Is February better than January for the Annapurna Circuit?

For crossing the pass, yes, mainly because settled high-pressure spells last longer and the days are longer. The snowpack on Thorong La is actually at its deepest in February, so the equipment requirement is unchanged.

How many spare days does a winter circuit need?

Two at Manang is the sensible minimum. Winter crossings depend entirely on catching a settled morning, and spare days are what let a guide wait for one rather than commit to a fixed date.

Does Manang get much snow?

Very little. Manang sits in the rain shadow behind the main Himalayan wall, so it stays dry and cold through winter while the southern side of the range collects the weather. The snow problem on this circuit is concentrated on the pass itself.

What equipment do you need for a February crossing?

A bag rated to -20°C comfort, an expedition-weight down jacket, insulated gloves, face and eye protection against wind-driven spindrift, and microspikes as a minimum, with crampons carried if the guide calls for them.

Annapurna Circuit Trek in February: Weather & Crowds

February temperatures, valley to high camp

Waypoint	Elevation	Day	Night
Chame	2,670m	10 to 15°C	-6 to -2°C
Manang	3,519m	5 to 10°C	-13 to -8°C
Thorong Phedi	4,450m	-1 to 4°C	-18 to -13°C
Thorong La	5,416m	-7 to -2°C	-26 to -20°C

February runs two or three degrees warmer than January at every altitude while carrying more snow on the ground, because snowpack accumulates and cold does not. Western disturbances bring the month's three or four precipitation days, usually as a single overnight system followed by a run of flawless mornings. Those clear runs are what make February crossings possible, and they are also why a February itinerary needs the flexibility to sit still for a day and wait for one.

On the trail

Trail conditions in February

The Marsyangdi side is in excellent winter order. Frozen, fast, quiet, with the Paungda Danda rock face and the Ghyaru high traverse at their sharpest. Manang gets very little snow in any winter month thanks to the rain shadow, so the approach stays straightforward.

The pass approach is the annual maximum for snow depth. The traverse above the Jarsang Khola, which the itinerary already treats carefully because of landslide risk, becomes a snow crossing in February, and the switchbacks to High Camp need microspikes as a minimum. Crossing on a settled day after several clear days is very different from crossing two days after a storm.

The 1,600m descent from the pass to Muktinath is the part people forget in winter. It is steep scree under normal conditions and snow-covered scree in February, and it is where a long crossing day becomes a very long one.

Crowds & teahouses

Who else is up there

Quiet throughout, with a small lift at the end of the month. Lodges up to Manang operate all winter on reduced service. Above Manang the situation improves through February as owners reopen ahead of March, and by the last week Thorong Phedi is generally running normally again.

Getting in & out

Flights, roads and logistics

Dry roads and easy logistics. The Besisahar drive and Dharapani jeep are at their most reliable, and vehicles are readily available. February has no approach problems whatsoever.

What changes this month

Sleeping bag to -20°C comfort for Thorong Phedi

Full winter kit for the pass: down jacket, insulated gloves, face protection, goggles

Microspikes essential, crampons on the guide's call

Sunglasses and heavy cream; February glare off snow at 5,000m is severe

A spare day, or two, purely to wait for a settled crossing window

Some mountains
don't wait

Permits close. Weather windows narrow. The best Everest region teahouse beds fill by October, and spring season opens again in March. Our Kathmandu team is already booking for autumn. If you have been planning a trek, this is the window.

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Annapurna Circuit Trek in February

February temperatures, valley to high camp

Trail conditions in February

Who else is up there

Flights, roads and logistics

What changes this month

February questions