Best time to visit Nepal

Are you traveling in Nepal? If so, the first question that may arise in your mind is, what is the best time to visit Nepal? Well, now it’s no more a question, as I will be discussing everything you need to know about the best time, the pros and cons, and the highlights.

Well, the general time to visit Nepal is from September to December, starting the week, and from February to May, ending as during this time the weather is moderate, it’s the time of festivals, and everything is best planned during this time that will give you a unique experience in Nepal. You can visit during the other months as well, like in winter and monsoon, but it is not suggested. Let’s discuss every month in detail:

Spring (March to May)

Spring is also known as the time of the blooming flowers, as the whole Nepal hills, mountains, and Terai plain become blooming and beautiful. It’s the most beautiful, desirable, and ideal season to visit Nepal. During the month of spring, the sky becomes clear and deep blue, and the weather becomes reasonable and not as cold, making it an ideal time to visit Nepal.

The lush green hills and forests of Nepal bloom in the colors, making the hills look a combination of red and green, giving eye-catching views. Due to the weather, the mountain peaks shine in the backdrop, giving awesome views of the majestic mountains like Mount Everest, Mount Annapurna, Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Manaslu, Mount Langtang Lirung, and every other peak located in Nepal.

Why should you visit in spring?

There are many reasons why you should visit in spring, as this is the season when everything looks clear and beautiful. When you are traveling from the forest, you will witness the beautiful rhododendrons (Lali Gurans), orchids, magnolias, and wildflowers flourish at different altitudes. During this time the birds become active, and you will witness the migratory birds and the regional birds flying over the sky and sitting on the flowers and enjoying nature.

During this time you will also spot wildlife animals like snow leopards, pandas, and Himalayan tahr in higher altitudes, and elephants, tigers, and other wild animals inside the national parks and the jungles. During the time of spring, everything attracts travelers and makes them visit once in a lifetime to visit Nepal.

Why You Should Not Visit in Spring?

Well, spring is the best season to visit Nepal, but there are some cons as well, which might affect some travelers and might not affect others. It is the most suitable time to visit Nepal. Everywhere there is a crowd of travelers, even in the Everest region, Annapurna region, Langtang region, Manaslu region, or any other trekking route in Nepal that is busiest in this season. The temples and monasteries, national parks, roads, and highways everything seems a little crowded due to the travelers, which ultimately affects your pocket, increasing the budget as high demand and slow supply make things expensive. The hotels and vehicles are also pre-booked, making it difficult for travelers and many more.

Best Treks or Destinations in Spring

The best treks or destinations in the spring season to visit in Nepal are according to your preference. If you are here for the spiritual retreat, then you might visit pilgrimage sites like Pashupatinath Temple, Muktinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, Janakpur Dham, Lumbini, and many more. However, if you are traveling to Nepal for trekking, you can explore routes such as the Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit, Annapurna Circuit, Langtang Valley, and many other trekking paths in Nepal. You can choose the trekking routes according to your budget, trekking days, trekking difficulty, and the costs of the permit.

Suggested Read: Why Manaslu Annapurna Circuit Trek should be in your bucket list?

Weather and Temperature in Spring

The weather and temperatures in spring are moderate and dry most of the time. The temperature is stable, dry, and pleasant. The days are mild and dry, but the mornings and evenings. The day’s temperature varies from 12°C, whereas the night temperature varies from -10 to -5°C. You can always check the live weather forecast on your phone or websites like Weather Forecast.

Festivals or Cultural Events in Spring

There are lots of festivals and cultural events that happen during the month of the spring-like Holi, which is also known as the Festival of Colors; Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses); and Bisket Jatra. April marks the new year in Nepal, along with Buddha Jayanti (Lord Buddha’s Birthday), Rato Machhindranath Jatra (Chariot Festival), Ram Navami, and many other festivals. When you are in Nepal, then you can participate in these festivals and enjoy the festivals along with the locals, which showcases the beauty of cultural tolerance and cultural exchange.

Suggested Read: Importance of Cultural heritage in tourism

Packing Tips for Spring

During the month of the spring, you will need to pack according to the weather. As you can pack the things like

• Lightweight layered clothing (base, mid, and outer layers)

• Down jacket for high altitudes, especially in March

• Rain gear for late May or just in case

• Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen, hat

• Hiking boots and breathable trekking socks

• Water bottle and hydration tablets

Autumn (September to November)

The best time to visit Nepal is during autumn, from September to November. During this time the weather is mild in temperature, the skies are clear, and the festivals are vibrant. During September, it is post-monsoon time, making everything fresh and lush green. The days are warm, and the nights are cooler during this time. The forests are also fresh and offer panoramic views unlike the spring and autumn also offer majestic views of the mountain ranges in the northern Himalayas of Nepal.

