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Best time to visit Nepal: month by month
Short answer
October to November is the classic season, with clear mountain views, dry trails and Kathmandu at about 21–24°C. March to April is second best, warmer with rhododendrons in bloom but hazier; June to September is monsoon, with cloudy peaks, leeches and landslides.
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)
Kathmandu highs of about 23–26°C; March and April are good trekking months with rhododendrons, while May grows hot and wet (about 25 rainy days).
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Monsoon: Kathmandu at about 26–27°C with rain on 26–31 days a month; landslides on roads, leeches on trails and cloudy peaks.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is still wet (about 29 rainy days); October (about 17) and November (about 3) bring the clearest views and peak trekking season.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Clear and dry, with Kathmandu highs of about 17–19°C and lows near 5–6°C; very cold above 2,500 metres and high passes may close.
Events worth planning around
- Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival (September or October)
- Tihar, the festival of lights (October or November)
- Holi, the festival of colours (March)
- Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur at Nepali New Year (April)
When to avoid
July and August, the heart of the monsoon, when mountain views are rare, roads are disrupted by landslides and flights are often delayed.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Nepal?
October and November for clear views and dry trails; March and April for rhododendrons.
Can you trek in the monsoon?
Some do, but expect rain, leeches, landslides and clouds over the peaks; rain-shadow areas such as Upper Mustang are the exception.
Is Nepal too cold in winter?
Kathmandu is mild by day (about 17–19°C) but cold at night; high treks are very cold and some passes close.