The Best Time to Visit Nepal (+ The Worst!)
Want to know when is the best time to visit Nepal?
The short answer is that the best time to visit Nepal is during the Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April).
I live in Nepal and I am biased because I like Nepal all year around. But from a traveller perspective, if your aim is to go on a trek in Nepal, then Autumn and Spring are the best times!
Spring is also one of the best times to go on a wildlife safari in Nepal. The level of grass in the national parks is at the lowest level in February-March so you have the best chance of spotting wildlife then.
Monsoon and winter seasons are not so popular as during those times the weather is less ideal for trekking. It either rains too much during monsoon or it is too cold during winter.
So, here is everything you need to know about the best and worst times to visit Nepal!
Overall Best Time To Visit Nepal
Overall, the best time to visit Nepal has traditionally been in the Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April).
The weather patterns can be unpredictable, so it is not always guaranteed but you have the best chance of good weather during these times. Autumn is generally dry and sunny and by the end of September, the monsoon rains should stop.
Spring is also warm and sunny, however, if Spring is followed by a dry winter, the dry weather can be grounds for wildfires and increased air pollution. It can make air pollution so high in the Spring that it decreases visibility of the mountains when trekking.
Overall, in recent years the best times to trek in Nepal has extended to the end of November to mid-December and February. These are great times to trek in Nepal if you want to avoid big crowds on the trekking trails and the weather is still good to trek.
February and March are also the best times to go on a wildlife safari in Nepal! You have the best chances of spotting wildlife in Chitwan and Bardia National Park during this time. The locals cut the grass inside the national parks in January-February, thus the visibility to spot wildlife is best.
Best Season To Visit Nepal
Autumn Season in Nepal
Autumn in Nepal runs from October to November and it is the best time to visit Nepal.
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.
The weather is still great for trekking in the beginning of December and going for a trek at the end of November is great if you prefer to trek when there are less tourists.
Nepal Weather in Autumn
The end of September is the beginning of the Autumn season in Nepal and the weather starts to get a little bit colder after the hot and humid weather in the summer monsoon.
The day times are still sunny and warm, but it’s a little bit windy. The end of September and October have really nice weather and the nights are not too cold yet.
By November, it starts to become colder and it gets very cold at nights.
After the monsoon rains, the weather in the Autumn in Nepal is clear and dry which provides the best times to go trekking in Nepal.
Spring Season in Nepal
The second best time to visit Nepal is in the Spring (March-April). May is also a popular time to trek in Nepal, however, the pre-monsoon rains usually start in May, so you could potentially encounter rain.
If you want to trek in Nepal in a less busy period, February is also a good time. February is late winter in Nepal, and although it is still cold, it starts to get warmer in the second half of February. Thus, February is an ideal time to trek with less crowds on the trekking trails.
In recent years, there have been wildfires and air pollution in March-April that has reduced visibility of mountains when trekking. Thus, when planning a trek in the Spring, it is good to follow local news about the weather.
Nepal Weather in Spring
March is the start of the Spring season in Nepal and the weather starts to get warm in March in Nepal.
The weather in Spring in Nepal is mostly sunny, warm and provides clear views of the Himalayas. Thus, it is one of the best times to visit Nepal in the Spring.
Worst Time To Visit Nepal
It is a bit harsh to say “worst time to visit Nepal” as every season in Nepal has their own advantages.
However, most people come to Nepal to go on a trek and for that, generally Autumn and Spring are considered as the best seasons.
Thus, from a trekking perspective, the worst time to visit Nepal is during the monsoon or winter.
Worst Time For Weather
During the monsoon season, it rains a lot and trekking is hindered by landslides and leeches on the trails. Road travel (to even just get to the starting point of the trek) can be hindered by landslides, and air travel can also be delayed due to poor visibility for flights.
During winter, there can snow in high altitudes which can make it more difficult to navigate the trails as well as it is much colder than during Spring or Autumn.
Nevertheless, if monsoon or winter is the only time that you can visit Nepal, it is still possible to go on treks. Many tour operators and hotels have discounts during this time.
Is There A Monsoon Season In Nepal?
Yes, there is monsoon season in Nepal. The monsoon season generally lasts from June to August, however, weather patterns can be unpredictable and it can start sooner or end later.
Usually, there is still monsoon rains in September, thus if you want to make sure you avoid the rainy season, it is better to plan to visit Nepal from the end of September.
What Is The Most Expensive Month In Nepal?
The main tourist seasons in Nepal are Autumn and Spring which is when all hotels operate at full price. If you visit Nepal during the off seasons (monsoon and winter), you will find that many hotels and trekking shops have discounts.
Which Month Is Not Good To Visit Nepal?
