--- title: "Manaslu Circuit in December: Weather, Snow and Larkya La…" description: "December requires separate planning for the warm Budhi Gandaki corridor and the exposed upper route." canonical: "https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december" last-updated: "2026-08-21T00:00:00+05:45" --- Monthly guide # Manaslu Circuit in December: Weather, Snow and Larkya La Conditions December requires separate planning for the warm Budhi Gandaki corridor and the exposed upper route. Early December can remain crossable after a dry autumn; later winter storms, hard ice and lodge closure make the pass increasingly uncertain. **December**Travel month **10½ hours near the solstice**Daylight **Low**Crowds **Check report**Pass decision DB **By [Dinesh Bhusal](/author-dinesh-bhusal)**4 min read **✓ Reviewed 21 Aug 2026** Information checked against current official and local sources. Fees, access, permits and transport can change. [Sources & methodology →](/data-methodology) Also available in: [Deutsch](/de/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december) · [Français](/fr/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december) · [Español](/es/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december) · [Italiano](/it/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december) · [Português](/pt/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december) · [日本語](/ja/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december) · [简体中文](/zh-hans/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december) Current information ✓ Last checked: 21 Aug 2026 Permits, fees, flights, border rules and operating conditions can change. We use official and current sources whenever possible and recommend reconfirming time-sensitive details before travel. [Official sources ↗](https://ntb.gov.np/mount-manaslu)[What to recheck →](/data-methodology) Details and source context Status Planning guidance reviewed Applies to Manaslu Circuit Trek Last checked 21 Aug 2026 On this page ## Lower-valley daytime and night conditions Machha Khola–Deng afternoons may reach 12–20°C, but nights fall toward 3–8°C and shaded trail stays cold. ## Samagaun and Samdo temperatures Samagaun/Samdo commonly plans around −2 to 6°C by day and −14 to −7°C overnight. in December, these are broad planning ranges rather than a forecast; aspect, cloud, wind and individual weather systems can move temperatures outside them. ## Larkya La snow tendency Early December can remain crossable after a dry autumn; later winter storms, hard ice and lodge closure make the pass increasingly uncertain. ## Rainfall, cloud and visibility Often dry with crisp visibility between disturbances. Snowfall frequency and persistence increase as winter establishes. ## Daylight hours About 10½ hours near the solstice, leaving the least daylight margin of the trekking year. ## Crowds and lodge pressure Low. Rooms may be easy to find in open lodges, but some kitchens and Dharamsala can close completely. ## Road reliability Usually dry, with frost in shaded sections and occasional winter-weather disruption rather than monsoon washouts. ## Exact packing adjustments Use a −15 to −20°C comfort sleeping bag, heavy down jacket, insulated waterproof gloves, face protection, insulated water storage, gaiters and traction based on current reports. ## Compared with the month before and after Colder and less serviced than November; January has similarly short days and typically deeper, more persistent winter conditions. ## Choose the route that fits the day you have Before you book or set out for in december, keep these details visible in the plan: Travel month: December; Daylight: 10½ hours near the solstice; Crowds: Low; Pass decision: Check report For this in december guide, the right choice depends on the hardest stage, the highest sleeping point, transport exposure and the time left after a delay. Read the route as a sequence of decisions rather than as a list of attractions. - Write down the start, finish, overnight stops and fallback for the key day. - Protect recovery and departure time before adding another stop. - Ask the operator to explain what changes when weather, health or access disrupts the plan. ## Check the day-to-day fit For this in december guide, compare the actual start, finish, overnight stops, longest day, highest sleeping point and transport exposure. in December, two routes with similar names can feel completely different once stairs, road delays, weather and recovery time are included. Ask what the group does when the main viewpoint, pass, road or lodge is unavailable on this in december plan. in December, a good itinerary shows a lower or slower alternative and protects time before the next flight or international connection. - Choose the route that matches the group's real pace. - Protect a buffer before a critical departure. - Ask how an early finish or changed route affects cost and transport. Continue planning ## Related planning guides [Related guide ### in February February requires separate planning for the warm Budhi Gandaki corridor and the exposed upper route. Persistent winter snow and hard ice remain likely. Late February sometimes improves, but a new storm can reset the pass and lodge situation immediately.](/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-february)[Related guide ### in November November requires separate planning for the warm Budhi Gandaki corridor and the exposed upper route. The pass is often dry or snow-light early, with a rising chance of hard ice, fresh snow and wind-related closure later in the month.](/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-november)[Related guide ### in June June requires separate planning for the warm Budhi Gandaki corridor and the exposed upper route. The pass may remain physically crossable between storms, but cloud, fresh wet snow, poor visibility and limited lodge demand make decisions less predictable.](/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-june) Useful answers ## Frequently asked questions What should I know before starting this section of the Manaslu Circuit?+ December requires separate planning for the warm Budhi Gandaki corridor and the exposed upper route. Early December can remain crossable after a dry autumn; later winter storms, hard ice and lodge closure make the pass increasingly uncertain. Are licensed guides mandatory on the Manaslu Circuit?