Best Time to Visit Nepal

Beaming with the majestic Himalayas in the north, lush green forests, and hills in the middle, and the plains in the south, Nepal is one of the most exciting destinations for travel and tours. Compromising of phenomenal cultural and geographical diversity, this beautiful nation is filled with beautiful natural attractions that attract tourists from all over the world.

Any traveler visiting Nepal will surely experience lifelong memorable moments from his stay. There are many activities one can do while in Nepal, such as trekking, tours, hiking, and other adventurous sports.

Things to do in Nepal

Nepal is majorly known all over the world for adventurous trekking activities in the majestic Himalayas. Trekking in the Himalayas is not only about reaching near the magical soaring peaks, but it also provides you insights into the local people and their extraordinary culture. The famous trekking destinations in Nepal are the Everest base camp trek, Annapurna base camp, Annapurna circuit trek, Manaslu circuit trek, Langtang Valley trek, and many more.

You can also opt for Peak climbing and expeditions in the mountainous regions. Some of the famous peaks for peak climbing are Island Peak, Mera peak, Yala peak, and Lobuche peak. Similarly, some of the most famous expeditions in Nepal are the Everest expedition, the Kanchenjunga expedition, the Makalu expedition, the Lhotse expedition, etc.

If trekking is not your cup of tea, you can settle for other adventurous and thrilling activities Nepal has to offer. Some of the popular choices available for adrenaline-pumping activities are bungee jumping over the gushing Bhotekoshi River, paragliding in Sarangkot, Pokhara, rock climbing, and rafting through the rough rivers of Trishuli, Kali Gandaki, and Bhote Koshi.

Apart from these adventurous activities, you can also opt for tours around the culturally and naturally vibrant cities of Nepal. You can tour around the cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Chitwan. Each of these cities will leave you in awe and amazement. 

When to Visit Nepal?

You can visit Nepal during any time of the year, but keeping in mind the activities you want to do, it is better to schedule it according to the recommended seasons for the respective activities.

Generally, we do not categorize seasons as worst or best, but we do consider spring and autumn seasons as the two best seasons to visit Nepal. There are also some pros and cons for each season. So, you must find the ideal time to travel. If you are touring the cities, do not travel to Nepal during Monsoon as the views might be disrupted with fog and rain.

Similarly, if you are trekking during spring and autumn, you will be able to witness the marvelous, panoramic view of the clustered massifs of the Himalayas. There are further details below on when to visit Nepal as per your choice of activities.

Spring 

The Spring season in Nepal usually occurs between February and April. This is the time when the cold winds of winter start decreasing as the temperature gets warm and more pleasant. Since it is warmer, the winter fog clears up, and you will be able to enjoy a bright and magnificent view of the mountains. 

Spring season is the best time for trekkers as the wet trails dry up and offers the right environment for trekking. The trekking trails blooms with flowers and greenery making the trails more beautiful and enjoyable. Similarly, trekkers will also be able to enjoy the unparalleled view of the icy peaks. The most visited trekking destinations during this season include Annapurna base camp, Everest base camp, Manaslu base camp, etc. 

Spring is also an ideal time for hiking and other activities as you will be able to enjoy the warm weather and greenery. Focusing on the views, this is the perfect season for you to enjoy the best sunrise and sunset views from popular viewpoints like Poon Hill and Nagarkot. Some of the popular hiking destinations where you can see mesmerizing views are Chisapani, Shivapuri, Australian base camp, etc.

Spring is also the best time to witness the wildlife of Nepal. Going for a jungle safari in either Bardia national park or Chitwan national park would be one of the best choices. You will be able to encounter some of the rarest animals such as red pandas, Bengali tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Asiatic Elephant, etc. 

Summer or Monsoon 

Summer or Monsoon season usually occurs from May-August. Summer or Monsoon is the most awaited season for farmers as it is the perfect season for planting rice. The majority of the population in Nepal is involved in agriculture, and you can witness the celebration of the rice planting ceremony as well as the national paddy day. 

Summer is not the best of the season to travel to Nepal. The country gets a lot of rain and heat during the months of summer, which can ruin your plan to explore Nepal. The temperature lingers around 28 degrees Celsius or more. Trekking during this season can be a little risky as the rainfall can make the trails very slippery. It can also be uncomfortable as the weather during this season can be extremely hot as well.

However, there is no need to worry as there are some trekking destinations that are not affected by the rainy and hot weather. The trekking destinations you can visit during summer are Upper Mustang, Dolpo, and Simikot, as they fall in a rain shadow and do not receive the monsoon rain.

Since trekking is not that much of a choice during the summer season, you can opt for hiking around the various hill stations. You will be able to enjoy a great scene of the lush green farms where Nepalese farmers sing, play, and dance together as they plant the paddy seeds.

