Best Time and Season to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Weather and Climate

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek has been a trekker’s choice of destination for a long time now. Situated in the Annapurna Conservation Area, the trail of the Annapurna Base Camp is pretty old considering the first mountain to be scaled above 8000 meters in the world was the Annapurna I ( 8,091 meters). Not only that, the history of the Annapurna region is also integrated with religion, as many people travelled to visit the Annapurna Temple, which holds significance among Hindus and Buddhists

The word “Annapurna” means filled with grains and the Annapurna range is viewed as the goddess of food and nourishment. What once used to be a route of trade and pilgrimage has now become a destination sought out for the sheer purpose of viewing the mountains and nature. And in modern times, thousands of trekkers along with mountaineers visit every year, making the Annapurna Base Camp one of the most visited trekking destinations of not only Nepal but also the world.

It might have piqued your interest and made you want to know more about this amazing destination and plan a trek in the future as well. And one thing many people always ask is, “What is the best time to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?" or “What is the best season to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?” So on this blog, we will provide information regarding how each season is in the Annapurna region.

The four seasons have their own unique features, which makes trekking during that time even more special. The views you see during the spring will be a totally different experience viewing them in the winter. Not only that, you will also understand why some months or seasons are much preferred than others. After reading this blog, you can weigh in your pros and cons of each season and decide on the time of your trek accordingly.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Throughout the Year

ABC In Spring (March, April, May)

The spring season brings pleasant weather, new blossoms, and clear skies that give you some of the best mountain views. Spring is also preferred by most trekkers because the influx of tourists during this time is high. It is the season when tiny plant buds open into gorgeous, full flowers. The lower parts of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are covered with Alpine trees, one of the most prominent being the national flower of Nepal, rhododendrons. The multi-color flowers bloom beautifully amidst the snow capped peak under the azure sky. It is truly a sight to behold.

Being one of the peak seasons of trekking, most people often choose spring not only because the flowers are in full bloom or it has clear views of the mountains but also because the weather stays pretty clear for the most part and most of all, the temperature during spring is very moderate.

The average temperature in the Annapurna Base Camp during spring ranges from 10°C to 8°C during the day and -8°C to 0°C during the night. As you have probably guessed, mountains will be cold no matter what time of the year it is, but depending on the season, the range of the cold will differ. And spring has the perfect temperature, which also means clear weather and you can see the unblemished views of the stunning mountains of the Annapurna range.

The colorful flowers of rhododendrons in full bloom surrounded by the gorgeous Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre, and other magnificent peaks is something you can only experience during the spring season.

ABC In Autumn or Fall (September, October, November)

The fall season or autumn, is another season that many prefer for their trekking journeys. Just a tad bit colder than spring, yet offer pleasant weather and clear views. As it is just after summer/monsoon season is over and you can see the staggering contrast between the lush green forest and the snow-capped mountain ranges.

As autumn brings forth the harvest times, you will see many local villagers out and about in the fields getting ready to harvest the year’s crops. The temperatures are moderate during the day and cool and crisp during the morning and evening. But the views of the mountains will be just as clear as the spring season.

While rhododendrons will not be blooming, there will definitely be other wildflowers that you can see trekking during this time. The waterfall along the way to the base camp will be one of the biggest highlights of this trek. The temperature during the autumn season ranges from 10°C to 15°C during the day and -10°C to 0°C during the night.

And similar to spring, autumn is quite popular among the trekkers so you should expect a crowded trail during this time. Which in turn will have a slight problem with finding the desired accommodation services. But overall, the good weather, moderate temperatures, and stunning, clear views of the mountains will be more than enough to make up for it.

ABC in Summer (June, July, August)

Summer is not as popular for trekking as spring or autumn and there are a variety of reasons why, but it doesn’t mean that you cannot trek during the summer at all. And one of the main reasons why people do not often prefer to trek during the summer is because it is also the rainy season. And this part of the Annapurna region receives a high amount of rainfall every year.

For people who are avid monsoon trekkers, this season will be the right choice. The rain washes out all the dust and pollution out of the sky, giving some of the cleanest views once the rain clears up. The greenery during this trekking season is unmatched. The feeling of the fresh air and the smell of rain is something the other seasons cannot offer. And most of all, since it is the off-season, there will be hardly any crowd during this time. It will be a pleasant and peaceful journey throughout the entire trek and you do not have to worry about the accommodation at all.

If you do not enjoy walking in the rain, then this season is probably not for you. And furthermore, there is a bit of caution required to trek during this season as the roads are prone to landslides and flights have higher chances of cancellation and delays due to visibility issues.

