November along the trail
| Place | Elevation | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| Besisahar | 760 m | +21 °C | +14 °C |
| Manang | 3,540 m | +9 °C | 0 °C |
| Thorong Phedi | 4,450 m | +1 °C | −9 °C |
| Muktinath | 3,760 m | +6 °C | −5 °C |
Modelled 10-year averages (ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo), checked against the Pyramid research station in the Khumbu, 2016-2025 (within about 1–2 °C of the station's measurements). Temperatures only: the model's rainfall is too coarse to trust in rain-shadow valleys such as Manang, so we leave it out. Mountain valleys and ridges vary more than these grid-model averages show.
Why November works
November brings clear skies and usually stable conditions on Thorong La, after the October crowds have thinned. It’s one of the most reliable months to cross the pass.
Cold at the top
Nights at Yak Kharka and Thorong Phedi are well below freezing by November, as the table above shows. The pass crossing starts before dawn in the coldest part of the day, so warm layers and gloves matter.
Later in the month
Snow becomes more likely towards December and can close the pass for a day or more. Your guide decides each morning whether it’s safe to cross.
