Best Time for Trekking in Nepal: Weather and seasons explained.

A preferred season for Nepal trekking is spring. Temperatures are higher, the weather patterns are more stable and the flowers begin to bloom. As the climbing season for Mount Everest will commence, Everest Base Camp the tea houses will be full of trekkers and climbers you can hang out with. Temperatures vary between 16 and 23 degrees Celsius during the day, depending on the altitude. The nights can still be pretty cold, especially above 4000 meters it can still dip below freezing level. There are slightly less trekkers on the trails than in autumn, yet spring is still considered high season. If you are considering the Annapurna Circuit Trek, then this is a good season to do it. It is your best chance to see rhododendron in full bloom and to spot a variety of beautiful birds. Another great area to explore in spring is the Langtang Valley, straight north from Kathmandu.

Summer in Nepal lasts from June to August and this is the least attractive season for trekking in Nepal. This is the monsoon season and torrential rains disrupt daily life as well as operations in the mountains. The northern hemisphere summer does not attract a lot of adventurers to the Himalayas for good reason. The rains are known to wash away bridges, trails become very slippery and buried in landslides and public transport becomes unreliable. Besides that, you may not see a single mountain as they are obscured by a thick cloud cover. But, there are a couple of exceptions, areas that are not affected by the monsoon. It’s quite a journey but, the restricted Upper Mustang Trek is a great option as the area remains relatively dry. It lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurna’s, and is effectively a high-altitude dessert with snow-capped peaks all around. Another option is the Dolpo region with the Upper and Lower Dolpo offering great trekking for this time of the year.

If you really want the definite answer to the question of when is the best time to go trekking in the Nepal Himalayas, then autumn would be it. The weather is generally great and the views are insanely beautiful. Temperatures are slowly dropping as the season progresses, and although the weather is normally stable, you may still experience changing conditions higher up with the possibility of snow fall. Autumn is considered to be the best season for trekking and you will definitely not be alone on the trails. Expect temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius during the daytime (a little cooler above 4000 meters) and nights are always cool. In September you can have some leftovers from the monsoon and it can still rain in the afternoons. High Passes can be difficult to cross due to deep snow but generally, you should have no problems. As October is knocking on the door, your path will be clear. No rains and festival season starts in Nepal. Indra Jatra or Yenya, the festival that celebrates the end of the Monsoon season, is usually held late September or early October. These special celebrations can make your visit to Nepal complete.

Winters in the Nepal Himalayas are cold, no question about that. It can come with a considerable amount of snow, even at altitudes as low as 1500 meters. It can make things pretty challenging, but generally, winter is a great season for trekking for certain treks. Why? It’s far less busy than any other season. As autumn fades away, so do the crowds. The air gets colder, and you can sense an air of relief from both local people and the natural environment. The lower level treks such as the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, that sees lots of people in high season, is virtually empty in winter. Other treks that are excellent for this time of year are the Mardi Himal trek and the Annapurna Base Camp trek. With Bookatrekking.com you are also in good hands in winter time. Our local team is experienced in running climbing expeditions to the highest peaks in the world. They will make sure you stay comfortable and safe on your winter trek.

For each season you can find a good reason to go trekking in Nepal. It really depends on your preference, whether it is avoiding crowds, the best visibility, the serenity of winter or hanging out with Everest climbers, there is a best time of year for trekking in Nepal for everyone. Have a look at our offers for Nepal or get in touch with our Trekking Expert for Nepal. The Himalayas are calling!