Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries with splendid trekking destinations. The best time for trekking in Nepal is during the seasons of Autumn and Spring.
These times are favorable for all kinds of trekking in Nepal. You can go on the high altitude treks or on the short and easy treks.
Autumn (September, October, and November) and Spring (March, April, and May) are the most preferred seasons. During these seasons, the atmosphere is clear with beautiful skies. Even the views of the distant Himalayas are clearly visible.
Weather and Temperature
During the best time (Autumn and Spring), weather in Nepal remains stable with least chances of rainfall. The temperature during the days is mild. If you are doing high altitude treks, the temperature decreases with the rise in altitude.
Weather and Temperature in Autumn
Autumn is the most popular season for trekking in Nepal. Autumn is famous for the crystal clear blue skies. Autumn comes right after the monsoon. The surrounding is so clear with no specks of dust. You will see clean and green forests around the trek routes.
September
September is the first month of Autumn. If you’re trekking in early September, there are chances of meeting with few rainfalls. But this happens in the lower elevation only. The experience of Trekking in Nepal in September is awesome.
The popular trekking destinations in Nepal is filled with lots of tourists from mid-September and onward.
The temperature in Nepal in September ranges between 25 to 28 degrees. The temperature decreases as you ascend towards the higher elevations. During some treks, you’ll reach the lower elevations that are warmer than the higher ones.
October
Trekking in Nepal in October is popular among most of the trekkers. The weather in October is perfect making it an ideal time to trek. You’ll see the best views of the glistening snowy peaks. The blue sky forms an illusionary canvas with enchanting views of snowy peaks painted over.
The average temperature in Nepal in October ranges between 22 to 27 degrees. The mountains and Himalayas will be colder whereas the Terai will be hot. The temperature varies with your trekking destination.
November
November is the last month of Autumn. Days in November are warm at the lower altitudes. But the nights at the mountains gets colder day by day. The high altitude treks begin to experience winter weather during late November.
While Trekking In Nepal in November, you’ll experience temperature between 18 to 22 degrees on average. For high altitude treks, you will need warm gear for nights.
Weather and Temperature in Spring
Spring is a colorful season that occurs right after winter. This is the best season to trek in Nepal after autumn. With Spring, the high altitude treks also begin to warm up. You will see the sprouts of grasses peeping through the brown pastures.
March
March is the first month of Spring. The first half of March is still cold at high altitudes. But with days, the temperatures during the days and nights begin to rise. The total hours of daylight will also increase. March is a beautiful time to trek.
While trekking in Nepal in March, you’ll see some wildflowers blooming and the trees budding. The temperature in March averages around 20 to 28 degrees in Nepal.
This temperature varies with your trekking destinations. At high altitudes, the temperature will rise welcoming a warm and pleasing atmosphere.
April
April is the best month of Spring. The forests and the hills blush with the colors of Rhododendron blossoms. You’ll hear the melodious chirps of birds while trekking in the exotic trails. The Himalayan vistas are also spectacular.
Trekking in Nepal in April is one of the most popular activities in Nepal. The temperature in April is like that in March. With proper packaging, you’ll have a remarkable trekking experience in March.
May
May is the transitional time between Spring and Summer. The weather and temperature in May are more like in Summer. If you’re trekking in late May, there are chances of seeing few rainfalls at the lower altitude of the treks.
The day times are bright and sunny. The average temperature in Nepal in May ranges between 23 to 30 degrees. You’ll get sweaty during the day hikes even during the high altitude treks.
Note: Trekking in Nepal is possible at any time of the year. Every season have their unique characteristics. You will have different trekking experiences at different times of the year. With proper planning and preparations, you can do any treks in Nepal at any time of the year.
Some of the Popular Trekking in Nepal
Everest Trekking
Everest region is the most popular trekking destination in Nepal. Everest treks are popular for their adventure and thrills. Autumn and Spring are the best times for the Everest region treks.
The Everest treks are popular for natural and cultural attractions. The variation in geology and topography during the Everest treks are interesting. You will see the striking views of the gigantic Everest massif.
Also, you will walk into the beautiful Sherpa villages during the Everest trekking. The treks are the opportunities to get an insight into the unique Himalayan Sherpa culture. You can witness the daily lifestyles of the Sherpas. Also, visiting the Sherpa Capital at Namche is a wonderful experience.
Some of the popular treks in the Everest region are:
- Everest Base Camp Trekking
- Gokyo Lake Trekking
- Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest High Passes Trekking
- Arun Valley Trekking
- Pikey Peak Trek
- Everest Panorama Trek
Annapurna Trekking
Annapurna region treks reward the trekkers with the opportunity to see the Annapurna Massif. The Annapurna I (8091m) is the highest peak in the Annapurna massif.
The Kali Gandaki Gorge, Marsayangdi River, Pokhara Valley, and the Annapurna Conservation Area are the highlights of Annapurna treks. The Annapurna trekking is equally famous for cultural diversity. You will walk into beautiful Magar and Gurung villages.
While trekking in the Annapurna region, you’ll walk into the home of a wide variety of flora and fauna. The panorama of Annapurna I-IV, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, and Pisang is alluring.
