So when is the best time to visit Nepal? The main trekking and climbing season in Nepal is March, April and May. This is spring in Nepal. The next most popular time to trek or climb in Nepal is September, October and November. This is autumn in Nepal. The weather is generally very stable and reliable during both the spring and autumn seasons however our experience over the last fews years has been that September has been less reliable in that it seems to be becoming much wetter.
The monsoon (wet-season) in Nepal is June, July and August. Most trekking and climbing companies (including us) won’t advertise trips in the Everest and Annapurna regions during this time. The rain is constant most days and this translates to lots of snow at higher altitudes. You won’t enjoy trekking in the Everest and Annapurna regions during this time because you won’t get much in the way of views. You’ll also need to be wearing your Gore-Tex 24/7 so not the ideal holiday.
Avoid the monsoon
History shows that over centuries, the monsoon has been very reliable in terms of it’s duration i.e June, July and August. The early mountaineers and locals alike could virtually set their watch to the monsoon ending on August 31. This is no longer the case. The monsoon season has been dragging on into September for quite a few years now and September is no longer the reliable trekking month it used to be. Experts all over the world agree that our planet’s weather is changing. Global warming or whatever, the reliability of weather patterns as we knew them has changed.
This is not to say that September is a no go for trekking in Nepal, just be aware that you may well be in for some wet days if September is your must travel month. Our Everest Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek and Annapurna Introductory Trek are all great treks to do in Nepal during the spring and autumn seasons. Visit our gallery for great photos from all these trips. Get more information on all these trips.
When assessing the best time to visit Nepal you should also consider the spring and autumn seasons in terms of how the days (and nights) will feel. During spring the weather is slowly warming up. Views of the mountains – especially at lower altitudes – will often be hazy and not as ideal for photographs. In the autumn months the weather is getting cooler as winter approaches. This translates to crisp cooler days and clearer skies at lower and higher altitudes.
The best time to visit Nepal – comparing spring and autumn
The other thing you MUST take into account when comparing the spring and autumn seasons in Nepal is crowds. April and May in both the Everest and Annapurna regions is a very busy time. There is nothing remote about a standard Everest Base Camp trek during April and May. And even March is starting to see a significant increase in visitor numbers. One of the big reasons for this is all the Everest climbing expeditions are in place and are climbing Everest during April and May. If you like the idea of trekking into Everest Base Camp and witnessing all the Everest expedition activity then you’ll enjoy April and May. If you’d like to visit a quiet Everest Base Camp environment then you’ll enjoy October, November and December far more.
Trekkers and climbers should never discount February and December as great months to visit Nepal. Both are much cooler than the main trekking seasons but the weather is generally very stable and if you don’t mind it a little colder, you’ll be rewarded with clear days and far fewer people.
We do receive plenty of emails from people asking us about trekking options in Nepal during the monsoon months (June, July and August). Our Upper Mustang Trek is our recommendation if these months are your only window. The Upper Mustang is a beautiful and barren area that borders Tibet to the north of the Annapurna Conservation Area. Due to it’s location, the Upper Mustang region misses the majority of the monsoon rains that hit the rest of Nepal.
The best time to visit Nepal – weather chart
The chart below shows the approximate temperatures you can expect depending on your month of travel to Nepal. We have assembled this chart specifically to help people determine when the best time to visit Nepal is for them.
Average temperatures in Nepal in degrees celsius
For more information on the best time to visit Nepal visit, contact us
Watch videos from our trekking and climbing expeditions – look at the weather and compare it with the trip dates