Trek the Annapurna Circuit Trek

A legendary high-altitude trek in Nepal that encircles the Annapurna Massif, offering dramatic scenery, diverse cultures, and the iconic crossing of Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.

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Is May a Good Time for the Annapurna Circuit?

Yes, particularly in the first half of the month. May sits at the end of the spring window, after April's crowds have thinned and while Thorong La is generally at its clearest of snow for the entire year. The trade-off is heat and humidity lower down, and an increasing chance of pre-monsoon rain and haze as the month progresses, real factors, but ones that mostly affect the lower Marsyangdi valley rather than the upper circuit, which sits in a rain shadow.

Annapurna Circuit Weather in May

May's weather pattern follows a fairly consistent daily rhythm this time of year: clear mornings, building cloud through midday, and a real chance of afternoon haze or a brief shower, a pattern that gets more pronounced as the month goes on.

Dharapani through Chame get genuinely hot and increasingly damp, this being the lowest, wettest section of the route as pre-monsoon moisture builds.

Manang and the middle elevations stay notably more comfortable, cooler by day and cold at night, largely insulated from the lower valley's heat by elevation.

Thorong Phedi and High Camp remain cold regardless of season, with May offering little relief from the pre-dawn chill despite how warm the lower valleys feel.

Thorong La stays cold and windy, but May specifically benefits from the year's lowest snow accumulation at the pass, a genuine advantage over April, and a significant one over March.

Muktinath and lower Mustang, sitting in the rain shadow behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, stay drier and more stable than the wetter lower Marsyangdi side throughout May.

Early May vs. Mid-May vs. Late May

Early May is the strongest part of the month, spring-like conditions carrying over from April, cooler and drier than what follows, with generally excellent chances of clear mountain views and the least crowded trails of the main spring season.

Mid-May brings rising warmth at lower elevations and the first signs of pre-monsoon haze building in the afternoons, typically starting to soften mountain clarity in the lower valleys specifically. Thorong La itself remains generally reliable through this period.

Late May is noticeably warmer and more humid lower down, with a real increase in the chance of rain and afternoon cloud, plus haze from both pre-monsoon moisture and Nepal's seasonal forest-fire smoke, which is common at this time of year. High elevations still require full cold-weather preparation regardless of how hot Besisahar feels. By the final week of May, monsoon influence starts becoming noticeable at lower elevations specifically, making this the natural cutoff point for most trekkers before shifting toward a June or autumn departure instead.

None of this follows a fixed calendar date, actual timing shifts somewhat year to year.

Annapurna Circuit May Temperatures

Does It Rain on the Annapurna Circuit in May?

Rain becomes genuinely more likely as May progresses, but it isn't evenly distributed across the route. The lower, wetter sections between Besisahar and Chame see the most pre-monsoon moisture, while the upper circuit, Upper Pisang through Manang, Yak Kharka, and beyond, sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges and stays comparatively dry even as lower sections start seeing afternoon showers. Early May is drier throughout than late May, when the pre-monsoon pattern is more established. Rain protection is worth carrying regardless of exact dates, and it's sensible to start each day early to get ahead of typical afternoon cloud buildup.

Is There Snow on Thorong La in May?

Less than at almost any other point in the year, by May, most sources describing the pass agree it's typically clear or nearly clear of snow, making this genuinely one of the best months for the crossing from a pure snow-risk standpoint. That's a real advantage over April, where residual snow and ice are still melting off through the month. None of this means the pass feels warm: cold temperatures and wind remain constant regardless of snow cover, and conditions should still be confirmed locally before crossing rather than assumed from the season's general reputation. For the complete elevation profile behind this, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek Elevation guide; for the full difficulty picture, see our difficulty guide.

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Trail Conditions in May

Most of the route stays dry and firm through May, particularly the upper circuit's rain-shadow sections. The lower Besisahar-to-Chame stretch is where conditions shift most as the month progresses, expect increasing humidity, occasional mud after a shower, and generally warmer, sometimes dusty trail conditions on drier stretches. Thorong La itself is typically at its clearest and least snow-affected of the year, though local conditions can still shift with a passing weather system. Road-transferred sections at either end of the itinerary aren't affected by trail conditions the same way, since they're covered by vehicle.

