Manaslu Circuit Trek in Winter: Temperatures, Larkya La and Tips (2026)
Yes, you can trek the Manaslu Circuit in winter, but it is the toughest time of year on the route. December is usually crossable on clear days. In January and February, snow often closes the Larkya La (5,106 m) for days at a time, nights fall to about -17°C at Dharamsala (4,460 m), and many lodges at Samdo and Dharamsala shut until spring. Go with a licensed guide (compulsory on Manaslu), carry a sleeping bag rated to about -20°C and insurance that covers helicopter rescue, and keep at least one spare day for the pass.
- Winter seasonDecember to February
- Highest pointLarkya La, 5,106 m
- January nightsAbout -10°C at Samagaon, -17°C at Dharamsala (estimates)
- DaylightAbout 10.5 hours at the solstice
- Pass statusOften closed for days after snow, Dec to Feb
- Permit (Dec to Aug)RAP USD 75 for 7 days + MCAP + ACAP, guide required
The winter season in Nepal runs from December to February. Although spring and autumn are considered the most suitable seasons to trek the Manaslu circuit, it is doable in winter, as long as you plan around the Larkya La and the lodges that close for the cold months.
The scenery in the Manaslu region is hard to beat. Lower down you pass Gurung villages, and higher up you reach the Tibetan Buddhist villages of Nubri, such as Lho, Samagaon and Samdo. You eat food cooked locally and sleep in family-run teahouses. Snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, clear rivers and waterfalls line the route.
The route suits trekkers who like quiet trails. At lower elevations you walk through subtropical forest, and higher up you reach the Larkya La (also spelled Larke La), 5,106 meters above sea level.
You will see a wide range of plants and wildlife as you walk through the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP). Along the way, a ring of peaks comes into view, several of them above 7,000 meters, led by Manaslu itself at 8,163 meters.
Trekkers who like a challenge and don't mind harsh weather can enjoy Manaslu in winter. The Larkya La will test you mentally and physically, and the thin air makes every step harder. Snow and ice make the trails slippery, so slips and bruises are common.
How difficult is the Manaslu Circuit Trek in winter?
The Manaslu trek can be amazing during December, as December is the start of the winter season in Nepal. The weather is comparatively ideal compared to other winter months, and snowfall is less frequent. Mornings and nights are still cold. Around Samagaon (3,530 m), December nights drop to about -9°C, and it gets colder near the pass.
During January and February, trekking Manaslu can be tougher as these are the prime months of the winter season in Nepal. The chilly weather, supported by ample amounts of moderate to heavy snowfall, is set to make your journey harder. Around Samagaon, days barely climb above freezing and nights fall to about -10°C or lower. At Dharamsala (4,460 m), the last stop below the pass, nights reach about -17°C. As these months are the off-season for the Manaslu trek, getting help in an emergency is harder. Passing the Larkya La Pass can be tougher as the snow will make the trail difficult.
Manaslu trek in December
The weather in the Manaslu region in December varies with elevation. Below about 3,500 meters, the environment is still warmer, whereas the higher parts are relatively freezing.
In the lower valley, December days reach about 20°C, but the temperature falls by roughly 6.5°C for every 1,000 m you climb. Around Samagaon, expect about -9°C at night and a few degrees above freezing by day.
December is the gentlest of the winter months. Skies are mostly clear, so the snow-capped mountains look their best. Rain is rare, but snow can fall at any time, and one heavy fall can close the Larkya La for days.
Manaslu trek in January and February
There is little to no difference in climate and weather conditions in January and February. During these peak winter seasons, the Manaslu region is covered in snow, and the temperature drops to its lowest. However, as February bids farewell to the winter season, the ending days of February are comparatively warmer.
Above 3,500 m, nights run from about -10°C at Samagaon to about -17°C at Dharamsala, and colder still on the pass. The chances of getting frostbite and dry lips increase significantly. There are fewer people on the Manaslu trails because of the chilly weather. If you value solitude, these months have it in quantity, though they are also the hardest. Rooms are easy to find lower down, but many lodges close for the season, especially at Samdo and Dharamsala, so ask your agency which ones are open before you go.
