Best Time of Year to Trek the Manaslu Circuit: Seasons & What to Expect

Sep 26, 2025

Discover the best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit with our season-by-season guide. Compare seasons to understand Manaslu Circuit trek weather, scenery, and conditions, and choose the Manaslu trekking season that matches your adventure style.

by Emma Marais

Sep 26, 2025

7 min read

The Manaslu Circuit trek changes character with the calendar. One morning, you’re walking past terraced rice fields, kids calling “namaste” as you pass. A few days later, you’re kicking steps on firm snow near Larkya La Pass, counting breaths and smiling at the view. Same trail, different story. The season you choose sets the tone.

It’s why the best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit is the first decision worth making. The Himalayas keep their own rhythm. Pick the right window and you’ll get clear views, steady paths, and lively teahouses. Pick a tougher one, and you may meet rain, deep cold, or clouds that hide the peaks. Below, we unpack each Manaslu trekking season so you can choose the best season for the Manaslu trek that fits how you like to travel.

If you’re mapping the journey now, start with our Manaslu Circuit trip overview, then come back to lock in your dates.

Manaslu trek in autumn: the best season for clear skies and stable weather

Autumn (September to November) is the most popular time, and many would argue it’s the best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit.

Weather and visibility: Crisp air, dry days, and consistently clear skies make the mountains look razor sharp. Nights at higher camps can drop well below freezing, but the morning sun usually brings back the warmth and the views.

Trail conditions: This is prime time for crossing Larkya La. Trails are firm, rivers are lower, and sudden storms are less common.

Atmosphere: Teahouses buzz with travellers from all over. Autumn overlaps with Nepal’s major festivals,

Dashain and Tihar

, so villages come alive with music, prayer flags, and vibrant colours.

Scenery: Golden fields at lower elevations and snow-tipped ridges glowing pink at sunrise.

For most trekkers, autumn gives the best blend of stable Manaslu Circuit trek weather, friendly trail energy, and standout scenery. If you want the classic experience, this is the best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit.

To see how your days stack up, check our day-by-day Manaslu Circuit itinerary. If you’re keen to include the high pass as a headline moment, explore our Manaslu Circuit with Larkya Pass option.

Manaslu trek in spring: rhododendrons, wildlife, and longer days

Spring (March to May) is a close second and has its own flavour. This Manaslu trekking season feels warmer, brighter, and a little quieter than autumn.

Weather and visibility: Mornings are usually bright and clear, which is perfect for mountain photos. Light haze can drift in by afternoon, but evenings often deliver gentle, pastel sunsets.

Trail conditions: A little snow can linger in March near the pass. By April and May, trails are mostly clear, and Larkya La is normally open.

Atmosphere: Fewer people than in autumn. Teahouses are social without being crowded, so it’s easier to find a quiet seat by the fire.

Scenery: Hillsides bloom with rhododendrons in red and pink, forests feel alive, and you’re more likely to spot wildlife.

If you want a mix of vibrant landscapes, decent weather, and fewer people, spring might be the best season to trek the Manaslu Circuit for you. It also pairs beautifully with other goals, like ticking items off your Himalayan bucket list.

Manaslu Circuit trek in winter: extreme cold and quiet trails

The winter months (December to February) strip the circuit back to silence and snow. The Manaslu Circuit trek weather is harsh, but the rewards are unique.

Weather and visibility: Skies are often clear, but with harsher winds and sudden storms at altitude. Temperatures plunge above 3,500 metres. At Dharamsala, the last stop before Larkya La, nights can feel bone-deep cold, dropping below –15 °C (5 °F).

Trail conditions. Snow and ice build quickly, and the pass is often closed. Lower sections are walkable but slow and slippery.

Atmosphere: The crowds vanish. Some days, you might walk for hours without seeing another trekker. A few teahouses stay open, but the mood is calm rather than lively.

Scenery: Fresh snow on rooftops and ridgelines, frozen river edges, and a hush that carries for kilometers.

The Manaslu trek in winter isn’t for everyone. You’ll need solid gear and a taste for solitude. If that’s you, it can feel like you’ve got the mountains to yourself. Pack smart with our Nepal trekking packing list.

Monsoon Manaslu trek: lush landscapes but high risks

Monsoon (June to August) is classic off-season trekking Manaslu. Only a handful of trekkers attempt it.

Weather and visibility: Rain dominates. Peaks hide behind clouds, and the valleys turn warm and humid.

Trail conditions: Expect mud, swollen rivers, and a higher risk of landslides. Leeches are part of the deal, too. They’re not dangerous, just annoying.

Atmosphere: With many teahouses closed and few people on the trail, villages can feel very quiet.

Scenery: The upside is vivid green rice fields, powerful waterfalls, and forests that look freshly washed.

The Manaslu trek in monsoon isn’t recommended for most travellers, but if you don’t mind wet boots and unpredictable delays, it can still be memorable.

Which season is best to trek the Manaslu Circuit?

Here’s the quick view of the Manaslu trekking season options:

Autumn (Sept to Nov). Clear skies, steady trails, lively teahouses, and festival energy.

Spring (Mar to May). Rhododendrons in bloom, active wildlife, long daylight hours, and fewer crowds.

Winter (Dec to Feb). Crisp views and solitude, but extreme cold and a pass that’s often closed.

Monsoon (Jun to Aug). Green valleys and dramatic waterfalls, but heavy rain, mud, and a higher risk.

For most people, the best time to trek the Manaslu Circuit is autumn or spring. These seasons balance safety, reliable weather, and great scenery. If you want to go in the winter or monsoon, make sure to plan ahead and hire a guide who knows their way through the Himalayas.

Planning for your Manaslu trek

No matter when you go, a little planning makes a big difference.

Permits: You’ll need three: the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). We’ll help you sort these, but you can read the basics in our

permits guide

Guides: Since 2023, trekking the circuit requires a licensed guide. It’s a rule, and it’s also reassurance. Local leaders bring safety, route sense, and cultural insight.

Packing. The Manaslu Circuit trek weather can change fast. Layers are key, from thermals to waterproofs.

Itinerary. Acclimatisation is everything. Don’t rush the climb.

Thinking about what comes next after Manaslu? Have a read of our beginner’s guide to peak climbing in Nepal for ideas; you might just want to explore above and beyond.

Choosing the best season for your Manaslu adventure

The Manaslu Circuit shifts with the calendar, but its impact doesn’t depend on the month. Whether the villages are alive with festivals, the forests are painted with colour, or the mountains are wrapped in silence, the trail always feels raw and untamed. What matters most is matching the journey to your spirit.

If you want company, the trail will give you stories shared over dal bhat and laughter that carries down the valleys. If you crave solitude, it will hand you quiet paths where the only sound is your boots crunching on stone. However you meet it, Manaslu has a way of reminding you how small you are and how big the world can feel.

When you finally come home, you don’t just remember a season. You remember the way the light hit the peaks, the warmth of a teahouse fire, and the sense that you’ve walked somewhere that still belongs more to the mountains than to people. That’s the magic of Manaslu—it lingers long after the trek is over.