April is one of the two best months for the Annapurna Circuit, alongside October and November. Days are warm in the lower valleys, rhododendrons bloom on the lower slopes, and the upper valleys around Manang stay dry. Nights get cold above Manang, around -5 to 0 °C there and colder at Thorong Phedi. Thorong La (5,416 m) is usually crossable, but early April can still bring snow and a fresh fall can close it for a day or two. It is a busy month, so book early. You need ACAP (NPR 3,000) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000), and a licensed guide has been required since April 2023.
- Rating for AprilOne of the best months
- Highest pointThorong La, 5,416 m (17,769 ft)
- Nights at ManangAbout -5 to 0 °C
- Jomsom in April18.6 °C day, 4.4 °C night (average)
- DaylightAbout 12.5 to 13 hours
- PermitsACAP NPR 3,000 + TIMS NPR 2,000
- GuideLicensed guide required
Annapurna circuit trek means trekking and exploring all the massifs and two different valleys of the Annapurna region of Nepal. Despite being one of Nepal's long treks, it is famous for its variety and its close views of the big peaks, namely Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m / 26795 ft), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091 m / 26545 ft), Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m / 26781 ft), Mt. Annapurna II (7,937 m / 26040 ft), Mt. Annapurna III (7,555 m / 24787 ft), Mt. Annapurna IV (7,525 m / 24688 ft ), Mt. Annapurna south (7,219 m / 23684 ft), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061 m / 23166 ft), Mt. Machhapuchhare (6,993 m / 22943 ft), Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441 m / 21132 ft), Mt. Lamjung Himal (6,983 m / 22910 ft), Tukuche peak (6,920 m / 22703 ft), and Tilicho peak (7134 m / 23406 ft).
The Annapurna circuit trek crosses one of the highest trekking passes in the world, Thorong La (also spelled Thorung La), at 5,416 m / 17,769 ft. Most people cross between March and May or in October and November. Snow can close the pass in winter, and no month is risk-free: in October 2014 a blizzard linked to Cyclone Hudhud killed at least 43 people around Thorong La. Trekking the colorful trail of the Annapurna Circuit trek through places like Dharapani, Chame, Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi and Jomsom, one sees the greatness in cultural and traditional diversities of Nepal.
The most famous attractions of the entire Annapurna circuit trek are Muktinath, Tatopani, and the Annapurna conservation area. Muktinath temple is equally worshipped and valued by both Buddhists and Hindus. The 108 faucets “dhara” in Nepali is believed to wash away sins one has committed and cleanse their soul. Tato means “hot” and pani means “water”: Tatopani has natural hot springs in the Kali Gandaki valley, a good place to rest sore legs. Most itineraries, Swotah’s included, now drive from Jomsom to Pokhara along this valley, so ask your guide if you want to stop for a soak.
The Annapurna Conservation Area is home to rare wildlife such as the snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan musk deer, Tibetan argali and blue sheep. Most trekkers see blue sheep and Himalayan tahr, while snow leopards and red pandas are rarely spotted.
Tibetan Buddhist culture shows more and more above Chame, in villages such as Pisang, Ngawal and Manang. You also meet Gurung, Manangi and Thakali communities along the way. Nepal’s ethnic and caste mosaic is on full display along this route. Despite being one of the longest treks in Nepal, the Annapurna Circuit trek does not fall into the difficult category. The trails are well established and non-technical, and the trek is often called “beginner friendly”, though even fit beginners should build in proper acclimatization. Most reasonably fit people can complete it. Since 1 April 2023 you must walk with a licensed guide, so you will not be on your own. It is still wise to have a health check before the trek.
How is the Annapurna Circuit trek in April?
April is one of the two best times of year for the Annapurna Circuit trek, along with autumn (late September to November). April month falls in the spring season. Wildflowers and rhododendrons are out on the lower slopes. Big storms are less common than in winter, but early April can still bring snow on Thorong La, and a fresh fall can close the pass for a day or two. Days are warm lower down and cold higher up, which suits long walking days.
April is mostly dry, though short afternoon showers happen in the lower valleys. Mornings are usually clear, and cloud and haze often build after midday, so the best mountain views come early.
Roads now reach Manang on the eastern side and Muktinath and Jomsom on the western side, so jeeps share parts of the old trail. Many trekkers follow the NATT side trails (New Annapurna Trekking Trails), marked in red and white or blue and white, which keep you off the road for much of the way. Your guide will know which sections are worth walking in April.
