October along the trail
| Place | Elevation | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghorepani | 2,860 m | +13 °C | +5 °C |
| Ghandruk | 1,940 m | +18 °C | +10 °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.
The clearest sunrise
October brings the clearest air of the year after the monsoon, which makes it the best month for the Poon Hill sunrise over Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Machapuchare.
What to expect
- Crowds at the top. Many trekkers climb Poon Hill for the same sunrise; start early to get a good spot.
- Busy teahouses at Ghorepani, so book ahead.
- Mild days and cool nights, comfortable for walking.
- Festival season. Dashain often falls in October, when buses from Pokhara get busy.
