Best Time to Visit Nepal: Month-by-Month Guide

When is the best time to visit Nepal? The answer depends on what you want to do — trekking, sightseeing, wildlife, festivals — and which region. This is the complete month-by-month guide to Nepal's seasons, weather, festivals and trekking conditions.

Nepal's Two Main Trekking Seasons

Nepal has two main trekking seasons:

• Autumn (October–November) — the most popular. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, dry trails, mountain views at their best.
• Spring (March–April) — second most popular. Rhododendrons in bloom, warmer temperatures, slightly cloudier afternoons.

Nepal Month-by-Month Weather and Trekking Guide

January

Weather: Cold, dry, clear. Kathmandu 2–18 °C, Pokhara 7–20 °C, mountains −20 °C at altitude. Occasional rain in Kathmandu.

Trekking: Possible at lower altitudes (Poon Hill, Helambu, Mardi Himal). High passes (Thorong La, Larkya La) closed by snow. Quiet trails.

Festivals: Maghe Sankranti (mid-January).

Best for: Budget travellers, sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley, lower-altitude treks.

February

Weather: Cold but warming. Kathmandu 4–20 °C. Mountains still very cold.

Trekking: Lower altitudes good. High passes start opening late February. Lhosar festival — lively in Boudhanath and Sherpa areas.

Festivals: Lhosar (Tibetan New Year), Maha Shivaratri (late February).

Best for: Lhosar at Boudhanath, lower-altitude treks, Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath.

March

Weather: Warm, dry, clear. Kathmandu 8–25 °C. Mountains warming. Rhododendrons bloom in lower trekking areas.

Trekking: Excellent. All routes open. Rhododendron forests at peak bloom (especially Annapurna, Langtang).

Festivals: Holi (mid-March), Ghode Jatra (late March).

Best for: Trekking with rhododendrons, Holi festival, all-round good conditions.

April

Weather: Warm to hot. Kathmandu 12–28 °C. Mountains pleasant in daytime, cold at night.

Trekking: Excellent. All routes open. Busiest spring month.

Festivals: Nepali New Year (mid-April), Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur.

Best for: Trekking, Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, mountain photography.

May

Weather: Hot, hazy, pre-monsoon. Kathmandu 16–30 °C. Mountains hazy in afternoons.

Trekking: Still possible at high altitude (EBC, Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu). Lower treks too hot.

Festivals: Buddha Jayanti (mid-May).

Best for: High-altitude trekking, Lumbini for Buddha Jayanti.

June

Weather: Hot, monsoon begins. Kathmandu 20–30 °C. Heavy rain starts mid-June.

Trekking: Most treks not recommended. Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo are the exceptions (rain shadow).

Best for: Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo (rain shadow treks). Avoid elsewhere.

July

Weather: Monsoon peak. Kathmandu 22–29 °C. Heavy rain, leeches, landslides.

Trekking: Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo only. See our monsoon trekking guide.

Festivals: Various minor festivals.

Best for: Rain shadow treks only. Most tourists avoid Nepal in July.

August

Weather: Monsoon continues. Kathmandu 22–28 °C. Heavy rain, leeches, landslides.

Trekking: Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo. Otherwise avoid.

Festivals: Janai Purnima, Gai Jatra (cow festival), Krishna Janmashtami.

Best for: Rain shadow treks. Gai Jatra in Kathmandu Valley.

September

Weather: Monsoon tail. Early September rainy, late September clearing. Kathmandu 20–28 °C.

Trekking: Late September starts the autumn trekking season. Trails still wet and leechy but improving.

Festivals: Indra Jatra (early September), Teej (women's festival).

Best for: Indra Jatra in Kathmandu, late-September trekking.

October

Weather: Peak trekking season. Clear, dry, comfortable. Kathmandu 14–26 °C. Mountains crisp and clear.

Trekking: Excellent. All routes open. Busiest month — book tea houses and flights in advance.

Festivals: Dashain (early to mid-October).

Best for: Trekking, mountain views, Dashain festival (but busy — book ahead).

November

Weather: Peak season continues. Clear, dry, cooling. Kathmandu 10–23 °C. Mountains cold at night.

Trekking: Excellent. Slightly less crowded than October. Last good month before winter.

Festivals: Tihar (festival of lights, early November), Chhath (late November).

Best for: Trekking, Tihar festival, mountain photography.

December

Weather: Cold, dry, clear. Kathmandu 3–19 °C. Mountains very cold (−25 °C at EBC).

Trekking: Possible at lower altitudes. High passes start closing mid-December. Very quiet trails.

Best for: Budget travellers, lower-altitude treks, sightseeing.

Best Time to Visit Nepal — Quick Summary

Goal	Best Months	Why
Trekking (all routes)	October–November, March–April	Clear skies, dry trails, comfortable temperatures
Everest Base Camp trek	October–November, April	Best mountain views, stable weather
Annapurna Circuit trek	October–November, April	Thorong La pass conditions safest
Upper Mustang trek	June–September	Rain shadow — driest in monsoon
Rhododendron trekking	March–April	Peak rhododendron bloom
Kathmandu sightseeing	October–March	Cool, dry, comfortable
Chitwan safari	October–March	Best wildlife viewing, cool weather
Lumbini pilgrimage	October–March	Cool, dry, comfortable
Festivals	October (Dashain, Tihar), March (Holi)	Major festivals at these times
Budget travel	December–February	Lower prices, fewer crowds
Photography	October–November	Clearest skies, best light
Avoid crowds	December–February, June–September	Quietest trails (with trade-offs)

Shoulder Seasons — The Smart Choice

If you want fewer crowds and lower prices, consider shoulder seasons:

• September (late) — Trails clearing after monsoon, rhododendrons not yet blooming, but quieter than October.
• December (early) — Cold but clear, particularly good for lower-altitude treks.
• March (early) — Before peak spring crowds, rhododendrons starting to bloom.

When NOT to Visit Nepal

• June–September (monsoon) — Rain, leeches, clouded views, landslides. Avoid unless trekking in rain shadow (Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo).
• Late November to February (high-altitude winter) — High passes closed, very cold at altitude. OK for lower treks.
• Mid-October (Dashain) — Transport and accommodation fully booked. Avoid unless specifically coming for Dashain.

Nepal Climate Data — Kathmandu

Month	High (°C)	Low (°C)	Rain (mm)
January	18	2	15
February	20	4	25
March	25	8	50
April	28	12	75
May	30	16	135
June	30	20	250
July	29	21	375
August	29	20	350
September	28	19	200
October	26	13	50
November	23	8	10
December	19	3	5

The best time to visit Nepal depends on your goals — trekking, festivals, sightseeing or wildlife. October–November is the peak for a reason, but shoulder seasons (March–April, late September) can be just as good with fewer crowds. For more on planning, see our 10-day Nepal itinerary and our festivals calendar.