Nepal is the dream destination for most adventure seekers and thrill travelers. From novice to experienced travelers, there are many adventure options for everyone. While most travelers are lured by the beauty of the majestic snowclad mountains, some are also drawn by the severe and harsh challenges it brings them.
Hence, choosing where and when to trek in Nepal is a significant challenge. These critical decisions must suit varying fitness levels, time requirements, interests, and experience. Likewise, Nepal offers trekking options throughout the year, but like any other destination, it has distinct high and low seasons.
Herewith, travelers must have a fundamental understanding of Nepal’s trekking seasons and regions. Trekkers worldwide can choose to depart during a particular month or season. Worry not; many packages await every traveler at every time of the year.
Month-By-Month Review: When To Go Trekking In Nepal?
Nepal has four major seasons; Spring (March to May), Summer/Monsoon (June to August), Autumn (September to November), and Winter (December to February). Among these seasons, Autumn and Spring are the peak seasons, while Summer/Monsoon and Winter are less explored seasons.
The significant advantages of trekking during the peak seasons are the clear skies and unbothered views. However, the other seasons do not offer some of the clearest views but have their charm in certain regions.
Trekking Conditions During January
January is one of the coldest months of the year, with an average temperature of 15°C in the city areas like Kathmandu. However, as you move to the higher latitude, the daytime temperature falls between 1⁰C and -8⁰C, while the lower treks in Annapurna Circuit range between 8°C to 12°C. Well, it can go below 20⁰C and is covered with snow.
Usually, the mornings are chilly and foggy with no visibility. But moving on, the sky gets clearer during mid-day with more visibility. Similarly, cold winter days also mean dryness, as there is little to no rain at all.
Though the winter days are pleasant in the lower latitude, the higher margin often struggles with heavy snowfall. This snowfall makes trekkers hard to do any climb and even elevates the risk of avalanches. Hence, higher elevations like Thorong La Pass are off-limits to travel.
Highlights Of The Month
- Celebrate festivals like Maghe Sankranti, Saraswati Puja, and Sonam Lhosar.
- Spend English holidays such as New Year and Christmas in a new way.
- Enjoy the trekking trails with fewer crowds.
- Get panoramic views of the snowclad majestic mountains and clear blue skies.
- Affordable prices with lower prices for hotels, flights, and so on.
Best Trekking Trails For The Month
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
- Mohare Danda Trek
- Mardi Himal Trek
- Everest Panorama Trek
- Annapurna Panorama Trek
- Pikey Peak Trek
- Langtang Valley Trek
- Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bardia Tour
Trekking Conditions During February
As a part of the Winter season, February is a cold month at the start; however, it gets warmer near the end. This month also welcomes Spring though the mountains are still covered with snow.
Here, the days start getting sunny with chilly evenings. Also, the days are much drier with little to no rainfall. In the lower latitude, the temperature ranges between 4°C to 19°C however, the higher elevation experience the temperature even below -5°C.
During this month, the higher-altitude treks are inaccessible due to snow loads. However, some experienced trekkers do scale high-altitude treks, but for beginners, it is best to explore homestay experiences in the traditional Gurung villages.
Highlights Of The Month
- Celebrate festivals like Maha Shivaratri.
- Enjoy the pleasant and warm days while cultural sightseeing.
- Get access to trekking trails at cheaper rates.
- Due to fewer tourists, they get time to catch up and interact with the locals.
Best Trekking Trails For The Month
- Langtang Valley Trek
- Nagarkot Dhulikhel Hike
- Everest Panorama Trek
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
- Jomsom Muktinath Trek
Trekking Conditions During March
After Winter ends, March is the first month of the pleasant season of Spring. With the start of this month, the days get warmer, and the weather turns friendly and straightforward. The onset of this month refers to the lush greenery everywhere with blossoming flowers and lush hills.
As the transitional phase, the days get longer, but the nights are still chilly with only a minimal chance of rainfall. However, you can still expect little snowfall at higher altitudes. Well, March offers the perfect conditions for travelers and trekkers.
Talking about the temperatures, you can expect average daytime temperatures in Kathmandu valley to be around 23°C. Likewise, the daytime temperatures at a higher elevation are predicted to be about four °C to 6°C while it can reach ten °C during mid-day.
Highlights Of The Month
- Amazing views of the surroundings due to clear blue skies.
- Pleasant weather and moderate temperature are perfect for trekking.
- Blossoming flowers and lush hills all around.
- Celebration of Holi (the festival of colors), Ghode Jatra, and Chaite Dashain.
Best Trekking Trails For The Month
- Everest base Camp Trek
- Gokyo Valley Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Tamang Heritage Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
Trekking Conditions During April
From crystal skies, unobstructed views, shimmering mountains, lush green valleys, and meadows covered with zillions of flowers to a stable temperature, April is indeed one of the best months to embark on a trekking journey. Also, the trails are always filled with fellow travelers this month, so you will not feel alone.
Additionally, being dry and sunny all the time, you will only experience rainfall sometimes. Likewise, the temperature during this month is expected to be around 20+°C during the day and 5 to 7°C at night.
Highlights Of The Month
- Witness the best views of gleaming Himalayan pinnacles and surroundings.
