Annapurna Circuit in November: Last Chance Before Winter

Is November Too Late for the Annapurna Circuit?

No, but it is cutting it close. November is the last reliable month for the Annapurna Circuit before winter sets in. The first two weeks are excellent — clear skies, cold nights, empty trails, and a Thorong La crossing that feels like a private expedition. The last week carries more risk: snow on the pass, closed teahouses above Manang, and temperatures that test even good gear.

I have sent trekkers on the circuit in November for years. The ones who start before November 10th almost always complete the full circuit without issues. Those who start after November 15th need more flexibility, better cold-weather gear, and a willingness to adjust the itinerary if the pass is snowed in.

What Is the Weather Like?

Lower section (800-2,500m): Still pleasant. Daytime 15 to 22°C. The rice harvest is finishing, the terraces are golden, and the air is dry and clear. This stretch from Besisahar through the lower Marsyangdi valley feels like late autumn — warm sun, cool shade, crisp mornings.

Manang area (3,500-4,000m): Cold and dry. Daytime 5 to 12°C, nights -5 to -10°C. The landscape is arid and stark — brown grass, bare rock, and towering snow peaks. Manang itself sits in a rain shadow, so precipitation is rare even when other parts of Nepal see weather. The acclimatisation day here is cold but beautifully clear.

Thorong La (5,416m): The pass is the crux. Early November temperatures: -10 to -5°C during the crossing, -20 to -25°C overnight at Thorong Phedi. Wind chill on the pass can push the effective temperature below -30°C. Snow is possible — light dustings are common, significant snowfall that blocks the pass happens once or twice per November on average.

Muktinath and Kali Gandaki (3,800-2,700m): Drier and warmer than the north side. The descent from Thorong La into the Kali Gandaki valley feels like walking into a different climate — sunny, sheltered, and surprisingly warm for November.

How Crowded Is the Trail?

This is November's biggest selling point. The crowds of October have gone home. You will share teahouse dining rooms with a handful of trekkers rather than fifty. Between Manang and Thorong Phedi, you might walk for hours without seeing another group.

The quiet changes the character of the trek entirely. Teahouse owners have time to talk. Your guide can adjust the pace without worrying about room availability. And the pass crossing at dawn feels like a genuine adventure rather than a queue.

The trade-off: some smaller teahouses close after mid-November. Our guides know which lodges stay open and plan the itinerary accordingly. You will not be left without accommodation, but your options narrow above 4,000m.

Will Thorong La Be Open?

In most years, Thorong La remains passable throughout November. The pass closes for extended periods only in exceptional snowfall years, and even then, it usually reopens within a few days once the weather clears.

Our approach: we monitor weather forecasts daily during November treks. If heavy snow is predicted, we adjust the schedule — sometimes waiting a day in Manang, sometimes pushing ahead to cross before the storm. Our guides have crossed Thorong La in every month of the year and know how to read the conditions.

If the pass does close and cannot reopen within your timeframe, we arrange alternative routes — either a side trip to Tilicho Lake or a return via the same route. This is rare but it does happen, and flexibility is the price of November trekking.

What Should You Pack?

November on the Annapurna Circuit requires serious cold-weather gear. This is not a "bring a fleece and hope for the best" situation above 4,000m.

Essentials: a down jacket rated to -15°C (we provide one free of charge), thermal base layers (merino, not cotton), insulated trekking trousers for above Manang, a balaclava or buff for the pass crossing, insulated gloves with liner gloves, a sleeping bag rated to -20°C, and microspikes for icy sections above Thorong Phedi.

We also provide a free duffel bag. Your porter carries it, so your daypack should have water, snacks, camera, a warm layer, and your microspikes.

How Much Does It Cost?

Same as peak season. Permit fees, guide costs, and our package prices do not change month to month. You may find teahouse room rates slightly lower in November when the lodges are not full, but the savings are marginal.

Our Annapurna Circuit packages include guide, porters, meals, accommodation, and all permits. See our Nepal trekking cost guide for a full breakdown.

November vs October for the Annapurna Circuit

October: Warmer, busier, higher pass completion rate. Better for first-time trekkers who want the safest conditions.

November: Colder, quieter, slightly more adventurous. Better for experienced trekkers who value solitude and can handle cold.

Both are good months. If you can handle -20°C nights and want the trail to yourself, November rewards you with an experience that peak-season trekkers do not get.

Ready for a November Circuit?

We recommend starting between November 1st and November 12th for the best balance of weather and pass conditions. Late November starts are possible but carry more risk.

WhatsApp us to check dates or ask about current conditions. Our team monitors Thorong La conditions daily during November and can give you real-time updates.