Autumn Season in Nepal: Weather, Trekking and Best Places to Travel (2024)

Are you wondering what Autumn Season in Nepal is like?

You’ve come to the right place! I live in Nepal and Autumn Season is one of the best times to visit Nepal.

Nepal has six seasons and the Autumn Season in Nepal officially runs from mid-September to mid-November. 

Generally, the weather remains ideal until the end of November and then it starts to get cold for the winter season in Nepal.

If you are planning to visit and trek in Nepal in the Autumn Season, anytime between the end of September to Mid-December is a good time to do so.

Autumn Season in Nepal

When is Autumn Season in Nepal

In the Nepali calendar, Autumn Season in Nepal runs from mid-September to mid-November but generally the weather stays “autumn-like” until the end of November.

During this time, the weather is clear and pleasant following the monsoon season in Nepal. Most of the travellers come to Nepal to go on a trek and the Autumn Season in Nepal is very ideal for trekking.

As Autumn Season is one of the popular times to visit Nepal, it also means that the trekking trails are very busy too.

If you are looking to trek in Nepal without the crowds, the end of November – beginning of December is a good time to do so. By the end of November, most travellers return home and the trekking trails are more peaceful and quiet.

Temperature during Autumn Season in Nepal

The average temperature during the Autumn Season in Nepal ranges between 19-29 C in Nepal in September, 14-31 C in Nepal in October and 8-28 C in Nepal in November.

Crowds

The Autumn Season in Nepal is one the most popular times to visit Nepal. Due to that, it is one of the busiest times.

The Autumn Season also happens to coincide with two of the biggest Nepali festivals (Dashain and Tihar). During this time, many Nepalese are also on holiday doing treks, so the trails are very busy.

Prices

As the Autumn Season in Nepal is the peak tourist season, everything is at full price.

Usually, during the off seasons (Monsoon and Winter), there are many discounts in hotels and the rooms are cheaper.

In the high seasons (Autumn and Spring), the prices go back to their original, full price. You will still be able to get some discounts on Booking.com if you have any of the Genius levels.

When is the Best Time to Visit Nepal?

The best time to visit Nepal is in the Autumn or Spring season.

Nepal is mostly visited for trekking in the Himalayas, and Spring and Autumn are when the weather is the most ideal for trekking.

Autumn Season in Nepal: Month-by-Month

For specific month-by-month weather, temperature, activities and places to visit, check out:

• Nepal in September
• Nepal in October
• Nepal in November

Best Places to Visit during the Autumn Season in Nepal

1. Trekking Routes

Okay, so trekking is not limited to one place in Nepal. But Autumn Season is the best time to go trekking in Nepal so it deserves to be the number one activity.

Nepal is the most popular for its trekking routes in the Himalayas and the Autumn Season is one of the most popular times to go trekking in Nepal.

Apart from the Spring, the weather is most ideal for trekking during Autumn. The days are sunny, but not too hot. It gets cold at night in higher altitudes, so make sure to pack thermal layers, a down jacket and sleeping bag to stay warm.

There are many trekking routes, some of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal include: Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Mardi Himal, Poon Hill and Langtang Valley.

If you are looking for a less touristy trekking route, check out the Khopra Danda, Panchase or Pikey Peak Trek.

2. Kathmandu

October is one of the best times to be in Nepal and there are so many things to do in Kathmandu at this time.

Apart from the main tourist attractions, there are also many hiking and day trip options in the Kathmandu Valley. Hiking and day trips from Kathmandu provide beautiful views of the Himalayas and time in the nature with fresh air.

Best Things to Do in Kathmandu during the Autumn Season:

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Boudhanath Stupa, Swoyambhu Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changu Narayan Temple
• Museums
• Day Trips from Kathmandu: Bhaktapur, Patan, Chandragiri, Kirtipur, Godawari, Changunarayan, Manakamana
• 2-3 day trips from Kathmandu: Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Kakani, Chitlang-Kulekhani, Panauti
• Hiking near Kathmandu: Phulchowki Hill, Jamacho Gumba, Tarebhir, Chandragiri to Chitlang, Sundarijal to Chisapani
• Classes and Workshops: Sound Healing sessions, Thangka Painting Class, Cooking Class

Check out my Travel Guide to Kathmandu here!

3. Pokhara

Autumn is the main tourist season and Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal.

Pokhara is full of life and tourists during the Autumn Season as there are many trekking routes starting from there. Many trekkers come to Pokhara to spend time here before and after going on a trek.

Some of the most popular trekking routes starting from Pokhara include, Mardi Himal, Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill and Australian Camp.

Best Things to Do in Pokhara during the Autumn Season:

• Boating on Fewa Lake + Hiking to the World Peace Pagoda
• Annapurna Cable Car for the Sarangkot Sunrise
• Paragliding
• Visiting Begnas Lake (+hiking)
• Visiting the Caves
• Movie Garden
• Cooking classes
• Trekking routes from Pokhara: Annapurna Base Camp (7-8 days), Poon Hill (4-5 days), Mardi Himal (5-7 days), Australian Camp (2 days)

Check out my Travel Guide to Pokhara here!