- During the trek, explore the glaciers, floating glacial lakes, vast and green yak pastures, picturesque meadows, and valleys.
- Get the experience of a soothing trek as the days are warm and pleasant, with fewer chances of rainfall.
- Discover beautiful fauna and a variety of wildflowers blooming during this period.
Best Trekking Trails For The Month
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Upper Mustang Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Tilicho Lake Trek
- Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
Trekking Conditions During May
You can also expect the Spring to end by the end of May. Yes, May is the last month of the Spring season before the humidity sets in. And also, yes, you will experience a few thunderstorms and rainfall during the end of May to indicate the start of the Summer season.
As May is a dry month with little anticipated rain at the end, the mountain region’s weather gets quite unpredictable during this month. The usual temperature during this month is between 17°C and 21°C while the temperature at the higher altitude may be around 13°C to 0°C. During this month, the coldest area is on the Thorong La Pass circuit, surrounded by fog and clouds.
Highlights Of The Month
- Many trekkers and travelers are on the trail as it is the end of the Spring season.
- Celebration of local festivals such as Buddha Jayanti and Tiji festival.
- Explore the new views of mountains, picturesque views of the Himalayan ranges, and wild and green vegetation.
Best Trekking Trails Of The Month
- Nar Phu Valley Trek
- Everest View Trek
- Upper Mustang Trek
- Gokyo Lakes Trek
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Tilicho Lake Trek
Trekking Conditions During June
The start of June brings hot and humid temperatures in Nepal, marking the beginning of the Summer / Monsoon season. You can expect the temperature to shoot up as the average temperature can be between 15°C to 28°C.
In addition to it, June is the rainy month of the year; hence, the tracks are all wet and muddied. Soon, you will experience rainfall almost every day with the occasional thunderstorms. Due to this exact reason, the weather turns unpredictable.
Highlights Of The Month
- The trekking trails are filled with less crowd due to rainy weather.
- There are plenty of active waterfalls and rivers.
- A night filled with rainfall indicates a clear blue sky the next day.
Best Trekking Trails For The Month
- Dolpo Circuit Trek
- Upper Mustang Trek
- Jomsom Muktinath Trek
- Chisapani Nagarkot Trek
- Lower Everest Pikey Peak Trek
Trekking Conditions During July
Hot, humid, and wet are how you can describe the month of July in Nepal. It is the wettest month of the year, and the temperature might get slightly chilly due to continuous rainfall. Thunderstorms are highly likable during this month, which makes it less favorable to go on a trek.
The average temperature this month is around 17°C to 5℃. Some of the downfalls this month are the obstructed views and the abundance of leeches and mosquitoes on the trail. However, you can enjoy trekking in the rainshadow area of Nepal if you can cross the temperate zone.
Trekking Trails For The Month
- Upper Mustang Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
Trekking Conditions During August
August is the ending month of the Monsoon / Summer season, and the rain and clouds are all less in number. As the final rainfall starts, the ground gets chilly and damp, with the average temperature falling between 18°C to 23°C.
This month blocks the downward section trek totally with obstructed views and higher chances of landslides. However, some trekkers still explore the higher altitude, like Manang and Jomsom – Muktinath areas under the rain shadow.
Trekking Conditions During September
After the end of the Monsson/ Summer season, September marks the start of the Autumn season, which is yet another peak trekking season. With only light and limited showers, the weather again starts to clear.
Gradually, the temperature levels between 17⁰C to 4⁰C during Mid-September with improved weather. As nature starts to clear itself, the temperature gets neither cold nor hot.
Best Trekking Trails For The Month
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Jomsom Muktinath Trek
- Nar Phu Valley Trek
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Manaslu Trek
- Upper Dolpo Trek
Trekking Conditions During October
After the Monsoon rain, almost every dust is settled, and nature breathes back, which makes October one of the most favorable trekking months. The climate is stable, and you will have spectacular views of the mountain ranges.
Likewise, the trails get much more straightforward and lovely, making navigation easy. The temperature reaches approximately 15°C daily, from 7⁰C to 8⁰C at night. Altogether, it is a chilly and sunny day all over.
Best Trekking Trails For The Month
- Ghandruk Trek
- Mardi Himal Trek
- Helambu Trek
- Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek
- Chisepani Nagarkot Trek
Trekking Conditions During November
The end of the Autumn season, November, marks the start of the Winter season. The days gradually start with the hazy sun, light snowfall, and usually clear skies. This month lets you enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas, such as Mount Annapurna, Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Macchapucchre, and numerous other peaks.
November is a simple month with coldness seeping in slowly. If you move to the Annapurna circuit region this month, you will see various flora and fauna on the trails.
Trekking Conditions During December
The last month of the year and the first month of the Winter season, December, is extra cold with heavy snowfall. Here, the mountain regions are blanketed with snow layers and have an increased risk of avalanches.
During this month, almost every higher altitude trek is inaccessible; however, you can still tour around the lower latitude or go for a safari. During the month’s final days, the cold breeze follows you everywhere.
In A Nutshell
Trekking in Nepal is almost possible all year round; however, some of the best life experiences can only be gained during the Spring and fall. If you love mixed flowers and lush greenery, the Spring season is the one for you. Additionally, you can also embark on the journey during the Autumn season.