The temperature during the summer season ranges from 15°C to 20°C during the daytime and 0°C to 7°C during the night. This is the best time to do the trek if you wish to avoid the cold. The rain might bring problems such as low visibility and leeches along the journey but if the weather manages to clear up, the view you get is unparalleled to any other season. The greenery complimenting the white snow at the top of the Annapurna mountain ranges is truly the definition of heaven.

Thus, if you want to trek to the Annapurna Base Camp during the monsoon, make sure you have a flexible itinerary, packed essential items, and take proper caution before and during the trek.

ABC in Winter (December, January, February)

Winter is the coldest out of all the seasons and many people avoid trekking to the mountains because of this reason. Many people have a false picture about the winter season, thinking it will be a bad time to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek but on the contrary, it actually can be one of the best times to do the trek. The only downside of trekking during the winter is the chilling cold, so if you prepare to tackle the cold, you can experience the ABC trek unlike in any other season.

The winter season is known to have one of the clearest weather of all times. The bright and clear views of the towering peaks as you hear the crunching of the snow under your boot is an experience on its own. The sunrise and sunset during the winter will be some of the most unblemished views you can ever get.

The temperature in the winter can range from 4°C to 9°C during the daytime and can get as low as -5°C to -15°C during the night. So, it is crucial to pack warm clothes, a sleeping bag, and other gear to help combat the extreme cold during the trek. For the people who seek thrills and adventure, a winter trek is for them.

And another perk of trekking during the winter is that, just like summer, it is off-season and you will have the trail to yourself. The number of trekkers during the winter drops significantly compared to spring or autumn so you can enjoy a peaceful and adventurous journey during this time.

Overall Temperature of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Different Seasons

Spring Temperature

Daytime: 10°C to 8°C

Night Time: -8°C to 0°C

Autumn Temperature

Daytime: 10°C to 15°C

Night Time: -10°C to 0°C

Summer Temperature

Daytime: 15°C to 20°C

Night Time: 0°C to 7°C

Winter Temperature

Daytime: 4°C to 9°C

Night Time: -5°C to -15°C

What is the most efficient route for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

There are many routes that take you to the Annapurna Base Camp, and depending on your time, budget, and what you want to explore, your itinerary can be based upon that. But this itinerary is one of the most efficient and one of the shortest as well. The itinerary is flexible and can be shorter if your walking pace is good.

Day 1: Drive from Pokhara to Jinu dada and trek to Chhomrong / Sinuwa

Day 2: Trek from Chhomrong to Dovan

Day 3: Trek from Dovan to Duerali

Day 4: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) via Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC)

Day 5: Trek from ABC to Bambo / Sinuwa

Day 6: Trek to Jinu dada and drive to Pokhara / Kathmandu (Fly or Drive)

Conclusion

What is the best time to do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

With all the information relayed above, you must have some idea as to which season is the most appropriate for you. Based on when the majority of trekkers come to ABC for trekking, it would be spring and autumn. The weather and temperature during these two seasons are just right and you can get clear views of the mountains as well. This is also the best time to avoid rain and snow. However, due to many people’s preferences, the trail becomes overcrowded and sometimes it can result in not having adequate accommodation services. Trekkers who prefer quieter trails might not enjoy it as much and you will also need to prebook a room to avoid accommodation problems.

The summer season is less preferred among the trekkers. Since it will also be monsoon season in Nepal, the area sees a lot of rain, specifically during July and August. But for those who prefer monsoon treks to see the lush greenery of nature, and when the sky clears some of the cleanest mountain views, this is definitely the best time. And because there aren’t many people coming to trek during this season, the trail will be peaceful and quiet and most of all, you can get good accommodation services, with discounts even. However, you should take caution as well because many parts of the country are prone to landslides, which makes travelling a bit risky and there is also a high chance of cancellations and delays of domestic flights.

The winter season trek might sound intimidating at first, but with the right preparation, it can be one of the best experiences. Despite the extreme cold temperature, the weather stays rather clear, allowing you to see the unblemished views of the mountains under the azure sky. And just like the summer season, winter is also considered an off-season and sees a smaller number of trekkers, which means you will have the trail to yourself and experience a peaceful trek compared to crowdedness during peak season. Just make sure to pack enough clothes, equipment, and gear to tackle the cold, ice, and snow.

So, if you prefer moderate temperatures, then spring and autumn are the best seasons for you. However, if you prefer less crowded trails, then the summer and winter seasons are the best choices. Regardless of what you choose, you are guaranteed the best views of mountains, landscapes, and cultural interaction.

Important Note Regarding Weather in Annapurna Base Camp

As mentioned above, the weather stays pretty clear in spring, autumn, and winter. But please keep in mind that weather in the mountains can be very unpredictable and can go from sunny to cloudy in a matter of minutes. Therefore, always make sure you are well prepared for bad weather conditions as well.