If you are an adventure lover, then you probably have heard of Nepal. Nepal is a beautiful country with wide range of landscape and mountains, rich natural and cultural diversity making it an ideal destination for trekking in its amazing nature. Nepal offers varieties of trekking ranging from challenging and adventurous to soft and short. So, if you choose to travel to Nepal, we perfectly understand. But like many people you might wonder what is the best time to visit Nepal. Actually trekking in Nepal is possible all year round as Nepal has a very diverse landscape and altitude variations. But each time period has its own ideal destination and experiences. So, we are featuring the pros and cons of different seasons that might be helpful for you in deciding the right time for travelling to Nepal.
Autumn Season (September to November)
Autumn is considered as the best season to travel in Nepal for trekking as the weather is clear and the temperature is moderate and mellow making the journey more comfortable and exciting. As the weather is clear, you can get the best views of the mountains and feel warm even in higher altitudes. If you choose to travel to Nepal during autumn you can encounter the major festivals of Nepal Dashain and Tihar. You will be delighted to be a part of the fantastic celebration of these festivals. As a whole, autumn is the ideal season to travel to Nepal for cultural and adventure encounters. The only demerit of trekking during autumn is that, the tea houses are packed with trekkers, making the trail crowded. And the evenings are also freezing cold in the higher trekking regions. The best places to travel during autumn are Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Makalu, Kanchenjungha, Dhaulagiri, Dolpo etc.
Spring Season (March to May)
Spring Season follows after the winter season in Nepal. Spring blends the hot and chill temperature perfectly. The beginning of the season is comparatively colder but it gradually gets warmer. Spring season is the most lively and beautiful season among all. During the trek you will get the opportunity to encounter the wild blooms in abundance such as rhododendron making the journey soothing and appealing. There are fewer travelers compared to autumn which gives you better opportunity to explore the Himalayan corners. Like autumn, in spring also you can trek all over Nepal including Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Makalu, Kanchenjungha, Dhaulagiri, Dolpo etc. The downside of this season is the famous trails are quite busy making the accommodation availability difficult and since the summer /monsoon follows after, you can expect light rain and hot daytime at the lower altitude, making it difficult to walk.
Winter season (December to February)
It’s too cold to even think about travelling to higher altitude in winter season and also the paths are fully covered by heavy snow making it difficult to navigate. But the lower altitude trekking below 3500/4000m are the best during winter season. Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, Langtang Trek, Everest Monasteries Trek etc. are quite ideal during this time. The paths are quieter giving you the chance to appreciate the beautiful mountain views and nature in solitude. And the visibility is great offering you the best views which is quite ideal for photography. The only disadvantage can be the low temperature during nights. And high altitude trekking is not possible at all!
Summer/ Monsoon (June to August)
Summer and monsoon are beautiful seasons in Nepal as the environment becomes lush with varieties of blooms. It’s hot during summer in the hilly and very hot in Terai region but it’s moderate in mountain region. Though the temperature is moderate, the monsoon and summer occurs simultaneously in Nepal, making the path sloppy and also increases the chances of landslide due to rain and views are also not clear most of the time due to clouds and fogs. So, trekking during Monsoon/Summer is not pleasant. But, it’s not the same in all trekking regions. Trans Himalaya region is considered ideal during monsoon as there is no rain fall. So, trekking in places like Mustang, Manang, Nar Phu, Dolpo etc. is possible. Since it’s not the peak season, you get the chance to appreciate the path in solitude. As it’s the blooming season as well, you can see wild flowers along the trail. But, there is a high chance of flight cancellation and damaged road due to rain. So, contingency plan is required if you are planning to travel in this season.
To sum up, the best season to travel depends on the place you wish to travel and the experience you are seeking for. However, according to groups that Nepal welcomes every year, autumn, followed by spring, is by far the best season for trekking because of its moderate climate and clear weather giving the best and transparent view of the mountains and landscapes. But if you want quieter trail and different experiences, you can choose other time as well. Mountains are always waiting for you!
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