If you are planning to go on a trek in Nepal, then the best months for treks are October, November, beginning of December, February, March and April.
Thus, from a trekking perspective, June, July, August and January are considered as the least favourable times to go on a trek.
Best Time to Visit Nepal
Best Time To Visit Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and it can be visited all year round and find plenty of activities to do. However, if you want to avoid the monsoon rain or winter cold, the best times to visit Kathmandu is in the Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-May).
Things to Do in Kathmandu:
- 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!
Best Time To Visit Pokhara
It is a good time to visit Pokhara from October to May, however, the very best time is generally during Autumn and Spring.
Pokhara can also be visited during the monsoon (June-August), although Pokhara receives one of the highest rainfalls in Nepal during monsoon. During monsoon, it is not the best to go trekking, but even when it rains, there are many activities you can do in Pokhara.
Things to do in Pokhara
- 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 in Pokhara
- 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!
When is the Best Time to Visit Nepal for Snow?
The best time to visit Nepal to have a chance for snow is between December-March.
Generally, you can only find permanent snow in the winter in Nepal in the mountains above 3,000 metres. In places such as Kathmandu or Pokhara, it does not snow.
Some of the places that have a chance of snowfall are Kalinchowk, Chandragiri, Kakani, Phulchowki Hill and Nagarkot. The snow usually doesn’t last long and melts away quickly. If you want to see some snowfall in the winter in Nepal, it is good to follow the weather forecasts and update.
❄️ Check out the best snowfall places in Nepal here!
When Is The Cheapest Time To Visit Nepal?
The cheapest time to visit Nepal is during the off seasons: monsoon and winter. During this time, less tourists come to Nepal and thus, many hotels and trekking shops have discounts.
When Is the Peak Season In Nepal?
The peak season in Nepal is in the Autumn and Spring. They are the peak tourist seasons in Nepal as it is during that time that the weather is best for trekking. Thus, most people visit Nepal during those times.
When Is The Best Time To Go Trekking In Nepal?
The best time to go trekking in Nepal is in the Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April).
If you are looking for good weather and less crowded trails, you can consider late November to mid-December and February as good times to go on treks. During those times, the trails are less busy with other trekkers and the weather is still ideal to trek.
When is the Best Time to Go on a Wildlife Safari in Nepal?
The best time to go on a wildlife safari in Nepal is between February-March. Locals usually cut the grass inside the park around January, thus the level of grass if lower in February-March. It makes spotting wildlife easier during this time.
During monsoon (June-August), the grass inside the national parks grow tall, thus in the months after the monsoon seasons, it is more difficult to spot wildlife.
Best Time To Visit Nepal By Month
Weather for January – Cold & Dry
January in Nepal is the coldest month of the year. The good thing is that the places in the hilly region of Nepal (e.g. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bandipur, Tansen), still get plenty of sunshine during the day and it only gets cold at night.
As it gets cold in the evenings, the problem is that there is no central heating in Nepal. In big cities like Kathmandu or Pokhara you will be able to book a hotel with an AC to use it as a heater.
It snows in altitudes above 3,000 metres in Nepal in the winter, so if you are trekking in January, get crampons for the ice and snow.
Weather for February – Cold & Dry
The winter season in Nepal runs from December to February, but the weather starts to get warm by the second half of February.
The beginning of February in Nepal is still very cold, while the second half of February starts to get warmer.
During the day, the weather is sunny but it still gets cold at nights in February. The second half of February is a good time to go on a trek, as the weather starts to get better but it is not peak tourist season yet.
February is also the best time to visit Chitwan or Bardia National Park. The locals cut the grass in January for animal feed inside the parks, thus, in February-March, the level of grass is lower. It provides the best chance of spotting wildlife.
Weather for March – Warm, Sunny & Dry
March in Nepal is the beginning of the Spring season, the weather turns warm and sunny.
It still gets cold at nights in the beginning of March but by the end of March, you will not feel cold at nights.
March is one of the best times to go trekking, generally the skies are clear and you get good views of the Himalayas.
March is also the best time to visit Chitwan or Bardia National Park. The locals usually cut the grass in January for animal feed inside the parks, thus, in February-March, the level of grass is lower. So, you will have the best chance of spotting wildlife at this time.
Weather for April – Warm, Sunny & Dry
The weather in April in Nepal is warm and sunny. It feels almost like summer time in Europe.
Because the Spring season in Nepal is almost as warm as summer time in Europe, you can pack your summer clothes if you are visiting Nepal in April.
In April the weather is warm and the skies are generally clear to see the Himalayas. It provides a great time to go trekking.
Weather for May – Hot & Some Rain
May in Nepal is the end of Spring and the beginning of the monsoon season. The monsoon season officially begins in June, but there can be some pre-monsoon rains in May.
