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Best time to visit Nepal: a season-by-season guide

Clear autumn skies, spring rhododendrons, quiet winter trails and green monsoon hills. What each season is good for.

Anjali Shrestha
Travel writer, Kathmandu
Updated · 1 min read
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Peak season
Oct – Nov
Flowers
Mar – Apr
Safari
Oct – Mar
Monsoon
Jun – Aug

Autumn: September to November

Dhaulagiri under a clear sky above Ghorepani
Photo: Pratik Rajkarnikar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Clear skies after the monsoon give the most reliable mountain views of the year. It is also the busiest season, so book teahouses, domestic flights and popular packages early.

Winter: December to February

Frozen Gosainkunda Lake below a trekking lodge in winter
Photo: Umes4ever · CC BY-SA 4.0

Nights are cold above 3,000 m, but trails are quiet and views are sharp. Lower treks like Poon Hill and trips to Chitwan are at their best.

Spring: March to May

Mera Peak framed by rhododendron branches
Photo: Mark Horrell · CC BY-SA 4.0

Rhododendrons flower across the mid-hills and days are warm. Haze builds by May, and this is climbing season on Everest, so the Khumbu gets busy.

Monsoon: June to August

Green fields and low cloud in the Tsum Valley
Photo: Tsephu · CC BY 4.0

Expect heavy afternoon rain, leeches on forest trails and landslides on some roads. It is a good time for rain-shadow regions and for lower prices in Pokhara.

Frequently asked questions

When is the cheapest time to visit Nepal?

June to August. Many operators discount packages during the monsoon, and hotels in Pokhara and Kathmandu drop their rates.

Is Chitwan open all year?

The park stays open, but jungle safaris are best from October to March, when the grass is cut and animals are easier to spot.

About the author
Anjali Shrestha

Anjali writes about travel inside Nepal and has covered Chitwan, Bandipur and the mid-hills for local and international magazines.

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