The Annapurna Circuit Trek in November is a genuinely strong choice, especially across the month’s first three weeks, when autumn’s clear skies and settled weather are still firmly in place and the crowds that define October have already started to thin out on the trail and in the teahouses. Late November is a different story. Cold builds quickly at Thorong Phedi, High Camp and on the pass itself, and this is the point in the season when the first real snow events of the year start showing up on this route. Book early to mid November for conditions close to October’s reliability with noticeably fewer people around you; treat the final week of the month as a window that still works most years, but one that rewards a more conservative approach and an experienced guide who reads the mountain daily rather than by calendar date alone.
This guide breaks November into its three genuinely different phases, walks through weather, route conditions, cost, permits and packing specific to this month, and gives an honest comparison against October and March so you can decide whether this is your window or whether one of those neighboring months suits your plans better. Every operator fact here, pricing, itinerary and permit detail, comes from Next Trip Nepal’s own published Annapurna Circuit Trek package.
Is November a Good Month to Trek the Annapurna Circuit?
Yes, for most of the month. November sits at the tail end of what independent trekking guides and Next Trip Nepal both consider the single most reliable stretch of the year on this route, the September through November autumn window. Skies are typically at their clearest of the year in November, humidity from the departed monsoon is long gone, and the trail itself, from the lower valley through Manang and over Thorong La to Muktinath, is normally dry underfoot outside of an actual snowfall event.
The trade off is temperature. November is the coldest of the three autumn months, and that cold accelerates as the month goes on. Early November mornings at high altitude still feel like a slightly sharper version of October. By the third week, overnight temperatures at Thorong Phedi and High Camp are routinely well below freezing, and a fresh snowfall on the pass itself becomes a real, if still occasional, possibility rather than a rare anomaly. None of this rules the month out. It does mean packing, timing and guide judgment matter more in November than they do in September or October.
If your priority is the absolute safest, most predictable window with the least chance of any snow at all on Thorong La, October remains the stronger choice, and our full breakdown of the Annapurna Circuit Trek in October covers why. If your priority is thinner crowds, colder but still very trekkable conditions and genuinely quiet teahouses at Manang and Muktinath, November is worth serious consideration, and booking the Annapurna Circuit Trek for the first half of the month gets you close to the best of both worlds.
Annapurna Circuit Weather in November
The Annapurna Circuit crosses one of the most dramatic weather divides of any trek in Nepal. The lower approach, from the trailhead near Dharapani through Chame, sits on the wet, south facing side of the Annapurna and Manaslu massifs. Upper Pisang, Manang, Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi, the pass itself, and the descent to Muktinath and Jomsom sit in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, where the mountains block most of the moisture that reaches the lower valley. By November, monsoon moisture is long gone from both sides, so the practical difference this month is less about rain and more about how much colder and windier the upper Manang and Mustang side runs compared to the sheltered lower valley.
| Zone | Daytime temperature | Night temperature | Precipitation | Sky and visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower approach (Dharapani to Chame) | Roughly 12 to 20 degrees Celsius, cooling toward the low teens by late November | 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, occasional light frost by late month | Essentially dry, occasional isolated light shower possible early in the month | Clear most days, some morning valley mist that burns off by mid morning |
| Upper Pisang, Manang and the acclimatization zone | Roughly 5 to 15 degrees Celsius, dropping toward single digits by late November | Minus 5 to freezing, colder on clear still nights | Dry, with a small but real chance of light snow flurries by late November | Typically crystal clear, among the best visibility of the year for the Annapurna and Chulu peaks |
| Thorong Phedi, High Camp and the pass | Roughly minus 5 to 8 degrees Celsius at Phedi and High Camp; well below freezing at the pass itself, even at midday sun exposure changes this quickly | Minus 10 to minus 15 degrees Celsius at High Camp, colder again on the pass in the pre dawn departure window, approaching the minus 10 to minus 20 range independent guides report for a full winter crossing | Generally dry, with a genuine and rising chance of snowfall in the final third of the month that can leave several centimeters on the ground overnight | Excellent on clear days, but afternoon cloud and wind can build fast and cut visibility on the pass itself |
| Muktinath, Kagbeni and the Mustang side | Roughly 8 to 16 degrees Celsius | Minus 3 to 3 degrees Celsius, dry desert like cold typical of Mustang | Very low, this side of the range is the driest stretch of the whole route | Consistently clear, this is one of the best photography stretches of the entire trek in November |
Wind deserves its own mention, since it is the single biggest reason for the early departure rule on pass day. Afternoon winds on Thorong La regularly reach 50 to 60 km an hour in any season, and November is no exception. Combined with the colder baseline temperatures of this month, an afternoon wind on the pass in November carries a genuinely dangerous wind chill. This is exactly why every group crossing in November needs to be over the pass well before late morning, a rule covered in detail in the difficulty section below.
