Best Time of Year to Visit Nepal

Seasonal Planning for Nepal Travel

Before diving into the seasonal weather in Nepal, it's worth noting that despite being a small country (500 mi/800 km east to west and 100 mi/150 km north to south, which is approximately the same surface area as England and half that of Oregon), has a wide variety of elevations and climates, ranging from the world's highest peaks in the north to subtropical jungle in the south.

This means that it's often not accurate to make generic statements about the weather in Nepal during a certain season, as regional and elevational differences can make temperatures and weather vary tremendously. For instance, on a given day, the temperature in the south of Nepal can be over 90°F (30°C), while on the same day, Everest Base Camp and its surrounding passes are well below freezing.

For ideas on planning a trip to Nepal, take a look at our tours and itineraries.

Spring in Nepal (March to May)

Spring is one of Nepal's two main trekking seasons (the other being fall) because of its stable weather, which creates optimal conditions for the classic treks, including high pass crossings. A drawback of spring is that the skies can get hazy at times, obstructing mountain views. The hiking trails are busy, which means you'll encounter travelers from all over the world on the popular routes, which is a positive for some but a downside for those preferring to have nature to themselves. 

Where to Go in Spring

In spring, the higher mountains home to the classic treks in Nepal offer stable weather. This is a great time to cross high passes like Larkya La (on the Manaslu Circuit Trek), Kongma La (Three Passes Trek), Thorung La (Annapurna Circuit Trek), and trek to the high viewpoints of Nepal, such as Kala Pattar and Gokyo Ri in the Everest Region. If you want to avoid the crowds, choose an off-the-beaten-path trek. Kathmandu gets warmer, and its tourist center Thamel becomes a traveler's hotspot. Bardia National Park gets very hot and offers the best chance for tiger sightings.

Tips for Visiting Nepal During Spring

• Nepal's famous rhododendrons are in full bloom. In early spring, they're best in the lower areas around Pokhara. In late spring, they start blooming above Namche in the Everest area.
• On big treks, the temperatures vary widely from lower to higher elevations and between night and day. Bring layers.
• To beat the crowds, choose a lesser-known trek or visit in early or late spring.

Events in Spring

Holi, Nationwide (March). The festival of color is celebrated around the country (on one day in the Terai, and the next in the hill areas) to welcome spring. Water and brightly colored powder are thrown in the air—a great opportunity for photos.

Nepali New Year, Nationwide (April). Also known as Navavarsha or Nepal Sambat, New Year's marks the beginning of the year according to the Bikram Sambat calendar, a solar Hindu calendar. It's a time for renewal, reflection, and cultural celebrations. It's particularly lively in Bhaktapur, where the Bisket Jatra chariot festival is held.

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Nepal in March
Nepal in April
Nepal in May

Summer in Nepal (June to August)

Summer is the monsoon season, which means the weather is hot and humid and tends to rain most days. Wildflowers are in full bloom, and the foothills are lush. The monsoon usually starts in early June and continues into early September. In summer, it's advisable to have some flexibility in your travel plans, as flight delays and cancellations are more common due to cloudy weather. Landslides may occur, causing road and trail closures, and views are often obstructed. Also, leeches can be an annoyance.

Where to Go in Summer

Treks located in the rain shadow of the Himalaya are best during the monsoon season, such as Upper Mustang, Nar Phu, Upper Dolpo, and Limi Valley. Higher areas in the Everest region are also good. Kathmandu is hot and humid, and the lowlands in the south are even hotter, but if you can withstand the heat, they offer great wildflowers, lush jungle, and the possibility of tiger sightings.

Tips for Visiting Nepal During Summer

• Bring an umbrella, as the weather is usually too warm to wear a rain jacket. Rain showers are often passing, and an umbrella allows you to keep doing what you're doing while offering great protection from the sun.
• Be aware that transportation can be unreliable due to flight cancellations and road closures caused by weather and landslides.
• Watch for leeches in some areas; long pants and insect repellent will help.

Events in Summer

Ropain, Nationwide (June or July). A rice-planting festival that celebrates the start of the planting season, where farmers gather in rice paddies to plant seedlings, splash in the mud, sing traditional songs, and enjoy traditional foods like dahi-chiura (beaten rice and yogurt). Everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

Kora, Kathmandu (July). The annual Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge brings thousands of avid mountain bikers to the city to complete a circuit of the Kathmandu Valley. 

Dancing with Shamans (Full Moon Festival), Gosaikunda. Every August, apprentice shamans and pilgrims trek to Nepal's sacred lakes for a night of prayer and dance under the full moon. This is also when the Janai Purnima festival takes place in which upper-caste Hindu men change their sacred thread. This festival is particularly lively at Lake Gosaikunda, in the Langtang area, though it takes place across the country, seeing people coming together and feasting.

