Annapurna Base Camp trek Weather September October November

September, October, and November are the most popular seasons for trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. Trekkers from all over the world come to the Annapurna region this season. This is mainly down to the awesome weather of the Annapurna Region in these months.

The autumn season lies between the summer season that precedes it and the winter season that follows it. So the weather is not as hot as that of the summers and neither is it as cold as the winter season.

The amount of precipitation in these months is also low. All of this culminates in making the Annapurna Base Camp trek popular amongst trekkers all over Nepal and around the world.

Before taking a look at the weather of the various months of the autumn season, let us take at the various seasons of Annapurna Base Camp first. That will give you some idea why the autumn season is so popular amongst trekkers.

Seasons in Annapurna Base Camp

There are four seasons in the Annapurna Region. They are summer, winter, autumn, and spring. The temperature and the weather pattern of all these seasons are quite different. Let us take a look at the characteristics of these seasons in brief.

Summer

June, July, and August are the months of the summer season in all of Nepal. This is true of the Annapurna Base Camp as well. The sun beats down in the various places along the Annapurna Base Camp trek. This makes for pleasant trekking conditions as you won’t have to deal with the cold a lot of the time.

Summer season is also the wettest season in the Annapurna Base Camp. The monsoon rain brings quite a bit of rainfall in the Annapurna region in these months. Due to this, your trek might be interrupted. So make sure that you account for such interruptions as well as wet trekking trails.

Winter

Winter season, which falls in the months of December, January, and February, is the coldest of all seasons. There might also be some snowfall along the trails, especially in the high altitudes of this trek. As the temperature can be as low as -20 degrees in the Annapurna Base Camp in the winter season, inexperienced trekkers avoid trekking to ABC in the winters. As a result, the winter is an off-season for trekking in the ABC region.

Winter trek to Annapurna Base Camp, however, has its own advantages. The most astonishing views of the mountains, lowest precipitation of all seasons and off-season discount in the winter season makes ABC winter trek pleasurable. Besides, you can deal properly with the cold of the winter season with the appropriate gear.

Spring

The months of March, April, and May are the months of the spring season in Annapurna Base Camp. The spring season is characterized by mild sunshine, low rainfall, clear blue skies, and wonderful mountain views. Spring, along with autumn, is the most popular season for trekking to Annapurna Base Camp.

Autumn

Autumn falls in the months of September, October, and November. These seasons have average temperatures that are quite similar to the spring season. Let us take a look at the features of the weather of this season before looking at the weather of all these months in detail.

Main Attractions of the Annapurna Base Camp Weather in Autumn (September/ October/ November)

• Low amount of precipitation and clear skies

• Great views of mountains like Dhaulagiri (8167 meters), Annapurna (I) II, III, IV; Annapurna South/ (8091 meters),  Gangapurna (7455 meters), Lamjung Himal (6983 meters), Nilgiri (7061 meters), Tukuche Peak (6920 meters), Hiunchuli (6441 meters), and Manaslu (8156 meters).

• Towering views of mountains from Poon Hill, Machhapuchhre Base Camp, and Annapurna Base Camp

• Trek into the lush forests of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project.

• Pleasant trek to the various picturesque villages along the way

The weather of the Annapurna Region in September

September is the season that marks the beginning of the autumn season. However, the first couple of weeks of September are wetter than the rest of the month. This is due to the fact that the monsoon season ends in August. So there is some residual rain in the first couple of weeks of September.

September is also the hottest month of the autumn season. The amount of sunshine decreases as you get further into the autumn season.

In September, the wind speed is also the lowest. This makes it really pleasant for any trekker to trek to Annapurna Base Camp in the September month.

Annapurna Base Camp Weather and Temperature in September

Weather of the Annapurna Region in October

As you trek higher the chances of precipitation get lower. You will observe merely 6mm of rainfall in Annapurna Base Camp in the month of October. This figure is almost 7 times lower than the rainfall in Ghorepani or Chomrong.

You will observe 28 dry days in October with 2 days where the precipitation of less than 2 mm. You will also not observe any snowy day this month.

The average temperature during the October trek to Annapurna Base Camp is somewhere around 10 degrees making trekking conditions rather perfect.

Annapurna Base Camp Weather and Temperature in October

The weather of the Annapurna Region in November

November is the driest of all the months in the autumn season. The chances of precipitation this month are next to nil.

It is also the mildest month of autumn in terms of the sunshine received in the Annapurna region.

However, around the end of the month of November, you might experience some cold as the effects of the winter season are seen.

Annapurna Base Camp Weather and Temperature in November

Packing List for Annapurna Base Camp September/ October/ November Trek

Clothing

You will need multi-layered, high-quality and comfortable clothing in order to trek to Annapurna Base Camp in the months of September, October, and November. These are all the clothing you will need:

• A Baselayer of clothing (for the higher altitude of the Annapurna region).