The weather is very hot and humid in May in Nepal. Especially if you visit the southern Tarai region (e.g. Chitwan, Bardia, Lumbini, Janakpur), it is the hottest there.
May is still considered as a good time to go on a trek, however, there might be some occasional rain in the afternoons or the evenings.
Weather for June – Hot, Humid & Rainy
Nepal in June is the beginning of the monsoon season. Typically, the monsoon officially starts in mid-June but there is some rainfall from May onwards.
If you are visiting Nepal in June, the beginning of June can still be good for trekking, but then once the monsoon starts there is a risk of landslides and leeches on the trails, so it is not recommended to go on a trek.
The general weather in Nepal in June is very hot and humid. Although June is the beginning of the monsoon season, it usually does not rain all day long. Typically, it only rains around 1-2 hours in the afternoon or evening.
Weather for July – Hot, Humid & Rainy
July is full on monsoon season and the highest level of rainfall is in July in Nepal. Generally the weather in July is very hot and humid.
Even though July has the highest level of rainfall, it still usually only rains for 1-2 hours per day in the afternoon or evening. So, still many activities can be done during this time.
Trekking is really not recommended in July due to the rain, risks of landslides and leeches but there are many other activities that you can do during monsoon in Nepal. The best is exploring the cities and towns in Nepal, including visits to museums and world heritage sites.
Weather for August – Hot, Humid & Rainy
August in Nepal is still monsoon season and it has the second highest rainfall. The weather in August is also very hot and humid.
Even though there is a high level of rainfall in August, it usually only rains for 1-2 hours per day in the afternoon or evening. So, still many activities can be done during this time.
The weather patterns change every year, so there can be times when there is above average rainfall and then it might rain all day long for a couple of days.
Trekking is not recommended during the monsoon as trekking trails can get impassable due to landslides. However, you may check out the Lower and Upper Mustang trekking routes – they lie in the rain shadow region of Nepal so they do not get rainfall.
Weather for September – Hot & Some Rain
The monsoon season starts to come to an end in September in Nepal. Sometimes the monsoon season ends in mid-September, but sometimes it is prolonged until the end of September.
If you are coming to Nepal to go on a trek, the best is if you come after September, to make sure the monsoon is over by then.
The temperature is typically between 19-29 C in Nepal in September. It usually rains in the afternoon or the evening, and it is very rare for it to rain all day long.
It still gets humid in the beginning of September but the temperature gets more pleasant towards the end of September.
Weather for October – Warm, Sunny & Dry (BEST TIME)
The start of the peak tourist season is from October in Nepal. October and November are considered as the best times to go on a trek in Nepal, thus it is the most popular time to visit.
The weather in Nepal in October is one of the most pleasant all throughout the year in Nepal. By October, the monsoon season is over, there is no rainfall, it is sunny during the day, but it is not too hot.
It makes it one of the best times to visit Nepal, go trekking and see the Himalayas.
Festivals in October in Nepal
The main tourist season (October-November) also coincides with two of the biggest Nepali festivals: Dashain and Tihar.
Nepal follows the lunar calendar so the exact date of festivals change every year, but they generally fall in October or November.
Weather for November – Warm, Sunny & Dry (BEST TIME)
November in Nepal is also one of the best times to visit Nepal. The weather is still sunny and the skies are clear for a good view of the Himalayas.
By November, it does get cold at nights, especially if you go trekking, it will be very cold in high altitudes.
The temperature is typically between 8-28 C in Nepal in November depending on where in Nepal you are. The southern part of Nepal (Chitwan, Janakpur, Bardia) tends to be slightly hotter than the hilly region (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bandipur).
As November is one of the most popular times to visit Nepal, the trekking routes tend to be very busy. If you prefer more quiet trails, the end of November-beginning of December is a good time to go on a trek.
Weather for December – Cold & Dry
December in Nepal is the start of the winter season. The daytime temperatures start to decrease in December but luckily in many places there is still sunshine during the day.
It does get cold in the evenings and the problem is that there is no central heating in Nepal. In bigger cities, people use electric heaters to stay warm. If you visit Nepal in December, you can book a place with AC and use the AC as a heater.
The first half of December is still very ideal for trekking and is preferred by a lot of travellers who prefer more quiet trails.
The second half of December becomes too cold for trekking, but nevertheless, many people still go trekking in December. One reason is because there are less people on the trails so the trekking experience is more peaceful.
Nepal: Month-by-Month
Not sure about when to visit Nepal? Check out my month-by-month guide for Nepal:
- Nepal in January
- Nepal in February
- Nepal in March
- Nepal in April
- Nepal in May
- Nepal in June
- Nepal in July
- Nepal in August
- Nepal in September
- Nepal in October
- Nepal in November
- Nepal in December
Nepal: Seasons
Want to know more about visiting Nepal during different seasons? Check out my seasonal guides to Nepal:
FAQs: The Best Time to Visit Nepal
What is the best month to visit to Nepal?
