Nepal Spring Travel Guide 2026: Weather, Trekking, Festivals, and Rhododendron Bloom
Spring 2026 in Nepal runs mid-March through May. It's the second peak trekking season with rhododendron bloom, warmer days, and clear but hazier views than autumn. High passes are open. Major festivals include Holi (March), Nepali New Year/Bisket Jatra (April), and Buddha Jayanti (May).
Key takeaways
- Second peak trekking season — all major routes open.
- Rhododendron bloom peaks late March to mid-April.
- Pre-monsoon haze reduces distant mountain clarity through April.
- Book 6+ weeks ahead for April hotel availability.
- Pack layers — nights still cold at altitude even in May.
Why spring
Spring is Nepal's secondary peak. Not as crystal-clear as October but warmer and more colorful. Trekking is in full swing; Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit are at their second-busiest. Cultural calendar is dense: Holi, Nepali New Year, Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, Buddha Jayanti.
March
Early-month is still shoulder — crisp mornings, pleasant days (Kathmandu high 22°C). Rhododendron bloom begins at 1,800–2,500 m elevation. Mid-month sees rapid warming. Late March is strong for lower-altitude treks (Poon Hill, Mardi Himal).
April
Peak spring. Warmest April temperatures (Kathmandu 18–28°C, Pokhara similar, Chitwan 25–35°C). Rhododendrons peak across all elevations. Trekking routes at maximum busyness. Haze increases through the month — by late April, distant 6,000 m+ peaks are often visible only in early morning.
May
Hot in the plains (Chitwan 30–38°C), warm in Kathmandu, still cool at altitude. Pre-monsoon afternoon thunderstorms begin — often brief, occasionally disruptive. Lukla flights increasingly disrupted by afternoon turbulence. Last reliable month for high treks before monsoon shuts the season down.
Trekking in spring
- Everest Base Camp: very good. Clear mornings, warm afternoons at altitude, rhododendron sections below Namche are stunning.
- Annapurna Circuit: excellent. Thorong La usually open all three spring months. Rhododendron color on the lower sections.
- Annapurna Base Camp (ABC): arguably the best time — the ABC sanctuary is surrounded by rhododendron forest that peaks in April.
- Langtang Valley: good, less busy than Annapurna/Everest.
- Mardi Himal: the rhododendron trek par excellence.
- Manaslu Circuit: open, quieter than Annapurna.
Festivals
Holi (March)
The festival of colors. Biggest street celebrations in Pokhara (Lakeside) and Thamel. Expect to get covered in colored powder; wear cheap clothes. One-day event, typically mid-March.
Nepali New Year / Bisket Jatra (April)
Nepal's calendar flips in mid-April (2083 BS → 2084 BS in 2026). Bhaktapur's Bisket Jatra is the most dramatic celebration — a massive chariot pulled through the old town. 8-day festival centered around April 13–14.
Buddha Jayanti (May)
Buddha's birthday. Lumbini is the focal point. Boudhanath and Swayambhunath host large prayer gatherings. Expect reverent, crowded stupa scenes.
What to pack
- Light layers — T-shirts, fleece, light jacket for Kathmandu.
- For treks: down jacket (only for nights above 3,500 m), rain jacket for late April/May.
- Sun protection — SPF 50+, hat, sunglasses. UV is intense at altitude.
- Insect repellent for Chitwan / Lumbini.
- Umbrella for occasional afternoon rain in late spring.
Booking advice for 2026 spring
- April hotel rooms in Pokhara Lakeside book out 4–6 weeks ahead.
- Lukla flights in April book 2–4 weeks ahead — secure before you fly into Kathmandu.
- Holi weekend hotels in central Pokhara double in price for 2 nights.
- Consider helicopter alternatives for Lukla in late April when flight cancellations spike.
What to avoid
- Chitwan mid-May — too hot for comfortable wildlife viewing.
- High pass attempts if weather reports show incoming pre-monsoon storms (late May).
- Plains cities (Birgunj, Janakpur) in May afternoons — heat and humidity are intense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- Department of Hydrology and Meteorology — Government of Nepal
- Nepal Tourism Board — Festivals Calendar — Nepal Tourism Board