When to go · Nepal
Nepal, month by month
The best months for Nepal: Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec. Months to avoid: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedCold nights in Kathmandu, snow closes high passes; low-altitude treks and Chitwan work.Kathmandu valley: cool · Pokhara and the middle hills: fine · Terai lowlands: coolCrowds: Low
- FebruaryGreatClear and cool; Losar and Shivaratri; good for Chitwan and lower treks.Kathmandu valley: fine · Pokhara and the middle hills: best weather · Terai lowlands: best weatherCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- MarchGreatSpring trekking begins; rhododendrons from late March; haze builds in the valley.Kathmandu valley: fine · Pokhara and the middle hills: best weather · Terai lowlands: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGoodPeak spring trekking and Everest expedition season; hazy views, warm valleys.Kathmandu valley: smoke haze · Pokhara and the middle hills: fine · Terai lowlands: hotCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- MayMixedHot in the Terai, pre-monsoon storms; high treks still good early in the month.Kathmandu valley: hot · Pokhara and the middle hills: hot · Terai lowlands: hotCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneAvoidMonsoon arrives: leeches, landslides, cloud on the mountains; Upper Mustang is the exception.Kathmandu valley: rainy · Pokhara and the middle hills: rainy · Terai lowlands: hotCrowds: Low
- JulyAvoidWettest month; roads cut by slides; flights to Lukla unreliable.Kathmandu valley: rainy · Pokhara and the middle hills: rainy · Terai lowlands: rainyCrowds: Low
- AugustAvoidStill monsoon; green valleys for those who do not need views.Kathmandu valley: rainy · Pokhara and the middle hills: rainy · Terai lowlands: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberMixedRain eases late in the month; Indra Jatra in Kathmandu; treks start again.Kathmandu valley: rainy · Pokhara and the middle hills: rainy · Terai lowlands: rainyCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- OctoberGreatBest month: clear skies, peak trekking — and Dashain fills transport; book everything early.Kathmandu valley: best weather · Pokhara and the middle hills: best weather · Terai lowlands: fineCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberGreatClear and dry; Tihar early in the month; the best mountain photography.Kathmandu valley: best weather · Pokhara and the middle hills: best weather · Terai lowlands: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- DecemberGreatCold but clear; lower treks and Pokhara are good; high passes can close.Kathmandu valley: cool · Pokhara and the middle hills: best weather · Terai lowlands: best weatherCrowds: Medium
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu valleyKathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Nagarkot | Cool | OK | OK | Haze | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Best | Best | Cool |
| Pokhara and the middle hillsPokhara, Bandipur, Gorkha | OK | Best | Best | OK | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Best | Best | Best |
| Terai lowlandsChitwan, Lumbini, Bardia | Cool | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best |
| High Himalaya treksEverest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Cool |