+ Yes. in December, manaslu is a restricted area: the Nepal Department of Immigration requires foreign trekkers to travel with a licensed guide through a registered agency, in a group of at least two. One guide may lead a maximum of 7 trekkers, so larger groups add another guide. The same guide rule applies across Nepal's restricted areas, including Upper Mustang and the Tsum Valley. How do teahouse accommodations and meal ordering work here?+ Teahouses offer twin-share rooms and home-cooked meals (dal bhat, soups, porridge, noodles). In peak season, dinner orders are placed in the late afternoon for timely service. What altitude precautions should be followed on this route?+ in December, ascend gradually, maintain good hydration, and immediately report symptoms such as persistent headache, nausea, or dizziness to the guide. ## Sources & methodology Use the dated sources below for the claims they support. Recheck time-sensitive permits, fees, transport and border procedures before booking. [**Nepal Tourism Board — Mount Manaslu** ↗](https://ntb.gov.np/mount-manaslu) Continue planning ## Related Manaslu Circuit guides [Monthly guide ### in January Read the in January guide →](/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-january)[Monthly guide ### in February Read the in February guide →](/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-february)[Monthly guide ### in March Read the in March guide →](/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-march)[Monthly guide ### in April Read the in April guide →](/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-april) Personalised planning ## Plan Your Manaslu Circuit Journey Tell our Kathmandu-based planning team your travel dates, group size and preferred pace. We will help you shape a realistic Manaslu Circuit itinerary with clear inclusions and proper acclimatization buffers. [Plan with Amigo Treks →](/contact#planning-enquiry)[Ask on WhatsApp ↗](https://wa.me/9779851136878?text=Hello%20Amigo%20Treks%2C%20I%20need%20help%20planning%20a%20Manaslu%20Circuit%20journey.)[Back to Manaslu Circuit](/manaslu-circuit) Plan with context ## Custom Himalayan Route Planning Our Kathmandu operations team arranges itemised itineraries, verified permits, and private transport matched to your travel dates and pacing. [Request custom itinerary →](/contact#planning-enquiry)[WhatsApp a trip planner ↗](https://wa.me/9779851136878?text=Hello%20Amigo%20Treks%2C%20I%20need%20help%20planning%20in%20December.)[← All Manaslu Circuit guides](/manaslu-circuit) Talk through the next decision ## Ask a trip planner about in December. Share your name, contact details and one short question. The planning team will use the page context to start in the right place. Your request goes directly to [Amigo Treks & Expedition](https://www.amigotrekking.com/), our Kathmandu-based trekking and tour team. The submission includes technical attribution such as IP-derived location, device type and pages visited before sending. See the Privacy Policy. [Read the Privacy Policy.](/privacy-policy) - Route and pace fit for your dates - Practical trade-offs and fallback options - A reply from the local planning team Usually replied to within 1 business day. This is not an emergency channel or medical assessment. **Send a short planning request**Name and a short message are required. Add an email or phone number so we know where to reply. Your name * Email (or phone; one required) Phone (or email; one required) Short message *At least 10 characters. Do not send passport, payment or medical documents. I agree that Amigo Treks & Expedition may use my message and related technical attribution to reply to my request. [Read the Privacy Policy.](/privacy-policy) * The submission includes technical attribution such as IP-derived location, device type and pages visited before sending. Community Insights ## Route Experiences & Field Updates Recent field reports, route conditions, and practical observations shared by travellers and local leaders. [Explore Community Discussions](https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december#discussion)[Sign in](https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/login?redirect=%2Fmanaslu-circuit%2Fmanaslu-circuit-in-december%23discussion)[Create an account](https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/register?redirect=%2Fmanaslu-circuit%2Fmanaslu-circuit-in-december%23discussion) Verified accounts share firsthand field notes; new submissions are moderated for accuracy. ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/#organization","name":"Himalayan Travel Guide","description":"A practical, source-aware travel planning library for Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Mount Kailash and the wider Himalaya, published at nepaltibetbhutan.com.","url":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/#logo","url":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/_next/static/images/himalayan-travel-guide-logo.webp"},"founder":{"@id":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/author-dinesh-bhusal#person"},"parentOrganization":{"@id":"https://www.amigotrekking.com/#organization"},"sameAs":["https://www.amigotrekking.com/"],"address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Kathmandu","addressCountry":"NP"},"contactPoint":{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"editorial corrections","email":"info@amigotrekking.com"}},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.amigotrekking.com/#organization","name":"Amigo Treks \u0026 Expedition","url":"https://www.amigotrekking.com/"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/#website","name":"Himalayan Travel Guide","url":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december#webpage","url":"https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/manaslu-circuit/manaslu-circuit-in-december","name":"Manaslu Circuit in December: Weather, Snow and Larkya La Conditions","description":"December requires separate planning for the warm Budhi Gandaki corridor and the exposed upper route. 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