Early, Middle and Late November on the Annapurna Circuit
Treating November as one uniform block misses what actually matters for planning. The month has three distinct characters, and the difference between booking the first week and the last week is meaningful enough to change your gear list, your buffer day planning and, in a heavy snow year, your departure date itself.
| Period | Conditions | Crowds | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early November (1st to 10th) | Close to peak October reliability. Clear skies, stable pass conditions, minimal snow risk. The best combination of good weather and thinning crowds all month | Still busy, easing off from October’s peak but Manang and the Thorong Phedi to High Camp stretch remain well populated | The strongest single window of the month for most trekkers, book teahouses ahead at Manang and High Camp where you can |
| Middle November (11th to 20th) | Noticeably colder mornings and nights, especially above Manang. Days generally stay clear and dry, but the first overnight frosts at High Camp are common by now | A clear drop from early month levels, teahouses at Manang and Muktinath have real spare capacity most nights | A genuinely good balance for travelers who want a quieter trail without taking on real snow risk |
| Late November (21st to 30th) | The coldest window of autumn. Overnight temperatures at High Camp and the pass approach winter levels, and short snowfall events become a real possibility rather than a rare exception | Lightest crowds of the entire autumn season, some teahouses at the highest camps begin reducing services or closing toward the very end of the month | Still trekkable most years with an experienced guide and a flexible schedule, but this is the point where you want a guide making a fresh call on pass conditions the morning of, not a fixed departure booked months in advance |
The pattern mirrors what independent trekking guides describe on the closing edge of every autumn season in the Nepal Himalaya, and Next Trip Nepal’s own guides report the same seasonal arc year after year on this specific route: the transition from stable autumn to the higher risk winter window, covered in the fact sheet’s own seasonal notes, is not a hard switch on December 1st, it is a gradual cooling and a rising chance of snow that becomes obvious to anyone crossing the pass in the last third of November.
Route Conditions by Elevation in November
Conditions change fast as you climb on this route in any month, and November sharpens that change. Here is what to expect zone by zone, based on the operator’s own day by day itinerary.
| Zone | Elevation | Trail conditions in November | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower valley (Dharapani to Upper Pisang) | 1,860 m to roughly 3,300 m | Dry, well maintained trail, forest sections pleasant and cool rather than cold | Straightforward walking days, the 14 to 15 km stages from Dharapani to Chame and Chame to Upper Pisang feel comfortable in November’s mild lower valley temperatures |
| Manang and the acclimatization zone | Roughly 3,300 m to 3,900 m | Dry trail, cold clear mornings, the Ghyaru and Ngawal high route stays fully open and offers some of the best mountain views of the whole trek in November’s clean air | The compulsory acclimatization day at Manang works exactly as designed this month, with clear conditions making the optional acclimatization hike to around 3,900 m genuinely worthwhile for the views alone |
| Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi and High Camp | 4,018 m to 4,925 m | Increasingly cold, especially by late November, with overnight temperatures at High Camp regularly well below freezing and a rising chance of a light overnight snowfall in the last third of the month | This is where November’s character really shows up, expect a noticeably colder night at High Camp than you would feel in September or early October |
| Thorong La Pass | 5,416 m, the high point of the trek | Dry and clear most crossing days early and mid month, with a real and rising chance of fresh snow on the ground for a late November crossing, plus the same strong afternoon winds present in every season | Pre dawn departure and being at or past the pass before roughly 09:30 to 10:00 am matters in every month, and matters more in late November when cold and any snow underfoot slow the pace |
| Muktinath, Kagbeni and Jomsom | 2,720 m to 3,760 m | Dry, clear, mild by comparison to the pass, classic Mustang desert conditions | A comfortable, scenic descent, and a good place to warm up properly after the pass crossing, with the 108 stone water spouts and the Jwala Mai shrine at Muktinath, and Kagbeni’s walled medieval streets on the way down toward Jomsom |
Trekkers continuing past Kagbeni toward the restricted Upper Mustang area should note that this sits outside the standard Annapurna Circuit route and requires its own separate permit; if that extension interests you, our Upper Mustang Trek page covers it in full.
