Best Time to Visit Nepal
October, November and April are the classic trekking months, but Nepal works all year if you match the region to the season.
The four seasons
Peak · Oct – Nov
Autumn
Clear skies after the monsoon and the best mountain views of the year. This is the busiest season on the Everest and Annapurna trails, and Dashain and Tihar fall in it. Book flights and lodges early.
Dec – Feb
Winter
Dry and clear but cold at altitude. High passes such as Thorong La can close after snow. A good time for Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and lower treks like Poon Hill, with fewer people on the trails.
Peak · Mar – May
Spring
Warmer days and rhododendrons in bloom. Haze builds by May, so mountain views are clearest in March and April. Spring is also the Everest climbing season.
Jun – mid Sep
Monsoon
Rain most afternoons, leeches on lower trails, and road and flight delays. Upper Mustang, Nar Phu and Dolpo lie in the rain shadow and are at their best now.
Month by month
| Trip type | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High treks (EBC, ABC, Circuit) | Fair | Fair | Best | Best | Best | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Fair | Best | Best | Fair |
| Lower treks (Poon Hill, ridge walks) | Best | Best | Best | Best | Fair | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Fair | Best | Best | Best |
| Rain shadow (Upper Mustang, Nar Phu) | Avoid | Avoid | Fair | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Fair | Avoid |
| Culture (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini) | Best | Best | Best | Best | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Best | Best | Best |
| Wildlife (Chitwan, Bardiya) | Best | Best | Best | Best | Fair | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Fair | Best | Best | Best |
Best · Fair · Avoid · A general guide; weather varies year to year.
Festivals worth planning around
- Dashain (Sep/Oct) and Tihar (Oct/Nov): Nepal's biggest holidays. Some offices close and transport is busy.
- Mani Rimdu at Tengboche (Oct/Nov): monastery dances on the Everest trail.
- Indra Jatra (Aug/Sep): chariot festival in Kathmandu Durbar Square.
- Losar (Feb/Mar): Tibetan and Sherpa New Year at Boudhanath.
- Holi (Mar) and Buddha Jayanti (Apr/May).
Wildlife in Chitwan and Bardiya
October to April is the main season. The best sightings come from February to April, after the tall grass is cut. May is very hot, and many jungle lodges close for the monsoon.