One of the world's great travel destinations, Nepal is not only a trekkers paradise but a feast for travellers seeking dramatic scenery, charming locals and jungle adventure. BUT when is the best time to visit Nepal?
Many people fly to Nepal to tackle some of the best mountain trails in the world. Trekking to Everest Base Camp is a bucket list to many people around the globe. Considerably autumn is the best time to pull on those boots. From September to November, the weather in the mountain is clear and dry with greater visibility, ideal for trekking to paradise Nepal. The temperature in Kathmandu is at the mid 20s during this time of year. It is warm and comfortable in Lukla and the Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp and other trekking destinations hold better environmental support to every trekker. No slippery trails with a very little amount of snowfall add to the comfort zone of the trail. Winters of Nepal can be cold but it is dry.
Spring (March-May) is another ideal time to roam around the local places of Nepal. The rhododendron burst into bloom making the green hills glow to its charming beauty. The days are longer than in autumn. March and April in Nepal are warm and mild. Everest Base Camp will be around 10 degrees. In spring, the higher mountains that are home to the classic treks in Nepal, offer stable weather. This is a great time to cross high passes like Larkya La (on the Manaslu circuit trek), Kongma La (Three passes trek), Thorung La (Annapuran circuit trek) and trek to the high viewpoints of Nepal such as Kala Pattar and Gokyo Ri in the Everest Trek. If you want to avoid the crowds, choose an off the beaten path trek. Kathmandu gets warmer, and its tourist center Thamel becomes a travellers hotspot. Bardia National Park gets very hot and offers the best chance for tiger sightings.
Summer is the monsoon season which means that the weather is hot and humid, and it tends to rain on most days. Wildflowers are in full bloom, and the foothills are lush. The monsoon usually starts in early June and continues into early September. In summer, it’s advisable to have some flexibility in your travel plans as flight delays and cancellations are more common due to cloudy weather. Landslides may occur, causing road and trail closures, and views are often obstructed. Also, leeches can be an annoyance.
Treks located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas are best during monsoons such as upper Mustang, Nar Phu Valley Trek, Upper Dolpo and Limi Valley. Higher areas in the Everest region are also good. Kathmandu is hot and humid, and the lowlands in the south are even hotter, but if you can withstand the heat, they offer great wildflowers, lush jungle and the possibility of tiger sightings.
January and February can be very cold, especially at night, but will reward you with incredible panoramas and quieter trekking trails as there are fewer visitors. Late spring is a beautiful time to travel as the rhododendrons burst into bloom. From May, heat and humidity levels build until the monsoon rains arrive in June and the clouds obscure the glorious mountain views. Nepal celebrates festivals all year, so there is often a festival or pilgrimage taking place - ask your specialist for more details as the dates often change from year to year. You need to wrap up warm to keep out the cold but my favourite time to travel to Nepal is December when there are fewer visitors on the trek routes. The mountain views are clear (and snowy) making for great photo opportunities. You just need to plan in advance to avoid high flight costs.
Most guidebooks state that spring and autumn are the best times for visiting Nepal, since the weather tends to be moderate and stable, with clear skies. However, due to the complex nature of Nepal’s geography and climate, there's a lot more to this. An ever-increasing number of travellers visit Nepal in winter and summer, and for good reason. With the right information, travel plans, and preparation, Nepal is a great year-round destination.