Annapurna Circuit in March: Spring Snow, Flowers, and Quiet Trails

Is March Good for the Annapurna Circuit?

March is the opening of spring trekking season on the Annapurna Circuit, and it is an underappreciated month. The weather is warming, the rhododendrons begin blooming below 3,500m, and the trail is quieter than April. Thorong La is passable in most years, though early March can still have winter snow on the pass.

The Annapurna Circuit in March feels like a transition — winter loosening its grip, spring colours emerging, and the teahouses waking up for the season. If you want the circuit without peak-season crowds, March is your window.

What Is the Weather Like?

Lower Marsyangdi (800-2,500m): Spring warmth arrives early at low elevations. Daytime 18 to 25°C. The terraces are being ploughed for rice planting, wildflowers appear on the hillsides, and the rivers run strong with snowmelt. Comfortable walking weather.

Chame to Manang (2,670-3,540m): Cooler, 8 to 16°C during the day. Early March mornings can be frosty, with ice on puddles and water pipes. By late March, the sun warms the valley and midday temperatures are pleasant. Clear mornings with afternoon cloud is the typical pattern.

Thorong La (5,416m): Early March: the pass may still have significant snow from winter. Crossings are possible but require microspikes and good conditions. Late March: snow has usually melted from the main trail, and crossing conditions resemble October. Temperature at the pass: -10 to -5°C during crossing, colder with wind.

Muktinath and Kali Gandaki (3,800-2,700m): Dry, sunny, and warmer than the north side. The Kali Gandaki valley in March is bright and clear, with apple blossoms beginning to appear towards month-end.

When Do the Rhododendrons Bloom?

The Annapurna Circuit passes through extensive rhododendron forests between 2,000 and 3,500m. Bloom timing depends on elevation and the year's weather:

Late March: lower elevations (2,000-2,800m) start blooming. Red, pink, and white flowers appear in the forests between Chame and Upper Pisang.

April: peak bloom at all elevations. If rhododendrons are a priority, late March to mid-April is the window.

The lower trail from Besisahar through the Marsyangdi valley catches the earliest blooms. If you walk the full circuit (rather than driving to Chame), you get the best of the spring flowers.

How Crowded Is March?

Quieter than April and October. March is the first month of spring season, and many trekkers wait for April when temperatures are warmer and the pass is more reliably clear. This works in your favour — you get better teahouse availability, more personal service, and a quieter trail.

By late March, numbers start to build as April approaches. The first two weeks of March are the quietest — but also the coldest and most likely to have snow on Thorong La.

What Should You Pack?

March on the circuit requires the same gear as November: serious cold-weather layers for the pass crossing, plus lighter clothes for the subtropical lower sections.

Key items: down jacket (we provide one free), thermal base layers, insulated gloves, balaclava for the pass, sleeping bag rated to -20°C, microspikes (essential for early March), and sunscreen (the spring sun at altitude burns quickly).

We provide a free duffel bag and down jacket.

March vs October for the Annapurna Circuit

October: Warmer, drier, more reliable pass conditions. No rhododendrons. More crowded.

March: Cooler, rhododendrons beginning, quieter trails. Slightly higher risk of snow on Thorong La in early March.

Both are excellent. The choice comes down to whether you prefer warmer weather (October) or quieter trails with spring flowers (March).

Ready for the Annapurna Circuit in March?

We recommend starting between March 10th and March 25th for the best balance of weather, pass conditions, and early rhododendrons. Our guides monitor Thorong La conditions daily and adjust the itinerary if needed.

WhatsApp us for March dates and current conditions. Our Annapurna Circuit packages run year-round with departures throughout spring season.