Land at Annapurna Base Camp

9:00 Am: Board your flight back to Pokhara

9: 30 Am: Arrive at Pokhara

We discussed several Annapurna Base Camp Trek Routes above. From these routes, you can pick up a favorable route for you.

Conclusion

All of the seasons in the Annapurna Base Camp are quite different. If you are someone who enjoys trekking in colder and quiet climatic conditions, winter trek might be the one for you. But if you are looking for trekking in peak seasons, you should come during the autumn or spring season.

Contact us if you need any assistance to plan your trip.