Seasonal Guide 2026
Best Time to Trek
Nepal 2026
Short answer: October–November and March–April. But the real answer depends on where you want to go — Upper Mustang is best in June–August, while EBC in January can be hauntingly beautiful. Here is the full breakdown.
Month-by-Month Trekking Conditions
Cold but clear. High passes snow-covered. Excellent for Annapurna foothills and low-altitude Chitwan safari. Minimal crowds.
Best for:
- — Poon Hill
- — Chitwan Safari
- — Kathmandu Valley
- — Nagarkot Sunrise
Warming up. Rhododendrons begin to bloom at lower altitudes. Good for lower Annapurna routes. Thorong La re-opening around mid-Feb.
Best for:
- — Ghorepani Circuit
- — Mardi Himal
- — Langtang
- — Helambu
Peak spring season opens. Rhododendron forests in full bloom (pink and red at 2,500–3,500m). Excellent visibility. All routes open.
Best for:
- — Annapurna Circuit
- — EBC
- — Manaslu
- — Mustang opens (Mar 1)
Best month of the year for most trekkers. Warm days, clear skies, stunning bloom. Busiest month on EBC and ABC routes.
Best for:
- — Everest Base Camp
- — Annapurna BC
- — Manaslu
- — Island Peak
Pre-monsoon heat builds. Hazy at altitude. Good for Dolpo and Upper Mustang which remain dry. EBC viable early May.
Best for:
- — Upper Mustang
- — Dolpo
- — Lower Dolpo
- — Phoksundo Lake
Monsoon arrives from the south. Leeches on trail, landslide risk on steep routes. Rain shadow areas (Mustang, Lo Manthang) stay dry and beautiful.
Best for:
- — Upper Mustang
- — Dolpo
- — Nar Phu Valley
- — Rara Lake
Peak monsoon. Green and lush but muddy. Specialist trekkers visit Mustang and Dolpo for uniquely dramatic cloud landscapes.
Best for:
- — Upper Mustang
- — Dolpo
- — Rara Lake
- — Tsum Valley
Monsoon continues. Wilderness routes viable with experienced guides. Cheaper prices. Lower visitor numbers everywhere.
Best for:
- — Upper Mustang
- — Dolpo
- — Restricted Areas Only
Monsoon clears. Dramatic clouds, lush green landscapes, and waterfalls. Quieter trails than October — excellent value.
Best for:
- — Langtang
- — Helambu
- — Kanchenjunga
- — Manaslu
THE classic Nepal trekking month. Crystal-clear skies, perfect temperatures, maximum Himalayan views. Busiest season — book early.
Best for:
- — Everest Base Camp
- — Annapurna BC
- — Annapurna Circuit
- — Three Passes
Excellent through early November. Clear, cold, less crowded than October. Some high passes begin to freeze. Great alternative to peak October.
Best for:
- — EBC
- — Poon Hill
- — Mardi Himal
- — Manaslu
High passes close by mid-December. Cold but often beautifully clear. Low-altitude routes perfect. Quiet trails, lower prices, festive atmosphere in Kathmandu.
Best for:
- — Ghorepani
- — Mardi Himal
- — Chitwan
- — Nagarkot
By Destination
Best Season by Region
Best
Oct–Nov, Apr–May
Avoid
Jun–Aug (heavy monsoon), Jan (Khumbu Icefall closed)
October is peak. Book 4–6 months ahead for permits.
Best
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
Avoid
Jun–Aug (leeches, landslides on lower trails)
Largest trekking area in Nepal — something works year-round at different altitudes.
Best
Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr
Avoid
Jun–Sep (Larkya La impassable in monsoon), Dec–Feb (pass snowed)
Autumn window is shorter than Annapurna — aim for early October to mid-November.
Best
Oct–Nov, Mar–May
Avoid
Dec–Feb (high pass areas cold; lower trails still viable)
Closest Himalayan trekking to Kathmandu. Good September option as monsoon clears early here.