Annapurna Circuit Difficulty in November
The Annapurna Circuit is graded moderate to strenuous, and November’s cold adds a real but manageable layer of difficulty on top of the trek’s normal physical demands. None of the following requires technical climbing skill, ropes or crampons in a typical November season, but each factor genuinely affects how hard the trek feels.
Walking hours and distance. Daily walking time runs 5 to 7 hours across most of the itinerary, with distances of roughly 10 to 17 km on the busiest stages. Pass day itself is the longest and hardest single day, roughly 16 km with an ascent of 566 to 966 m to the 5,416 m summit of Thorong La followed by a descent of about 1,616 m down to Muktinath at 3,760 m, all typically completed in one long day.
Altitude and acclimatization. The trek’s maximum altitude, Thorong La at 5,416 m, is genuinely high, and altitude is the single biggest risk factor on this route in any season, November included. Next Trip Nepal builds a compulsory acclimatization day into the schedule at Manang, with an optional hike to roughly 3,900 m followed by a return to sleep at Manang’s lower 3,519 m, the standard climb high, sleep low approach. Guides monitor blood oxygen with a pulse oximeter starting at Manang; a reading under 80 percent triggers a mandatory extra acclimatization day, and a reading under 70 percent triggers immediate descent. Guides also follow the general Wilderness Medicine guideline of no more than 300 to 400 m of net sleeping elevation gain per night once above 3,000 m. Diamox is a preventative option some trekkers discuss with their doctor before departure, though it is never treated as a substitute for the acclimatization days themselves.
Cold on the pass day. November raises the stakes here more than any other autumn month. Temperatures at High Camp before dawn commonly sit well below freezing, and the pass itself can be considerably colder still, especially in a stiff wind. Layering, a properly rated sleeping bag and a genuinely warm down jacket stop being nice to have items in November and become the difference between an uncomfortable morning and a genuinely risky one.
The early departure and wind pattern. Next Trip Nepal’s standing rule, without exception, is to have every group across Thorong La before roughly 09:30 am. Typical departure from High Camp falls well before dawn, commonly in the 3:00 to 4:30 am window. This is not an arbitrary policy. Afternoon winds on the pass regularly reach 50 to 60 km an hour, conditions deteriorate fast after late morning, and cold that is uncomfortable at 5:00 am becomes genuinely dangerous once wind chill is added into the mix mid morning onward. In late November, an early snowfall overnight can also slow the ascent, which makes an early start even more important than usual.
Put together, this makes November a trek best suited to trekkers who already meet the trek’s baseline physical standard, roughly 6 hours of continuous walking at sea level without distress, and who are comfortable with genuinely cold mountain mornings. Trekkers looking for a shorter or lower altitude introduction to this region rather than a full crossing of Thorong La in cold conditions may prefer the 6 Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek, which runs a direct route from Pokhara without a high pass crossing.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost in November
Prices vary by itinerary length, group size, season and the specific services included, and November carries no separate seasonal surcharge in Next Trip Nepal’s published rates. The figures below are the operator’s own current group pricing for the 13 day package, priced per person and falling as group size rises.
| Group size | Price per person (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 traveler | 1,445 |
| 2 travelers | 1,375 |
| 3 to 5 travelers | 1,275 |
| 6 to 8 travelers | 1,175 |
| 9 to 12 travelers | 1,075 |
| 13 or more travelers | 975 |
What is included: 3 nights at a 3 star hotel in Kathmandu, 1 night at a 3 star hotel in Pokhara, 9 nights of teahouse accommodation on the trek itself on a twin sharing basis, all trek meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), private vehicle transfers including airport pickup and the jeep to the trailhead, the one way Jomsom to Pokhara mountain flight, a licensed English speaking guide and porter (one porter per two trekkers, 20 kg carrying capacity), equipment loan covering a down jacket, a sleeping bag rated to minus 15 degrees Celsius, a duffel bag, a trekking map and a t shirt, both required permits, a first aid kit and pulse oximeter carried by the guide, emergency support, and a trek completion certificate.
What is not included: lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu and Pokhara (breakfast only is part of the city hotel stays), the Nepal visa fee (roughly USD 30 to 125 depending on duration, obtainable on arrival), travel and medical insurance, international flights, personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs, optional extras on the trek itself such as alcoholic drinks, hot showers, device battery charging and wifi in some teahouses, and tipping for your guide, porter and driver, which is customary though not mandatory.
