Best time to visit Nepal: a month-by-month planner

By the Farefika editorial team · Updated 29 October 2026 · 8 min read

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Snow-capped Himalayan peaks above green hills in Nepal

Nepal is a year-round destination, but the experience changes a lot with the seasons. The short version: October and November bring the clearest mountain views and the most trekkers, March to May is the second-best window with warmer days and flowering rhododendrons, December to February is cold but quiet, and June to September is the monsoon. Use this planner to match the season to the trip you want.

Nepal's four seasons at a glance

Autumn (October to November): settled, dry weather after the monsoon, crisp air and the best Himalayan visibility. Peak season for trekking around Everest and Annapurna, so lodges, domestic flights and guides book up early.
Winter (December to February): clear mornings and cold nights. Valleys like Kathmandu and Pokhara are pleasant by day; high passes can be snowbound. Good for lower treks, cultural sightseeing and Chitwan's jungle.
Spring (March to May): longer, warmer days, rhododendron forests in bloom and the main climbing season on the big peaks. Haze builds towards May and lowland heat rises.
Monsoon (June to September): most of the year's rain falls now. Expect cloud over the peaks, slippery trails, leeches at lower altitudes, and road and flight delays. Lush, green and far fewer visitors.

Month by month

January: coldest month; clear skies, snow up high. Quiet trails on lower routes.
February: slowly warming, still very clear. A good, uncrowded shoulder month.
March: spring trekking begins; rhododendrons start flowering at mid altitudes.
April: the busiest spring month: warm, colourful forests, more haze in the afternoons.
May: hot in the lowlands, climbing season on Everest, pre-monsoon showers by month end.
June: the monsoon usually arrives in mid-June; trekking slows down.
July and August: wettest months. Consider rain-shadow regions north of the main range (such as Upper Mustang), where permits and costs are higher but rainfall is much lower.
September: rains ease towards the end of the month and the trails start to dry.
October: the classic month: clear views, busy trails and major festivals.
November: still clear and stable, a little colder and slightly less crowded than October.
December: cold, clear and calm; a good time for Kathmandu, Pokhara and short treks.

Festivals worth planning around

Nepal's biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar, usually fall in October or November, and dates follow the lunar calendar, so they move each year. They are wonderful to see, but many Nepalis travel home, offices close for days, and buses and domestic flights fill up. Check the dates for your year before you book internal transport.

Best time for trekking

For the Everest and Annapurna regions, aim for October to November or March to May. Mornings are usually clearest, so start early. Flights to Lukla, the gateway to Everest, are weather-dependent in every season, so leave one or two spare days at the end of your trip. Whatever the month, make sure your travel insurance covers trekking at the altitude you plan to reach.

When flights from Europe cost the most

Fares to Kathmandu tend to be highest when demand peaks: the autumn trekking season, around Christmas and New Year, and during European summer holidays. Booking several weeks ahead and being flexible by a few days usually helps. Our guide to flying from Stockholm to Kathmandu covers the usual connecting hubs, and you can compare current fares across airlines and agencies.

Plan the rest of your trip

Getting from Kathmandu to the lakes? Read Kathmandu to Pokhara: bus, flight or private car. For entry rules, money and safety, see our Nepal travel guide, and when you have dates, compare hotels in Kathmandu.

Weather varies from year to year and by altitude; treat this as a general guide and check local forecasts before you travel. Festival dates change every year.