Autumn, from late September to November, is Nepal's main trekking season, with the clearest skies of the year and stable weather. Every route is open. The best autumn treks are Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, the Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp, with Langtang, Mardi Himal and Khopra Ridge as quieter choices.
The short list
- Everest Base Camp: 12 to 14 days, high point 5,364 m. Peak season on the classic.
- Annapurna Circuit: 12 to 16 days, high point 5,416 m. The pass at its most dependable.
- Manaslu Circuit: 12 to 16 days, high point 5,106 m. Busy by its own standards, quiet by Everest's.
- Annapurna Base Camp: 7 to 10 days, high point 4,130 m. Clear mornings in the Sanctuary.
- Langtang Valley: 7 to 8 days, high point 3,870 m. Less crowded than the big two.
- Mardi Himal: 5 to 7 days, high point about 4,200 m. A short autumn trek.
- Khopra Ridge: 7 to 9 days, high point 3,660 m. A quiet alternative.
- Kanchenjunga and Makalu: 16 to 24 days, high point about 5,140 m. From mid-October.
The treks in detail
Everest Base Camp. October has the most reliable weather and the most trekkers. Book flights and lodges early.
Annapurna Circuit. Mid-October to mid-November is the best window for the Thorong La.
Manaslu Circuit. The lower valley dries out by early October.
Annapurna Base Camp. Very popular, so lodges above Bamboo fill.
Langtang Valley. Excellent in November.
Mardi Himal. The ridge is dry and the views sharp.
Khopra Ridge. Book the ridge lodge ahead in October.
Kanchenjunga and Makalu. The east dries out later than the rest of the country.
Autumn month by month
September is a transition month. The monsoon usually withdraws in the second half, leaving green hills, full waterfalls and some lingering rain and leeches low down. October is the prime month: dry, clear and mild, and also the busiest and most expensive. November is cooler and even clearer, with thinner crowds after the first week and cold nights at altitude. By late November the high lodges are quiet and the first winter snow may arrive.
Dealing with the crowds
On Everest and Annapurna in October, expect company. To soften it, start a day or two away from weekends and festival breaks, walk early, stay in smaller villages between the main stops and consider the quieter variants: the Gokyo valley, the upper Pisang trail, Khopra or Mardi. A guide who phones ahead for rooms removes most of the stress.
Festivals
Dashain and Tihar, Nepal's two greatest festivals, fall in autumn. They add colour to the trip, and they also mean closed offices, busy roads and staff who want to be home for the main days. Agencies plan permits and crews around them. See treks for the Diwali and Dussehra holidays.
Booking ahead
Lukla flights, Pokhara flights and good lodges at popular stops sell out for October. Booking two to three months ahead is sensible. November is easier.
What to pack
Autumn days are warm in the sun and cold in the shade. Bring layers, a down jacket for evenings above 3,000 m, a sleeping bag rated to about minus 10 C for high treks, and a light rain shell for September and early October.
Autumn in the rain shadow
Upper Mustang, Nar Phu and Dolpo are at their best from September, before the cold sets in. If you can travel in the first half of September, when the main ranges are still clearing, these northern valleys give you dry trails and harvest scenes.
Which trek for which autumn week
Late September: Upper Mustang, Nar Phu or the lower Annapurna trails, which dry out first. Early October: Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp and Langtang. Mid-October to early November: the high passes, the Thorong La, Larkya La and the Three Passes, when snow risk is lowest. Mid to late November: Everest and Gokyo for cold, clear and quiet conditions, and the low treks around Pokhara.
Flights and delays in autumn
Autumn has the most reliable flying weather, but it is not perfect. Morning cloud at Lukla or wind at Jomsom still cancels flights on some days, and in October the backlog clears slowly because every seat is sold. Keep one spare day before your international flight on any trek that ends with a mountain flight.
Common questions
What is the best month to trek in Nepal?
October for weather; November for a little more space.
Is September good for trekking?
The second half usually is, with some rain risk. Rain-shadow treks such as Upper Mustang are good all month.
How cold is it in November?
Pleasant by day. Nights fall below freezing above about 3,000 m and to minus 10 C or lower above 4,500 m.
Are treks more expensive in autumn?
Flights and some permits cost more or are in short supply, and restricted area fees are higher in autumn.
Heights, days, fees and rules are approximate and can change, so confirm the current details with us before you book.