Why should you visit in autumn?

Visiting Nepal in autumn is the best season to visit Nepal. During the month of autumn, the weather is clear and mild; the air is warm during the day and cool at night. The weather is more stable compared to the spring.   The rain in the monsoon clears the air, leaving behind crystal-clear visibility. The trekking trails and the tourist destinations are in perfect condition for travelers to explore. It is also the month of the festivals, as Nepal’s biggest 3 festivals lie during the month of autumn, which are Dashain, Tihar, and Chath. Terraced fields glow golden with ripening rice and millet.

Why should you not visit in autumn?

As we discussed, autumn is the best time to visit Nepal, but with every perfect thing, there comes something imperfect as well that might affect some and might not affect others. Same as in the spring, the tourist spots are crowded and messy, and the accommodations, vehicles, and flights are pre-booked, making it difficult to find availability. Due to high demand, flights, hotels, trekking permits, and guides tend to be more expensive. If you are planning on any kind of trek, then you might face the limited availability of guides and porters as well. As this is the time of the festivals, there might be festival crowds and noise in the city areas and the rural areas as well.

Best Treks or Destinations in Autumn

The best treks or destinations in autumn are the same in the spring, as during both times the weather and everything play a vital role. You can visit the less explored places in Nepal, like Tsum Valley, Ghandruk, Illam, Rara Lake, Tilicho Lake, Khopra Danda, and many more places in Nepal. Every place you visit will make you feel you are in heaven, as Nepal is known for its beautiful lush valleys, mountains, temples, and long history.

Weather and Temperature in Autumn

The weather and temperature in autumn are mild and moderate compared to other seasons. The daytime temperature can vary from 16 to 20°C, and nighttime can vary from 5 to 0°C. However, every day the temperature changes; sometimes it is rainy, sometimes it’s windy, sometimes it’s cold, and sometimes it’s hot, so it is always suggested to check the phone for the exact weather or the live weather forecast websites.

Festivals or Cultural Events in Autumn

Festivals and cultural events in Autumn are the best things for which people from all over the world come to visit. There are many festivals like Indra Jatra and Gai Jatra, but the Dashain, Tihar, and Chath Puja are the highlights of the cultural events. During Dashain, family members of the Nepalese family travel from abroad and the city back to their village and enjoy spending time, getting blessings, putting on a tika, playing on swings, eating different kinds of delicacies, and enjoying the festivals.

In the Tihar, every place in Nepal lights up with the lights, making it the festival of lights. Everyone puts on the candles and lights and welcomes Goddess Laxmi, does her puja, and seeks blessings. Another highlighted festival is Chhath Puja, which is mainly celebrated in the Terai region of Nepal, where the women do the fasting for 3 days, worshiping sunrise and sunset and seeking the blessing of their families. They stand in the river, offer food, and seek blessings from Surya Dev (god of the Sun).

Packing Tips for Autumn

Packing tips for autumn are crucial, and you will need to pack accordingly. As this is the time of the festival, it is suggested to pack some traditional dress like kurta pajama, saree, and coat pants if possible, or you can buy them in Nepal. You will need to pack warm clothes if you are trekking, and if you are traveling in tourist spots only, then you will need to pack accordingly. You can get shirts, pants, shoes, socks, passports, visas, and many more.

Check our new package in Manaslu region

Monsoon (June to August)

Monsoon season in Nepal brings heavy rainfall, lush greenery, and a sense of quiet serenity to the mountains and valleys. During these months, the trails are less crowded, offering a more intimate and peaceful trekking experience. However, this season also comes with challenges like slippery paths, frequent leech encounters in the lower regions, and reduced visibility due to thick clouds and rainfall. Flights may be delayed or canceled due to weather conditions.

Despite this, the landscapes are at their most vibrant, with terraced fields and forests bursting with life. For those seeking solitude and who don’t mind a bit of rain, the monsoon can be a unique and rewarding time to trek, especially in rain-shadow areas like Upper Mustang and Dolpo, which remain relatively dry.

Winter (December to February)

Winter turns Nepal into a snow-covered wonderland, especially in the high-altitude regions. Days are usually clear and sunny, offering crisp views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks under brilliant blue skies. However, temperatures drop significantly, especially above 3,000 meters, where nights can be bitterly cold and snowfall may block high passes such as Thorong La or Larkya La. This season is ideal for lower-altitude treks like Ghorepani-Poon Hill, Langtang Valley, or cultural tours in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The trails are quieter, allowing for a more personal connection with nature and local culture. For adventurers who are well-prepared for the cold, winter treks offer breathtaking beauty and serene trekking routes.

Recommended Read

Manaslu Circuit Trek Cost for Nepali Trekkers in 2025