Best Time to Trek in Nepal

Trekking in Nepal is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. The best time to trek in Nepal is mainly dependent on the seasons. Generally, the seasons are divided into peak season, the ideal time for trekking, and the offseason, the less ideal time for trekking. In this blog, we will discuss all the peak seasons and offseasons for trekking in Nepal.

Nepal is the trekkers paradise for those who want to experience the adventure in the lap of the mountains. There are many popular treks in Nepal, like the Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, etc. There are also hidden and underrated treks like Langtang Valley, Kanchenjunga Trek, Upper Mustang Trek, etc. There are certain treks for everyone in Nepal; some are easy, while others are challenging. However, choosing the best time for trekking will reduce the challenge and increase fun and adventure. So let’s get into it.

All Four Season’s Best Time To Trek in Nepal

1. Autumn Season: (September to November)

Autumn is one of the most popular trekking seasons in Nepal. It is the ideal trekking season simply because it provides ideal trekking conditions. The weather is very clear, with clear views of the mountains and skies. From the top of the ridge, you will see distant mountain ranges and glimpse full-length valleys. The Autumn season starts after the end of the rainy season, which means the surrounding villages are covered with green vegetation.

Furthermore, the harvesting season starts in the farms where foreigners can see the new harvesting activities and locals enjoy the soils and clays. Nepal’s biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar, also fall in Autumn, which you can enjoy with the locals. Due to so many favorable conditions, unsurprisingly, there are tons of crowd trekking in this season. So, if you don’t want to suffer from overcrowding, then be sure to book early.

2. Spring Season: (March to May)

Just like Autumn, Spring is also equally popular for trekking in Nepal. The weather is sunny and mild and provides clear views of the mountains. Almost all trekking trails have blooming flowers, such as rhododendrons, magnolias, pines, furs, etc. The early part of the Spring season is generally chilly as the winter has just passed. Like Autumn, Spring is also very crowded and probably even more crowded than other seasons in Nepal.

The trails are very crowded, so sometimes, trekkers decide to book the less crowded and remote trekking area. The lodges and teahouse are heavily crowded, too, which motivates the trekkers to go camping or tent trekking. During the spring, the locals also celebrate festivals like Bisket Jatra and Holi and the new year, during which you can also participate.

3. Summer/Monsoon Season: (June to August)

During the summer season, from May to August, trekking in Nepal can be challenging due to the heat, haze, and rain. Lower-elevation hills like Mustang and Dolpo are exceptions to this. The rising temperature in the Indian Ocean brings these weather conditions. The monsoon season peaks in July, gradually transitioning into a drier fall season. Despite the challenges, some find the summer season an energizing time for trekking. While the terai and hilly regions may be very hot and uncomfortable, the mountains offer more pleasant weather. However, the chances of floods and landslides are still common at higher altitudes.

4. Winter Season: (December to February)

Winter is another less ideal season for trekking, mainly because of the harsh cold weather, low temperatures, and less visibility. Although trekking is fun at lower altitudes due to less rainfall, as the altitude decreases, the weather changes constantly, and there is a chance of heavy snowfall. The snowfall can block your regular path, which may divert your paths or increase the duration of your trek.

Furthermore, due to constant snowstorms and avalanches, the teahouses in the high mountain ranges are closed, limiting you from a camping trek. The temperature reaches way below -20 degrees during the night, so pack lots of woolen clothes, sleeping bags, strong tents, trekking poles, and hiking shoes. The restricted regions like Upper Mustang and Dolpo are even more risky to trek, so be careful whenever you trek in the winter.

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Conclusion

The best times for trekking in Nepal are spring and autumn. The less ideal times are winter and the monsoon season. The ideal time for trekking is mainly based on favorable conditions, such as weather, temperature, trail conditions, stable weather, and less chance of natural disasters.

If you still want to trek in the winter or monsoon season, then it is wise to trek the easy trekking spots like Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, Pikey Peak Trek and Mardi Himal Trek. But if you want to go to the tall mountainous trekking in the off-season, ensure you have packed well and always hire guides and porters to make your treks easier.