Vegetation during April
The Annapurna region is home to beautiful wildflowers like buttercups, polygonums and blue iris. These wildflowers are small and come in bright yellow, pink, blue and other colours. Their bloom time is typically around the month of April, which means the trails are decorated by them, and the sight is mesmerizing. Some other plants that you can witness are fir, oak, silver fir, larch, pine, sal, orchids, bamboo, golden raspberries, etc.
In April the magnolia trees put on a display of pink and white flowers. The region also has red, pink and white rhododendron forests, with a pale yellow species higher up, and surveys by the National Trust for Nature Conservation have recorded 224 orchid species across the conservation area. On the circuit itself, the best rhododendrons are on the lower Marsyangdi side and between Ghasa and Tatopani on the Kali Gandaki side, roughly between 1,500 and 3,000 m. The famous Ghorepani forests are on the Poon Hill route, not on the circuit.
Photo: Annapurna Circuit during April
How are the weather and temperature in April?
April falls in the spring season. The temperature rises up to 20 degrees Celsius / 68 degrees Fahrenheit and falls as low as -9 degrees Celsius / 15.8 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a rough range for the middle of the route. The lower valleys are warmer (Pokhara is often near 28 °C), and Thorong La at dawn can feel well below -10 °C with wind chill. Keep in mind that the temperature and altitude vary inversely. This means as the altitude increases, the temperature decreases. It is found that for every 1000 m / 3280 ft elevation gain, the temperature falls by about 6.5 degrees Celsius (11.7 degrees Fahrenheit). Daylight lasts about 12.5 to 13 hours, so long walking days fit in easily.
The weather is generally sunny, with a few showers, mostly in the lower region. Manang and Mustang sit in a rain shadow and stay drier. Mornings are usually calm, but the Kali Gandaki valley around Jomsom gets strong winds from late morning, so walk early on that side. Overall, April weather suits trekking well.
April Temperatures on the Annapurna Circuit by Altitude
Night lows and daytime highs for an average April day. Jomsom uses the official 1991 to 2020 normal from Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The Manang range comes from trekking reports, and the Thorong Phedi and Thorong La rows are estimates using the standard drop of about 6.5 °C per 1,000 m, so treat them as a guide.
| Place | Altitude | Night to day | Range (-20 to 30 °C) | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokhara | 822 m | 13 to 28 °C | Typical April range from climate sites | |
| Chame | 2,670 m | 3 to 17 °C | Estimate between Pokhara and Manang | |
| Manang | 3,540 m | -5 to 15 °C | Day 10 to 15, night -5 to 0 | |
| Thorong Phedi | 4,540 m | -11 to 8 °C | Estimate, about 6.5 °C colder per 1,000 m | |
| Thorong La | 5,416 m | -16 to 2 °C | Estimate, before wind chill | |
| Jomsom | 2,720 m | 4 to 19 °C | Official normal: 18.6 / 4.4 °C |
April vs Other Months on the Annapurna Circuit
A general pattern from past seasons, not a forecast. Any month can bring a storm on Thorong La, so keep a spare day in your plan.
| Month | Rating | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | Possible | Cold, and snow can close Thorong La for days |
| February | Possible | Still wintry on the pass, quiet trails |
| March | Good | Warming up, some snow left on the pass |
| April | Best | Warm days lower down, flowers, busy lodges |
| May | Good | Warmer and hazier, pre-monsoon showers late in the month |
| June | Possible | Monsoon starts on the lower trail, upper valleys drier |
| July | Possible | Rain, leeches and landslides below Chame, rain shadow above Manang |
| August | Possible | As July, with road and trail damage possible |
| September | Good | Monsoon clears through the month |
| October | Best | Clearest skies of the year, busiest month |
| November | Best | Clear and colder, quieter late in the month |
| December | Possible | Cold nights, early snow possible on the pass |
For a closer look at the other seasons, see our guides to the Annapurna Circuit in July and the Annapurna Circuit in winter.
Festivals and Holidays in April 2026
Nepali New Year fell on 14 April 2026, the first day of Baisakh in the year 2083 of the Bikram Sambat calendar. It is a public holiday, and Bhaktapur marks it with Bisket Jatra, a nine-day chariot festival. If your trip starts or ends in Kathmandu around mid-April, it is worth a day in Bhaktapur. Expect busier roads and buses around the holiday.
Food and accommodation during April
The Annapurna Circuit has plenty of teahouses. There is not a problem for any type of eater. All vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods are served on call. One gets the typical Nepali food: dal, bhat, tarkari and aachar. Or, if you want, you can have noodles and momo ( a Nepali dumpling that is stuffed with minced meat marinated with spices / for vegetarians, it is stuffed with cabbages and onions ).
