Trekking
Season & Weather in Nepal
BEST
TIME FOR TREKKING
generally speaking, the best months
to trek/tour is October-November
(post-monsoon) and April-May
(pre-monsoon). It is possible to
trek/tour throughout the year.
Below
are details of weather conditions
throughout the year.
AUTUMN:
October-November
Autumn is normally dry, stable and
very clear. Temperatures are usually
moderate during this period making
it a good time for any trek. It can
be cold at night higher up, but not
as cold as the winter months
(December-January). At low
elevations it may still be hot
during the day. Autumn is the most
popular time for trekking in Nepal.
WINTER:
December-January
Winter is usually dry and it is a
lot colder. Snow can fall in regions
as low as 2500m, sometimes lower. It
may be difficult to reach some of
the higher passes (4000m+) due to
snow & ice. The high-altitude
treks require good gear and
experience in cold-weather
conditions as temperatures at 5000m
can drop below -20°C and heavy snow
can fall.
SPRING:
February-April
Spring sees the return of warmer
weather in the mountains and there
is also more likelihood of rain. The
warmer weather also brings more
trekkers though as in autumn. This
is mainly due to the poor cloud that
comes out during this time. By
April, good views are really only
limited to the higher routes of
4000m +. However, it is in April
that the most colorful rhododendrons
bloom, between 2000m and 3000m.
PRE-MONSOON:
May-mid June
It gets that much hotter, hazier and
unsettled in May & early June.
The warming Asian landmass has begun
drawing up air from the south,
ushering in the pre-monsoon – a
season of erratic weather and
increasingly frequent afternoon
storms. If you are looking for
solitude on your trek, this is a
good time to go. It is also a good
time for going high but be prepared
for rain, especially in the
traditionally wet areas of Annapurna
and eastern Nepal.
MONSOON:
mid-June to September
Few foreigners trek during this
period because of the rain, mud,
leeches, travel difficulties caused
by landslides and general lack of
mountain views. However, some treks
in Nepal’s far west are sheltered
from the impact of the monsoon. And
even in wet areas, mornings are
often clear, and wild flowers and
butterflies can be seen in
abundance.