Autumn and spring are the best time of the year to trek in Nepal. Autumn starts in mid-September and ends in November while spring is from March to May in Nepal.
The best time of trekking in Nepal draws thousands of trekking to Nepal annually so, trekking trails are crowded. Winter trek is best to hike in solitude and avoid crowds. Monsoon trek will be challenging with slippery trails and obstructed views but it might appeal to adventurers. Every season has its charm so decide as per your trekking style and preferences.
Spring (March, April, May)
Spring is the best time to trekking in Nepal. It begins from the month of March and lasts till May. Winter would have ceased away and weather will be pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold for trekking. You will mostly get a clear sky in spring but there exists the possibility of rainfall. Also, haze might cover the stunning mountain views.
It might rain so it will be wise to pack a light raincoat among other trekking gears for a rainy day. The weather is usually stable in higher elevation and almost all treks are possible during springtime. It is the best time of the year to cross high passes.
Moreover, springtime is the season of rhododendron blooms and the trail will be filled with colorful rhododendron flowers. Trees covered red, pink, white, yellow rhododendron flowers will be a welcoming sight and the trails look the best.
Autumn (September, October, November)
Autumn in Nepal starts from mid-September and lasts till November. It is the best time to trekking in Nepal with clear mountains view and high visibility. You can enjoy the awesome view of Himalayas during this time of the year. There are the least chances of rainfall during autumn. Monsoon would have just passed spreading greenery everywhere and filling up water bodies. Autumn has warm weather perfect for high altitude trekking.
Moreover, spring and autumn are the best time to trekking in Nepal. The weather is favorable to cross High Mountain passes during autumn and spring. You can cross high pass like Gokyo Ri of Everest region, Thorong La Pass of Annapurna region, and Larkya La of Manaslu region.
Where to trek in spring and autumn?
You can trek anywhere you like in Nepal during autumn and spring. The weather is mostly stable and you can enjoy trekking in foothills of the Himalayas with stunning views. Popular trekking routes attract thousands of trekkers during spring and autumn. Moreover, these are the best time to cross high passes. Here are some of our suggested picks:
Everest Base Camp Trek
Enjoy an unparalleled trek to the base camp of the tallest mountain in the world, Everest, and live your dream. You will be hiking to Kala Patthar which offers the best views of Everest and neighboring mountains.
You will be trekking in a UNESCO listed Sagarmatha National Park with exotic flora and fauna. Further, you will get to experience the warm Sherpa hospitality and will know more about rich Sherpa culture and tradition.
A two-week trip to Everest Base Camp will give you wonderful memories.
If you want to shorten the duration of your EBC trek then trek to Everest Base Camp and return back in a helicopter. You can enjoy a wonderful trek and enjoy the aerial view of Everest with a helicopter ride. Lukla flight delays or cancellation are one of the main factors extending the length of your EBC trek. During peak tourist season flight availability also becomes a problem. Take a helicopter to fly in and out of Lukla and trek to Everest Base Camp without stressing out about Lukla flights.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
You will be trekking in the shadows of Annapurna Massif including Annapurna I, the 10th highest mountain in the world, 8,091 meters high. The trek will take you through dense forest and picturesque hillside villages dominated by Gurung and Magar ethnic groups. Savor the breathtaking views for Annapurna Sanctuary where you will see a glacial basin encircled by snow capped mountains. Moreover, you will be trekking to villages that are home to valiant Gurkha soldiers. After a tiring trek, you can rejuvenate by taking a dip in natural hot spring at Jhinu Danda.
Langtang Valley Trek
Langtang Valley Trek lies close to Kathmandu and you will be trekking past villages of Tamang people. Tamang people have Tibetan roots and a trek in the region will give you an insight into their rich culture and traditions. You will be trekking in Langtang National Park with exotic flora and fauna. Also, animals like red pandas and Langurs live here. Enjoy the gorgeous landscape of snowy mountains and verdant hills along the trail.
If you are up for some challenges then cross high passes in spring and autumn – the best time to trekking in Nepal.
Three Passes Trek in Everest
Three Passes Treks in the Everest region falls under the choice of intrepid trekkers. You will be crossing three high passes – Kongma La Pass, Renjo La Pass, and Cho La Pass. Besides the high passes, you will be hiking up to 3 other vantage points over 5,000 meters or 16,404 feet namely Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, and Gokyo Ri.
Enjoy the soul-stirring panoramic views of mountains and experience a thrilling trek. Moreover, along with the breathtaking Himalayan views, Sherpa culture sharing similarities with Tibetan Buddhism will enrich your trek.
Annapurna Circuit Trek
Embark on a classic trek of Nepal with Annapurna Circuit Trek. You will be trekking past the deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki, and will be traversing the high pass, Thorong La Pass. Moreover, you will be hiking to two high altitude lakes – Ice Lake and Tilicho Lake.
This trek is known for its changing landscape which gives you an insight into the geographic variation of Nepal. You will see the lush green forest and verdant hills in the beginning and the landscape changes gradually and will eventually see the arid landscape of Mustang.
Take off-the-beaten trek routes to avoid crowds of popular trekking routes during peak tourist season. You can experience solitude while trekking by opting for lesser-known treks like Manaslu Circuit trek, Khopra Ridge Trek, and others.
