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Best time to visit Kathmandu: month by month
Short answer
October–November and March–April are the best times, with clear skies, mountain views and highs of about 21–26°C, and only around 3–9 rainy days a month (more in October). These are also the busiest months. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings 26–31 rainy days a month, while December to February is dry and sunny but cold at night (lows about 5–6°C) and often smoggy.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 5°C | 3 | low |
| Feb | 19°C | 6°C | 6 | medium |
| Mar | 23°C | 11°C | 9 | high |
| Apr | 26°C | 14°C | 8 | high |
| May | 25°C | 16°C | 25 | medium |
| Jun | 27°C | 19°C | 26 | low |
| Jul | 27°C | 20°C | 31 | low |
| Aug | 26°C | 20°C | 30 | low |
| Sep | 26°C | 18°C | 29 | medium |
| Oct | 24°C | 15°C | 17 | very high |
| Nov | 21°C | 9°C | 3 | very high |
| Dec | 18°C | 6°C | 2 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
March and April are warm (highs 23–26°C) with 8–9 rainy days and flowering hills; haze can hide the mountains, and May turns wet (about 25 rainy days) as the monsoon approaches.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The monsoon: highs about 27°C, 26–31 rainy days a month, clouds over the mountains and muddy roads; fewer visitors and lower prices.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is still wet (about 29 rainy days); October and November are the classic season, with clear views, highs of 21–24°C and the big festivals of Dashain and Tihar.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dry and sunny, with only 2–6 rainy days and highs of 17–19°C, but cold at night (lows 5–6°C) and often smoggy in the valley.
Events worth planning around
- Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival (usually late September or October), when offices close and buses fill
- Tihar, the festival of lights (usually October or November)
- Indra Jatra in Kathmandu Durbar Square, including a procession of the Kumari (usually September)
- Losar, the Tibetan New Year, especially at Boudhanath (usually February or March)
- Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur around the Nepali New Year (mid-April)
When to avoid
Avoid June to September if you want mountain views or plan to trek, as clouds and daily rain are the norm. Around Dashain and Tihar, expect closed offices and full transport, so book ahead.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Kathmandu?
October and November for clear mountain views, or March and April for warm days and flowers.
Is Kathmandu worth visiting in the monsoon?
The heritage sites are fine to visit, but expect daily rain and clouds hiding the mountains; it is a poor time for trekking.
Is it cold in winter?
Days are mild (17–19°C) and sunny, but nights fall to about 5°C and many buildings have little heating.