Crowds on the Annapurna Circuit in May

Noticeably lighter than April. May offers a genuine middle ground: still within the main trekking season, with teahouses generally open and operating, but without April's peak-month congestion at Manang, Thorong Phedi, or High Camp. This is one of May's more underrated advantages, good pass conditions and a real chance at some solitude that October and April simply don't offer. Booking ahead still helps at the busier overnight stops, but the pressure is considerably lower than in the two peak months.

What Makes May's Landscape Different

By May, the lower-elevation rhododendron bloom that defines March and April has largely passed its peak, giving way to lush summer greenery and a different wave of wildflowers in the mid-elevation forests. The mountains themselves stay snow-capped regardless of how green and warm the valleys below have become — a genuine contrast that's part of May's particular character. Morning visibility is typically excellent throughout the month; it's specifically the afternoons, especially from mid-May onward, where haze and cloud start softening the view.

Is May Good for Beginners?

Yes, with the usual caveats that apply to any month, May doesn't remove the trek's core demands of long walking days, real altitude, and a serious Thorong La crossing. What May does add for a beginner specifically is heat management at lower elevations alongside the cold-weather preparation every trekker needs higher up, plus the practical benefit of a quieter trail than April or October. For the complete picture on beginner suitability, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek for Beginners guide.

Altitude and Thorong La in May

May's warmer lower-elevation weather has no bearing on altitude risk, which is driven by elevation and ascent rate, not the season's general temperature. Thorong La at 5,416 m remains the same serious high-altitude crossing in May as in any other month, gradual ascent, taking the Manang rest day seriously, staying hydrated, and reporting symptoms honestly all matter exactly as much here as in a colder month. Headache, nausea, unusual fatigue, or dizziness shouldn't be ignored regardless of how pleasant the trek has felt up to that point.

What to Pack for the Annapurna Circuit in May

May genuinely demands packing for two different climates in one trek: lightweight, breathable clothing for the hot lower valleys, and full cold-weather gear for Manang and above.

Lower-elevation essentials: lightweight, moisture-wicking trekking clothes, a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, heat and UV exposure matter more in May's lower sections than in a cooler month.

High-altitude essentials: a warm insulating layer, a down or synthetic jacket, trekking trousers, a warm hat, gloves, and a sleeping bag suited to sub-zero nights around Thorong Phedi and High Camp.

Throughout: a waterproof/rain shell (increasingly useful as the month progresses), trekking poles, a headlamp, a water bottle or treatment system, and personal medication.

This isn't the full packing list, see our general Nepal trekking packing guide for the complete rundown.

Guide and Porter in May

A licensed guide is legally required throughout the Annapurna Conservation Area regardless of season, and May's two-climate character — hot valleys, cold pass — is exactly the kind of thing local, real-time judgment handles well: knowing when afternoon cloud is about to roll in, or how the lower Marsyangdi's rain-shadow sections are holding up compared to a wetter year. A porter remains genuinely useful in May's heat, too, carrying less weight matters as much on a hot, humid lower-valley day as it does on a cold one higher up. For full detail on pricing and hiring, see our porter guide; for the guide requirement and permit specifics, see our permit guide.

Trekking the Annapurna Circuit Without a Porter in May

Possible for a prepared trekker. May's heat lower down can make a loaded pack feel heavier than the same weight would in cooler conditions, which is worth factoring into your decision alongside the usual pack-weight considerations. For the complete self-carry guide, see Annapurna Circuit Trek Without Porter.

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Solo Annapurna Circuit Trek in May

May's lighter crowds compared to April make solo trekking feel a bit more independent and a bit less automatically social, still very workable, just a different dynamic than a peak-month departure. The guide requirement applies exactly the same as any other month, which means "solo" here still means accompanied by a licensed guide, not unaccompanied. For the full picture on solo logistics and cost, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek Solo guide.

Annapurna Circuit May Itinerary

Itinerary structure doesn't change by season — route choice, side trips like Tilicho Lake, acclimatization needs, and pace all matter more than the specific month. For the full route breakdown, see our Annapurna Circuit itinerary guide, or the current Annapurna Circuit Trek page for the day-by-day structure Places Nepal runs.

Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost in May

Package pricing doesn't change with season — Places Nepal's current rate runs $720–$990 per person depending on group arrangement, or $820 flat on a fixed group departure. May's lighter crowds compared to April mean booking pressure is generally lower, though this doesn't translate into a lower price — the trek itself costs the same regardless of month. For the complete cost breakdown, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost guide.

