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.
Weather in Nepal by Season
Winter brings cold weather at higher elevations, but it's a great time to visit Nepal for crystal clear skies. Treks in the lower Himalayan foothills are perfect in winter, and so are the jungles of Chitwan and Bardia in the south of Nepal.
Spring is a popular time to go trekking in Nepal, as temperatures climb steadily and the weather tends to be more stable. Trails are more crowded, however, and the skies can be a bit hazy at times. Spring features great festivals, including Holi in March and the Nepalese New Year in April.
Summer is the monsoon season and brings hot, humid weather, with most trekking areas seeing cloudy skies and rain. Choose a trek in the "rain shadow" of the Himalaya at this time of year, such as Upper Mustang or Nar Phu. The Yarthung Horse Festival takes place in June in Manang.
Fall is the most popular trekking season because the weather is usually stable, temperatures are moderate, and skies tend to be clear. Since the weather conditions are at their best, the crowds are at their peak as well! Autumn has the big festivals like Dashain (October) and Tihar (November).
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 that are 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 are 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.
- Try to time your visit during one of the big festivals: Holi (the festival of color in March) and the Nepalese New Year (April).
- To beat the crowds, choose a lesser-known trek, or visit in early or late Spring.
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Nepal in March
Nepal in April
Nepal in May
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Summer in Nepal (June to August)
Summer is the monsoon season, which means the weather is hot and humid, and it tends to rain on 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 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 are 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.
- Monsoon has interesting festivals like Dancing with Shamans (August Full Moon), Ropain (Rice planting festival in June), and Kora, the cycling challenge that happens every July, bringing thousands of mountain bikers to Kathmandu.
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Nepal in June
Nepal in July
Nepal in August
Fall in Nepal (September to November)
Autumn is the most popular trekking season in Nepal. it's also an amazing time to visit Nepal for cultural reasons, as there are lots of festivals, nature has vibrant colors, everything just had a wash, and vegetation has grown strongly through the monsoon. These great conditions attract a lot of 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 are recommended in the section about spring application. 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 Autumn
- 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, such as Dasain (October), Tihar (November), and the Mani Rimdu festival in Tengboche above Namche in the Everest region (November).
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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 treks in Nepal are great choices for the winter season. Some local experts believe winter is the best time of the year 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 absolutely 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.
- Attend the Street Festival in Pokhara at the end of the year, which takes place around December 27.
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Nepal in December
Nepal in January
Nepal in February
Conclusion: What is the Best Season to Visit Nepal?
As described above, there is not a single answer to the question of what is the best time to go to Nepal. While there's some truth to the conventional wisdom that spring and fall are great for trekking, winter and summer also have distinct advantages. Increasingly, travelers visit Nepal in every season, and armed with the right trip plan, Nepal is a great year-round destination.
Thanks to Raj Gyawali, Mads Mathiasen, and Amanda Delecca for contributing their local expertise to this article.