If you’re planning a trip to the Himalayas and want to know trekking in Nepal best time of year? The answer is it depends. Your Himalaya experience will depend on how you feel about crowds, how high you plan to hike, and your tolerance for heat, cold, and rain. Each Himalaya season has its advantages and disadvantages. With our comprehensive guide, you should be able to choose the right the best trekking season for you, so you can get the most out of your adventure.
Spring Trekking in Nepal (March-May)
Spring is the best season to trek in Nepal if you’re after warmer climates, blossoming flora, and temperate days. Early spring is typically chilly, with moderate temperatures in the low elevation areas between 800-2,000m (2,600-6,600ft), making trekking in areas like lower Annapurna very pleasant.
As winter passes and spring arrives, temperatures in places with elevations above 4,000m (13,000ft) are moderate, offering for sunny, clear and pleasant trekking conditions.
Spring is considered as one of the best seasons for trekking and climbing in the Himalaya, bringing not only the sun and warmer temperatures, but also fields of blossoming wild flora such as the famous rhododendrons, giving the landscape a bright and vibrant texture.
Pros of Spring
- Pleasant, warm hiking conditions during the day, and warmer night.
- Snow that accumulates over the winter melts away by April, clearing routes for high mountain passes over 5,000m (16,400ft), such as ChoLa, Larke La, or Thorong La.
- Clear skies in the spring mean less chance of flight cancellations into mountain districts like Lukla.
- Fewer hikers compared to October and November which means more chance to explore the Himalaya’s remote corners.
- Spring is Everest climbing season in Nepal, making it an ideal time to trek to Everest base camp.
Cons of Spring
- As summer approaches, trekking at a lower altitude might become hot and sweaty.
- Afternoon clouds are common (with clear nights and mornings) which can bring clouds and brief rain.
Best Recommended Treks in Spring
See rhododendrons in full bloom and book the Epic Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Langtang Valley Trek in March and April.
Book on the Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar trek for warm weather and spectacular hiking conditions!
Summer Trekking in Nepal (June to August)
Summer in Nepal typically brings monsoon rains from end May to mid-September, therefore trekking during this time is not typically suggested. The monsoon brings high temperatures, heavy rain, and uncomfortable circumstances. Mountains are usually covered in clouds, and lower paths are usually muddy with leaches.
However, this does not mean that you can’t experience the majesty of the Himalaya from June to August! This is the time to trek in the rain shadow areas such as Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Nar Phu Valley in the Himalayas.
Upper Mustang, high on the Tibetan plateau and protected from the monsoon, offers a largely dry climate during the summer months, with clear skies, uninterrupted views, and breathtaking scenery.
Pros of Summer
- Ideal weather in the Himalayas, protected from the monsoon. Opportunities to discover Tibetan culture and the breathtaking high Himalayan scenery.
- Summer has far fewer hikers than other seasons, so you can experience the beauty and quiet of the mountains without the crowds.
Cons of Summer
- It is not a good time for all trekking in Nepal. The monsoon causes wet and humid conditions, obscuring views and muddy trails.
Best Recommended Treks in Summer
Embark on a summer adventure in the Upper Mustang, Nar Phu Valley, Upper Dolpo and experience the remote and beautifully wild areas of Nepal Himalayas.
Autumn Trekking in Nepal (September to November)
Autumn is considered the best hiking season in Nepal, with clear skies, mild days, and superb trekking conditions. The monsoon clears the atmosphere of dust and pollution, making for crystal clear views and spectacular panoramas of the Himalayan Mountain ranges.
The best season to hike begins around mid-September, depending on the intensity of the monsoon. Most days, after the weather has calmed, feature clear blue skies and a bright sun that lasts all day, unlike in Spring when cloud builds up in the afternoon. In December, the evenings begin to cool off quickly, especially at higher altitudes, requiring the use of warm trekking gear and a sleeping bag.
Pros of Autumn
- Days are warmer, but nights are colder as winter approaches.
- The weather is clear and sunny, with beautiful views.
- The temperature in the upper and lower mountains ranges from 15 and 24°C.
Cons of Autumn
- Generally, better weather brings more visitors, and this definitely holds true to autumn Nepal trekking.
Best Recommended Treks in Autumn
Experience the beauty that the Annapurna area has to offer on the Annapurna Circuit trek.
Book a trip to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar in between for crystal clear skies and breathtaking views.
Winter Trekking in Nepal (December to February)
Winter in Nepal is too cold for most people to trek to high altitude regions; daytime temperatures can vary from 9-12°C, and evening temperatures can drop to sub-zero.
If the cold doesn’t bother you, it’s a fantastic time to trek to the more popular places, such as the Everest region, because there are very few people there than in October and November, as well as the lower to mid-altitude trails, where the weather remains fairly pleasant. For this reason, our Christmas and New Year’s treks in Nepal are always very popular.
Mornings can be foggy, but afternoons are generally clear, with snow on the mountains. With this in mind, high passes such as the Annapurna region‘s Thorong La (5,416m) and the Everest region’s Kongma La (5,545m) and Cho La (5,335m) are usually closed from late December to February.
Pros of Winter
- Fewer people on the route means no crowds.
- During the day, the sky is often very clear and blue.
- The monasteries are beautiful in the winter, and fresh snow on the hills is ideal for photography.
Cons of Winter
- Many of the high passes are closed due to snow cover.
- Cold weather demands more planning and preparation, but the rewards are worthwhile.
Best Recommended Treks in Winter
Discover the lower parts of the Annapurna for magnificent views of the Annapurna range and pleasant trekking conditions on the Annapurna Trek.
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