travel guide

The Best Time To Do Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is an adventurous and picturesque hiking route that extends through various environments in the Annapurna Conservation Area. The trail passes through rhododendron woodland, terraced farmland, stunning river valleys, and charming villages of Gurung and Magar and climbs all the way to Annapurna Base camp at an elevation of 4130 meters offering abundant opportunities of getting close to nature.

ABC trail is not particularly closed in any month/season because it is not considered a difficult trek. It is a moderate kind of trekking route. However, the number of trekkers varies in different months and seasons. Basically, the twelve months time can be categorized into three sections to trek in Annapurna base camp trail as BEST, MILD and HARSH times.

Best Time To Do Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Spring: March, April, and May

Autumn: September, October, and November

Merits:

  • Crystal-clear mountain views
  • Clear landscape views
  • Blooming rhododendron
  • Warm and pleasant weather
  • Opportunity to introduce to trekkers around the world

Demerits:

  • Most evenings and mornings are freezing conditions over 4000 meter
  • The crowd on the trail
  • Need to plan/book the trip/guide/porter/accommodation in advance
  • Trekking at lower altitude might cause hot and sweat

The months of March to May and then September to November are the best times for trekking. This is the peak season of the trek and you will find yourself the super lucky guy if you follow the trail via Ghorepani to see the perfect sunrise view from the Poonhill peak.  March, April, and May months are spring seasons when the days are warm and sunny. The sky is clear all the time.

Just a T-shirt is enough for you to trek during the day whereas the mornings and the evenings are rather cold requiring warm clothes. The stunning view of the blooming rhododendron forest gives you the impression of paradise on Earth. Do You Know! Rhododendron is the National flower of Nepal. It is also considered one of the fine medicinal herbs.

September, October, and November, the autumn season of the year is also the best time to enjoy the Nepali festive atmosphere besides trekking. Most major festivals in Nepal fall during these months so the visitors will get extra cultural knowledge in this time.

The paradise-like blossoming rhododendron, crystal clear mountain views, and mild temperature especially at lower altitudes (900 to 2500 m) make the ABC trek a pleasing life experience. However, the higher you go the colder it gets. Most evenings and mornings over 4000 meters are usually in freezing status requiring multiple layers of clothes in any season.

In these months the trails are comparatively crowded and it is the opportunity to encounter the trekkers from different corners of the world. Since it is festival time, there might be a shortage of guides and porters so better you book them in advance. You might face a kind of hitch regarding the vehicles and you might have to pay a little more.

Mild Time To Do Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Monsoon: Jun, July, and August

Merits:

  • Great time for monsoon lovers
  • Less crowded trail
  • Can choose the best teahouse probably in a low cost
  • Clear views after the rain
  • Chance to encounter unique flora and fauna

Demerits:

  • Bugs and leeches on the trail
  • Slippery and muddy trail
  • Rain
  • Mountains hide in a cloud
  • Need to carry waterproof clothes and trench coat

The months of Jun, July, and August are mild times for the Annapurna base camp trek. You will be enjoying the panoramic views of mountains and largely stretched vegetation that is cleanly washed by the rain. Because of the less trekker on the trail, the accommodations in teahouses are easily available and probably cheaper than you expect.

Although it is the rainy season, it does not rain for hours in the region. For those who love little monsoons, this time is great for them to trek. Taking a sip of a hot drink in the teahouse room and watching rainfall outside is an amazing experience in the Himalayas. However, there are some drawbacks to trekking at this time. They are mentioned below:

Drawbacks

  • You will be getting lots of leeches on the trail and sometimes they climb up to your thigh. They do not carry any disease though. The best way to get rid of them is to carry some salt with you. When it comes to your leg and if you put a little salt on it, it quickly leaves the skin and dies soon.
  • Mostly the trails are slippery. You must be very careful while walking.
  • There might be thick clouds covering the high snow-capped mountains preventing you from taking pictures.
  • Sometimes the downpour may ruin your day and/or the whole trek

 Harsh

Winter: December and January

Merits:

  • Crowd free trial
  • Can choose the best teahouse probably at a low cost
  • Clear views of snow-capped mountains

Demerits:

  • Slippery trail
  • Heavy snowfall
  • Require more equipment

December and January are really cold months of the year and they fall in the winter season. This time is considered to be harsh to trek in the Himalayas. The Annapurna base camp trek is a moderate altitude trek so it remains open even during winter while other high-altitude treks are halted. best time to do the Annapurna base camp trek.

There is almost no rainfall during winter but the snowfall is likely to take place in some parts of the trail, especially above 3000 meters. Mostly the temperature drops to minus and sometimes you may be badly affected by the cramps. You must be aware of the trail between Deurali to Machhapuchre base camp. This section is really dangerous as you might be caught by the avalanche.

Despite having many obstacles if you plan your trek and maintain the proper trekking gear, you will really cherish the icy adventure gaining the life-changing experience of the Himalayas. Remember, the mountain views are the best in winter. You have severe cold evenings and nights but the sunny winter days are amazing for the Himalayan trek.

During peak season, you need to struggle for a space to stand and look at the views but in winter, the whole trail is YOURS! You can enjoy it as long as you like. Obviously, the trekking route is quiet and comparatively cheap in winter and monsoon seasons but you might miss the panoramic mountains and landscape views due to poor weather conditions.

The trail will have very few trekkers and most trails are crowd-free. You will be facing no trouble in getting beds and you can choose the best teahouse probably charging less than you expect. The teahouse makes a warm fire from where you can enjoy the great Himalayan views.

Also read about Manaslu Circuit Trek

recommendation on
in associated with