Get the Details for the Best Time to Trek in Nepal

Determining the best time to trek in Nepal depends on where you plan to go! For example, the summer season brings monsoon showers, eliminating the opportunity to complete most treks, but some regions boast protection from the downpour. Get all the details for the best time to trek in Nepal below!

Trekking in Nepal in Spring
Trekking in Nepal in Summer
Trekking in Nepal in Autumn
Trekking in Nepal in Winter

Trekking in Nepal in Spring

When: March to May, but the best time is April to May after the snow melts

What to know about trekking in Nepal in spring: Spring trekking in Nepal is an ideal time to traverse mountain passes. Post-monsoon, the melting snow and clear skies unveil crisp views of the dizzying scenery replete with wildflowers, such as purple rhododendrons.

Then, the balmy weather ranges between 16 and 23C, only adding to the wonder of trekking in Nepal in spring. But the magic comes on rolling: fewer people traverse the trails during this time of year than in autumn. So, not only will you get pleasant weather and wildflowers, but diminished crowds.

Do note that clouds bombard the sky in the afternoon. Still, you’ll likely have finished your hike for the day, allowing the opportunity to watch the clear sky momentarily disappear while you munch on a tasty meal from one of the teahouses. The thermometer climbs a few notches near the end of the season, creating stickier weather conditions at lower altitudes. Nothing you can’t handle, right?

Trekking options for spring: Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Langtang Trek

Trekking in Nepal in Summer

When: June to August

What to know about trekking in Nepal in summer: Rain! Monsoon! Rain! That’s all you need to know. But seriously, trekking amid a downpour comes with uncomfortable challenges: soggy clothes and slippery conditions. Learning about the weather in school taught us that warm temperatures invite rain, meaning the temperatures will be warm, but the monsoons create poor conditions. It just won’t be super fun.

However, if you only have time off between June and August and are bent on a Himalayan adventure, the Indian Himalayas are a good option. Enjoy Tibetan culture with minimal crowds in the Indian Himalayas—it’s not Nepal, but hey, at least we’re tossing options at you, right?

Trekking options for summer: The Ladakh region in the Indian Himalayas. Find some epic adventure tours in Ladakh here.

Trekking in Nepal in Autumn

When: September to November

What to know about trekking in Nepal in autumn: If you thought trekking in spring was magical, think of the golden touches coating the trees in autumn with blue skies adding an end-of-summer bliss. In addition, clouds tend to stay clear of the sky most days, elevating the enchantment of trekking in autumn. Finally, on average, the temperature flickers between 15-24C, with a higher likelihood of little shivers deeper into the season during the night.

One of the only downsides of trekking in Nepal in autumn is the increased number of adventurers along the trail. If you’re trekking without a guide or a tour group, you may risk spending some nights in a common room if all beds are filled up. More often than not, you can’t book teahouses ahead of time! We talk more about how to prepare for trekking in Nepal here.

Trekking options for autumn: Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Gokyo Lakes Trek, Langtang Trek

Trekking in Nepal in Winter

When: December to February

What to know about trekking in Nepal in winter: Trekking in the winter brings more frost-bitten temperatures. Although some nationalities might scoff at hiking in 9-12C weather, thinking it’s not too cold, the temperatures can dip quite low at night.

Then, snow covers many higher mountain passes, creating more hazardous conditions. They are usually impassable. For example, Thorong La in Annapurna and some other notable passes in the Everest region, Kongma La, Renjoy La, Cho La are closed from November until March.

On the plus side, the skies remain clear, granting stark views of the surrounding Himalayan setting! However, while snow dusting the land creates mesmerizing imagery, most trekkers might find the conditions too challenging. Therefore, we suggest avoiding trekking in Nepal during winter for safety reasons, to name one thing (it’s just not as enjoyable hiking in the cold!).