Nepal is a country extremely famous for its breathtaking Himalayan peaks, rich cultures, and ancient traditions. It is one of the world’s best trekking destinations, with iconic Mount Everest towering at 8,848 meters above sea level and numerous other stunning mountains. However, this depends largely on the seasons since the weather conditions vary remarkably throughout the year.
In this blog, we will go into depth about the best seasons to trek in Nepal, related weather patterns, and the best trekking destinations for each season.
Autumn (September – November): Peak Trekking Season
Autumn is considered the peak season for trekking in Nepal. The weather is lovely, with clear skies and mild temperatures. Most trekkers arrive to trek in Nepal during this time, and quite rightly so.
Weather Conditions in Autumn
- Temperatures: During daylight hours, weather can be encountered at moderate temperature with daytime variations around 15°C to 20°C (Kathmandu or Pokhara or at lower elevation places) or approximately -5°C to 5°C over the higher camps of Everest or Annapurna Base Camps.
- Rainfall: Since the rainfall just ends before autumn, therefore minimum rainfall found, and views are brilliant against a clear skyline.
Top Recommended Autumn Hiking Destinations
o Duration: 12-14 days
o Difficulties: Moderate to challenging
o Everest Base Camp Trek at the foot of the world’s highest peak takes trekkers closer. The clear autumn skies present Everton and Lhotse along with other grand peaks really well. Further, the favorable climate during this season has made this season a choice for the mentioned trek.
– Duration: 12-21 days
– Difficulty: Moderate
– The Annapurna Circuit is famous for its huge variety. Trekkers will be taken through lush, subtropical forests, huge alpine meadows, and the desolation of the Tibetan Plateau. In autumn, conditions are ideal for trekking, and the views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchchre are literally out of this world.
* Duration: 7-9 days
– Difficulty: Moderate
– Langtang Valley is much less crowded as compared to other trekking areas and offers superb views of the Langtang peaks and glaciers. This is ideal for people wanting to get away from the crowds. The autumn season is very good, with warm temperatures and clear skies.
Duration: 4-7 days, Easy to moderate difficulty, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek will be an amazing option for those trekkers who have fewer days or less time to manage for trekking. It offers a pinnacular view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain ranges, which would be great to see in this autumn season.
Spring (March – May): A Popular Trekking Season
Spring is the second most favored season for trekking in Nepal. The temperature starts to rise and the landscape becomes different with full-grown rhododendron forests in bright colors. The weather conditions remain stable, which makes it perfect for trekking.
Weather Conditions in Spring
- Temperature: During daytime, temperatures go up to 15°C – 20°C in the lower regions, including Kathmandu, while during nighttime, especially at the high camps such as Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp, temperatures can go down to 5°C – -5°C.
- Rainfall: The rainfall is very minimum during the spring season. Therefore, it’s clear skies with good visibility, crisp mornings, and warm-up afternoons that provide great trekking conditions.
Best Spring Season Trekking Spots
– Spring is also one of the best seasons to go on a trek to Everest Base Camp. The weather is stable, and the views of the Everest massif are spectacular. However, it may be busier on the trail compared to autumn.
– Spring is also a great time to do the Annapurna Base Camp trek. The rhododendron flowers bloom along the trail, and the temperatures are just right to make the trek comfortable. Vistas of Machhapuchchre and the range of Annapurna can be seen clearly.
– Duration: 14-18 days
– Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
– The Manaslu Circuit falls into the very remote area of Manaslu, much quieter and less trekked than Everest or Annapurna. Spring is one of the best times to explore this area since the trails are less muddy and the weather is perfect for high-altitude trekking.
– Duration: 5-7 days
– Difficulty: Moderate
Mardi Himal is one of the most spectacular treks in the Annapurna region. It gets a lot more exciting in springtime when the beautiful forests come alive with blooming rhododendron flowers, and offer outstanding views of the Annapurna Range.
Winter (December – February): A Quiet Yet Beautiful Season
Winter in Nepal can be quite chilly, especially at higher altitudes, but it offers trekkers a unique experience: fewer tourists and breathtaking snow-draped landscapes. While it may not be ideal for novices, seasoned trekkers seeking a serene adventure might find this season appealing.
Weather Conditions in Winter
- Temperatures: It gets extremely cold, especially at high altitudes. Places such as Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp can drop as low as -10°C to -15°C or even below that. However, the temperature in the lower altitude ranges from 10°C to 15°C.
- Rainfall: It does not rain at all or very little, and the skies are clear with good visibility.
Best Trekking Spots during Winter
Langtang Valley Trek
o Winter is the best time to visit the Langtang Valley. Although colder than in autumn or spring, winter scenery of the snow-blanketed valley is truly magnificent. The trails are less crowded, allowing for a peaceful trekking experience.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
o Ghorepani Poon Hill is an excellent trek for winter, and if avoiding crowds, you will enjoy your time. Though relatively a shorter trek, this might be pretty cold; the views of the Himalayas viewed from Poon Hill at sunrise are absolutely rewarding.
o Everest View Trek: This is an excellent option for those who wish to see the Everest region but without committing to a longer trek into Everest Base Camp. While cold, the views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam are spectacular, and the trails are generally quiet.
Annapurna Panorama Trek
o Duration: 5-7 days
o Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Annapurna Panorama Trek: during winter, the views are great for this fascinating option in the Annapurna region with great views of Annapurna and Machapuchare peaks. It doesn’t go that high, so while cold, it is manageable during the winter months.
Monsoon (June – August): Not the Best Time for Trekking
In general, the monsoon period is usually not considered the best time to go trekking in Nepal. Rain makes the trails very muddy and slippery, and the possibility of landslides in the hills is high. Most of the time, visibility is pretty poor because of continuous rain and fog.
Monsoon Weather Conditions
- Temperatures: warm and humid, mainly in lower altitudes like Kathmandu and Pokhara; higher altitudes may be mild but wet.
- Rainfall: The region experiences heavy rainfall in July and especially August, due to which trekking routes may be difficult.
Best Places (if trekking during Monsoon)
Though generally, trekking is not advisable during the monsoon season, a few regions are relatively drier and are accessible:
Upper Mustang
o Duration: 12-14 days
o Difficulty: Moderate
o The Upper Mustang region lies in a rain shadow, therefore, during the monsoon it is pretty dry. The landscape of this area is arid and the structure is desert-like; thus, it offers different and various trekking experiences.
Dolpo Trek
o Duration: 16-25 days
o Difficulty: Challenging
o Just like Upper Mustang, Dolpo sees very little influence of the monsoon due to its position in the Dhaulagiri Range rain shadow.
Conclusion
These different seasons of trekking in Nepal offer great contrasts in the experiences one may have. Autumn and Spring are regarded as the best seasons, as they have mild weather, clear skies, and spectacular landscapes. Winter is less busy, though a bit cold, and peaceful for trekking. Most treks are not recommended during the Monsoon season due to heavy rainfall; however, certain regions such as Upper Mustang and Dolpo may be feasible during this time period.
When you plan your trek to Nepal, consider not only the weather but also your experience level, preferences for crowd sizes, and the trek’s difficulty. The mountains of Nepal await, and regardless of when you visit, the adventure will be unforgettable.