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Nepal in June
Nepal in July
Nepal in August

Fall in Nepal (September to November)

The fall is the most popular trekking season in Nepal. it's also a fantastic time to visit the Asian country for cultural reasons, as there are a lot of festivals, nature has vibrant colors, everything just had a wash, and vegetation has grown strongly through the monsoon. These excellent conditions attract many people from all over the world, so the trails tend to be busy and the teahouses filled to capacity.

Where to Go in Fall

Like spring, fall has the best conditions for the classic treks of Nepal, and the same treks recommended in the section about spring apply. The skies tend to be crisper, giving autumn a slight edge over spring. This advantage gets offset a bit by the large crowds, making it advisable to consider less popular treks. As for other places to go and activities, all areas in Nepal are accessible during the fall season, and weather conditions are usually moderate and thus great for traveling.

Travel Tips for Visiting Nepal During Fall

• September may still have some rain as the monsoon season recedes.
• Some damaged trails may still be seen in early fall due to monsoon landslides. At the start of October, trails are usually in excellent shape.
• The popular trails will be crowded. If you like solitude, choose off-the-beaten-path treks.
• Try to time your visit to coincide with the big autumn festivals.

Events in Fall

Indra Jatra, Kathmandu Valley (September). One of Nepal's most prominent street festivals, Indra Jatra, marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest. Expect eight days of colorful processions, masked dances, and deity worship.

Dashain, Nationwide (September/October). Occasionally starting at the end of September, though typically taking place in October, Dashain is the most important festival for Nepali Hindus and runs for 15 days. As a major holiday, Nepalis travel back to their hometowns and villages to spend the festival with their families.

Tihar, Terai (October/November). Second only to Dashain, Tihar (also called Deepavali) is an important five-day festival of lights for Nepali Hindus in the Terai. It follows Dashain by a few weeks, sometimes falling in October. Each day is dedicated to an animal, sibling, or self-reflection; day two is for worshipping dogs, recognizing their loyalty and connection to humans.  

Mani Rimdu, Khumbu (November). This 19-day Tibetan Buddhist festival commemorates the founding of Buddhism in the Khumbu region, particularly in Tengboche above Namche in the Everest region. Join in the revelry of masked dances and dramas performed by monks.

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Nepal in September
Nepal in October
Nepal in November

Winter in Nepal (December to February)

Winter in Nepal brings cold, dry weather and occasional snow in the mountains. The skies are usually crystal clear, making winter one of the best seasons for unobstructed, crisp views of the 26,247-foot (8,000 m) Himalayan giants. There are fewer people, so you'll have most of the views to yourself. Check out our list of the best winter treks in Nepal.

Where to Go in Winter

The high mountain areas in Nepal and the classic treks that include high pass crossings are usually too cold in winter. The foothills of Nepal, below 13,000 feet (4,000 m), are great in winter. It gets cold at night, but the temperatures tend to get quite comfortable during the day, especially when you warm up while hiking.

Many of the short trails in Nepal are excellent choices for the winter season. Some local experts believe winter is the best time to hike the treks in the lower Solu area south of Everest and the shorter treks near Pokhara. The lowlands, including Chitwan and Bardia national parks, have moderate temperatures and are gorgeous in winter. 

Tips for Visiting Nepal During Winter

• Bring warm layers and a down jacket. A down sleeping bag is also recommended if you go trekking.
• Enjoy amazingly clear views and fewer crowds at Nepal's best viewpoints like Poon Hill and Nagarkot.
• Activities like mountain biking and touring the country on a motorbike are at their best in winter.
• Visit Chitwan and Bardia as the temperatures in these otherwise warm places are at their most moderate in winter.

Events in Winter

Pokhara Street Festival, Lakeside (December). The annual festival brings Lakeside Pokhara to life each year in the lead-up to New Year's. Organized by the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal, this vibrant event features live music, street food, and cultural performances.

Lhosar (January). Lhosar is a Buddhist festival, held on the first day of the new year for Nepali ethnic groups that trace their history to Tibet, especially the Gurung, Tamang, and Sherpa people. There are vibrant rituals, dances, and prayers at monasteries.

Maha Shivaratri, Kathmandu (February/March). On this day, Hindu devotees worship Lord Shiva. The celebrations (including fire rituals) are particularly vibrant at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, where thousands of sadhus (Hindu holy men) gather.

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Nepal in December
Nepal in January
Nepal in February

Thanks to Raj Gyawali, Mads Mathiasen, and Amanda Delecca for contributing their local expertise to this article.