4. Bandipur

Bandipur is a beautiful little town on the way between Kathmandu and Pokhara and is a popular stop to enjoy Himalayan views, go hiking or just chill at one of the cafes and restaurants.

Bandipur is famous for its well-preserved Newari architecture (wooden carved windows and red bricks).

It is so charming with its architecture and restaurants on the main street that it is often compared to being in Belgium or France.

Visiting Bandipur during the Autumn Season in Nepal is one of the best times to visit as the weather is pleasant and you also get clear views of the Himalayas.

Best Things to Do in Bandipur during the Autumn Season:

• Hike up to the Thani Mai Temple and see the sunrise or sunset
• Siddha Gufa: Nepal’s largest cave
• Hike from Bandipur to Ramkot
• Check out the Newari architecture of Bandipur
• Eat and drink in one of the cute cafes and restaurants in Bandipur
• Try Newari food

Check out my Travel Guide to Bandipur here!

5. Chitwan National Park

If you are visiting Chitwan during the Autumn Season, the good thing is that the weather is more pleasant during this time.

On the negative side, the grass inside the park is very high after the monsoon rains, and it makes it more difficult to spot wildlife.

If you are visiting Chitwan during October-November, it is best to go on a safari for at least 1-3 whole days. Then, the deeper inside the park you go, the more chance you have of spotting wildlife.

Best Things to Do in Chitwan during the Autumn Season:

• Jungle safari (walking or jeep)
• Canoe on the Rapti River
• Cycle to Bis Hazaari Lake (20,000 Lake)
• Chill the Riverside Sunset View Point
• Support the welfare of elephants: Stand Up 4 Elephants

🦏 Check out my Travel Guide to Chitwan here!

6. Bardia National Park

If you are visiting Bardia in the Autumn, the good thing is that the weather is more pleasant during this time.

On the negative side, the grass inside the park is very high after the monsoon rains, and it makes it more difficult to spot wildlife.

If you are visiting Bardia between October-November, it is best to go on a safari for at least 1-3 whole days. Then, the deeper inside the park you go, the more chance you have of spotting wildlife.

Best Things to Do in Bardia National Park during the Autumn Season:

• Jungle safari (walking or jeep)
• Rafting
• Bird Watching
• Sunset Point

🐅 Check out my Travel Guide to Bardia National Park here!

7. Tansen

Tansen remains still one of the less visited places in Nepal and is the perfect getaway to experience a small Nepali town.

Tansen has some really good homestays where the owners are really friendly and can recommend a lot of activities in Tansen.

On a clear day, Tansen has great views of the Himalayan range and if you visit during the Autumn Season, you will get really good views of the mountains.

Best Things to Do in Tansen during the Autumn Season:

• Hike to Shreenagar Hill and Tansen View Tower
• Visit Rani Mahal (the “Taj Mahal” of Nepal)
• Tansen Durbar and Museum
• Temples
• Eat Newari food
• Shop items made from Dhaka fabric (perfect souvenir to take home!)

Check out my Travel Guide to Tansen here!

8. Janakpur

Janakpur is mostly famous for its Hindu temples and those coming here to perform praying ceremonies.

Apart from the temples, Janakpur also has Nepal’s only railway station, so it can be fun to check it out. But to be honest, the railway station is very small, so can be a bit disappointing.

Janakpur is also known for Mithila paintings which you will see painted on walls all around the city. The town is also close to India, so there are a lot of Indian snacks and sweets available in Janakpur.

Best Things to Do in Janakpur during the Autumn Season:

• Janaki Mandir (Janaki Temple)
• Shree Ram Janaki Biwah Mandir
• Mithila paintings
• Indian street food and sweets
• Janakpurdham Railway Station (Nepal’s Only Railway Station)

Check out my Travel Guide to Janakpur here!

9. Lumbini

Lumbini is said to be the birthplace of Buddha. It is most famous for the Maya Devi Temple and the Marker Stone which marks the birthplace of Buddha.

Visiting Lumbini in the Autumn is one of the best times. The weather is still warm but it starts to cool down and not as hot as it is during the monsoon season (June-August).

As Lumbini can still get quite hot during the day, make sure to always have plenty of water and sunscreen with you.

Best Things to Do in Lumbini during the Autumn Season:

• Maya Devi Temple
• Lumbini Monastic Zone
• Eternal Peace Flame
• World Peace Pagoda

Check out my Travel Guide to Lumbini here!

10. Gorkha

Gorkha is a small town on the way between Kathmandu and Pokhara, and is a historically significant place in Nepali history.

Nepal used to be made of many smaller kingdoms and Prithvi Narayan Shah, the king of the Gorkha Kingdom, started the unification process of Nepal. Gorkha is also known as the place where the Gurkha soldiers originate from.

If you visit Gorkha, the sunrise is really beautiful from the Gorkha Durbar. You can get up there in about 30-45 minutes from the town centre.