Manaslu Circuit Winter Temperatures by Altitude
No weather station covers most of the route, so these are rough January estimates. The low-valley figures are Pokhara's 1991 to 2020 averages (827 m, close to Machha Khola). Higher up we take off about 6.5°C for every 1,000 m, the same method as our month-by-month Manaslu guide. Clear, still nights can be colder, and wind on the pass makes it feel far worse.
| Place | Altitude | January (night to day) | How cold the night gets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machha Khola | 870 m | 7 to 20°C | Above freezing |
| Jagat | 1,440 m | 3 to 16°C | Above freezing |
| Namrung | 2,630 m | -5 to 8°C | |
| Samagaon | 3,530 m | -11 to 2°C | |
| Samdo | 3,875 m | -13 to 0°C | |
| Dharamsala | 4,460 m | -17 to -3°C | |
| Larkya La | 5,106 m | Below -20 at night, about -8 by day | |
| Bimthang | 3,590 m | -11 to 2°C |
December and February sit a couple of degrees milder than January at each stop.
Larkya La in Winter: Month by Month
The pass has no gate and no official closing date. Whether you cross depends on the last snowfall, the wind and which lodges are still open below it.
| Month | Rating | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| November | Best | Clear and cold, lodges open all the way to Dharamsala |
| December | Possible | Mostly clear but cold, snow can close the pass, some high lodges shut |
| January | Avoid | Coldest month, the pass is often snowbound, many lodges at Samdo and Dharamsala closed |
| February | Avoid | Deep snow lingers on the pass, days slowly lengthen |
| March | Good | Warming up, lodges reopen, late snow still possible on the pass |
Planning the pass day in winter
From Dharamsala you climb about 650 m to the Larkya La and drop roughly 1,500 m to Bimthang, usually 8 to 10 hours in good conditions. In winter, deep snow can stretch that well past daylight, so groups leave Dharamsala at 3 or 4 am with headtorches and microspikes. Keep at least one spare day, ideally two. If the pass stays shut, the way out is back down the Budhi Gandaki the way you came, several days of walking to the road unless you pay for a helicopter, so ask your agency how they handle that before you book. Snow can close the pass outside winter too. A storm snowed it in during late October 2025, and it reopened on 2 November, as our Manaslu difficulty guide explains.
Accommodation and food in Manaslu trek during winter
The cost of food and shelter is directly proportional to the elevation in any trek, including the Manaslu trek, i.e., the higher you ascend, the higher the price. However, costs are lower compared to peak seasons.
Some lodges lower their room rates in winter because business is slow. The rooms have no heating, so carry a sleeping bag rated to about -20°C.
As the lodges are mostly vacant, you can rent a single room for a cheaper price.
But you will have far fewer food choices than during peak seasons. Foods that are common in all tea houses are rice, lentils, and curry. For breakfast, spaghetti, sandwiches, eggs, and mashed potatoes are pretty common during the trek.
Pros of Manaslu circuit trek in winter
Clear sky
Rain is rare in winter, and the cold, dry air keeps most days clear. You get blue skies, sharp mountain views and, after dark, a sky packed with stars. Snow still falls, mostly in January and February.
Unobstructed view of snow-capped mountains
Fresh snow sharpens every ridge. From the upper villages and the pass you see Manaslu (8,163 m), Himlung, Nemjung, Gyaji Kang, Annapurna II, Cheo Himal and Kang Guru, among others.
Less crowd
Fewer people trek Manaslu during the winter season as the temperature plummets. You will experience a peaceful journey and get to know your guide and porter without any disturbance. However, this also means that getting help will be harder in case some unfortunate incident occurs.
