Best Time to Visit Nepal: A Month-by-Month Breakdown for 2026

The short answer

Nepal has two peak seasons — October-November and March-April — and one season to avoid (June-August monsoon). Everything else depends on what you're doing.

Month by month

January

Cold in Kathmandu (low 4°C at night, high 18°C). Lower-altitude treks (Poon Hill, lower Annapurna) are fine; high passes closed. Upside: tourist sites are empty. Downside: thick valley fog can cancel Lukla flights for days. Pokhara stays mild.

February

Similar to January, slightly warmer by end of month. Rhododendrons start blooming in mid-elevation forests. Mardi Himal and Ghorepani-Poon Hill treks pick up.

March

Spring begins. Warmer, longer days, rhododendron bloom in full across 2,000–3,500 m. Haze increases — mountain views less sharp than autumn. Good for Annapurna and Everest region treks if you accept the atmospheric haze. Chitwan wildlife viewing improves.

April

Peak spring. Warmest spring temperatures (Kathmandu highs 28°C). Rhododendrons peak. Trekking season for all major routes. Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp both popular. Pre-monsoon haze thickens by late April.

May

Hot in low-altitude areas (Chitwan, Lumbini — often 35°C+). Pre-monsoon afternoon thunderstorms begin. Trekking still possible but humid. Lukla flights increasingly disrupted.

June

Monsoon starts mid-June. Heavy afternoon rain, leeches on trails, landslides on roads. Mountain views mostly hidden. Upsides: lush green landscapes, fewest tourists, lowest hotel prices.

July

Peak monsoon. Heaviest rainfall. Trekking in the Annapurna and Everest regions not recommended. Upper Mustang and Dolpo (rain-shadow regions) stay dry and are the only high-altitude options. Festival: Janai Purnima.

August

Rain tapering off by late month. Kathmandu Valley lush and green. Festival: Gai Jatra. Indra Jatra in September closes this season.

September

Transition month. Rain decreases through the month. By late September, treks become viable again, though trails are still wet. Dashain festival preparation begins. Book hotels early; demand starts building.

October

Peak month. Dry, clear, sharp mountain views, moderate temperatures (Kathmandu day 25°C, night 12°C). Dashain in mid-October is Nepal's biggest festival — expect some business closures but incredible cultural exposure. Book everything 2+ months ahead.

November

Co-peak. Slightly cooler than October, very clear skies, stable weather. Tihar festival late October/early November adds to atmosphere. Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit at their busiest. Best month for Kala Patthar views.

December

Getting cold. High treks (EBC, Annapurna Circuit) become hard as pass closures start. Lower treks and Kathmandu Valley remain pleasant. Tourist numbers drop sharply after December 10. Christmas attracts a small Western crowd.

By activity

• Everest Base Camp: October–November or March–April.
• Annapurna Circuit: October–November or March–April. Winter impossible.
• Upper Mustang/Dolpo: July–September (rain-shadow — the only high-altitude monsoon option).
• Chitwan wildlife: October–March.
• Paragliding Pokhara: October–April.
• White-water rafting: September-November (post-monsoon water levels) and March-April.
• Sightseeing only, low budget: any month. June-August has the lowest prices.

Festival calendar 2026

• Losar (Tibetan New Year): February/March depending on calendar.
• Holi: March.
• Nepali New Year (Bisket Jatra, Bhaktapur): mid-April.
• Buddha Jayanti: May.
• Janai Purnima: August.
• Indra Jatra (Kathmandu): September.
• Dashain: October.
• Tihar: late October / early November.

Our advice

If you have one choice and maximum flexibility, go in mid-October to mid-November for the best overall experience. If you want warmth and flowers over sharpness, late March to mid-April. Everything else is a trade-off.