Not to forget, April is one of the busiest months on the Annapurna Circuit. So, there are a lot of movements of both domestic and international tourists. This leads to teahouses being packed. You may not have a lot of options to choose from. Your guide will usually book ahead, which matters most at Manang and Thorong Phedi. The rooms offered by teahouses have twin beds with a shared toilet ( different teahouses have different types of rooms and luxuries ). Needless to say, the better the rooms higher the prices.
Altitude sickness during April in Annapurna Circuit trek
Irrespective of months and seasons, the Annapurna Circuit trek has a high risk of altitude sickness since it goes up to 5,416 m (17,769 ft) at Thorong La. Symptoms can start from about 2,500 m (8,202 ft). The most common symptoms are: feeling nauseous, feeling dizzy and lightheaded, headache, feeling lethargic, difficulty in breathing, etc. In April the days are warm and sunny lower down, so it is easy to get dehydrated, which makes altitude symptoms feel worse.
All three forms of mountain sickness that are: acute mountain sickness, HAPE ( High Altitude Pulmonary Edema ), and HACE ( High Altitude Cerebral Edema ) can happen on the Annapurna Circuit trek. Climb slowly, keep the rest days in your itinerary, and talk to your doctor before the trip about Diamox (acetazolamide), which needs a prescription in most countries. If symptoms get worse, the treatment is to go down. Our altitude sickness guide covers the warning signs. Stay hydrated at all times. Do not forget to protect your skin from the sun and have shades on to protect your eyes from the sun haze.
Pros and cons of trekking through Annapurna Circuit during April
Pros:
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Moderate temperature and ideal weather for long treks.
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Since the weather is not too cold in the lower region one can trek in t-shirts and trousers. They do not have to load themselves with heavy down jackets and worry about catching a cold. (for the higher mountainous regions you might need some warm trekking clothes)
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A lower chance of weather problems than in winter or the monsoon.
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The best scenic view of the vegetation and wildflowers.
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Mostly clear mornings, with less rain and fewer storms than most months.
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Since it is one of the peak seasons, you will be accompanied by many fellow trekkers. So you do not feel alone.
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You are rarely far from other trekkers and lodges if you need help.
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Frostbite risk is lower than in winter, though you still need warm gloves and layers for the Thorong La crossing.
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Trails are in good shape after the dry winter.
Cons:
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The trails are quite crowded during April so, not the right time for the Annapurna Circuit trek if you want some alone time away from the chaos.
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Possibility of not getting the teahouse you want due to heavy flow of tourists.
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The charge rate of the teahouse can be higher since their demand is high.
Join Swotah
Looking for a trek that also supports responsible travel? Join Swotah Travel on the Annapurna Circuit in April.
At Swotah Travel, we have a team of experienced and knowledgeable professionals dedicated to ensuring your trekking journey is as enjoyable and safe as possible. We prioritize sustainable travel practices and strive to reduce our environmental impact. We also work with local communities to help promote economic development and benefit the local culture. With us, you can expect to have a fully customized trekking experience tailored to your needs and preferences.
Our team will provide clear instructions and guidance so you can make the most of your trek. Our packages include accommodation, meals on the trek, transport and a licensed guide. Travel insurance is not included, so buy a policy that covers helicopter rescue to 6,000 m.
So why wait? Join Swotah Travel and plan your Annapurna Circuit trek in April with us.
Annapurna Circuit in April: FAQs
Is there snow on Thorong La in April?
Often there is some, especially in early April. Most of the winter snow has melted or packed down by mid-April, but a spring storm can add fresh snow and close the pass for a day or two. Groups leave Thorong Phedi or High Camp around 4 to 5 am, and microspikes help on icy sections.
How cold is the Annapurna Circuit in April?
Lower valleys reach the high 20s °C by day. Manang is about 10 to 15 °C by day and -5 to 0 °C at night, and Thorong La at dawn can feel well below -10 °C with wind. A down jacket and a sleeping bag rated to about -10 °C are worth packing.
Is the Annapurna Circuit crowded in April?
Yes. April is the busiest spring month, and lodges in Manang and Thorong Phedi fill up. Your guide books ahead, and starting early each day keeps you clear of the busiest stretches.
Do I need a guide for the Annapurna Circuit?
Yes. Since 1 April 2023 a licensed guide is required, and the TIMS card is issued only through an agency. ACAP costs NPR 3,000, or double if you buy it at a checkpoint. Our Annapurna Circuit permits guide covers the details.
Is April or October better for the Annapurna Circuit?
October has the clearest skies, straight after the monsoon. April is warmer, has flowers lower down and is a little quieter, but afternoon haze is more common. Both are good choices.