Manaslu Circuit Trek
Manaslu Circuit Trek is a remote trek and the popularity of this off the beaten path trek is on the rise. You will be trekking in the foothills of the 8th highest mountain in the world Manaslu. Moreover, you will be crossing the challenging high pass of Larkya La 5,160 meters or 16,929 feet high.
You will see cultural diversity and the local lifestyle in the remote area of Nepal. Further, you will be visiting Barpak, Gorkha which was the epicenter of the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015. Your trek will help in boosting the local economy directly.
Winter (December, January, February)
Winter falls in the months of December, January, and February in Nepal. Visibility is high and the sky is usually crisp during winter months. You can enjoy the uninterrupted views of the mountains in winter as well. The morning might be foggy but the sky clears by afternoon.
Hiking in the daytime under the warm sun will be enjoyable. Heavy snowfall might block the path in high altitude so it’s best to avoid winter treks. However, trekking in winter might interest intrepid trekkers.
You can expect off-season discounts at tea houses with better services than the best time to trekking in Nepal. Many experienced trekkers prefer to trek to Everest Base Camp in early winter to avoid the crowd of peak season. High passes like Thorong La Pass of Annapurna region, Cho la Pass, and Renjo La Pass of Everest is mostly inaccessible after heavy snowfall.
For winter trek in Nepal, you will require proper trekking gear to survive the harsh weather in high altitudes. Choose a waterproof and windproof jacket, trousers & gloves, and a lightweight fleece or wool cap. Layer your jacket with a fleece vest, pullover or jackets, and trousers as per your preference.
You will need a sleeping bag which can resist temperature ranging from -30 to -40 degree Celsius or -22 to -40-degree Fahrenheit. Only a good sleeping bag will keep you warm in very cold winter nights.
Where to trek in winter?
Winter trekking in popular routes is possible but harsh weather and snowfall might create some challenges. Here is our comprehensive blog on winter treks in Nepal.
Trekking in the lower altitude is enjoyable in winter and here are some suggestions:
Poon Hill Trek
You can enjoy the popular trek to Poon Hill in winter as well. Hike past beautifully carved terraced farms, quaint villages, and lush green forest. You will be walking through traditional villages of Gurungs and Magar.
A visit to the Gurung Museum will give you a sneak peek into their rich culture and tradition. Moreover, you will be watching a mesmerizing Himalayan sunrise from the viewpoint of Poon Hill.
Mardi Himal
You can enjoy the best views of Fishtail Peak or Machhapuchhre with Mardi Himal Trek. Enjoy solitude while hiking during the trail as it is the path less trodden. The ridgeline walk on a narrow path is the highlight of the trek.
You can marvel at the breathtaking mountain views of your way to Mardi Himal Base Camp. The trek will reward you with stunning views of mountains like Mardi Himal, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and others.
Khopra Ridge Trek
The off the beaten path trek is gaining popularity among erudite trekkers. You will get to trek in seclusion and enjoy the amazing views of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna Massif, Manaslu, and others. Also, you will be visiting holy Khayer Lake. Moreover, it is a trek with a social cause and was introduced to benefit the locals along the trail economically.
The ultimate destination of your trek Khopra Ridge is a vantage point overlooking the panoramic views of Himalayas.
Summer cum Monsoon (June, July, August)
Monsoon in Nepal spans from June to August. Monsoon accompanies the summer season of Nepal and is the least popular time of the year for trekking. Clouds cover the sky and hide the gorgeous views of snowy mountains.
The trail gets slippery and leeches are found in abundance adding difficulty. Bad monsoon weather could lead to flight cancellation. Also, heavy intermittent rainfall increases the threat of flood and landslide.
Trekking in monsoon isn’t that bad when you know where to trek in Nepal during the rainy season. Monsoon trek in Nepal as be as enjoyable as a trek in the best time to trekking in Nepal.
Where to trek in Monsoon?
Trekking in the popular trekking trails of Nepal might not be enjoyable. However, you can escape monsoon rains by trekking in the rain shadow region of Nepal like the Upper Mustang and Dolpo region.
Upper Mustang Trek
Visit the ancient Kingdom of Lo Manthang with Upper Mustang trek. The mystical region bears resemblance to Tibet in terms of geography as well as landscape. The arid landscape of this region is similar to that of Tibetan plateaus.
You need to get a restricted area permit to trek in Upper Mustang. The culture and tradition in this region are distinct as it remained in seclusion from the rest of the world for years. People of the region follow Tibetan Buddhism.
Upper Dolpo Trek
A trek to Upper Dolpo will take you to the remote Himalayas of Nepal. Since you will be trekking in remoteness, the least infrastructure for trekkers will be an added challenge. It will be best to take an organized trek and independent trekking isn’t allowed. But the good part is you can enjoy nature and the local culture at its best. Savor the soul-stirring views of turquoise Lake Phoksundo. Further, you will be trekking in Shey Phoksundo National Park where snow leopards live.
People of the region follow Tibetan Buddhism and also pay a visit to the 800 years old Buddhist monastery called Shey Gompa.
There isn’t a concrete answer on the best time to trekking in Nepal. Well, spring and autumn are called the best time of the year to trek in Nepal. But every season has its pros and cons. Taking both into consideration you must decide when to visit as per the experience you wish to have.
If you still can’t decide then drops us a message. Our dedicated team of travel experts will help you decide as per your trekking preferences.
