March – May
Spring (Peak)
Mild temperatures, rhododendron forests in bloom, and clear morning skies. One of the two main trekking windows.
Joyful planning tools
Find the Best Time to Trek in Nepal
Compare seasonal conditions, temperature trends, and the upcoming forecast for your chosen Himalayan route. Select a trek and month to see when conditions best match your plan.
- 12-month temperature graph
- Live 7-day forecast
- 10 routes covered
Answer two quick questions
Question 1 of 2Your trek
Which trek are you planning?
Your route sets the altitude, seasonal risks, temperature profile, and live forecast location.
When to go
Nepal Trekking Seasons Explained
Nepal's trekking calendar is divided into four distinct windows. Each brings different skies, temperatures, trail conditions, and crowd levels. Understanding the seasons is the first step to planning a trip you'll love.
June – August
Monsoon (Off-Peak)
Heavy rain closes main routes. Rain-shadow destinations like Upper Mustang and Nar Phu stay dry and are excellent this season.
September – November
Autumn (Best)
Crystal-clear skies, stable conditions, outstanding mountain views. October and November are the gold-standard months for trekking in Nepal.
December – February
Winter (Quiet)
Crisp, dust-free skies and very few trekkers. High passes above 5,000m are often snow-blocked, but lower routes are excellent and uncrowded.
Altitude & weather science
Why City Forecasts Are Useless Above 3,000m
A Kathmandu weather app is nearly meaningless on the Khumbu Glacier. Himalayan conditions are shaped by altitude lapse rates, wind-chill, valley microclimates, and the monsoon boundary, all of which this tool accounts for.
Temperature Lapse Rate
Temperature drops ~6.5°C per 1,000m of elevation gain. A 20°C day in Lukla (2,860m) equals roughly −5°C at Everest Base Camp (5,364m), especially at night.
Wind-Chill Factor
At 0°C with 40 km/h gusts, the feels-like temperature drops to −10°C. Exposed ridges and high passes can be far colder than valley weather stations record.
Monsoon Rain Shadow
The Himalayas block Bay of Bengal moisture. Routes behind the main range, such as Upper Mustang and Nar Phu, remain dry and sunny even during peak monsoon months.
Climate reference
Monthly Conditions at Altitude
Historical average conditions at key high-altitude stopping points across the main trekking seasons.
| Season / Months | Everest Zone (5,000m) | Annapurna Zone (4,000m) | Rain Risk | Trail Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Mar–May | Day 5°C / Night −12°C | Day 12°C / Night −4°C | Low (15%) | Clear mornings, afternoon clouds. Rhododendron blooms at mid-altitude. |
| Monsoon Jun–Aug | Day 12°C / Night 2°C | Day 18°C / Night 8°C | High (80%) | Wet trails, leeches, flight disruptions. Mustang & Nar Phu remain dry. |
| Autumn Sep–Nov | Day 3°C / Night −15°C | Day 10°C / Night −6°C | Minimal (5%) | Stable, deep blue skies. Best visibility of the year. Peak trail traffic. |
| Winter Dec–Feb | Day −5°C / Night −25°C | Day 2°C / Night −15°C | Moderate (25%) | Very cold. High passes often blocked. Lower valley routes excellent. |
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Good to know
Trek Weather Questions
Answers about seasons, the suitability score, and the live forecast.
What is the best month to trek in Nepal?
October is the single best month overall — crystal-clear skies, stable trails, and all routes open. November is a close second with far fewer crowds. For spring, April is peak and matches October in quality. The right month also depends on your route: high-pass treks are risky in winter, while rain-shadow routes like Upper Mustang shine during the monsoon.
How does the suitability score work?
Each month gets a score from 0 to 100 for the route you pick, based on sky clarity, trail dryness, temperature, pass safety, and crowd levels. Above 75 means excellent conditions; 50–74 means good with caveats; below 50 means significant challenges. If your chosen month scores low, the tool suggests the best months for that exact trek instead.
What does the 12-month temperature graph show?
It plots the average daytime high and night-time low for every month of the year, at a representative trekking altitude for the route you selected. The figures come from long-term Himalayan climate records, so the graph is always available even when you are offline or planning months ahead. Hover or tap any point to read the exact high and low.
How accurate is the live 7-day forecast?
The live forecast pulls from Open-Meteo and is altitude-adjusted to a representative point on your route. It only covers today plus the next six days — that is the window where short-range forecasting is reliable. For dates further out, use the 12-month temperature graph and the season guide for planning.
Can I trek in Nepal during monsoon (June–August)?
Yes, if you choose the right route. Upper Mustang, Nar Phu Valley, and Upper Dolpo sit behind the Himalayan rain shadow and stay dry during the monsoon. Standard routes like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp receive heavy rain, and mountain-flight cancellations are common.
Is winter trekking in Nepal worth it?
Absolutely, for the right routes. Poon Hill, Langtang Valley, and the Everest approach to Namche are excellent in winter — dust-free views, empty teahouses, and budget rates. High passes (Thorong La, Larkya La) are frequently snow-blocked from December to February and are best avoided unless you have serious high-altitude winter experience.