Some of the popular treks in the Annapurna region are:
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
- Annapurna Panorama Trek
- Dhampus Sarangkot Trek
- Jomsom Muktinath Trekking
- Upper Mustang Trekking
- Royal Trek
- Khopra Ridge Khayar Lake Trekking
- Annapurna Circuit with Mesokanto Pass Trek
- Ghalegaun Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trekking
- Annapurna Base Camp Trekking
- Nar Phu Valley Trekking
- Mardi Himal Trek
Langtang Trekking
Langtang region in Nepal is a beautiful trekking area in Nepal. During the Langtang trek, you’ll see the deep gorges, rushing rivers, and pristine valleys.
You can enjoy the enchanting views of Langtang Ri and Langtang Lirung, and the Ganesh Himal. The holy Gosainkunda Lake is a major attraction in the region.
You will see the Tamang, Sherpa and Bhote people while trekking. Kyanjin Gompa is a famous monastery in the region. Rejoice the mixed cultural and natural beauty of the region.
Langtang National Park is a place of highlight. You can experience diverse climatic ranges from subtropical to alpine. The forested trails house many wildlife species. Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Thar, Rhesus monkeys, and Red pandas are few.
Some of the popular treks in the Langtang region are:
- Tamang Heritage Langtang Valley Trek
- Langtang Valley Ganja La Pass Trek
- Langtang Circuit Trekking
- Tamang Heritage Trail Trek
- Langtang Valley Trekking
- Helambu Trekking
Restricted Area Trekking
There are certain treks in Nepal that pass through the restricted regions. Trekking through the restricted areas means trekking through the unspoiled trek routes.
The restricted area treks are rich in natural, cultural, religious and historical aspects. Trekking to the restricted areas requires special permission.
Most of the restricted areas of Nepal are remote areas. These places have a sparse population. The unique culture and basic life of the region are the major attractions of the trek.
Here is a list of some of the restricted trekking destinations in Nepal:
- Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trekking
- Nar Phu Valley Trekking
- Upper Mustang Trekking
- Tsum Valley Trek
- Lower Dolpo Trekking
- Kanchenjunga Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trekking
- Upper Dolpo Trekking
Pros and Cons of Trekking In Nepal during Autumn and Spring
Pros of Trekking in Nepal in Peak Seasons
- Clear Weather
- Mild Temperature
- Clear Skies and Great Views
- Festivals
Cons of Trekking in Nepal in Peak Seasons
- Crowded trail
- Difficulty in finding places for accommodation
- Having to stand in queues for food
Tips for Trekking in Nepal in Peak Seasons
- Book early for flights, accommodation, and food. Most of the popular trekking areas flood with the traffic of trekkers during peak seasons.
- Carry some extra hand cash with you. In peak seasons, the teahouses might charge you some extra amount on food, stay, and other facilities.
- Trek with a guide. They will help you in early booking for food and accommodation.
- Pack light, pack wise. Include all the trekking essentials in your backpack or luggage.
- Hire a porter if you’re going on long duration and high altitude treks.
Equipment and Clothing for Trekking in Nepal in Autumn versus Spring
Toiletries and Personal Hygiene
The list of toiletries and personal hygiene will be the same for Autumn and Spring. Here is the list of some essentials. You can add some extra items to the list or remove some. What you pack is always your choice.
- Tissue / Toilet roll
- Anti-bacterial hand wash
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Quick drying towel
- Moisturizer
- Wet wipes
- Multipurpose soap/ hand wash
- Feminine Hygiene products
Clothing
Regarding clothing, you need to pack some lightweight warm clothing for late November (Autumn) and early March (Spring). Likewise, you will need the rain protection gear for late May (Spring) and early September (Autumn).
Besides, the clothing you will need is quite similar for Autumn and Spring. The daytime temperature is mild. Nights are colder than days at higher altitude. Make sure you pack a down jacket and a warm sleeping bag for all seasons.
Here is the list of clothing for trekking In Nepal:
Upper Body
- T-shirts
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Lightweight thermal tops
- Fleece Wind cheater Jacket
- Waterproof Shell Jacket
Lower Body
- Lightweight thermal bottoms
- Under Garments (breathable fabric)
- Lightweight cotton pants
- Fleece or wool pants
- Waterproof shell pants
Head
- UV Sunglasses
- Sun hat or scarf
- A cap or a Warm hat
Foot and Hand wear
- Thin socks
- A pair of comfortable Hiking boots with spare laces
- Camp shoes (sneakers/sandals)
- Lightweight gloves
General
- Day pack
- Duffel or Rucksack Bag
- Down jacket
- Sleeping bag
Other Accessories
- Sleeping bag
- Headlamp
- Basic First Aid Kit
- Trekking Poles
- Refillable water bottles
- Camera and extra batteries
- Trail Map/ Guide Book
- Binoculars
Conclusion
Autumn is the best season for trekking in Nepal. After Autumn, Spring is another great time for trekking. The weather is stable with least chances of rainfall or any drastic weather changes.
You can enjoy the captivating beauty of nature. Also, wildlife and birds are more active during these seasons.
While trekking in Nepal during peak seasons, you must pre-book your trip. If not booked earlier, finding places for accommodation will be very difficult at the high altitude treks.
Note: While trekking in the Himalayas, prepare to encounter bad weather even in best trekking seasons. Also, with preparation and endurance, trekking in Nepal is possible throughout the year.
If you have any queries, or if you are willing to go on any treks with us, Contact Us. We will be happy to arrange perfect treks for you.