There is not only one month which is the best to visit Nepal. The best months to visit Nepal are October-November in the autumn, and March-April in the spring.
Most travellers come to Nepal for trekking and the weather is the most ideal for treks in the Autumn and Spring seasons.
What is rainy season in Nepal?
The rainy season in Nepal (also referred to as the monsoon season) runs from June to August. It usually rains for 1-2 hours in the afternoon or the evening.
Weather patterns can be unpredictable and sometimes there can be above average rainfall that results in rain for days in a row.
How many days are enough for Nepal?
Generally you need at least 2 weeks in Nepal to be able to go on a short trek and have time to explore other attractions as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best time to visit Nepal is during the Autumn (October-November) and the Spring (March-April).
Most people come to Nepal for trekking and Autumn and Spring are considered the best times for trekking.
Spring is also one of the best times to go on a wildlife safari in Nepal. The level of grass in the national parks is the lowest in February-March and you have the best chance of spotting wildlife then.
Monsoon and winter is not so popular as during those times the weather is less ideal for trekking.
Nepal Trip Planning
Book your flight to Nepal: Check out Skyscanner or Kiwi.com to find the best flights deals!
Book Your Accommodation for Nepal: Are you looking for accommodation? Booking.com has everything from budget to luxury accommodation. For the cheapest places, check out Hostelworld.com.
Book Tours and Activities for Nepal: GetYourGuide and Viator have a vast number of tours and day trip activities all around the world. Check out their website and book your activity!
Get Travel Insurance for Nepal: It is always good to be on the safe side when travelling. SafetyWing is one of the most affordable international travel insurance and you can book it even after you have already started your trip.
Get Your Travel Cards: Whenever I am abroad, I always use travel cards Wise and Revolut. They have multiple currencies available, you can use it in shops and restaurants. The great thing is that they have the best exchange rates!
Looking for other tips to make travel easier? Check out my complete list of travel resources that have been my go-to companies when abroad or planning a trip.
Nepal Quick Guide
Can I get a Visa on Arrival for Nepal?
Yes! Almost all nationalities can get a ‘Visa on Arrival’ once landing at the Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu (check eligibility here). Getting a Visa-on-Arrival for Nepal is quick and easy. Read here my full guide on getting a Visa on Arrival for Nepal.
Should I get a Nepali SIM card?
Yes! Once you arrive in Nepal, it is recommended to get a Nepali SIM card.
SIM cards in Nepal are cheap and easy to get. There are daily, weekly or monthly data plans – all at an affordable cost. For more information, check how to get a SIM card in Nepal here.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Nepal?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Nepal, including taxi apps, offline maps for trekking, booking accommodation and travel cards.
Check out my list of the most useful mobile apps to have in Nepal.
Can I exchange money in Nepal? What about ATMs?
Yes! Thamel (where most tourists stay) has many money exchange shops as well as ATMs.
There is also a currency exchange shop at the airport but the rates are better in Thamel. Read here all about currency exchange and ATMs in Nepal.
Is it safe to travel by bus in Nepal?
The roads are dangerous but generally yes (best to travel by a tourist bus)!
I would say road travel in Nepal is generally dangerous due to the road conditions. The roads are narrow and go through mountainous areas. The tourist buses in Nepal have the best safety, so if possible, make sure to book tourist buses when travelling in Nepal.
Overall, the roads might look dangerous but the drivers are used to the road conditions in Nepal so the tourist buses are a safe choice. Here is everything you need to know about bus travel in Nepal.
Can I drink the tap water in Nepal?
No, you cannot drink the tap water in Nepal.
The tap water is unsafe for drinking in Nepal. It is not only foreign tourists that should not drink the tap water in Nepal, even Nepali people who were born and raised in Nepal do not drink the tap water.
Can I book bus tickets online in Nepal?
Yes! It is possible to book bus tickets online in Nepal however, I recommend it for those staying in Nepal for 3+ months.
It is not possible to book bus tickets online using an international bank card but only through registering on a Nepali digital payment app eSewa. If you are staying long-term in Nepal, read here my step-by-step guide on how to book bus tickets online using eSewa.
Do they speak English in Nepal?
You might wonder “Do they speak English in Nepal?” It depends on where in Nepal you are. In big cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sauraha/Chitwan) or trekking routes (Annapurna, Everest) that have many tourists, you will easily get by speaking English.
If you are in remote Nepal where not many tourists go, people usually will have little or no English. Here is a quick list of useful Nepali phrases to know while travelling in Nepal.
