When to visit Nepal, month by month
Ask ten agencies when to visit Nepal and nine will say October. They are not wrong, but they are answering a narrower question than you probably asked.
October to December — the clear months
The monsoon has washed the air, the skies are clear, and the mountains are visible almost daily. It is also the busiest and most expensive period, and the nights get properly cold from late November. If the views are the point of your trip, come now and book early.
January and February — cold and quiet
Still clear, far fewer people, noticeably cheaper. High passes may be closed by snow and teahouses at altitude get bitter, but the valley, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini are all excellent. An underrated window if you are not trekking high.
March to May — the warm alternative
The second trekking season. Rhododendron in flower through the middle hills, warmer nights, and slightly hazier long-distance views. May gets hot in the lowlands. For most people this is as good as autumn, with fewer people on the trail.
June to August — monsoon
Rain most days, usually in the afternoon and overnight rather than all day. Everything is green, prices drop, and the country is at its emptiest. The mountains are mostly hidden and leeches are real on forest trails. But Mustang and Manang sit in the rain shadow, so the high desert works beautifully while the south is soaked.
September — the turn
Early September is still wet. By the end of the month the rain stops, the air clears, and the festival season begins. Timing it well gets you clear skies without the October crowds; timing it badly gets you the last of the monsoon.
Short version
- Mountain views above everything → October, November.
- Trekking with fewer people → March, April.
- Budget and solitude → January, February.
- Travelling in summer regardless → Mustang and Manang.
- Wildlife in Chitwan → October to March.