Quick answer
The best time to visit Nepal is October to November, when post-monsoon skies are clearest and the Himalaya stands out from Pokhara and Nagarkot. March to April is the second-best window, with rhododendrons and warmer days but more haze. December to February is cold but clear. Avoid June to September if mountain views matter — monsoon cloud and landslides are common.
Month-by-month at a glance
- Jan19°Good
- Feb21°Good
- Mar25°Best
- Apr28°Best
- May29°Fair
- Jun29°Fair
- Jul28°Avoid
- Aug28°Avoid
- Sep27°Fair
- Oct26°Best
- Nov23°Best
- Dec20°Good
Nepal weather, crowds and what to expect
| Month | High / Low | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryGood | 19° / 2° | 15 mm | low | Sunny days, near-freezing mornings. Clear views; check your hotel has heating. |
| FebruaryGood | 21° / 4° | 20 mm | low | Warming up, still clear. Quiet and good value. |
| MarchBest | 25° / 8° | 35 mm | medium | Rhododendrons bloom; Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath around 6 March 2027. |
| AprilBest | 28° / 11° | 60 mm | medium | Warm and colourful. Nepali New Year mid-April; haze builds late in the month. |
| MayFair | 29° / 16° | 125 mm | medium | Hot in Pokhara, afternoon storms, hazy views. Indian school-holiday crowds. |
| JuneFair | 29° / 19° | 245 mm | medium | Monsoon usually arrives mid-June. Early June is still workable. |
| JulyAvoid | 28° / 20° | 365 mm | low | Peak monsoon: cloud hides the peaks, landslides on highways, flight delays. |
| AugustAvoid | 28° / 20° | 330 mm | low | Still very wet. Green valleys and low prices, but unreliable travel. |
| SeptemberFair | 27° / 18° | 200 mm | medium | Monsoon tails off late in the month; Indra Jatra in Kathmandu. |
| OctoberBest | 26° / 13° | 55 mm | high | Clearest skies of the year and Dashain season. Busiest month. |
| NovemberBest | 23° / 7° | 8 mm | high | Crisp and dry. Tihar around 6–11 November 2026. |
| DecemberGood | 20° / 3° | 10 mm | medium | Cold nights, clear days; good for the Everest mountain flight. |
Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.
Festivals and events in Nepal
Around 6–11 November 2026
Tihar (Deepawali)
Five days honouring crows, dogs, cows and Lakshmi, ending with Bhai Tika. Kathmandu is lit up at night.
Around 6 March 2027
Maha Shivaratri
Sadhus and pilgrims from India and Nepal throng Pashupatinath; expect long queues and road closures.
September–October (15 days)
Dashain
Nepal's biggest festival. Offices close and buses fill; book transport early.
March
Holi (Fagu Purnima)
Celebrated a day earlier in the hills and Kathmandu than in the Terai.
Full moon in April or May
Buddha Jayanti
Celebrations at Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Lumbini.
September
Indra Jatra
Kathmandu Durbar Square hosts the Kumari chariot procession and masked dances.
When is the best time to visit Nepal?
October to November is the best time to visit Nepal. The monsoon has washed dust from the air, skies are clear, and the Annapurna range stands out sharply from Pokhara and Nagarkot. It is also festival season — Dashain and Tihar — so it is the busiest and priciest time. March to April is the second-best window: warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, though haze builds and mountain views fade by late April.
What is Nepal like in winter and in the monsoon?
December to February is underrated. Days in Kathmandu are sunny at around 19–21°C, but mornings start near freezing, many budget hotels have no heating, and fog can delay early flights. Mountain views are usually clear.
June to September is the monsoon. Kathmandu gets 250–370 mm of rain a month at the peak, the Himalaya hides behind cloud for days, and landslides can block the Prithvi Highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Prices drop and the valleys turn green, but this is not the time for a first visit built around views.
Month by month for Indian travellers
| Trip | Best months |
|---|---|
| Kathmandu and Pokhara sightseeing | October–November, March–April |
| Pashupatinath on Maha Shivaratri | Around 6 March 2027 |
| Everest mountain flight | October–December, March–April |
| Family trip on school holidays | Late May to early June (hot in Pokhara) |
| Muktinath pilgrimage | April–June, September–November |
Indian travellers arrive in large numbers around Dashain, Tihar and the summer holidays, so Pokhara hotels can fill. Book two to four weeks ahead for those dates. Flights to Pokhara usually run on time in autumn but are often held up by morning fog from December to February.
Plan with our Nepal trip cost guide, 6-day Nepal itinerary and where to stay in Kathmandu. Indians need no visa, but you do need a passport or voter ID — see the Nepal visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which month is best to see the Himalaya from Nepal?
Is Nepal good to visit in May and June?
When are Dashain and Tihar?
Is Nepal too cold in winter for senior citizens?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
