While Nepal is best known for its high mountains, it actually stretches from the Terai lowlands, a jungle-covered plain that borders India, to the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The climate varies greatly.
The best month to visit Nepal depends largely on what you want to do there and whether you want to visit very high or very low altitudes. Weather has a big impact on the tourist season.
Whether you want to spot rhinos, go whitewater rafting or hike in the mountains, our informative guide to seasonal changes and festivals in Nepal will help you choose the best time to travel.
Late September to November is the best time for trekking, sightseeing and festivities
October to November is the peak season for traveling to Nepal and the best months for most activities (late September is the low season, although the monsoons are still in full swing). The weather is warm but not too hot, the weather is clear and the mountain views are beautiful. White water rafting or canoeing is also fun on the rivers of Nepal, where the water is abundant and the temperature is pleasant. This is not the cheapest time to visit Nepal, but even so, the countrOy is affordable.
Tourists are often spared when traveling during peak season because of the crowds, but no matter where you are going. On a popular climbing route like Everest Base Camp, you don't get it all. Absolutely not. Guides, flights and accommodation should be booked as far in advance as possible, months in advance.
But have you seen the photos of heavy vehicles on Mount Everest? That's only a problem if you want to climb a mountain rather than a long hike. Population density is found only in Everest and does not occur in other parts of the country. Most tourists don't want to climb Everest, but if you do, the climbing season is different from the peak tourist season (see below). To take advantage of the good weather during peak season and avoid the crowds, consider the lesser-known hiking trails. Work less, live more.
Peak tourism season also coincides with peak festival season. Dashain (also called Dashami or Durga Puja) usually falls in October, while Tihar (also called Deepawali, or Diwali in India) is usually in November. The dates vary because they follow a lunar calendar. Dashain is mostly a family affair, and Kathmandu essentially clears out for around a week during the festival, with many shops and businesses closed. Tihar, the festival of light, is more accessible to travelers – it follows a couple of weeks after the end of Dashain. You’ll see displays of lights and rangoli decorations outside homes and businesses all over the country. It’s one of the best times to visit Kathmandu or Pokhara
Winter is the best time for off-season low-altitude trekking
Much of Nepal sits at a lower altitude than many people think, and the short winter (December to early February) is typically mild at lower altitudes, including the capital. There may be some foggy mornings and chilly nights, but when the sky is clear, winter days can be quite warm in the cities.
Other major advantages of visiting in the winter is that it’s one of the cheapest times to visit Nepal and there are few other tourists around. Lower-altitude trekking trails –anything that stays below circa 2500m (8200ft) – will be comfortable, as long as you have a good jacket for cold nights. Experienced winter hikers could even venture higher, but you’ll need to be well kitted out and prepared for snow.
Late winter is the best time for wildlife spotting
Nepal isn’t only about the mountains. The national parks on the Terai, such as Chitwan and Bardia, are full of wildlife, including lots of one-horned rhinoceros and a few Royal Bengal tigers. The best time to spot wildlife is at the end of winter (January and February). In late January, local villagers are allowed to cut the high elephant grass that shoots up after the monsoon (which ends in September), and the animals that were previously hiding in it become visible. You’re much more likely to spot rhinos and other animals at this time of year. Plus, wait any later and the temperatures on the Terai become blisteringly hot.
Avoid the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons aka the worst times to visit Nepa
By late spring, Nepal is counting down to the arrival of the monsoon. Temperatures become uncomfortably hot in many places and the air quality is poor. The stifling conditions ease somewhat with the arrival of the monsoon in June, and locals welcome the cooling, refreshing rains.
However, for travelers, the monsoon is the worst time to visit Nepal. Rain means cloudy skies, muddy and flooded streets, canceled or delayed flights, and the potential for landslides across roads. There may be pockets of beauty in Nepal’s monsoon, but visitors should give this season a wide berth. The rains generally peter out by mid-September.
