Manaslu Circuit Trek in November 2026: Best Weeks, Pass Conditions & Gear Guide

19 May 2026 Chandra Gurung

The first two weeks of November are still the autumn trekking season. Skies above Samagaun are clear. Larkya La at 5,160 metres is crossable with the right cold gear. Teahouses from Soti Khola to Dharmasala are open and stocked.

After the 20th, things shift. Fresh snow on the Larkya La approach becomes more likely. Some teahouses around Samdo start closing. Daylight drops to around five hours of comfortable hiking. The crossing is still possible, but you need live conditions from someone on the ground, a buffer day at Dharamsala, and gear that is rated for minus 15.

In November 2024, our team completed 14 Larkya La crossings. Twelve of those were in the first three weeks. The remaining two required a one-day weather hold before conditions cleared.

Talk to our team and get a free November itinerary built around your exact travel dates.

Is November Worth It for the Manaslu Circuit Trek?

For the right trekker, yes. For the wrong trekker in the wrong week, it is a hard experience that did not need to be.

What November gives you is the trail almost to yourself. The groups that filled Samagaun teahouses through mid-October are done. You walk into villages with space. Teahouse owners have time to talk. The pace of the whole circuit slows in a way that October, at peak crowd, does not allow.

In mid-November, the temperature sits at minus 5 to minus 8 degrees Celsius at night. That is not uncomfortable if your sleeping bag is rated for it and you are wearing your base layers to sleep in. But trekkers who arrive with a summer sleeping bag rated to zero, which we see occasionally, do not sleep well from Samagaun onwards. Bad sleep at high altitude slows acclimatization and raises AMS risk. Those two things compound.

The mountain views are as good as any other month. Manaslu’s north face, Himalchuli, and Annapurna II sit in a winter sky that is clearer than the haze-heavy shoulder season. Mountain forecast accuracy also improves in post-monsoon conditions. Less convection cloud in the afternoons.

If you have done altitude trekking before, pack for the cold, and are going in the first two weeks, November on the Manaslu Circuit is excellent.

November Temperatures by Altitude on the Manaslu Circuit

Packing for Samagaun means being underprepared for Dharmasala. The elevation range on manaslu circuit trek goes from 700 metres at Soti Khola to 5,160 metres at Larkya La. The temperature swing across that range in November is around 35 degrees Celsius between the warmest valley day and the coldest pre-dawn at the pass camp.

Start the Larkya La crossing by 4 AM. Wind on the upper section above 4,800 metres increases from around 10 AM in November. The crossing from Dharmasala to Bhimtang takes 6 to 8 hours. Being on the descent before noon is not just a recommendation. In late November when wind picks up earlier, it is the difference between a safe crossing and a rough one.

Acclimatization and AMS in November for Manaslu

Cold weather increases AMS risk in ways that warmer months do not. Cold compresses breathing. It reduces appetite. It makes sleep worse. All three slow acclimatization, and on the Manaslu Circuit Trek in November, you are dealing with all three from Samagaun onwards.

The rest day at Samagaun at 3,520 metres is not optional. Do not skip it. Every guide on this route will tell you the same thing. The trekkers who push through Samagaun in a day to save time are usually the ones who slow down or turn back above Samdo.

Two acclimatization walks worth doing from Samagaun: the walk to Birendra Lake at 3,450 metres keeps you active without gaining altitude. The walk toward Pungen Gompa gains around 400 metres and gives you altitude exposure plus one of the better views of Manaslu’s glacial face on the whole circuit. In November both are usually empty. The Pungen Gompa walk takes around three hours return from Samagaun.

Know the AMS symptoms before you leave Kathmandu. Headache that does not respond to hydration, nausea, unusual fatigue, dizziness. If these appear above Samagaun, your guide will decide whether to rest or descend. We carry supplemental oxygen on every Manaslu Circuit departure.

Pros of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in November

The trail in November is quiet. Genuinely quiet. Mid-November you can walk a full day on the Manaslu Circuit without seeing another trekking group. That changes how the circuit feels.

Skies are stable. November is dry. The post-monsoon clarity that starts in October runs through most of November. Manaslu, Himalchuli, and the Ganesh Himal range are out on most days. So is Annapurna II as you descend from Larkya La toward Bhimtang.

