Spring: March-May
The spring season of March/April/May is the best for holidays in the Nepalese Himalayas. The sky and the weather are very clear and sunny in these months and the temperature is warmer. At heights below 3,500 meters, you can expect temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees during the daytime, although these will drop at night. Once above 3,500m, you should expect significant temperature drops at night and early morning, often as low as -15 degrees.
There is some rain in these months, but nothing severe and this really helps to bring out the natural colors in the varied flora and fauna, especially in the national flower of Nepal, the rhododendron.
This is the primary time for tourism in Nepal with trekkers and mountain climbers seen all across the country.
Summer: June – August
Nepal experiences its monsoon season during June, July, and August, and it can sometimes last until mid-September. Some treks are possible in mid-June before the rains really get heavy, however, visibility can be limited.
The rains bring other challenges and obstacles. Mountain flights are not so frequent, while landslides can block the roads. Trekking in mid-June is still possible but we advise against the classic treks such as Everest due to the risk of long delays at Lukla which could potentially lead to missing international flights. If this is the only season possible for you, then we recommend treks in drier parts of the country such as Upper Mustang or Upper Dolpo. We can also suggest other activities such as white water rafting or visiting the National Parks at Chitwan or Bardia.
Autumn: September – November
With very similar conditions to spring, the autumn season begins in mid-September and runs to mid-December, and is also ideal for trekking. This is a long window of good visibility and so there are a wide variety of trekking options available.
This time of year is also known for its festivals, especially the Dashain festival/Tihar festival and Chhad festival. There are also long national holidays so many people return to their villages to see family, making rural Nepal even more vibrant than normal. There is little rain and the skies are mostly clear with warm weather. This does mean that the trekking routes can be quite crowded in the most popular areas so we advise booking early to avoid the disappointment of full tea houses.
The less popular trekking regions such as Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Upper Dolpo, Mustang, and Naar Phu are great alternatives for those who want to avoid the crowds at this busy time.
Winter: December – February
December to February is the winter season in Nepal. Trekking at this time is not ideal and we advise against anything that goes into thin air as snowfall is common and temperatures can be extremely low.
Trips that can be done in winter include trekking in the hills around Kathmandu, Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Nagarkot, Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, or experiencing a homestay in one of the local villages. The biggest positive of this time of year is the excellent sunsets and sunrises which can often be enjoyed in rural areas.
There is something for everyone at any time of year in Nepal and the team at Peace Nepal Treks is happy to advise the most suitable for your needs.