Seasons · weather · festivals

When to Go

Month by month: what the weather does, which treks are open, how busy it is, and what to expect at altitude.

Best overallOct–Nov
Second windowMar–May
MonsoonJun–Sep
ColdestJan, at altitude
BusiestMid-Oct

Nepal has four travel seasons and they behave differently at 1,300 m and at 5,000 m. The classic advice — come in autumn or spring — is right for trekking, but it is not the whole picture: the Terai is best in winter, Mustang is best in the monsoon, and the valley is at its clearest in November.

Use the table below to match your month to your route, not the other way round.

On this pageMonth by monthThe two real seasons for trekkingRegion-specific windowsFestivals worth timing a trip aroundWhat the seasons mean for packing

Month by month

Month Weather Trekking Crowds Verdict
January Cold, clear, dry Low routes only; high passes closed Very low Great light, hard cold
February Cold, clearing Lower Khumbu and Annapurna foothills Low Chitwan’s best month
March Warming, hazy valleys All main treks open Rising Rhododendron, good high up
April Hot lowlands, stable high Peak conditions above 3,000 m High Excellent trekking
May Pre-monsoon heat and haze Everest window closes late May High Early May still works
June Monsoon arrives Rain-shadow only: Mustang, Dolpo Low Trek the desert regions
July Wettest, leeches, cloud Mustang and Dolpo only Lowest Avoid unless rain-shadow bound
August Rain, green, humid Mustang, Dolpo, Annapurna rain shadow Low Cheap and empty
September Monsoon retreats, washed air Treks reopen late month Rising Green, quiet, some cloud
October Stable, sharp, cold nights Everything Peak The best month, book early
November Clear, colder, quieter Everything, watch pass snow High then falling Best value in autumn
December Dry, very cold at altitude Lower routes; high lodges closing Low Clear views, thin comfort

The two real seasons for trekking

Autumn (late September to November) follows the monsoon: the air is washed clean, the views are at their sharpest and the trails are dry. Spring (March to May) precedes it: warmer, hazier in the valleys, with rhododendron below 3,000 m and longer days. Winter is cold and clear; summer is wet, except in the trans-Himalayan rain shadow.

Region-specific windows

Region Best months Why
Everest / Khumbu Oct–Nov, Mar–May Stable high-altitude weather; Lukla flights most reliable in Oct–Nov
Annapurna Oct–Nov, Mar–May Best views of the massif; Thorong La needs a clear, snow-free window
Upper Mustang Mar–Nov Rain shadow — walkable even in the monsoon
Manaslu Mar–May, Sep–Nov Larkya La needs stable snow conditions
Langtang Oct–Nov, Mar–May Closest to Kathmandu; good short window
Chitwan Oct–Mar (Feb–Mar best for tigers) Grass cut in January improves visibility
Lumbini Oct–Mar Terai summer exceeds 38 °C
Kathmandu Valley Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr Clear mountain views from Nagarkot and Dhulikhel

Festivals worth timing a trip around

  • Dashain (Sep–Oct) — Nepal’s biggest Hindu festival, ten days, family and kite-flying.
  • Tihar (Oct–Nov) — lights, garlands and dogs, cows and brothers honoured over five days.
  • Indra Jatra (Sep) — masked dances and the Kumari’s chariot in Kathmandu Durbar Square.
  • Holi (Mar) — colour and water across the valley; also a public holiday.
  • Buddha Jayanti (May) — Lumbini’s biggest celebration, and the hottest month.
  • Losar (Feb–Mar) — Tibetan New Year in Khumbu, Boudhanath and Mustang.

What the seasons mean for packing

Autumn needs a warm layer and a −10 °C sleeping bag above 4,000 m; spring needs sun protection and rain cover for afternoon showers; winter at altitude needs a −20 °C bag and a down jacket; monsoon needs dry bags, quick-dry clothing and leech precautions below 2,500 m.

Guides to go deeper

Best Time to Visit Nepal 2026: A Month-by-Month Trekking and Travel Guide

Trekking & Expeditions

Nepal’s Major Festivals 2026: Dashain, Tihar, Teej & Indra Jatra Guide for Travelers

Visa & Immigration

Nepal Trekking Packing List 2026: Complete Gear Guide for Every Trail

Trekking & Expeditions

Everest Base Camp Trek: Complete Guide (2026)

Trekking & Expeditions

Annapurna Region Treks: Complete Guide (2026)

Trekking & Expeditions

Upper Mustang Trek 2026: Trekking the Last Forbidden Kingdom

Trekking & Expeditions

Questions travellers ask

What is the best month to visit Nepal?

Late October to mid-November. The monsoon has cleared, the air is sharp, the mountains are at their clearest and the festival season is underway. Book lodges and flights early.

Is it worth visiting Nepal in the monsoon?

For Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo and parts of Annapurna’s rain shadow, yes — they are dry and empty. For Everest, Langtang or Chitwan, no: cloud, leeches and closed trails.

Can I trek in December and January?

Yes on lower routes — Poon Hill, Mardi Himal, the Annapurna foothills, Langtang valley — with proper winter gear. High passes close and some lodges shut.

When is the best time for Chitwan safari?

February and March: the grass is cut in January, animals concentrate near water, and visibility is at its best. October to December is also good and cooler.

Does it rain a lot in September?

Early September can still be wet; the monsoon usually withdraws by the third week. Late September is green, quiet and clear — one of the best value windows of the year.

Planning the whole trip?

Start with the itinerary and budget planner, then use the region guides to pick the trek that matches your days.

Start here →

Other planning guides

Planning guideStart hereEverything a first-time visitor needs in one place: how long to come for, what it costs, which region fitPlanning guideVisas & permitsWhat you pay, where you get it, and which permit your trek actually needs — visas, TIMS, ACAP, SagarmathaPlanning guideGetting to NepalWhich airport, which airline, which land border — and how to reach Lukla, Pokhara or Chitwan once you are