Best Trekking Season in Nepal

With the highest mountains in world and latitude similar to the Florida, Nepal (28° 00' N and 84 ° 00' E), has wonderful variation in climates. The lowland plains are tropical, the midland hills are temperate (with sub-tropical in lower river valleys), and the high mountains have sub-alpine, alpine and arctic conditions.

Scholar Sharad Singh Negi identifies five climatic zones in Nepal based on altitude: the tropical and subtropical zone of below 1,200 meters in altitude; the cool, temperate zone of 1,200 to 2,400 meters in altitude; the cold zone of 2,400 to 3,600 meters in altitude; the subarctic climatic zone of 3,600 to 4,400 meters in altitude; and the arctic zone above 4,400 meters in altitude.

Trekking can be done throughout the year in Nepal but which is the best trekking season in Nepal?

When planning a trekking holiday in Nepal there are four main seasons to consider: spring, autumn, winter and monsoon (the summer months). Here’s a brief introduction to each.  

The spring season- March to April

Spring begins in March and lasts until April. It is the second busiest time of the year to trek in Nepal, especially in the Everest region and the Annapurnas. The days are long, daytime temperatures are warm to hot, with only occasional showers, and the trails up to the tree line ablaze with colorful rhododendron and flowers (the rhododendron bloom at different times of March to April depending upon altitude-the higher the altitude is the later the blooming start).

Post Spring to Pre-monsoon- May and June
Annual temperatures and humidity peak in May and June. June is like a pre-monsoon time.  Trekking is still very good during May until mid-June in famous trekking routes which are usually crowded in March and April.  Actually, the trekking crowd gets lower during May and June. Those who like warm season and want to avoid crowd, best time is May until mid-June.

Pros:
Temperatures in upper hill and lower mountain ranges reach between 16-23º C
Pleasant, warm trekking conditions in the day, and warmer nights.
Spring is the mountaineering season, and you can maybe walk together with one of the great mountaineers!

Cons:
Sometimes (some years like it was in 2019) mid-February to mid-March see the heaviest snowfall in the mountains – blanketing trails and blocking high passes while other years are quite okay to trek during mid-Feb to mid-March.
Afternoon clouds are common (with generally clear nights and mornings) which can bring clouds and brief downpours.

The Autumn (Fall) Season- mid October to mid-December

October and November are the peak trekking months, not only in the more popular regions of Everest and the Annapurna, but also in other trekking areas of Nepal. These months have pleasant daytime temperatures, good visibility and extended span of good weather. It has long been considered the best time to enjoy the magnificent Himalayan views, which means the trails are at their busiest.

During fall, temperatures are mild, the weather is relatively stable, and the clear air makes for superb mountain views. The high mountains are still cold and lower elevations are still warm but the daytime walking temperatures are the most pleasant overall. Bad weather can hit any time of year but the fall has the most reliable conditions.

Pros:
Temperature in upper hill and lower mountains reach about 15 – 24º C
Harvesting Season: Second half of October to mid-November is harvesting time in Nepal. Trekkers can enjoy the set of yellow-green ready-to-harvest paddies and farmers busy in harvesting activities during this time in villages and farmlands.

Cons:
Given that autumn has the best weather conditions, obviously the trails are comparatively more crowded (usually the popular ones)
If the monsoon is late or lingers through, early October can still see cloud and rainfall so starting at mid-October is wise.

The Winter Season-mid December to Mid-February

Mid-December through February is the coldest time in the Himalaya with temperatures falling well below zero – especially at higher altitudes and at night. January is too cold for trekking; however, it is possible to trek in trails those involve only lower altitude- below 3500 meters (short hikes around Kathmandu, Short hikes in Annapurna) and some of the popular trails like Everest Base Camp trail is also possible which does not involve high passes in the route with plenty of layers under your down jacket.

December is normally dry, stable, and clear, but also cold, especially at higher elevations.

Pros of trekking in Winter:
Although cold, the trails are quiet and the skies often crystal clear from dawn to dusk – making it a great time for photographers to capture the magic of the mountains. If cold does not bother you, its great time to trek in Himalaya.

Cons of trekking in winter in Nepal:
Some high elevation trekking becomes very tough and many teahouses close their operation. During the winter the mountain high passes may require technical equipment (crampons, ropes) and experience.
Sometimes (some years) mid-February to mid-March see the heaviest snowfall in the mountains – blanketing trails and blocking high passes while other years are quite okay to trek during mid-Feb to mid-March.

The Monsoon- July to September

During the monsoon season, which stereotypically lasts from June to late September, temperatures are high with intermittent rainfall. Significant heat and moisture rise up from the Bay of Bengal bringing hot temperatures, clouds, fog, and rain all over the country. This blocks the views, creates messy/muddy trails with leeches, and leads to significant problems with ground transportation. The heavy rains can flood the trails and cause mud slides so it’s not a good time to trek in most of Nepal’s trekking regions. The peak of the monsoon season occurs in July and August. From September the weather begins to taper off into the drier fall period but periodic rainfall occurs until end of September. By the end of the monsoon season, the countryside is carpeted in green.

Exception for Trekking in Monsoon: The exceptions are the rain shadow area of the Himalaya. The Dolpo and Mustang areas of Nepal are close to the Tibetan border, which fall within the rain shadow of the Himalaya (the high Himalayan peaks works as a barrier for the rain, thus this region is arid and desert-like and trekking can be done in Dolpo and Upper Mustang during while rest of the country wets in monsoon showers).

Pros:
Uncrowded trails, good time for an enthusiastic botanist, planting season

Author: Indira Bhatta