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May vs. Other Months

May vs. April April is cooler, more consistently spring-like throughout, and the stronger month for rhododendron bloom, at the cost of being the second-busiest month of the year. May is warmer, quieter, and often clearer at Thorong La specifically thanks to lower snow accumulation, with the trade-off of building heat, humidity, and haze as the month progresses, particularly in its second half. For the full April picture, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek April guide. May vs. October These sit on opposite sides of the monsoon: May is the pre-monsoon spring closer, October is the post-monsoon autumn opener. May tends to warm and gradually wetten as the month progresses; October generally holds stable, dry, clear conditions throughout. Both offer good Thorong La conditions, though October is the more consistently reliable of the two for mountain visibility. For the full October picture, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek October guide. Pros and Cons of Trekking in May Pros: noticeably lighter crowds than April, often the lowest snow risk of the year at Thorong La, warm and lively lower valleys, still-active trekking infrastructure, and a genuine "best of both worlds" positioning between good conditions and manageable crowds. Cons: real heat and rising humidity in the lower Marsyangdi valley, increasing chance of afternoon rain and haze as the month progresses, forest-fire season haze adding to reduced visibility in some years, and a firm cutoff approaching as the monsoon closes in by late May or early June. Who Should Trek the Annapurna Circuit in May? May suits trekkers who want good Thorong La conditions without April's crowds, people comfortable with heat and humidity at lower elevations, trekkers with some schedule flexibility who can prioritize early May specifically, and anyone who's already experienced October or April and wants a genuinely different version of the same route. It's less suited to trekkers who want the driest, clearest conditions possible throughout (autumn wins there), people who strongly dislike heat, or anyone hoping to trek very late in the month expecting autumn-like stability. Trek the Tilicho Lake Trek The Tilicho Lake trek takes you through Nepal's Annapurna region to Tilicho Lake (4,919m) in 7 days — one of the highest lakes on earth. View Trip Frequently Asked Questions Is May a good month for the Annapurna Circuit? Yes, especially early May, warm lower valleys, low snow risk at Thorong La, and noticeably lighter crowds than April. Is the Annapurna Circuit open in May? Yes, fully, teahouses operate throughout, and Thorong La is typically one of its clearest months of the year. What is the weather like on the Annapurna Circuit in May? Hot and increasingly humid at lower elevations, comfortable through Manang, and cold at Thorong La, with afternoon haze building as the month progresses. Does it rain on the Annapurna Circuit in May? Increasingly so as the month goes on, concentrated mainly in the lower Besisahar-to-Chame section, the upper circuit's rain shadow stays comparatively dry. Is there snow on Thorong La in May? Rarely, May is typically one of the least snowy months of the year at the pass, though cold temperatures and wind persist regardless. How cold is Thorong La in May? Roughly −5°C to 5°C, with wind chill making it feel considerably colder at pre-dawn. Is May too hot for the Annapurna Circuit? The lower valleys get genuinely hot, but the trek's higher sections stay cool to cold throughout, pack for both climates rather than assuming heat applies everywhere. Is May good for beginners? Yes, with the same core preparation any first-timer needs, plus attention to heat management lower down. Is the Annapurna Circuit crowded in May? Less than April or October, a genuine advantage if you'd prefer a quieter trail without sacrificing good pass conditions. What should I pack for the Annapurna Circuit in May? Lightweight, breathable gear for the hot lower valleys alongside full cold-weather layers and a warm sleeping bag for Manang and above. Is early May better than late May? Generally yes, early May is cooler, drier, and further from the approaching monsoon than the back half of the month. Should I hire a guide or porter in May? A guide is legally required year-round; a porter remains optional and genuinely useful given May's combination of heat lower down and cold higher up. Final Verdict: Is May Good for the Annapurna Circuit? Yes, particularly if you trek in the first half of the month. May offers a real trade-off worth understanding rather than a simple upgrade or downgrade compared to April or October: lower crowds and often the year's clearest Thorong La conditions, against real heat and humidity lower down and a building chance of rain and haze as the month progresses toward the monsoon. Early May captures the best of that trade; late May asks more tolerance for warmth and less certainty about clear afternoon views. Thorong La remains a serious high-altitude crossing regardless of which week you go — May's good reputation is about snow risk and crowd levels, not about the pass becoming easier. Planning an Annapurna Circuit trek in May? We can help you choose the right itinerary, arrange a guide or porter, and check current trail conditions before you travel. See the full 10-day Annapurna Circuit Trek for current May departure dates and pricing.