When is the Best Time to Trek in Nepal?
Some questions I always get, “When is the best time to trek in Nepal”? Is it better trek in Nepal in Autumn or Spring? What’s it like to trek during monsoon? Is it too cold to go trekking in the winter?
Having been visiting Nepal since 2015 and going on several treks, I have tested what’s it like to trek in Nepal at different times of the year.
The peak trekking seasons in Nepal are Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April). These times have the best weather but can also get crowded.
Ultimately, I have found that the best time to trek in Nepal is towards the end of November to mid-December. It is still not too cold, but the trails are much quieter as the high number of trekkers start to decrease.
Best Time of Year to Trek in Nepal
The best time of the year to go trekking in Nepal is in the Autumn (October-November). The monsoon usually lasts until the end of September, so it is better to plan treks in Nepal from October onwards. To avoid crowds during the peak Autumn season, I recommend starting the trek in late November.
The second best time of the year to trek in Nepal is in Spring (March-April). In the last few years, the weather has been a bit unpredictable, and the views are not always guaranteed. But if you are not available to visit Nepal in the Autumn, then Spring is your second best choice.
Trekking in Nepal in Autumn
The weather is pretty good to go trekking in Nepal in Autumn. It is not too cold yet, and it usually doesn’t rain. The skies are also clear, so you get pretty great views of the Himalayas!
As it is peak trekking season, it can get crowded on the trails – so if you prefer a less busy time but similar weather, it is best to trek towards the end of November to mid-December.
Pros of Trekking During Autumn
- Clear skies, great view of mountains
- Good weather, generally no rain
- Good temperature (cold in high altitudes but not too cold yet)
Cons of Trekking During Autumn
- Trails are busy with trekkers, including trekking groups (but it means you can also meet lots of people on the trail and make new friends!)
Best Treks in Nepal in Autumn
Autumn is the best time to go trekking in Nepal, so all trekking routes are considered a great option, including Everest Base Camp, Three Passes, Manaslu, Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Langtang Valley, and Pikey Peak among others.
I organize treks in Nepal:
✔️ Everest Base Camp
✔️ Annapurna Base Camp
✔️ Langtang Valley Trek & more!
Trekking in Nepal in Spring
Spring is considered as the second best time to go trekking in Nepal. Historically, the skies used to be clear in the Spring, but in recent years, there has been a lot of smog and haze in the spring that hinders the mountains views.
Although Spring is still considered as one of the best times to trek in Nepal, it is good to keep in mind that visibility might be reduced. So, if you are deciding between whether to trek in Nepal in Autumn or Spring, Autumn may be a better option.
Alternatively, you can also trek in Nepal in early Spring (around mid-February). It is a little bit cold, but usually the sky is clear for good mountain views.
Pros of Trekking During Spring
- Beautiful trails: the flowers are in bloom, including the rhododendrons (the national flower of Nepal)
- The temperature in Spring is warmer than in autumn (can get pretty hot around May)
- The Everest climbing season is in Spring (May), so it is a great time to see what’s it like at EBC at that time.
Cons of Trekking During Spring
- Visibility can be bad: in recent years there’s been a lot of dust and smog due to wildfires and controlled burning, which significantly reduces visibility to have clear view of mountains.
- Weather can be unpredictable: it can rain, snow and get cloudy by the afternoon
- Trails are crowded (although not as much as in the Autumn)
Best Treks in Nepal in Spring
Spring is the second best time to go trekking in Nepal, and pretty much all trekking routes are a great option (similar to the Autumn). Best treks in the Spring include Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Langtang Valley, Pikey Peak, Manaslu, and Annapurna Circuit.
Information for Trekking in Nepal in Winter or Monsoon
Can I Go Trekking in Monsoon?
It is generally not recommended to go trekking during monsoon (June-August) but it is possible.
During monsoon, the trails can be obstructed by landslides and are also full of leeches (especially in low altitudes). Due to the monsoon rains, it is very cloudy and you have the least chance of getting clear mountain views.
Getting to the trek starting point can also be delayed, as road travel is hindered by landslides and flights are often cancelled or delayed due to bad weather. In this case, it is good to add some extra days to consider travel delays.
If monsoon is the only time you can visit Nepal and you really want to go trekking, I recommend to hire a trekking guide. I usually trek solo, but for monsoon or winter treks, I don’t recommend to trek alone as the weather can be more unpredictable and there are not that many people on the trails.
I generally find that the weather is still okay to trek in Nepal until mid-June. So if you can visit Nepal in early June, you can still trek before the full-on monsoon begins from mid-June onwards.
There are also some trekking routes in Nepal that are in the rain shadow region (Mustang, Dolpo), but again, reaching the starting point of these treks can be hindered by landslides or cancelled flights.
What’s it Like to Go Trekking in Nepal in Winter?
Trekking in Winter in Nepal is actually not so bad but it can be extremely cold in high altitudes (especially in January).
I find the beginning of Winter (early December) is a pretty great time to trek in Nepal! In early December, the weather is still not too cold, you get amazing views, and the trails are not crowded.
The weather can be unpredictable in the winter, so at this time it is best to not trek alone. You can consider to hire a guide, or at least find a trekking buddy so you don’t trek on your own.
It usually snows in Nepal in winter in high altitudes (above 3,000 meters), so it is good to prepare for the possibility of snow. Sometimes in winter it starts to snow in December, other times, there is no snow yet in December, so it can be hard to say how the weather is each year.
Nepal Trekking Itineraries
Not sure where to go trekking? Check out my itineraries and posts about trekking in Nepal:
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Mardi Himal Trek
- Langtang Valley Trek
- Australian Camp Trek
- Panchase Trek
- Pikey Peak Trek
- The Best Short Treks in Nepal
- Solo Trekking in Nepal
- Teahouses in Nepal: What Accommodation is Like on Treks
- Trekking in Nepal Costs: How to Plan Your Budget
FAQs: Best Time to Trek in Nepal
Which month is best for trekking in Nepal?
I would say the end of November to early December is the best time for trekking in Nepal. You get clear skies, amazing views, the weather is not extremely cold yet, and the trails are also not that busy.
What is the best month to go to Nepal?
The best time to visit Nepal is in the Autumn and Spring if you are planning to go trekking in Nepal. Otherwise, if you are not that much into trekking and are interested in the culture and architecture, then Nepal can be visited all year around.
When is the best time to trek Everest Base Camp (EBC)?
The best times to trek Everest Base Camp is in the Autumn and Spring. Spring and Autumn are the peak trekking seasons in Nepal, so it means that the trail is also busy. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can consider late Autumn (end of November) or early Spring (mid-February) – both offer stunning views.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Autumn is the best time to go trekking in Nepal as it generally has the best views and weather. Due to Autumn being the peak season, it can get busy on the trails. So, if you prefer to avoid the crowds, I recommend trekking in late November to mid-December.
Spring is the second best time to go trekking in Nepal, however, the views are not always guaranteed. In recent years there have been reduced visibility of mountains in the Spring due to wildfires and controlled burning. Alternatively, you can plan a trek for early Spring (mid-February) as the weather is usually clear and not as cold as in January.
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