You can also choose to raft during this season as the rivers are in full power. You will be able to enjoy an exciting and thrilling rafting session in the white waters of Trishuli, Bhotekoshi, and Kali Gandaki. You are also recommended to do jungle or wildlife safaris as you will see some of the endangered species like the Asiatic Elephant and Bengali Tiger. 

Autumn

Autumn or the post-monsoon season generally starts from August- November. This is the season when you can witness and experience the major festivals of Nepal. Autumn is also considered the best season to travel to Nepal for various activities.

It is a season filled with spectacular mountain views and radiant festivals of the Nepalese people. You will get the first-hand experience of festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Teej if you visit Nepal during autumn. 

Considered as the perfect season, the weather during this time remains pleasant and precise. As the heat temperature lowers down and heavy rains come to a halt, it is the ideal season for trekkers to trek around Nepal. Offering a bright, picturesque view of the massifs this season is known for the best mountain views. Thousands of trekkers visit Nepal in autumn as they get the best visibility.

You will be able to get a clear and undisturbed view of the magnificent peaks such as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Cho-Oyu in the Everest region, Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Annapurna South, and Gangapurna in the Annapurna region. Similarly, other peaks you will see are Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, Mardi Himal, Kanchenjunga, Langtang Lirung, etc.

If you do not have a lot of time for trekking, you can also opt for hiking around the city of Kathmandu or Pokhara. As this season offers the most beautiful views, you can hike up to Nagarkot, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Chisapani, Namobuddha, etc. You can plan a hike to Poon Hill or Nagarkot to witness the splendid sunrise and sunset views. Other activities you can do during this season are rafting, touring, and jungle safari. 

Winter

The Winter season in Nepal basically starts from December to February. The winter season in Nepal sees high pressure bringing dry weather. The temperature reaches almost the freezing point in high altitudes and can be cold during the early morning and nighttime. Most parts of the Himalayan region experience heavy snowfall while the hilly region remains untouched by snow. 

Winter is usually considered as a season where people say you cannot trek to the Himalayas. However, trekking in Nepal is not limited to spring and autumn. You can explore the winter Himalayas in Nepal and trekking is open all year long. Due to the extreme cold in the Himalayan region during winter, there are fewer trekkers visiting Nepal, and this is the perfect time to enjoy the solitude of the trekking trails in the Himalayan region.

Though it is not the best season to trek, the idea of trekking in winter should not be dismissed. You might not be able to trek to higher altitudes, but you will surely be able to enjoy the winter trekking in Nepal.  As you revel in nature for miles and miles by yourself with very few people to disturb your peace, you will be able to relish the blissful isolation in the mountains.

Some of the recommended destinations for winter trekking are Everest panorama trek, Annapurna panorama trek, Langtang valley trek, etc. High passes like Thorong La and Lauribina remain closed during winter.

Since winter is not the peak season, the prices of the hotels and their services can be much lower. In contrast to trekking, other activities like hiking, rafting, paragliding, bungee- jumping, touring, jungle safari, etc. are also doable in winter. 

Nepal Offers Many Things

Visiting Nepal is not only about trekking and hiking, but you will be signing up for a whole new world of new experiences. Nepal is one of the most popular countries to enjoy adventure and gain a lifetime memorable experience. You can visit Nepal at any time of the year according to the activities you have planned for yourself.

Some places that can be visited during any time of the year in the Himalayan region are Mustang, Dolpo, Rara Lake, and Humla Limi valley. Moreover, activities that can be done all year long in Nepal include short hiking around Kathmandu valley and Pokhara. Some of the most popular hikes that can be done throughout the year are the Shivapuri hike, Chisapani- Nagarkot hike, Dhulikhel- Namo Buddha hike, Ghorepani- Poon Hill, etc.

Another activity that awaits you is touring and exploring the different cities of Nepal. Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Kathmandu Durbar square, Patan Durbar square, Bhaktapur Durbar square, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Changu Narayan, etc. will provide you an insight into the rich cultural heritage of Nepal.

You will be amazed by the number of temples found in every nook and corner of the cramped alleys of Kathmandu city. With narrow buildings sticking beside each other, you will come to love the hustle and bustle of this city. Similarly, you can also tour and traverse through destinations like Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Illam, etc. 

Nepal for All Seasons

Nepal has so many different ethnicities and cultures, which leads to so many different foods available in the market. Walking around Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other cities like Dharan, you will come to know that Momo is a renowned delicacy that is found everywhere in the country. You will be able to find Momo(a kind of dumpling) from the cold Himalayas to the warm, plain Terai region.

Similarly, there are other foods like the Nepali Thakali set and Newari food, which are loved by so many travelers, and it is a must-try dish for all tourists visiting Nepal. 

Conclusion

The real heaven on Earth, Nepal will surely give you a lifetime experience of fun and happiness. Any traveler or visitor must have Nepal in their bucket list or else he\she will be missing out on one of the most beautiful nations in the world.

You can visit Nepal at any time or any season of the year. However, keeping in mind the activity you want to engage in, you should visit Nepal accordingly for the best experience