One November specific budgeting note worth flagging: the equipment loan’s minus 15 degree sleeping bag and down jacket genuinely matter this month, since night temperatures at High Camp are commonly well below what a lighter three season bag can handle comfortably. Full detail on the package and current departures is on the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost and inclusions page.
What to Pack for the Annapurna Circuit in November
November’s temperature swing, from mild lower valley days to genuinely cold nights at High Camp and on the pass, means packing accurately for this specific month matters more than it would in a milder shoulder month. This list assumes you are trekking with the operator’s included equipment loan (down jacket, minus 15 degree sleeping bag, duffel bag) and are adding your own layers on top.
- Clothing: a base layer set for cold mornings, a fleece or light insulated midlayer, a heavier insulated jacket for evenings and pass day (on top of the loaned down jacket), a windproof and waterproof outer shell, trekking trousers, at least one pair of insulated trousers for pass day, warm hat, sun hat, buff or neck gaiter, and both liner and heavyweight insulated gloves
- Footwear: broken in waterproof trekking boots with ankle support, thick wool trekking socks (bring extra pairs for pass day and cold nights), liner socks to reduce blister risk, and camp shoes or sandals for evenings at the teahouse
- Sleep: the operator’s loaned sleeping bag is rated to minus 15 degrees Celsius, which is appropriate for a November departure; consider adding a silk liner for extra warmth and hygiene, plus a hot water bottle for the coldest nights at High Camp
- Sun and weather protection: high SPF sunscreen and lip balm (UV exposure at altitude is intense even on cold days), UV rated sunglasses with side coverage for glare off any snow near the pass, and a headlamp with spare batteries for the pre dawn pass departure
- Documents: passport with spare photocopies, passport photos for permits, travel and medical insurance details including evacuation coverage, and printed copies of your ACAP and TIMS permits, since originals are required at checkpoints
- First aid and health: a basic personal first aid kit, any personal medication, water purification tablets or a filter as backup, and Diamox if you and your doctor have discussed it before departure
- Electronics: a power bank (device charging is not always included in trek pricing and can be limited or unavailable at the higher camps), a universal adapter, and a fully charged phone or camera for the exceptional November visibility on the Manang and Mustang side of the route
For a complete, season by season breakdown of everything to bring on this specific trek, see Next Trip Nepal’s own Annapurna Circuit Trek Packing List, and weight your own list toward the colder end of what it recommends if you are trekking in the second half of November.
Permits and Guide Requirements for the Annapurna Circuit in November
Two permits are mandatory for every foreign trekker on the Annapurna Circuit, in November and every other month: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), currently NPR 3,000 per person (roughly USD 22), and the TIMS card (Trekkers’ Information Management System), currently NPR 2,000 per person (roughly USD 15). Both are arranged through a registered trekking agency. Checkpoints verifying these permits sit at Ghasa, Manang, Muktinath and Jomsom, and originals are required at each one, photocopies are not accepted. Trekkers continuing beyond Kagbeni into the restricted Upper Mustang area need a separate permit for that extension, outside the scope of the standard Annapurna Circuit route.
On the question of guides, the Annapurna Circuit differs from some of Nepal’s other major routes in an important way. Unlike Kanchenjunga or Upper Mustang, the standard Annapurna Circuit route from Dharapani to Jomsom via Thorong La does not require a licensed guide by law for independent trekkers. ACAP and TIMS remain mandatory regardless of whether you trek independently or with an agency.
Next Trip Nepal runs every Annapurna Circuit departure, November included, with a licensed English speaking guide and porter as standard practice, not because the law requires it on this specific stretch, but because a guide genuinely earns their place on this itinerary: continuous acclimatization monitoring with a pulse oximeter, navigation through changing conditions near the pass, real time judgment calls on pass day timing when weather or an overnight snowfall changes the picture, and direct experience with this exact route’s seasonal variability. In a month like November, when a late season snow event can shift the safest departure time from High Camp by an hour or more, that on the ground judgment is worth more than it would be in a calmer month like October. For a broader look at how Next Trip Nepal approaches risk management across its routes, see our page on the 5 Safest Treks in Nepal.
