If you surf over the internet, you will find my sites that recommend spring and autumn to be the best time to visit Nepal. But it’s a generalized view. They can be the best seasons to visit in terms of good weather, blue sky and clear visibility. But no one can deny the best seasons to visit Nepal can vary with the purpose of travel of the fellow traveler. Nepal has a complex, geography, topographical condition, weather, and climate. This complexity has acted as a boon to Nepal and blessed Nepal with variety of natural glories. So, if you are willing to visit Nepal and are wondering about the best time to visit, Nepal is suitable to visit at any time of the year. However, you may select the best suitable time based on your purpose of visit.
Generally, a year is divided into four seasons based on the climate and weather conditions.
- Winters are cold! It’s very cold in high altitudinal region. The thick ice on the trail makes trekking almost impossible. But hiking, trekking, and tours in low altitudinal region is the best thing to do in Nepal. You will have clear skies and even the visibility is clear
- Spring is one of the most cherished seasons for trekking, hiking and tour activities in Nepal. The sky is blue, visibility is clear and the temperature is moderate. The trail is full of a flower blossom which makes the whole environment delightful.
- Summer marks the monsoon. The heavy rainfall, gloomy days, warm weather and unclear sky makes trekking not so suitable. However, it is a good time for tours and treks to dry areas. Even it is good for some research activities on floras and faunas.
- Fall is the season that attracts most of the trekkers each year. The weather is stable and the sky/ visibility is clear. It is the season where the trails are most crowded.
A brief summary on weather in Nepal by season
- Winter in Nepal
Characteristics:
Winter in Nepal is very cold. Especially in the high altitudinal regions, it’s very cold; unbearably cold. The trekking trails are covered with thick snows making the walk almost impossible. All the summer settlements are almost deserted with no sign of any life.
Suitable for:
Nepal tours and trekking to lower elevation regions
Unsuitable for:
Trekking to higher elevation regions
Trekking and tour options:
- Sightseeing tours around Kathmandu
- Hike around hill stations near Kathmandu
- Short treks to lower elevation areas in Annapurna, Everest and Langtang region
- Jungle safari tours, Adventure activities day tours
Travel advice:
- Carry warm clothes with you.
- A down jacket and sleeping bag for minus degree Celsius are highly recommended.
- Do not opt for treks in higher elevation region.
- Simple tours and hike around the lower elevation region are highly suitable.
- Spring in Nepal
Characteristics:
The spring is the best time in Nepal. The weather is moderate, the sky is blue and visibility is very clear. The colorful flower blossom on the trekking route adds to the glory of trekking in the spring season. Amongst the two main trekking seasons in Nepal, spring is the one.
Suitable for:
Almost all kind of treks. If you are willing to opt for long treks to high elevation region, this might be the suitable season
Unsuitable for:
Not applicable
Trekking and tour options:
- Long and classic Treks
- Treks like Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, etc.
- Expeditions, peak climbing journeys, etc.
- All kind of tours like sightseeing, jungle safari, and adventure activities.
Travel advice:
- On a long day’s treks, the weather in the day and might may vary drastically so bring layers for safety.
- If you are allergic to scents of flowers, take some precautions as the season is marked by flower blossom on a massive scale.
- The popular trekking trails are very crowded so to avoid crowds opt for some off beaten trekking routes.
- You can schedule your treks with some grand festivals in Nepal
- Summer/ Monsoon in Nepal
Characteristics:
In summer, the weather is hot and humid. Monsoon starts, therefore, the weather is not so clear. The season is prone to heavy rainfall, gloomy weather, unclear visibility, slippery roads and calamities like a landslide, floods, etc.
Suitable for:
Research on flora, faunas, and wildlife, tours, adventure activities in Nepal, rafting
Unsuitable for:
Long hikes, long trekking journey, etc.
Trekking and tour options:
- Upper Mustang Treks, Nar Phu valley treks, Upper Dolpo trek, etc.
- Sightseeing tours, Jungle Safari tours, Natural Excursion tours,
- Rafting adventure, bungee jumping, paragliding fun, zip flyer and many more.
- Hike to lower elevation regions.
Travel advice:
- The heavy rainfall makes the trail slippery therefore do not opt for routes without properly paved trails.
- Avoid landslide-prone areas.
- In the rainy season, flight cancellation and calamities like flood, landslide are quite common, therefore keep an extra day for contingency purpose while traveling.
- The trails are full of leeches that make your hikes or trek clumsy and disappointing experience. Therefore, avoid hikes into jungle areas. If you still look for hikes, make sure that you wear long boots to protect your feet and body from leeches.
- Carry an umbrella/ raincoat and mosquito repellent creams wherever you travel.
- Fall/Autumn in Nepal
Characteristics:
Fall/ Autumn is considered as one of the best time for traveling in Nepal. At this point of time, the weather is moderate, skies are blue, visibility is clear and the atmosphere is dry. Weather-wise this season is perfect. Even it’s a festive season in Nepal. You may be a part of any if you visit Nepal at this time of year. However, it may be a disappointment to see flocks of travelers in every place you travel to.
Suitable for:
All kind of tours, treks, adventure activities, peak climbing and expedition activities
Unsuitable for:
Not applicable
Trekking and tour options:
- Long and classic Treks
- Treks like Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, etc.
- Expeditions, peak climbing journeys, etc.
- All kind of tours like sightseeing, jungle safari, and adventure activities.
Travel advice:
- If you are looking forward to avoiding crowds while traveling, this may not be the suitable season.
- You can opt for any isolated or off beaten natured trekking routes
- In this season, you can opt for any trekking and travel activities in Nepal
- You can enjoy some festivals during your stay in Nepal
- Make sure that you avoid early autumn as it may receive some rainfall.
So, ultimately which is the best time?
Himalayas Hiking has listed the pros and cons of traveling in different seasons along with the best trekking options for different seasons. You can pick any treks, tours activities in any season of your preference. The best time depends on why you are willing to visit Nepal and what things you want to do while in Nepal.