The Best Time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
If you are not yet ready to trek for 2 weeks to Everest Base Camp, then trekking to Annapurna Base Camp is a good alternative. The views are stunning, and you can complete it in around 7 days.
I have done 8+ treks in Nepal, including Annapurna Base Camp, and I plan all my treks to make sure I go when the weather is the most ideal. Weather can be unpredictable in the mountains, but there are some seasons when the weather is more stable than others.
The best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp is from late autumn to early winter, then the second-best time is in early spring. Here is what to consider when deciding when to go trekking to ABC!
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Main Trekking Seasons in Nepal
The main trekking seasons in Nepal are in autumn and spring, and the weather is generally the best during these times for trekking and clear views of mountains.
During the peak trekking seasons, it can get pretty busy on the trekking trails, especially on the more popular trekking routes, like Everest Base Camp. So, if you prefer less crowded trails, than going on a less popular trek is a good option (such as Pikey Peak, Mardi Himal).
While the weather is generally best for trekking during autumn and spring, the weather can still be unpredictable.
When is the Best Time for Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
The general advice is that the best time to trek Annapurna Base Camp is in the autumn (which would be September to November) but in the past few years, the monsoon rains didn’t stop until mid-October.
So, taking that into account, I now only recommend going on a trek from mid-October onwards. Then, the weather remains pretty good until mid-December (early winter), so ultimately, the very best time for Annapurna Base Camp trek is from late autumn to early winter (mid-October to mid-December).
I recommend not planning a trek before the monsoon season is over as the trails can get obstructed by landslides, there are leeches, plus the road/air travel is affected and it is difficult to get to the starting point of the trek.
For the past 2 years in a row, there has been massive rainfall in the beginning of October – almost like a one last rainfall before the monsoon is over. It rained for 3 days, causing landslides. Flights were cancelled, and they even banned road travel so that people don’t get washed away by floods or landslides.
After this one last rainfall ends at the beginning of October, authorities usually need one week to fix the roads – so, mid-October is perfect to start the trek in autumn!
Then, the weather remains good until mid-December – it starts to get colder, but usually there is no snowfall until mid-December. It can also change from year-to-year, like last year, it didn’t snow in the mountains all of December, and when I went on a trek at the end of December, I had one of the best views of the Himalayas!
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✔️ Annapurna Base Camp
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Second Best Time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp
The second-best time for Annapurna Base Camp trek is in spring (March-May).
If you have flexibility, I recommend trekking in early spring as you get clearer views. You can even start the trek from mid-February onwards, which is less popular, so you can avoid the crowds.
In Spring, the air pollution can get very bad in Nepal if there is a dry winter (no rain), and adding to that there is also controlled burning in the spring, which adds to high pollution levels. The air pollution and smoke from fires get especially bad in and around Pokhara, so in low altitudes you don’t get views of the mountains.
Then, May is pre-monsoon season, so usually it starts raining some already. Sometimes it even rains in April – it can be unpredictable. Last spring, I trekked to Annapurna Base Camp in April and it was such miserable weather with so much rain, and even snow at one point. Nevertheless, I got lucky and the weather cleared the morning when I was up at ABC.
Can I Trek to Annapurna Base Camp in Winter?
In my opinion, winter is the third best time to trek in Nepal. The weather in winter is slightly different each year (one year it can snow a lot, next year it barely snows), so trekking in winter does depend on the weather – however, if I had to choose between trekking in winter or monsoon, I would choose winter.
The beginning of winter (early December) is still very ideal for trekking. It usually does not snow yet, and the trails are not as busy as they were during the autumn season.
For a winter trek, the best is early winter, but sometimes, there is no snow until end of December. Last year, it was a dry winter, and it didn’t snow for a long time. I did a trek in the Annapurna region at the end of December last year, and honestly, I had one of the best views I ever had – better than what I had in the springtime.
If you plan a trek in winter, check the weather updates once you arrive in Nepal. Weather can change very rapidly in the mountains, but it is good if you check the forecast ahead. In case, it is a snowy winter, make sure to go with a guide and don’t trek alone.