The lower gorge is fast. Soti Khola to Namrung is firm and dusty in November. No mud. No leeches. No slippery rock crossings from overnight rain. Your pace in the first four trail days is noticeably better than any monsoon departure. Yak traffic through the lower villages also drops in November as herders bring animals down from high pastures.

Cons of the Manaslu Circuit Trek in November

The cold compounds. It is not just Larkya La that is cold. Samagaun nights are minus 5 to minus 8 by mid-month. Samdo is worse. Dharmasala is minus 12 or lower. A sleeping bag rated to minus 10 is the minimum. Minus 15 is more accurate for mid and late November. Thin gear at this altitude does not just make you uncomfortable. It slows your acclimatization and affects your judgement on the pass.

Late November adds snow risk on Larkya La. The approach above 4,500 metres can have significant fresh snow from around the 20th. This does not close the pass, but it means slower progress, mandatory microspikes, and a guide who has current conditions from contacts at Dharmasala. We check with our field team before every late-November crossing.

Some teahouses close after the 20th. Not all of them, but options above Samdo get limited. This affects your itinerary if you do not know which ones are still open. We confirm teahouse availability for every client before departure.

Daylight is around 11 hours but useful hiking daylight is shorter. Sunset is around 5 PM by mid-month. You need to be at your teahouse by 4:30 at the latest. This affects how far you push each day and how early you start.

Not sure if your gear is warm enough for November? Send us your packing list before you fly and we will review it for your specific week.

Early, Mid, and Late November on the Manaslu Trail

Early November (1 to 10)

Early November feels close to late October. Some October groups are still finishing the circuit. Teahouses are fully staffed and stocked. Nights are cold above 3,000 metres but within range for any prepared trekker.

Larkya La in the first week is usually clear. Light snow is possible above 4,800 metres. Microspikes are useful but sometimes not required. Your guide will check conditions at Dharmasala the night before the crossing.

The Tihar festival sometimes falls in early November. If it does, the lower villages from Machha Khola through Jagat have a different feel. Teahouse lights are up. Owners are in better spirits than any other week on the trail. It is a good time to be in the lower valley.

Mid-November (11 to 20)

This is the right time for trekkers who want the November Manaslu Circuit in its best form. The trail is quiet. Weather is still stable. Larkya La is cold but crossable.

By mid-November you can walk a full day without seeing another group. Lho and Shyala feel unhurried. The monastery above Lho is worth a 20-minute stop. In mid-November, you will probably have it to yourself.

Larkya La from mid-month has snow on the approach above 4,500 metres. Microspikes go on before the false summit. The pre-dawn start at Dharmasala is around minus 12. It is dark for the first 90 minutes of the climb. As light comes up behind Manaslu to the east, the Annapurna range opens across the south and the Tibetan plateau fills the north. The crossing takes 6 to 8 hours from camp to Bhimtang.

Late November (21 to 30)

Late November requires more preparation than most trekkers expect going in.

Dharmasala drops to minus 15 or below. Fresh snow on the pass approach is common. Some Samdo teahouses close. Ice patches appear on the trail above 4,000 metres on clear days, not just after snowfall. The approach to Larkya La above 4,800 metres can be slow.

Going in late November means a four-season sleeping bag rated to minus 15, a guide with live pass conditions, microspikes, and a built-in buffer day. With all of that in place it is manageable. Running a tight schedule in late November is not something we advise.

Larkya La Pass in November: Week by Week

November vs October: Which Month to Choose

Manaslu Circuit Trek in October is the safer choice for trekkers new to high-altitude conditions. November suits people who have done altitude trekking before, have the right cold gear, and want the trail quieter. Both months give you the same route and the same views. The difference is temperature, acclimatization pressure, and pass risk from mid-month.

Which Trek Package Works for November

The standard Manaslu Circuit Trek at 14 days works for early and mid-November. Build in one contingency day at Samdo or Dharmasala. 

The Manaslu Circuit Deluxe Trek includes extra acclimatization days and better teahouse options where available. A solid choice for mid-November when you want time in the upper villages without schedule pressure.

Manaslu with Tsum Valley at 20 to 24 days works if you start in early November and finish before the 25th. Starting mid-November on this package means late-November pass conditions become a real factor.

Short circuit versions under 14 days are not recommended for November. Cold increases the need for acclimatization time, not less.

We can match the right itinerary length to your departure date and cold-weather experience before you book. Talk to our team.

