Best Time to Trek in Nepal: A Month-by-Month Guide

Nepal has two main trekking seasons and two shoulder seasons. Here’s our month-by-month guide.

October — Peak Season

The best month for trekking. Monsoon has ended, skies are crystal clear, temperatures are moderate, and the trails are at their best. Expect crowds on popular routes — book flights and lodges in advance.

November — Peak Season

Still excellent, with colder nights at altitude. The first week is busy; by late November crowds thin as winter approaches.

December — Shoulder Season

Cold but beautiful. High passes may close with snow, but lower routes (Poon Hill, Mardi Himal) are still great. Crowds are minimal.

January — Winter

Cold and snowy at altitude. High passes (Thorong La, Larkya La, Three Passes) are often closed. Best for low-elevation treks in the Annapurna foothills.

February — Winter

Still cold but starting to warm. Rhododendrons begin blooming in the lower Annapurna region. A good quiet month for moderate treks.

March — Shoulder Season

Spring begins. Rhododendrons are in full bloom in the Annapurna and Langtang regions. Days are longer and warmer.

April — Peak Season

The second-best month after October. Warm days, clear mornings, and full rhododendron blooms. The Everest and Manaslu regions are ideal.

May — Peak Season

Getting hot in the lowlands but still good at altitude. Pre-monsoon clouds build in the afternoons. The end of the spring climbing season.

June — Monsoon Begins

Hot and increasingly wet. Trekking in the rain-shadow regions (Upper Mustang, Dolpo) is ideal. Avoid Annapurna and Langtang due to leeches and rain.

July — Monsoon Peak

Heavy rain in most of Nepal. Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo are the only good trekking options. Mountains are often clouded over.

August — Monsoon

Still rainy but starting to clear by late August. Upper Mustang remains the best option.

September — Shoulder Season

Monsoon ends, trails dry out, and the second trekking season begins. The first half can still be wet; the second half is excellent.