Temples and palaces adorn Nepal , the landlocked country between Tibet and India in South Asia . But the imposing Himalayan mountains that occupy the country make even more impression . In addition to the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, Nepal has many other peaks that rise between 4,000 and 9,000 meters. The landscape makes Nepal a trekking paradise and many dream of conquering Mount Everest one day. Due to the different high and low altitudes in Nepal, there are different climatic zones. But overall there is one best time to travel to Nepal, about which I will inform you in detail here. I will explain to you why you should travel to Nepal at what time and which months I do not recommend as the best travel time for Nepal. Take a look at the climate statements and take all the important weather data from the climate table. With this information you can start planning your trip to Nepal.
When is the best time to travel to Nepal?
Listed by Countryaah.com as one of countries starting with N, Nepal is a beautiful travel destination that is considered a highlight among the trekking paradises. If you want to go high and have set yourself the goal of climbing the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, you should definitely see the best travel time for Nepal . Basically, the months are October to April as ideal for trekking in Nepal. Depending on which altitude you want to climb, other months are suitable for this. If you don’t want to go up high, you can visit the lower mountain regions during the months of November , December and January climb. In the months it is dry and there is little rain. The landscape blooms in rich colors after the many rain showers of the monsoon season. The air is pure and clear, so you can enjoy great views. Since it is very cold in the heights during these months and snow is guaranteed, you should not go too high up. The months of March and April are ideal as the best travel time for the high mountains . The weather conditions are perfect for a climb in the Himalayan mountains. From the beginning of April, Mount Everest will be open to you and waiting for your ascent. Since the temperatures in the lowlands rise from April and it becomes oppressive, I recommend you stay in the mountains during this time.
| Best month to travel to Nepal | Weather characteristics |
| October | occasional showers, pure and mild air, warm temperatures, 4 rainy days |
| November | pure and mild air, fresh temperatures, 1 rainy day |
| December | partly cold temperatures in high altitudes, 0 rainy days |
| January | partly cold temperatures in high areas, 1 rainy day |
| February | Spring-like temperatures in the pre-Himalayas, dry with 5 rainy days |
| March | Summer temperatures in the foothills of the Himalayas, 2 rainy days, 7 hours of sunshine |
| April | Summer temperatures in the pre-Himalayas, 6 rainy days, 10 hours of sunshine, perfect for Mount Everest, oppressive air in the lowlands |
The weather in Nepal
Similar to Austria, the year in Nepal can be divided into four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. In the summer months there is the southwest monsoon, which is why this time is also known as the monsoon season.
Nepal’s seasons:
- Winter: December to mid-February
- Spring: late February to May
- Summer / monsoon season: June to the end of September
- Autumn: October to November
Nepalese weather in summer
During the monsoon season from June to September , most of the rain falls throughout the year. In particular, the lowlands of the country are hit by heavy rains. July is the rainiest month with 21 rainy days. During this time it is not only very wet, but also very warm. An uncomfortable mix. Much more unpleasant is the month of May, which heralds the monsoon season. Oppressive, humid air with daytime temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius. During the monsoon season, the sun usually shines for 2 to 5 hours a day. If it goes beyond the lowlands to higher altitudes, the rainfall decreases. The mixture of cold air and rain leads to snowfall.
The Nepalese weather in autumn
From October you can expect more pleasant weather in Nepal. The fall is here and the temperatures decrease slightly. The rainy days per month are reduced to 4 days and the hours of sun rise again. In October and November temperatures between 27 and 23 degrees Celsius prevail. The closer it gets to winter, the more the temperatures drop. At night it gets really fresh with 7 to 13 degrees Celsius.
The Nepalese weather in winter
The winter time in Nepal begins in December and lasts until around mid-February . The season scores with spring-like daytime temperatures of around 18 to 19 degrees. At night the minimum temperatures are 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. In the higher elevations it gets even colder and warm clothing is an absolute must. The advantages of the winter months are definitely the few rainy days . In January it rains an average of only 1 day. The February identify five rainy days.
The Nepalese weather in spring
End of February examined the Spring Nepal home. Temperatures climb up the thermometer and reach 28 degrees Celsius in April . At 12 degrees Celsius at night, it’s fresher, but not too cold. In March the sun shines for 7 hours, in April there are even a whopping 10 hours of sunshine. In the Nepalese spring it rains for 2 to 6 days before the southwest monsoon announces itself in May. Spring has the ideal weather in Nepal and is not considered the ideal travel time for trekking tours for nothing .
What is the climate like in Nepal?
Although Nepal is not the largest country in the world in terms of area, it can boast unbelievable diversity in terms of climate. High and low plains determine the country and these plains in turn bring with them different climatic zones. In general, the higher you go, the lower the temperatures and the lower the precipitation.
Climate in the lowlands of Nepal
This region of Nepal is located in the south along the Indian-Nepalese border and is known as Terai . In the lowlands of Nepal there is a tropical to subtropical climate . The highest temperatures, but also the most precipitation, are measured here. Winters are mild and dry in the lowlands. During the monsoon season, which rages in Nepal during the summer months, it is hot here and there is a lot of rain. The monsoon announces itself at the end of the Nepalese spring with sultry air.
Climate in the pre-Himalayas
In the region of the pre-Himalayas it goes high. This is also where the capital Kathmandu is located , which is also the largest city in the landlocked state. There is a temperate climate at altitudes between 1,200 and 2,400 meters . It is characterized by warm summers and fresh winters. For the temperatures this means: In summer you can expect temperatures around 24 degrees Celsius. In winter, depending on the altitude in the foothills of the Himalayas, you can expect daytime temperatures of around 10 degrees Celsius. It gets very cold at night in winter, but temperatures usually do not drop below zero.
Climate in the high mountain regions
From an altitude of 4,000 meters, the moderate climate of the pre-Himalayas can no longer be felt. Due to the alpine climate , cold, ice and snow prevail in the high mountains in the north of the country all year round. You will wait in vain for temperatures above freezing point. Even in the summer months! Prepare for icy temperatures and changeable weather .
Climate table for Nepal (Kathmandu)
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 18 | 19 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 19 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 2 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 7 | 4 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 6 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Rainy days per month | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Nepal is the top destination for all trekking enthusiasts. To experience the magnificent mountain landscape in all its beauty, suitable as best time to visit Nepal the months of September to April . You can storm the peaks and experience the perfect trekking vacation. Depending on the altitude, you should know: the higher it goes, the fresher it gets. If you travel to Nepal in December or January and want to hike the Himalayas, you have to expect severe cold in the higher elevations. This can be a problem as many of the accommodations there have no heating. Do you prefer warmer temperatures, lots of sunshine and little rain, do it in March and April all right. Furthermore, the weather conditions are perfect for Mount Everest.