Choosing the right operator matters as much as choosing the right month. If you want a full breakdown of what to check before booking with any Annapurna Circuit trek company, including registration, guide licensing and transparent pricing, see our guide to choosing the best Annapurna Circuit trek company.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Trekking the Annapurna Circuit in November
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Skies are typically at their clearest of the entire year, especially on the Manang and Mustang side of the route | Overnight temperatures at High Camp and the pass are the coldest of the autumn season, approaching winter levels by late month |
| Crowds thin out noticeably compared to October, especially from the middle of the month onward | A real, rising chance of fresh snow on the pass and at the highest camps in the final third of the month |
| Teahouse availability improves through the month, easier to get your first choice of room at Manang and Muktinath | Some services at the very highest camps can become limited toward the end of November as the season winds down |
| The lower valley remains comfortable and dry, with none of the mud or leech risk of the monsoon adjacent months | A heavier, colder weather kit is required than for September or October, adding cost and pack weight |
| Visibility on Thorong La and across the Annapurna and Chulu peaks is frequently exceptional | Flexibility around your departure date matters more this month, since a late month itinerary should be able to flex around a fresh snowfall rather than push through on a fixed schedule |
October, November and March Compared: Choosing Your Window
Deliberately excluded from this three way comparison is the December through February winter window. The fact sheet is direct about why: heavy snow at Thorong La and High Camp becomes common in winter, the pass itself can close for days at a time during and after a storm, and night temperatures at the pass commonly fall to minus 10 to minus 20 degrees Celsius. That is a materially higher risk profile than anything discussed here, and it sits outside the six month window this article series covers.
October, November and March instead represent three genuinely different but all workable windows for crossing Thorong La outside of winter.
| Factor | October | November | March |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weather reliability | The single most reliable month of the year on this route | Very reliable early to mid month, more variable and colder in the final third | Reliable but with genuine leftover winter snow risk at the pass early in the month |
| Crowds | Peak season, the busiest month of the year on this specific route | Busy early month, thinning steadily, genuinely quiet by late month | Notably quieter than autumn, one of the appeals of an early spring departure |
| Pass day cold | Cold at night, but the mildest of the three at High Camp and the pass | Colder than October, approaching winter levels by late month | Cold, sometimes the coldest of the three in early March if winter snow lingers |
| Snow risk on Thorong La | Lowest of the three | Low early month, rising through the final third | Higher in early March, declining through the month toward April |
| Scenery | Crystal clear skies, classic autumn views | Equally clear, arguably the cleanest air of the year on the Mustang side | Clear skies with the first hints of spring greenery at lower elevations by late month |
October wins on pure reliability and the lowest snow risk of the year outside deep winter, at the cost of the busiest teahouses and trail you will encounter on this route all year. Early to mid November comes close to October’s weather quality with meaningfully thinner crowds, which is why many repeat trekkers and guides consider it a genuine sweet spot rather than a compromise choice. Late November trades some of that reliability for the quietest trail of the autumn season, and asks for more flexibility and guide judgment in return. March, covered in full in our Annapurna Circuit Trek in March guide, opens the spring window with its own trade off: real if declining snow risk at the pass early in the month, in exchange for quieter trails than any point in autumn and the first rhododendron color appearing at lower elevations by late March.
For trekkers who want the calendar’s most dependable pass crossing and don’t mind sharing the trail, October is the stronger pick. For trekkers who want autumn’s reliability with far fewer people around, particularly in the first half of the month, November is arguably the better balanced choice of the two. For trekkers happy to trade a touch more cold and snow risk for the quietest trail of the year and a genuine spring atmosphere, March opens a real alternative once winter has passed.
Is November the Best Month for the Annapurna Circuit? Final Verdict
Overall, the Annapurna Circuit Trek in November is one of the strongest windows of the entire year, especially in its first three weeks, combining weather quality close to October’s peak with a noticeably quieter trail and easier teahouse bookings at Manang and Muktinath. If you can choose your dates freely, the first three weeks of November deserve serious consideration alongside October itself.
Late November is still a workable window most years, but it is the point in the season where honesty matters most. Cold at High Camp and on the pass approaches levels usually associated with the higher risk winter months, and a fresh overnight snowfall stops being a remote possibility and becomes a real planning factor. Trekkers booking a late November departure should build in schedule flexibility, travel with an experienced guide capable of making a fresh call on pass timing each morning, and pack for genuinely cold conditions rather than assuming autumn’s earlier mildness will hold all month.
If your dates are flexible and reliability is your top priority, look at the Annapurna Circuit Trek in October instead. If you want a quieter spring alternative once winter has passed, our Annapurna Circuit Trek in March guide covers that window in the same depth. For most trekkers targeting late autumn, though, November genuinely earns its place as one of the six best months of the year to book the Annapurna Circuit Trek, provided you match your departure date within the month to the level of cold and snow risk you are comfortable with.
