Trekking In Nepal In October: Best Places And Weather

October marks the beginning of Nepal’s autumn season, making it a great season to go trekking and travel throughout the country. Trekking In Nepal In October is a glorious month since it ties in with two of the biggest celebrations of Nepal, Dashain, and Tihar, as well as Lhosar and Chhat Puja. 

In October, you will get the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich Buddhist and Hindu cultures observed in Nepal. Throughout the trekking journey, the path will be peaceful and alive with locals celebrating their unique cultural festivals from the hills to the mountains. As October is the holiday and festive season you’ll be welcomed with a warm smile and welcome in any part of the country you trek to. 

Your heart will be pleased by the breathtaking view of the beautiful landscapes surrounding you. The trail will be full of hills, mountains, terraced fields, forests, waterfalls, and lakes in every trek of Nepal. 

Why October Month is the Perfect for Trekking in Nepal?

• The average temperature in October ranges around 15-20 Degrees Celsius which is ideal for trekkers to be on any high-altitude trek in Nepal.
• The sunshine hours are approximately 10 hours daily in October which gives trekkers ample time to complete their journey for the day unlike in Winters with short daytime.
• Due to the pleasant temperature and weather while trekking in October month, trekkers have a less likely chance of getting altitude sickness or being severely affected by it.
• As, Dashain and Tihar lie in October, everywhere on the trail your heart will warm up with beautiful family interactions and a harmonious welcome of your own in local culture.
• October month is perfect for trekkers who like to deep dive into nature photography as several wildflowers blossom and forests are lustrous with the sight of some endangered species of the Himalayas.
• During October, mountain views are completely clear and mesmerizing with the sun shining upon the peak, so beautiful to witness.
• October, also the month of vegetation, you’ll find yourself lost in the beautiful terraced fields of potatoes and a maze of paddy fields on every step of your journey in any part of Nepal.

Understanding the Weather in October

• October month lies in the Autumn season, one of the most ideal seasons for trekking in Nepal.

• The average temperature during the daytime is 22 to 25 Degrees Celsius throughout October month in Nepal.

• The higher altitude Himalayas’ temperature drops to around 5 to 12 Degrees which is quite pleasant for trekkers in such greater altitude.

• The weather conditions are stable and clear throughout the day for the trekkers to have pleasant hikes with some here and there rainfalls, snowfall, and strong winds.

• The Days during October are bright and sunny most of the time with mornings and evenings being a bit rainy and windy as you keep moving ahead in the trek in Nepal.

Essential Gear for October Treks in Nepal

You have to carry essential gear and equipment alongside proper pieces of clothing while trekking in Nepal. In case you are having a trek in October month in Nepal, you might have to carry these essentials:

Clothing:

You need to carry specific types of essential clothes to keep yourself warm and your body safe while on the trek. Similarly while trekking in October, carrying these pieces of clothing is essential:

1. Hat and Sunglasses.
2. Scarf.
3. Warm Jacket.
4. Rain Cover.
5. Light tops and tanks.
6. Waterproof gloves.
7. Hiking shorts.
8. Heavy tracksuit.
9. Innerwears.
10. Comfortable and tight trekking boot.
11. Pair of thin and thick socks
12. A pair of slippers and walking sneakers.

Gear and Accessories:

1. Bandages and Handiplasts.
2. Water Bottle.
3. A Sleeping bag.
4. Headlamps or torches.
5. Camera.
6. Chocolates.
7. Maps.
8. Medicines for altitude sickness, fever, and pain relief.
9. Trekking stick.
10. Toothbrush and toothpaste.
11. Dry towel.
12. Sunscreen and Lipbalm.
13. Charger and Powerbank.

These few pieces of gear and accessories might be important to carry throughout the trek in Nepal whenever you are traveling even in October. So quickly pack these essentials in your bag.