Best
Jun–Aug (rain shadow — best DURING monsoon)
Avoid
Nov–Feb (cold, upper areas snowbound)
These are the only Himalayan areas where June–August is actually the BEST time to visit.
Best
Oct–Nov, Apr–May
Avoid
Jun–Sep (heavy monsoon on the far east)
Far eastern Nepal gets heavier monsoon than Annapurna. Stick to October–November for clarity.
The Four Trekking Seasons
Autumn
Sep – Nov
Pros
- + Crystal-clear mountain views
- + All routes & passes open
- + Comfortable temperatures
- + Vibrant local festivals (Dashain, Tihar)
Cons
- − Busiest season — book early
- − Higher prices in peak October
- − Crowded tea houses on EBC & Poon Hill
Spring
Mar – May
Pros
- + Rhododendron forests in bloom
- + Excellent for peak climbing
- + Warm and settled weather
- + Less crowded than autumn
Cons
- − Hazy skies by late April–May
- − Pre-monsoon heat at low altitude
- − EBC can feel crowded in April
Winter
Dec – Feb
Pros
- + No crowds, lower prices
- + Clear skies (when good)
- + Great for lower-altitude routes
- + Intimate, quiet mountain villages
Cons
- − High passes snow-closed
- − Very cold nights above 3,500m
- − Limited daylight hours
- − Some tea houses closed Jan
Monsoon
Jun – Sep
Pros
- + Mustang & Dolpo — best season
- + Lush green landscapes
- + Waterfalls at full force
- + Up to 30% cheaper prices
Cons
- − Heavy rain, leeches, landslides
- − Poor visibility on most routes
- − Trail conditions difficult
- − Flight delays common
Frequently Asked
Nepal Trekking Season FAQ
What is the best time to trek in Nepal overall?
October and November are the best months for trekking in Nepal. Skies are crystal clear after the monsoon, temperatures are pleasant (5–20°C on most routes), and all high passes are fully open. March and April are a close second — rhododendron blooms add spectacular colour to trails at 2,000–3,500m. Most serious trekkers prefer October over April because visibility tends to be better and the landscape feels more dramatic.
Can you trek Nepal during monsoon (June–August)?
Yes — but selectively. Most routes in the Everest and Annapurna regions are wet, leech-infested, and at landslide risk during peak monsoon. However, Upper Mustang and Dolpo sit in the Himalayan rain shadow and receive very little rain June–August. These are actually the BEST months for those regions: green valleys, dramatic clouds, and minimal crowds. Experienced trekkers who know the risks also complete Kanchenjunga and Manaslu in monsoon.
How cold does it get trekking in Nepal?
Temperatures vary dramatically by altitude and season. At base camp altitude (5,300m) in October: −5°C nights, 5–10°C days. At tea house altitude (3,000–4,000m) in October: 0–5°C nights, 12–18°C days. At lower altitudes (under 2,500m) in October: 8–12°C nights, 20–25°C days. In winter (December–February) subtract about 10°C from all those figures. Good sleeping bag (−10°C rating) and layering system are essential above 3,500m at any time of year.
Is Nepal good for trekking in winter?
Yes for lower-altitude routes. The Poon Hill circuit (max 3,210m), Langtang valley lower section, Helambu, and Chitwan jungle safari all work well December–February. Days are often perfectly clear and bitterly cold at altitude — which creates spectacular views. High passes (Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit, Larkya La on Manaslu) are typically impassable December–February due to snow. Budget accommodation is often discounted 20–30% in winter.
Do I need to book permits earlier for peak season?
Yes — TIMS cards and ACAP/SNPBZ permits can usually be arranged within 24–48 hours year-round. However, for EBC in October the Sagarmatha permit quota fills up. We recommend booking your trek and permits 3–6 months in advance for October dates. For spring (March–April) Annapurna treks, 2–3 months is usually sufficient. Off-season (June–September, December–February) permits are available last-minute.
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