Affordable rates
Winter suits a tighter budget. Some lodges drop their room rates, and the Manaslu restricted area permit costs less from December to August: USD 75 for the first 7 days, against USD 100 in autumn (see our Manaslu permit guide). Lodges expect you to eat where you sleep, so order your meals there.
Festivals like Christmas and New Year
Christmas and New Year fall in the middle of winter, and some teahouses mark them with a little extra cheer. Besides, what could be the best way to start a new year other than a soul-lifting journey to the Himalayas? However, if you are trekking during the holiday season, you might miss time with your family back home.
Winter Festivals Along the Way
Tamu Lhosar, the Gurung New Year, falls on 30 December 2026 (Poush 15 in the Nepali calendar). Gurung villages in Gorkha and Lamjung mark it with dances, family feasts and traditional dress. Higher up, the Tibetan Buddhist villages of Nubri and Tsum celebrate Losar, the Tibetan New Year, in February. By the Tibetan calendar Losar 2027 falls around 7 February, though Nepal's official holiday date can differ, so check nearer the time. Many villagers spend the coldest weeks in Kathmandu or lower down, so some upper villages are quiet over Losar.
Also Read:
Manaslu Circuit vs. Annapurna Circuit
Cons of Manaslu circuit trek in winter
More trekking gears
If you plan to trek the Manaslu in the winter season, the weight of your backpack will definitely increase. Because of the temperature, you will need to pack extra warm clothes.
In addition to weight, the price of these gears will also increase. You must have a trekking outfit that can withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees. Hence, you will spend a couple of hundred dollars more than you would during other seasons.
Harsh weather
The climate is undoubtedly the biggest flaw when trekking in winter. Heavy snowfall will test your ability to resist cold throughout the journey, especially at Larkya La Pass. The risk of AMS (acute mountain sickness) also rises above about 3,500 meters.
Hypothermia and Frostbite
In addition to the bone-chilling cold, harsh climate can bring some complications. Hypothermia, which is caused by prolonged exposure to cold climates can be expected as your body will lose heat faster than it can produce.
Without snow-proof gloves you risk frostbite. Frostbitten fingers itch, then hurt, and they slow you down.
Short days and long nights
Winter brings longer nights and shorter days. This means you will have a short time to trek as you will only trek during the day. Around the winter solstice you get about ten and a half hours of daylight, so most days start soon after sunrise, and pass day starts in the dark.
Is Winter a Good Time for the Manaslu Circuit?
The Manaslu trek in winter is definitely challenging yet achievable with proper guidance and planning. A licensed guide is compulsory anyway, and in winter a good one knows which lodges are open and when the pass is safe. If you want winter quiet without the worst of the cold, early December is your best window. By March the pass usually opens up again. Besides, views of mountain peaks during winter have their own flavor of uniqueness, and food and shelter are pretty affordable.
Manaslu Circuit in Winter: FAQs
Is the Manaslu Circuit trek in winter difficult?
Yes, it is the hardest time of year on the circuit. The Larkya La is the crux, and snow can add hours to the pass day or close it altogether. With good gear, a licensed guide and spare days, fit trekkers do finish it, especially in December.
Can you cross the Larkya La in winter?
Sometimes. December crossings are common on clear days. In January and February heavy snow can shut the pass for days, so plan for the chance that you have to wait or turn back.
Are teahouses open on the Manaslu Circuit in winter?
Lower down, most are. Many lodges at Samdo and Dharamsala close for the season, so your agency should confirm which ones are open before you leave Kathmandu.
Is the Manaslu trek in winter life-threatening?
Deaths are rare, but winter adds real risks: frostbite, falls on ice and storms that strand people high up. Trek with a guide, carry insurance that covers helicopter rescue to at least 5,200 m, and turn back if the weather turns.
What is the lowest temperature on the Manaslu trek?
Our estimates put January nights at about -17°C at Dharamsala (4,460 m) and below -20°C on the Larkya La, before wind chill. Lower villages such as Machha Khola stay above freezing.