Top Trekking Routes in Nepal for October

Almost every trekking destination and route is ideal for the trek in October month in Nepal. The weather and pathway are perfect throughout October for treks all over Nepal with clear sky, green forests, blooming wildflowers, and unhiding wildlife with a mix of beautiful cultures amongst the settlements in the region of the Himalayas. Generally, most of the trekkers aim for these treks in the October month in Nepal as their destination:

Mardi Base Camp Trek

• Mardi Base Camp Trek is quite easy with the trail well paved and a pretty short trek starting at Australian Base Camp
• During October month, the crowd on the trail to Mardi Base Camp is pretty crowded at the lower portion with many ABC trekkers along but less crowded at the higher altitude. 
• Beautiful 6 am sunrise at Machhapuchhre from the Low camp.
• Trail full of rhododendron forest along with oaks and pines.
• Gorgeous views of snow-capped peaks Mt. Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, and Mardi Himal.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

• Interaction with mixed ethnic groups of Nepal of Magars, Gurungs, and Brahmins under the same roof/village.
• Unique hospitality from Gurung people within their own culture and experience authentic Nepali Thali.
• Move ahead from beautiful terraced rice fields to eye-catching waterfalls to glorifying mountains at 4000m.
• Relaxing morning and evening walk on the coast of Phewa Lake with opportunities for several adventure activities like bungee, kayaking, zip-line, etc.

Upper Mustang trek

• Unhindered, incredible panoramas of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Nilgiri.
• Takes you through a path filled with stunning waterfalls and deserts leading to the Hidden Kingdom of the Buddhists, Upper Mustang.
• Experience rich Tibetan Culture and tradition with heart-warming welcomes.
• October brings the Rain Shadow on the trail to Lo-Manthang, which you won’t see anywhere else.

Langtang Valley trek

• Experience local cheese at a cheese factory along the trail to Langtang Valley.
• You might also see a sight of Himalayan Tahr, popular in the Valley in October.
• In October month, some special wildlife species of the Valley can be sighted like Red panda, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, and ghoral while on the trail.
• Have a perfect view of the majestic Langtang mountain range from Kyanin Ri, the highest point on the trek at 4773m.

Local Festivals and Cultural Experiences in October

October is the festive season in Nepal with two of the biggest Hindu festivals Dashain and Tihar. The streets of the capital will be colorful and shining with beautiful nightlife. While other common points in most of the trek of Nepal, Pokhara city will be a showcase of Hindu culture and traditions along with other hill areas.

Similarly, in the Himalayas of Nepal where most of the settlements trekkers tend to meet Sherpas, Gurungs, Tamang, and Magars while enjoying Dashain with white rice tikas on their forehead in their own unique culture and tradition. The festive day of Loshar can make you take through the real cultural dance and folk songs of Himalayan settlers.

Amongst, these main festivals, trekking in October month in the Himalayan region offers several opportunities to interact with one of the oldest and toughest ethnic groups and be part of their culture. Besides these, several local festivals in these remote villages of mountains also lie on October month.

Safety Tips for Trekking in Nepal During October

There aren’t many challenges arising while trekking due to the October month for most of the treks prevalent in Nepal. Some treks are themselves very challenging doesn’t matter the month you’are attempting. Excluding such situations, these safety tips might be helpful while trekking in Nepal during October:

1. Be careful of wildlife animals moving in the trail, as they often come out during the Autumn season due to warm weather.

2. Be ready with proper thick windproof clothes, rain covers, and hiking boots as sudden rain and strong winds can create trek challenges in October month.

3. Altitude sickness can still be a big issue going to higher altitudes regardless of the month so carry proper medication and maintain proper diet and posture while trekking.

4. Carry drinking water and a bottle along with you as drinking water might not be available everywhere on the trail.

5. Start, Keep Continuing, and End your trek at a good pace as fast as you can. In October month, at higher altitudes, it can be a bit cold, and strong current of wind flow during the evenings.

Flora and Fauna to Look Out for in October

October is the best month to travel and trek, if you enjoy clooming flora, fauna, and vegetation throughout the journey. The fields of the Himalayan region and Hilly trails are covered in acres of potatoes, wheat, and millet in the upper regions while paddy, rice, and maize are in the lower regions of the trek.

Trekking through colorful yet dense forests of rhododendrons, junipers, and other wildflowers is yet another speciality throughout the famous treks in Nepal. They are fascinating to see and majestic while smelling. But be careful of wildflowers, they can be fatal sometimes.