Trekkers weighing the Annapurna Circuit against Nepal’s other major autumn routes may also find it useful to compare against the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek, a far quieter but logistically more demanding alternative, or against the month by month patterns on the Manaslu Circuit, Nepal’s other major restricted area circuit trek with its own distinct seasonal window.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Annapurna Circuit Trek in November
Is November too late to trek the Annapurna Circuit?
No. November is one of the six recommended months on this route, and early to mid November in particular offers weather close to October’s reliability with far fewer people on the trail. Late November remains workable most years but comes with rising cold and a real, if still occasional, chance of snow at the pass.
Is Thorong La open in November?
Yes, in a typical year. Thorong La stays open through November in nearly every season, and multi day closures of the kind seen in December through February are uncommon this month. A short closure after a heavier than usual snowfall is possible in the final week of November, which is one reason a flexible schedule and an experienced guide matter more for a late month crossing.
How cold is Thorong La in November?
Expect well below freezing at the pass itself in every part of November, with conditions colder toward the end of the month. High Camp overnight temperatures commonly fall to minus 10 to minus 15 degrees Celsius by late November, and the pass crossing itself, undertaken before dawn, can feel considerably colder again once wind is factored in.
Does it snow on the Annapurna Circuit in November?
Snow is uncommon in the first half of the month and becomes a genuine, if still occasional, possibility from around the third week onward, mainly at Thorong Phedi, High Camp and on the pass itself. A dusting of a few centimeters overnight is more typical than a heavy, trail closing snowfall, though either is possible in any given year.
Is November more crowded than October on the Annapurna Circuit?
Early November still carries meaningful crowds left over from October’s peak season. From the middle of the month onward, numbers drop noticeably, and late November is genuinely one of the quietest windows of the entire autumn season on this route.
What is the best time in November to start the Annapurna Circuit?
The first half of the month, roughly the 1st to the 15th, offers the strongest combination of good weather, manageable cold and thinning crowds. Trekkers specifically seeking solitude over guaranteed mild conditions may prefer the last week of the month instead, accepting the added cold and snow risk in exchange for the quietest trail of the season.
Do I need mountaineering experience or crampons for a November crossing of Thorong La?
No. The Annapurna Circuit does not require technical climbing skills, fixed ropes or crampons in a normal November season. Sustained high altitude walking stamina, proper cold weather gear and an early pre dawn departure from High Camp are what actually matter for a safe crossing this month.
Is a guide legally required for the Annapurna Circuit in November?
No. Unlike Kanchenjunga or Upper Mustang, the standard Annapurna Circuit route from Dharapani to Jomsom via Thorong La does not require a licensed guide by law for independent trekkers. ACAP and TIMS permits are mandatory regardless. Next Trip Nepal runs every departure with a licensed guide and porter as standard practice for acclimatization monitoring, navigation and pass day safety, particularly valuable in a variable month like November, not because the law requires it on this stretch.
How much does the Annapurna Circuit Trek cost in November?
Next Trip Nepal’s published group rates for the 13 day package run from USD 1,445 per person for a solo traveler down to USD 975 per person for a group of 13 or more, with no separate seasonal surcharge for a November departure. Full inclusions and current rates are on the Annapurna Circuit Trek package page.
What permits do I need for the Annapurna Circuit in November?
Two permits are mandatory year round: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), currently NPR 3,000 (roughly USD 22), and the TIMS card, currently NPR 2,000 (roughly USD 15). Both are checked at Ghasa, Manang, Muktinath and Jomsom, and originals are required at each checkpoint.
Can I trek the Annapurna Circuit alone in late November without a guide?
Legally, yes, since a guide is not a strict legal requirement on this specific route. Practically, Next Trip Nepal would recommend against a solo, unguided crossing in the final third of November specifically, given the rising cold and snow risk at High Camp and the pass during that window, and the real value a guide’s daily judgment adds when conditions are less predictable than they are in October.
Is November better than March for the Annapurna Circuit?
Both are solid choices with different trade offs. November offers a slightly more reliable pass crossing overall, since it sits inside the more stable autumn window, while March opens the year’s quietest spring trail at the cost of a genuinely higher chance of leftover winter snow at the pass early in the month. Trekkers who prioritize reliability tend to prefer November, while trekkers chasing the quietest possible trail and the first signs of spring often lean toward March.
