Manaslu Circuit Weather: Month-by-Month Guide

When the Circuit Actually Works

The Manaslu Circuit works best in two windows: late September to late November and mid-March to mid-May. Both give reliable Larkya La crossings and stable road access to Soti Khola or Machha Khola. Winter closes the pass; monsoon triggers landslides on the access road and turns the lower valley into a leech-choked slog.

Because Manaslu is a restricted area requiring a licensed guide and a special permit, the trek is quieter than Annapurna or Everest even at peak season, which is part of its appeal.

Temperatures Along the Circuit

The Dharmasala to Larkya La to Bimthang day is the coldest and longest of the trek — typically a 3 am start in sub-zero conditions, six to eight hours to reach the pass, then a knee-jarring 1,500 m descent to Bimthang.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

January and February — Pass usually closed

Very cold on the upper trail and Larkya La is typically snowed shut from late December through late February. Some trekkers do a lower-only trek to Samagaon and back down, but the full loop is not realistic. Many upper lodges close for winter.

March — Pass reopens

Late March usually sees Larkya La become crossable again, though early March is still touch-and-go. Days on the lower trail are pleasant, nights cold at altitude, some snow on the pass approach. Confirm the pass status with your agency before booking.

April — Peak spring

The classic pre-monsoon window. Warm days, rhododendrons in colour up to Namrung, cold nights at Samdo and Dharmasala. Views crisp early in the month, hazier by end-April. Lodges busy but not crowded.

May — Warm and building cloud

Days are warm even at Samagaon. First half is a good window; from mid-May pre-monsoon storms and afternoon cloud roll in. Views become inconsistent.

June to mid-September — Monsoon

Off-season. The lower Budhi Gandaki valley is landslide-prone in monsoon and the access road from Kathmandu (via Arughat) frequently closes for days at a time. Leeches are ferocious from Soti Khola up to Deng. Trekkable in theory, but the logistics turn ugly fast, and views up high are mostly cloud.

Late September to October — Peak autumn

The best window of the year. Clear post-monsoon skies, warm-enough days at Samagaon, cold but survivable nights at Dharmasala, Larkya La reliably open. Book Samagaon and Dharmasala tea houses ahead — capacity is limited and the trek does draw crowds in this window even though it is quieter than Annapurna.

November — Cold, clear, quiet

Fewer trekkers than October, still excellent visibility, colder nights at Dharmasala. A very good month if -15 °C nights and a slightly higher pass risk are acceptable trade-offs.

December — Marginal

Larkya La is still crossable in the first half of the month for experienced parties with the right guide and conditions. By mid-December the pass usually closes to fresh snow and the trek becomes an out-and-back to Samagaon.

Larkya La: The Deciding Factor

The 5,106 m Larkya La is the crux of the trek and the single biggest weather variable:

• Pass usually open: mid-March through late November.
• Pass usually closed by snow: late December through late February.
• Cross at dawn — a 3 am start from Dharmasala is standard, aiming to reach the pass by 8 or 9 am before winds and cloud build.
• Storm days shut it fast. A big pre-monsoon storm in May or a late-October squall can close the pass for a day or two. Your guide will delay rather than push through.

The 2014 Cyclone Hudhud storm that killed trekkers on Thorong La affected Larkya La too — no direct fatalities that day, but several parties were stranded at Dharmasala for two nights. The lesson stands: build a buffer day into every itinerary.