Accommodation Options for October Trekkers

Probably the busiest month for the majority of Nepal’s trekking routes is October. Due to the high volume of tourists during the month, all the lodges, restaurants, and teahouses, there might not be plenty of lodging options available. Along the trail, you should anticipate running into fellow travelers and seeing busy teahouses and lodges.

It can be quite an experience to interact with fellow travelers from different countries or backgrounds. You won’t be in luck if you love traveling solo or in peaceful nature. It is recommended that you make reservations for lodges and tea houses well in advance, particularly for October. 

You might even have to share a small room with many travelers in a tea house during this month. The tea house and lodge owners tend to keep high prices during the peak month of October, so know the prices of accommodation for the trek beforehand.

Best Photography Spots While Trekking in October

If you’re truly photo enthusiastic, trekking in Nepal will provide you with many, unlike real scenarios for photography in nature especially in October month. While trekking in Nepal these spots may give you the best nature photographs of your lifetime:

• The National parks of Nepal are the perfect spots to capture the rare species of wildlife roaming in their natural habitat.

• The low camps, high camps, and base camps are probably the best spots to capture 

rays of sunlight shining on the tallest peaks of Nepal.

• The terraced fields of paddy, millet, wheat and potato along with plain grasslands blossoming wildflowers will make a perfect spot for aesthetic photography.

• The mountain-carved settlements of Sherpa, Gurungs, Tamangs, and Magars will force you to take your camera out and just click the photos of the picturesque villages.

Connecting with Local Guides and Trekking Groups

• Having a guide and porter is always highly recommended as they prepare you with proper guidelines for trekking and tell about weather conditions throughout the trek. They make your long journey easier.

• Maintain fine pacing with your guides and trekking groups to not get lost on the trail and safe trekking experience.

• Be in mobile contact with the trekking group members if remain behind as cellular networks are easily available in most of the trekking journeys in Nepal.

• If you’re moving on the trekking trail on your own or with a small group of friends only, then keep asking for directions from locals you meet on the way to be on the right track. 

• Don’t go too far from your rest stop, tea house, or lodging without informing your trekking members or local guides.  

How to Stay Connected: Communication Tips for Remote Treks

Most of the treks in Nepal have a network available at different checkpoints on the trail. There are Nepal Telecom towers on most of the hills and mountainous regions of Nepal in case you have to make contact or communicate with someone during the trek.

Though there are few remote treks in Nepal, where is cellphone signal doesn’t work on most of the routes, so for the emergency contact, you can carry a satellite phone with you. While on most of the treks, you can bring your smartphone and easily communicate with your loved ones back home or make contact with the guide. It is that easy throughout the way in treks of Nepal. Just don’t forget to carry your charger!

Post-Trek Relaxation: Top Spots to Unwind After Your Journey

After almost every trek, you’ll return to Kathmandu and Pokhara. In these bustling cities, there are many activities to relax and have some nice moments after being back from a long tiring journey:

• Have a nice massage and spa after returning from the exhausting trek to relax. Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara also offer traditional Ayurvedic massage from specialists/therapists.

• Have a blast of shopping and strolling around the busy malls of Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can also shop a souvenirs before heading back to your home country.

• Kathmandu offers plenty of sights with cultural and historical significance for sightseeing like Basantapur Durbar, Patan Durbar, Pashupatinath Temple, etc if exploring is your way of post-trek relaxation.

• If you’re yet not done with adventure, you can try bungee jumping and paragliding in Pokhara City for a fair price. It will give you a sense of thrill after the end of your great trekking adventure.

• Yoga and healing centers are yet another great thing these cities offer to give actual healing and relaxation to your body after the long trekking.

Final Thoughts

October month is to enjoy trekking in Nepal with lively neighborhoods shining throughout the trail celebrating the festive seasons of  Dashain, Tihar, and Lhosar in all parts of the country. As the peak season demands, huge crowds are generally seen en route for some interactions and in overcrowded tea houses and lodges on the journey.

Yet relaxing weather, beautiful mountain sceneries, and clear sky make October month inviting enough for most trekkers to walk to different Himalayan destinations of Nepal. Although October is not a challenging month for trekking in Nepal’s Himalayas, staying in proper contact with family members through proper communication is always a way of staying safe on any journey. 

Also following the guide and being on track with trekking groups is crucial to remember while trekking in Nepal.