Best time for Larkya La Pass
The best time to cross Larkya La Pass is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). October usually gives the clearest skies and the most stable weather, which is why it's the most popular month. Spring adds warmer mornings and rhododendrons blooming lower down.
Winter is mostly for experienced trekkers. Heavy snow can bury the trail, and the pass sometimes closes. However, with the right preparation strategy, the Manaslu Trek difficulty will be tackled by almost anyone.
Similarly, the monsoon (June-August) brings rain, leeches, and a risk of landslides on the lower parts of the trail. But higher parts where we actually trek are often unaffected by rain. There is too little or no rain even in the monsoon.
Larkya La Pass weather and temperature
In this Manaslu Circuit Trekking, the weather near the pass changes fast. A calm blue morning can turn into snow flurries by lunch, which is exactly why guides push for an early, pre-dawn start on crossing day.
For temperature, expect daytime highs around 0 to 5°C near the top and nights dropping to -10°C or colder at Dharmashala. Dawn on the crossing is often near -12°C.
In winter, it can fall below -20°C. The rule is simple: carry proper layers, even in the good seasons, because it gets cold the moment the sun drops behind a ridge. Anyone with the right Manaslu preparation and good guidance will deal with the weather and trip difficulties.
