Best Time To Visit Nepal

When is the best time to go to Nepal?

The best time to visit Nepal may well depend on what your plans are, whether you’ll go to Chitwan National Park, Kathmandu or Annapurna Base Camp. Nepal is a country of extremes. The lowland plains of the Terai can have tropical temperatures and mosquitoes. The Himalayas can get to sub-zero temperatures, but the sun blaze can bring some warmth during the day, even in the mountains. Our trusted Nepal specialists have put together a month by month guide of when to visit Nepal and made some recommendations and we share with you our favourite time to go to Nepal.

Nepal has four distinct seasons

Spring  (March to May):
Springtime temperatures are mildly warm in the lowlands and moderate at higher altitudes, with plenty of opportunities for clear mountain views. It is also the time for flowers to blossom and the national flower of Nepal – rhododendron.

Summer (June to August):
This is the monsoon season in Nepal. Trekking is not recommended. The weather is hot and wet. It rains almost every day with occasional thunderstorms in the evenings, though mornings are often clear and you can expect beautiful sunrises. Heavy rain clouds can hide the beautiful mountain views and torrential rain makes paths muddy and impassable. Landslides often block roads, making travel impossible. Additionally, leeches make outdoor activities unpleasant. Temperatures lie between 23 and 35 degrees and even at night don’t fall below 20 degrees.

Autumn (September to November):
This is the best trekking season in Nepal. The weather is very pleasant and clear so the mountain views are the best. This is the peak season for trekking as mountain views are guaranteed so it’s wise to books your flights well in advance. This is also the season of festivals as Nepal celebrates the biggest Hindu festivals – Dashain followed by Tihar.

Winter (December to February):
The weather is cool and the sky is clear with occasional snowfall at higher elevations. The mountain views are still very good, but higher trekking routes, such as the Annapurna Circuit, tend to be closed due to large amounts of snow. It is best to trek at lower elevations generally below 3200m during these months. During the day, temperatures in Kathmandu and Pokhara can reach 20 degrees, but the nights are cold and higher altitudes experience freezing temperatures. This season is the preferred season for bird watching in Chitwan and to visit the Terai region.

Average temperatures in Kathmandu

In summary, the best time to go to Nepal is

After the monsoon, mid-September to November is the best time to go to Nepal and here’s why:

• The air is crisp and dry and the views are excellent.
• Daytime temperatures are pleasant, 23 degrees in Kathmandu, nights are often chilly down to 4 degrees.
• Many festivals fall into this season, well worth experiencing.

The other best time to visit Nepal season is in March to April.

• Nature is in bloom, impressive rhododendron forests.
• Temperatures are pleasant, daytime 25-30 degrees but the air in the middle hills can be hazy, so views there are not quite as good as in autumn.