Permits for November

The Manaslu region is a restricted area. You need three permits: the Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP), the Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). The ACAP covers the section of the circuit that exits through the Annapurna region after the pass. You also need a licensed guide. Independent trekking in the Manaslu restricted area is not permitted.

Checkpoints along the trail check all three permits. Carry originals and copies in a waterproof zip-lock in your daypack. Permit processing in Kathmandu takes one working day. We arrange all three as part of the booking.

What to Pack for November on the Manaslu Circuit

The full Manaslu Circuit packing list applies. In November, the cold-weather items move from advisable to required.

Sleeping bag rated to minus 15. Not minus 10. From Samdo onwards in mid and late November, a minus 10 bag is not enough for comfortable sleep. Poor sleep above 4,000 metres compounds acclimatization problems faster than most trekkers expect.

Microspikes. Required from mid-November. Available to buy or rent in Thamel, Kathmandu. Pack them from day one.

Two pairs of gloves. Thin for the lower and mid trail. Thick insulated pair for Dharmasala nights and the crossing.

Hand warmers. Four to six disposable warmers for the pass morning. At minus 12 before dawn they keep hands functional. They also help keep your camera battery alive, which matters when the light comes up at the top.

Base layers, top and bottom. By mid-November you are wearing them to sleep in at Dharmasala.

Thick down jacket. A proper insulated down, not a light puffer. It stays in the porter duffel until Namrung, then it goes on every evening from there.

Food and Teahouses in November

Most teahouses on the main circuit are open through mid-November. Dal bhat is available at every elevation. Basic western food at the lower stops. The menu gets simpler as you climb and the month gets later.

The teahouse at Samagaun run by a local family has a stove in the dining room. In November that stove is the centre of the evening. You will sit close to it. The dal bhat after eight days on trail, at 3,520 metres with cold outside and a wood fire inside, is one of those simple moments that people talk about when they get home.

Hot showers are available at most teahouses for $2 to $3. Above Namrung in mid-November, some only have lukewarm water. Wet wipes become the more practical option above 3,500 metres.

Charging costs $1 to $3 per device. Carry a 20,000 mAh power bank at minimum. Cold temperatures drain battery capacity significantly above 4,000 metres. Keep the power bank inside your sleeping bag overnight from Samagaun onwards.

Wi-Fi is available through most teahouses to Samagaun. Signal above there is inconsistent. Do not plan on video calls or uploads above the lower trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is November a good month for the Manaslu Circuit Trek? 

Early to mid-November is a strong time for experienced trekkers. Skies are clear, the trail is quiet, and Larkya La is crossable with cold-weather gear. Late November is possible with a four-season sleeping bag, microspikes, and a flexible schedule. It is not the right time for first-time high-altitude trekkers.

How cold does the Manaslu Circuit get in November? Dharmasala the night before the pass sits at minus 12 to minus 15°C from mid-month. Samagaun nights are minus 5 to minus 8°C. Bring a sleeping bag rated to minus 15 and a full thick down jacket. A liner adds warmth and handles the cleanliness issue at teahouses.

Do you need microspikes for November on the Manaslu Circuit? Yes, from mid-November onward. The Larkya La approach can have hard-packed snow from around the 10th. Even in early November, carry them as a precaution. They weigh 500 grams and are available in Thamel, Kathmandu.

Are teahouses open in November on the Manaslu Circuit? Most are open through mid-November. Some in the upper valley around Samdo start closing after the 20th. We confirm which teahouses are operating with our field contacts before every November departure.

Is November more crowded than October on the Manaslu Circuit? No. November is significantly quieter. The October peak ends by the first week of November. Mid and late November are among the quietest weeks of the trekking year on this circuit.

What permits do you need for trekking Manaslu in November? Three permits: the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP), and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). A licensed guide is mandatory. The circuit cannot be trekked independently.

Conclusion

November on the Manaslu Circuit Trek changes week by week in a way that most articles do not reflect. Early to mid-November is cold, quiet, and clear. A well-prepared trekker with the right sleeping bag and a guide who knows the route will have a strong circuit. Late November asks more of you: better gear, a flexible schedule, and someone on the ground checking current pass conditions before you commit to the crossing.

Our team tracks Larkya La snow reports, Samdo teahouse availability, and mountain forecast data through the whole month. We can help you find the right departure for your November dates and make sure your gear list matches what the trail actually needs that week. Talk to our team today to plan your Manaslu Circuit Trek in November.