For winter and monsoon treks, I recommend the most to not trek alone and take a guide as the weather can be unpredictable. The weather can be unpredictable even in autumn and spring, but it is even more likely in winter and monsoon. If it snows a lot, the trails can be hard to follow, so better to trek with a guide and stay safe.
What to Pack for Winter
If it is a snowy winter, the snow can make some sections of the trails icy. It can get very slippery on ice, and so take crampons with you.
In case you forget to take crampons, I saw one trick from trekking guides. You can take socks and put it over your boots. It works like crampons and makes your hiking boots sturdier against slipping on ice.
Winter is also the coldest time of the year in Nepal (the coldest is January), and while it is sunny during the day, it gets cold at night, especially at high altitudes in the mountains. So, if you are planning a trek in winter, make sure to have warm layers of clothes.
Can I Trek to Annapurna Base Camp in Monsoon?
I consider monsoon as the worst time to trek in Nepal. It is still possible to trek and had friends who went and loved it – but I am not up for the leeches and landslides. The views are not guaranteed during monsoon, and if I get myself up to Annapurna Base Camp, I want to have good views.
The monsoon runs from June to end of September (sometimes even beginning of October). It does not rain that much yet in the first half of June, so the only time I’d go for a trek during monsoon is in the first two weeks of June.
Some areas in Nepal are in rain shadow, so they get less rainfall than most part of Nepal, such as Mustang. I visited Lower Mustang (Muktinath, Kagbeni, Marpha) in the beginning of June this year, and had very nice sunny weather, while it was raining in Pokhara.
One challenging aspect of going on a trek during monsoon is that the rainfall causes landslides on the highways/roads, and flights are often cancelled – which make it more challenging to get to the starting point of the trek.
So, in case monsoon is the only time you can go trekking in Nepal, I recommend going with a trekking guide and not solo. Due to the challenges during monsoon season, it is better if you are not trekking solo for safety reasons.
What to Pack for Monsoon
The weather is very sunny, hot and humid during monsoon. One thing to pack if you go trekking in monsoon is a good umbrella. As it is very humid, you won’t be able to use a rain jacket, it would make you feel too hot during the trek. So better to have an umbrella while you are trekking during the day.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Advice
Permits
Foreigners planning to trek ABC have to get the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). The ACAP costs Rs. 3,000 (USD 22).
You can get the ACAP at the ACAP office in Pokhara, Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or online. The online system for permits only work for a number of selected treks, including ABC.
Itinerary
Most people complete the Annapurna Base Camp trek in 7 days, but some people who trek faster can trek it in 6 days, while if you go slower, you can also complete it in 8 days.
It is best if you go with a flexible itinerary, see how you feel in high altitude and take it slower if needed.
➡️ Check out my itinerary for trekking Annapurna Base Camp!
Cost
The minimum amount of money you need for the ABC trek is USD 22 (Rs. 3,000) per day. It includes accommodation, 3 meals, and extras like wifi, charging, and hot shower (but excluding guide/porter fees).
In addition, it costs around USD 30/day to hire a trekking guide, and USD 20/day for a porter. If you go with a group of friends, you can split the costs for a trekking guide. As for the porter, a porter usually carries the bags of 2 trekkers, so the porter costs can be shared by two people only.
➡️ Check out the costs for the Annapurna Base Camp trek!
FAQs: Best Time to Trek Annapurna Base Camp
Which month is best for Annapurna Base Camp?
The best time to go to Annapurna Base Camp is late autumn to early winter (October, November, December), and spring (February, March, April, and May).
It can get crowded in peak trekking times, October-November and March-April, but early winter (beginning of December) and early spring (late February) have both clear views and less trekkers.
Can a beginner do Annapurna Base Camp trek?
Yes, Annapurna Base Camp trek can be completed by beginners, however, make sure to trek slowly and acclimatize properly. The ABC trek has lots of stairs, so bring trekking poles to help you balance and help with weight.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best time for Annapurna Base Camp trek is from mid-October to mid-December. The weather during this time is clear and you get stunning views of the mountains.
The second-best time is in the spring (March-May). However, I recommend trekking ABC in early spring (mid-February to mid-March) as it has great views, and the trails are not yet too crowded.