Best Things to Do in Gorkha during the Autumn Season

• Sunrise at the Gorkha Durbar
• Gorkha Museum
• Bhimsen Thapa Park
• Hiking
• Day Trip to Manakamana Temple and Cable Car

Check out my Travel Guide to Gorkha here!

Trekking during the Autumn Season in Nepal

The Autumn Season in Nepal is one of the main trekking seasons!

The weather is one of the most pleasant for trekking between October-November. Thus, once the monsoon is over, the trekking routes offer beautiful views of the Himalayas.

As October and November are one of the main trekking seasons in Nepal, some of the popular routes (Annapurna, Everest) get a lot of trekkers and it can get crowded.

Staying at the Teahouses

If you are trekking solo, during this time, it might be worth to book ahead teahouses on the trail.

As the trails are full of trekkers, some of the better teahouses might get full. It is fine to book 1 day ahead or the morning when you set out to the next village. You can ask in your teahouse if they recommend any teahouses in the village you will stop next.

Many groups are trekking with guides and usually the guides also book the rooms ahead. So if you trek slowly and most of the people arrive to the next village before you, you will only have limited options left to choose from.

On the other hand, if you want to browse and check the guesthouse before confirming a booking, then you can just show up in the village and see the options you have.

Have Extra Days

Although, there is generally no or very little rain in the Autumn Season in Nepal, the skies can still get cloudy. The planes don’t fly in Nepal in case there is poor visibility.

It happens very often even in October that the flights are delayed due to bad visibility for days. So, if you are flying to Lukla, make sure to have 2-3 extra days in case your flight is delayed.

Festivals during the Autumn Season in Nepal

Dashain Festival

Dashain is the biggest festival in Nepal. It’s importance is best described as the “Nepali Christmas” when people travel home to be with their families.

Dashain is 15-days long and usually falls at the end of September or mid-October.

Tihar Festival

Tihar is the festival of lights and is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. It is celebrated by decorating the houses by fairy lights, making rangoli and celebrating brother-sister bonds.

Chhat Festival

Chhat is mainly celebrated in the Tarai region of Nepal (southern part), dedicated to the God of Sun, Surya.

The Chhat festival is celebrated by worship ceremonies at sunrise and sunset, and by taking holy dips in rivers.

A good place to celebrate Chhat is in Janakpur, Nepal.

🎆 Check the holiday calendar for Nepal 2024 here!

What to Pack for Autumn Season in Nepal

The weather in the Autumn Season in Nepal is pleasant during the daytime but it gets cold in higher altitudes.

Although you can buy all kinds of trekking gear in Thamel, they are not the original brand/quality. If you want trekking items that will last you long, it is better to buy it before you come to Nepal.

If you don’t plan to do much trekking after Nepal, you can buy trekking gear in Thamel and then sell the items after your trek.

A few trekking items that are generally good to buy at home before coming to Nepal:

• Trekking shoes (and break them in before going on the trek)
• Down jacket
• Sleeping bag
• Lifestraw water bottle
• Backpack

Where To Stay In Kathmandu

📍Budget Option: Rest Up Hostel

📍Mid-Range Option: Bodhi Boutique Hotel

📍High-End Option: The Dwarika’s Hotel

FAQ: Autumn Season in Kathmandu

Which month is Autumn Season in Nepal?

The Autumn Season in Nepal is officially from mid-September to mid-November.

Although the temperature starts to turn cold in the second half of November, generally, the weather is still “autumn-like” until the end of November. It is an ideal time to trek in Nepal even at the end of November.

Which month is the best to visit Nepal?

The best times to visit Nepal is the Autumn (October-November) and the Spring (March-April).

The weather is not too hot or cold during these months. They are also the best times to go trekking as the weather is pleasant during the day, and the skies are clear to see the Himalayas.

Is Nepal cold in October?

The average temperature is 14-31 C in Nepal in October. The days are sunny and warm, and it only gets cold in the evening.

If you go trekking in October, you can expect sunny days but the evenings will be cold in high altitudes. If you go trekking make sure to pack thermal layers, a wool jacket and sleeping bags.

What is the temperature in autumn in Nepal?

The average temperature during the Autumn season in Nepal ranges between 19-29 C in Nepal in September, 14-31 C in Nepal in October and 8-28 C in Nepal in November.

Conclusion

Overall, Autumn Season in Nepal is one of the most popular times to visit Nepal.

The weather during the Autumn is sunny and pleasant during the day. The skies are clear and you get good views of the Himalayas. It makes it perfect to go trekking in Nepal.

As Autumn is the high season in Nepal, it is busy with a lot of travellers and the trekking routes also tend to get busy during this time.

If you are looking to trek without the crowds, the end of November-beginning of December is a great time to do so.

As the weather is pleasant during the Autumn, it is the perfect time to also explore cities and towns in Nepal. Some of the best places to visit include Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bandipur, Tansen, Janakpur, Gorkha, Chitwan and Bardia.

Nepal Quick Guide