• The insulation layer (to wear on top of the base layer)

• An outermost layer (thin layer of clothing will protect you from the wind and cold)

• underwear, trekking trousers and shorts, trekking shirts, a Waterproof Shell jacket, and trousers.

Headgear

• A hat, a beanie, and a neck gaiter (for protecting your head)

Gloves

• Inner gloves ( used during moderate trekking temperatures)

• Outer gloves ( used when the temperature is too cold)

Footwear

• Sturdy, comfortable hiking boots

• Trekking shoes and sandals (to roam around teahouses after the trek)

• Hiking socks, thermal socks, and gaiters

Backpack

• A large spacious and compartmentalized backpack of 50 - 65 liters

• If you hire a porter to carry your backpack, you will still need a daypack that you will carry and contains items that you will regularly use.

• A rain cover.

Others

• Sleeping bags, trekking poles, sunglasses and moisturizers

• Water bottle, pee funnel, basic first aid kit, toiletries, and towels will help you maintain personal hygiene.

• Camera, books, and chargers (to pass your free time easily).

• You will also need mosquito repellents and ointments to keep mosquitoes, leeches, and other bugs at bay.

Other Popular Treks in the Annapurna Region in September/ October/ November

Apart from the Annapurna Base Camp trek, there are plenty of other beautiful treks and tours in the Annapurna region. Here are a few of these treks in the Annapurna region that you can complete in the autumn season.

Annapurna Circuit trek with Tilicho Lake

Annapurna Circuit trek with Tilicho lake starts from Lamjung district. From there you will go to two gorgeous valleys in the central-western region of Nepal- Manang, and Mustang. A visit to these valleys and Tilicho lake is perfect in the autumn season.

During the Annapurna Circuit trek with Tilicho Lake trek, the vegetation changes from sub-tropical forests to alpine forests, and finally to barren and rocky deserts.

Two of the biggest highlights during the trek are Tilicho Lake, Thorong La pass, and Muktinath temple. You can be a part of the celebration of various festivals including Buddha Jayanti in Muktinath temple in April.

The highest point during this trek is Thorong La pass, which lies at an altitude of 4949 meters. The picturesque lake of Tilicho also lies at a similar altitude of 4919 meters.

Khopra Hill trek

Khopra Hill trek is an off-the-beaten-path trekking trail in Annapurna Region and the ultimate best viewpoint of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range in this region. You can catch the beauty of the Khopra Hill in all its glory in the autumn season.

During this trek, you will be walking through forested areas of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. You can also catch glimpses of wild animals like Deer, Yak, Blue Sheep and Monal while trekking to Khopra Hill.

In addition, you will also go to Khayer lake. The lake is surrounded by wonderful mountains and lies at an altitude of 4600 meters. You can also make a detour to Khopra Hill and resume your Annapurna Base Camp trek in September/ October/ November.

Dhampus Sarangkot Trek

You can complete this short trek of Dhampus Sarangkot before heading out to the more challenging ones in the Annapurna region. That will give you a very good idea as to how well you have prepared for the ABC trek or other treks in this region.

You will trek to Dhampus from Phedi for the start of your trek.

Dhampus (1750 meters) is the highest point you will trek to. The next day, you will head out to Sarangkot. From here, you can catch some of the best views of Machhapuchhre during the sunrise.

The weather of October is perfect to catch the views of Machhapuchhre. Trekking along the banks of Phewa lake in September/ October/ November is one of the most awesome experiences.

Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek is not as popular as Annapurna Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit Trek. However, the places along the way are serene and they offer some of the most gorgeous views of the mountains.

The beauty of Mardi Himal trek can be best seen in the months of the autumn season.

In the month of March, the views of majestic mountains of this region like Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Machhapuchhare (6,993m), Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441m), and Annapurna South (7,010m) will be fantastic.

You will also get a taste of authentic Nepali Gurung villages and Buddhist culture that dominates this region. During the Mardi Himal Trek route, you will also visit other camps like Forest Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp.

Tips for Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp in September/ October/ November

• Make sure that you get travel insurance before coming to trek to Annapurna Base Camp.

• Be updated with the weather at all times and plan your trek accordingly.

• Don’t forget to get some spare batteries for your electronic gadgets.

• Make sure that you get proper reservations of accommodation.

• Train for a few months prior to coming to trek here.

• If you experience the symptoms of altitude sickness, make a descent immediately.

• Follow the instructions of your guide.

• Coincide the timing of your trek with the festivals of this month so that you can be a part of the celebration of unique Nepalese festivals.

Conclusion

The autumn season is one of the best seasons to come to trek to Annapurna Base Camp. The great weather conditions of this season, as well as the crispy views of the towering mountains of the Annapurna Range and other mountains, is perfect in the months of September. October, and November.