Best Time to Visit Nepal: Month by Month
Weather, temperatures, rain, festivals, crowds and the best places to go in every month of the year — from the clear skies of October to the rain-shadow treks of the monsoon.
January (Poush–Magh)
The coldest month: clear, sunny days and frosty nights in the hills; morning fog in the Terai.
Kathmandu 19° / 2°C · 134 places at their best →
February (Magh–Falgun)
Still cool but warming up, with long clear spells and the first spring days at the end of the month.
Kathmandu 21° / 4°C · 128 places at their best →
March (Falgun–Chaitra)
Spring arrives: warm days, cool nights and rhododendrons starting to bloom in the hills. Some afternoon haze.
Kathmandu 25° / 8°C · 155 places at their best →
April (Chaitra–Baisakh)
Warm to hot in the lowlands, mild in the hills, and rhododendron forests in full bloom. Afternoon showers start late in the month.
Kathmandu 28° / 11°C · 123 places at their best →
May (Baisakh–Jestha)
Hot and humid before the monsoon, with afternoon thunderstorms. High up it is the warmest, calmest trekking month.
Kathmandu 29° / 16°C · 77 places at their best →.jpg?width=960)
June (Jestha–Asar)
The monsoon arrives in the second week: warm, humid, green, with heavy rain mostly in the afternoons and nights.
Kathmandu 29° / 19°C · 18 places at their best →
July (Asar–Shrawan)
The wettest month: daily rain, lush hills, rivers in flood and mountains mostly hidden in cloud.
Kathmandu 28° / 20°C · 17 places at their best →
August (Shrawan–Bhadra)
Still the monsoon, with slightly drier breaks toward the end of the month.
Kathmandu 28° / 20°C · 23 places at their best →
September (Bhadra–Ashwin)
The monsoon fades during the month: showers early on, then fresh, clear and very green by the end.
Kathmandu 28° / 18°C · 29 places at their best →
October (Ashwin–Kartik)
The best month for most visitors: dry, clear skies, crisp mountain views and comfortable temperatures everywhere.
Kathmandu 27° / 13°C · 190 places at their best →.jpg?width=960)
November (Kartik–Mangsir)
Dry and stable, with the clearest skies of the year. Days are sunny; nights get cold up high.
Kathmandu 23° / 7°C · 189 places at their best →
December (Mangsir–Poush)
Clear, dry and cold: sunny days, frosty mornings and sharp mountain views, with fog building in the Terai.
Kathmandu 20° / 3°C · 134 places at their best →Quick answers
- What is the best time to visit Nepal?
- October and November, then March to May. Autumn has the clearest mountain views and dry trails; spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom. Both are the busiest seasons.
- When is the monsoon in Nepal?
- From about mid-June to mid-September. July is the wettest month. Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Nar Phu lie in the rain shadow and stay mostly dry.
- Is winter a good time to visit Nepal?
- Yes for the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Chitwan and treks below about 4,000 m: December to February is clear, dry and quiet. High passes are often snowed in and nights up high are very cold.
- When is the best time for Everest Base Camp?
- Mid-September to November for the clearest views, or March to May for warmer days and the expedition season at Base Camp.
- When is the best time for a jungle safari in Chitwan?
- October to March is cool and pleasant; February to April, after the tall grass is cut, is best for seeing rhinos and tigers. Jungle activities largely stop in the monsoon.
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and move by a few weeks each year. Temperatures are long-term averages.