When is the Best Time to Visit Nepal?

Written by

Keith Jarman

Published on: August 15th, 2017

Last modified: July 28th, 2023

The strong monsoon season and freezing winter temperatures in Nepal can limit your time-frame for travel. The autumn months, from September to November, are the best time to visit Nepal. Temperatures are formidable and skies are clear during this time, which makes for great hiking and mountain viewing.

March and April are also nice months to visit, before temperatures get too hot and rain gets too heavy. Visits during the summer monsoon (July to early September) are doable, but only if you avoid heading to the mountains. In this region, leeches and landslide can be the norm.

December and January are the coldest months - trails are least crowded but nighttime temperatures can dip well below freezing.

Peak season

September - November

Summer

June - September

Coldest months

December - January

What Are the Seasons in Nepal?

SEPT-NOV

Peak Season

Autumn is Nepal’s peak season, due to the temperate climate and beautiful clear skies. Hiking trails can get very busy and accommodation can be booked up well in advance; however, little to no rain, perfect views of the mountains and ideal hiking conditions are just some of the few reasons to visit Nepal during these months. It’s also a popular time for festivals, with many happening in October.

JUN-SEPT

Rainy/Monsoon Season

From June to Sept it rains every day in Nepal, mostly at in the evenings or at night. Mudslides and leeches are common in the mountains, making for less than ideal hiking conditions.

MAR-APR

Shoulder Season

March and April welcome the end of winter, with rising (but still manageable) temperatures. From May onwards it starts to get quite warm, and then the monsoons settle in around June.

Best Time to Go to Everest Base Camp

October and November are the most popular months to make the trek up to Base Camp, with April coming in close behind. Temperatures are warm during the day and there’s minimal rainfall to slow you down.

March and April are when the real mountain pros make their attempts to summit the world’s highest peak, so Base Camp can be busy and lively at this time, with their camps set up. Similarly, the Annapurna Base Camp (accessible through flying into Pokhara) is popular with hikers in the autumn months.

Festivals in Nepal

SEPT-OCT

Dasain

Dasain is Nepal’s biggest festival of the year, celebrated by everyone around the country. It takes place towards the end of September or early October, depending on the moon, and lasts for 15 days. Travelling within Nepal could be a bit difficult during Dasain, as most people head home to be with their families so a lot of places are closed. The trails are still open, though, so if you’re planning to go just for a hike, you’ll be fine.

OCT-NOV

Tihaar

Tihaar, the festival of lights, is Nepal’s second biggest festival. It falls between October and November, lasting for five days. The festival is centered around the Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, and so during those days the Nepalese do what they can to bring her good fortune upon themselves.