Season & Weather
Irrespective of the season, you’ve probably heard how crucial it is to verify the weather report before going on a trek. This gives for a far better trekking experience by enabling you to fit the appropriate clothing and any additional stuff you may need inside your backpack.
However, the variations in temperature and height during the day might cause sudden changes in conditions when trekking. Anything from a little shiver to a 10-minute rain may come from this phenomenon. However, there’s usually a warning before these sudden shifts happen, so if you can accurately read the atmosphere and clouds, it might help you stay prepared when hiking.
Our trekking guide is more than qualified for things like this, so you don’t have to worry about it. You are there just to enjoy the trek. With that being said, there are 2 main seasons for travel in Nepal and 2 other seasons that have pros and cons which are preferred by a few trekkers.
Autumn Season
Autumn is the best season in Nepal to hike a mountain trek. Clear, chilly days offer the greatest views of the peaks and surrounding landscape. September to November is the most popular month for hiking in Nepal throughout the autumn because of the country’s moderate temperatures, somewhat stable weather, and breathtaking vistas of the mountains made possible by the pure air.
Even though it’s still warm in the lower regions and freezing in the higher locations afternoons are usually the most suitable for hiking. Although the weather is most consistent in the fall, bad weather can hit the slopes at any moment.
All hiking trails are open during the season. The most crowded period of the year, when the views of the Himalayas are made better by clean air, is the second week of September to the middle of November. Clouds often develop in the later house of the day, and the evenings are bright and cool.
With temps in the hilly regions varying from 15°C to 25°C and a median temperature of 20°C, you will experience the impacts of monsoon. In the beginning, there can be afternoon showers and some difficulties with certain high-altitude routes, but these issues normally go away in a few days.
Spring Season
From the middle of February until May, the spring season is another ideal time to visit and travel in Nepal. In contrast to other seasons, spring is one of the ideal times of year to go trekking in Nepal. Nepal is renowned for its magnificent mountains, diverse landscape, and rich cultural legacy. The springtime weather is wonderful and clear, making it a fantastic time to go over the Himalayas.
Because it’s one of the ideal times of year for outdoor activities, tourists refer to this time of year as the crowded season. We can observe a lot of both domestic and foreign tourists on numerous trekking routes in Nepal.
Amazing mountain scenes and periodic storms are signature characteristics of this season. The occasional downpour contributes to the landscape’s aesthetic appeal. There are generally fewer people during this season since it coincides with Nepal’s major festivals.
First of all, those who are daring enough to journey can choose several routes that pass through various authentic countryside villages. Every destination offers an amazing chance to explore Nepal’s communities, scenery, customs, and civilizations.
In addition, hikers may enjoy a variety of natural plants, including rhododendron, fir, oak, etc. Depending on the weather, one gets to see not only the Himalayas and surrounding landscape but also memorable scenes from high above.
Summer Season
April, May, and June are the brief pre-monsoon summer months of Nepal. In the course of the 2nd or 3rd week of June, the rainy season arrives. Throughout the day, you could expect the temp to be warm at higher ground and scorching in the lower regions. Furthermore, since it is hotter in the highlands and the snow melts more quickly than it does in the other seasons, there may be considerable snowfall in the more elevated places, leaving the tracks filthy, slick, and damp.
As a result, use caution and hike firmly. If you come across damp pebbles or stones, moss-covered rocks or trails, muddy trails, or the roots of trees in a wooded area, proceed with caution since these are generally slippery.
If you are a skilled and intermediate trekker, you should be able to complete most of your favorite trekking paths, with the exception of less popular treks like the Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek, where it will be difficult to navigate the heavy snow on the passes over 5000 meters.
Flowers blossom in Nepal’s middle and upper hills throughout the summer. With wild orchids, magnolias, and pink, crimson red, and white Rhododendron flowering throughout that route, it can be an incredibly colorful and aesthetic experience. But later in the day, clouds start to develop, and in the latter part of the day or early evening, it may begin to snow in the highlands and rain in the lower regions.
Winter Season
In Nepal, winter lasts from December through February, with January representing the coldest month. The lowest temp of the calendar year will occur during this period. The temperature during the day will be ideal for hiking when the sun comes up. The further up you go, the lower the outside temperature will get.
In the colder months, which lasts from December to February, temperatures can plunge below zero, especially at elevations of 3000 meters or above. Trekking will be ideal during the cool daytime hours, although the morning and evening will still be chilly.
There is little to no likelihood of rain throughout the winter season, and the trail surfaces are ideal. The circumstances are ideal for winter hiking in Nepal since the routes are dry and the daytime highs are chilly. Nonetheless, snowfall often begins in late December and lingers periodically until February at higher elevations of 3000 meters or above. At this point of the year, the snow frequently blocks the high routes and mountain passes.
The trekking conditions are suitable for lower-altitude treks like the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The cool weather and dry terrain make these treks ideal for trekking.