What is the best time of year to trek in Nepal?
Deciding what time of year to trek in Nepal is one of the most important and most exciting parts about planning your trip. There's so much to learn and consider though, it may feel overwhelming at times.
To make life a whole lot easier for you, we've put together this super helpful infographic that clearly covers all the key points. There's no best time of year to go trekkng in Nepal that suits everyone - we're all different. Instead, take a look at the information available and see what sounds right for you. If the information in this infographic isn't enough, keep scrolling down for more detailed information about Nepal's trekking seasons.
What's the best time to visit nepal for trekking?
A little more detail on the trekking seasons in Nepal...
As we've said already, every season has it's pros and cons. It's all a question of how you balance your preferences. We're going to explain in a little more detail what each season has to offer to decide the best time to trek in Nepal for yourself.
Spring (March - May)
Spring is a very pleasant time to be out trekking in the high altitude areas of the Himalayas. It's when flowers return to the hills, native animals come running back, the air defrosts and most of the attempts are made by international teams to climb the tallest mountains in the world. Lower altitudes can be warm at this time of year and temperatures become much more tolerable above 4000m. Theis time of year lends itself to pleasant days and clear mountain views.
Spring is a busy season for trekking, so you should expect to see other people along the trail and to find some tea houses rather busy in the evenings. If you plan on joining an organised group trek it's best to book early. If you plan on doing your trek DIY style, we suggest taking a guide, if only to make arrangements for a room in advance at lodges along the way.
Summer / Monsoon (June - August)
The clouds sit lower and the rain falls regularly in summer. Temperatures are rather warm on the most part and the cold is no longer your main concern. For many, this is not the ideal time to be trekking in high altitude regions of Nepal, purely because of the weather (for some it's because of the leeches but they're not so bad - just bring some leech socks with you and be cautious). But for others this is precisely the attraction. Trekker numbers at altitude drop so low that some days it seems you have all of the Nepal Himalayas to yourself. The colour and activity wildlife in the region remains in full swing, but you may have to be happy with a few less views of the iconic peaks.
For a much more detailed look on what it's like trekking in Nepal in the monsoon season, check out this blog article we wrote about it.
Autumn (September - November)
The other big peak in trekker volumes comes around late September and continues to mid November before starting to drop off again as temperatures begin to fall. From early September until mid November however, daytime temperatures are pleasant, the views are crisp and the stars are out at night (for us this is the best time to photograph the stars over the mountains). The nights can be a little cold, especially later in the season and there is an increasing chance of patches of bad weather causing disruption to your trek, particularly in snow-prone hight-passes.
Again you will have company in the area (especially at permit offices) and prices can be higher, so booking early and taking a guide is once again advised. Also take note if you're travelling over the Daisin festival - it's great fun to celebrate with the guides and the locals on the trek, but you may want to get your reservations made early.
Winter (December - February)
The Himalayan winter can feel brutal at high altitude, freezing temperatures come with stronger winds and frequent dumps of snow. Trekking at atitude in this season requires more planning and more gear than any other time. If you're going to be going trekking over 4000m at this time of year we'd like to think you already had some good experience under your belt and we'd still suggest taking a local guide for when the trail is lost in the snow.
If you're not keen on the extreme, this is a great time to explore the beauty of the lower altitude treks in Nepal. Temperatures down here don't even fall low enough to cause a ground frost and the landscapes are still bursting with life. We can offer a variety of suggestions and nepali guides if you'd like to explore some winter treks in Nepal.
A quick note on the monsoon season...
We've touched on it before but we want to clarify - the monsoon is only a real concern when trekking at higher altitudes. For many of the wonderful lowland treks (under 3000m) in Nepal, such as Dolpo, Mustang and Nar-Phu are shielded in what's known as the Himalayan rain shadow and as a result can enjoy wonderful summers - perfect for exploring the stunning countryside and meeting the warm, welcoming villagers of lower Nepal.
Contact Elite Trekkers or use our Nepal Guide Finder if you'd like to know more about arranging an alternative trek in one of these areas.
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