Best Time for Trekking in Nepal
Trekking in Nepal has always been a dream for many trekkers as it offers adrenaline-pumping high altitude with breathtaking views of the Himalayan which is also filled with scenic trails through diverse terrains.
So when is the best time to trek in Nepal?
During trekking in Nepal, it’s very important to catch the best time for trekking to get the best time trekking experience. Apart from that knowing the best season can make your trek more exciting and thrilling. If you are not able to catch the right time you may have to encounter obstacles and trekking may not be as worth it as you expected.
So in this article, we will explore the best times for trekking in Nepal, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each season and going over what to anticipate in terms of weather crowd density and landscapes.
To help you get the most out of the trip we also offer advice on how to pick the ideal hiking paths for each season.
A GUIDE TO TREKKING SEASONS IN NEPAL
In Nepal, there are four seasons spring, summer, (Monsoon), autumn, and winter. Each season has its unique opportunities and challenges for the trekkers.
Depending on the trekker’s choice every season is fruitful for the trekking in Nepal however weather, and crowd density may vary depending upon the season. Below is a summary of what each season has to offer for the trekkers.
Spring (March to May)
In Nepal, spring season is one of the best times for trekking as the weather seems to be clear with a moderate climate ranging from 10°C and 25°C (50°F and 77°F).
During the trek you will get to see the Rhododendron forest come alive with its vibrant color and the visibility of the mountain will be excellent which will leave you breathless. Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp are highly recommended in this season as the sky seems to be very clear from which trekking experience can be fruitful.
Summer/Monsoon (June to August)
During this Season trekking is not popular because of the weather. The trails will be muddy, and because of this, there may be chances of getting injured. So most of the trekkers skip the monsoon season and choose other seasons to get the best lifetime experience of trekking.
Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa will be the best choice for trekking in Nepal during this season as these areas lie beyond the Himalayan rain barrier. These areas are known for their unique landscapes and fewer crowds as well.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn season is one of the peak seasons for trekking in Nepal as the sky seems to be very clear from which it clearly shows the breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The temperature will be ranging 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). This makes the trek even more worth it.
Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek, and Langtang Valley will be the best choices for trekking in this season as the mountain looks majestic which makes the trek more exciting and the mountain becomes more photogenic if you take the picture. However, the trail will be more crowded because of the peak season and accommodation may be limited without prior booking.
Winter (Dec to Feb)
During winter the temperature will be very cold as a result the temperature will be ranging from 0°C in low elevations and -20°C in higher elevations which makes the trail very challenging so during this time Everest Base Camp will be more challenging as result most the trekkers they prefer Ghorepani poon Hill Trek as it offers snowing views of the peaks with less crowded and in a short duration.
Best time for popular treks in Nepal
Let’s examine the ideal seasons for some of the well-traveled trekking routes in Nepal to assist you in choosing the ideal time to go.
Everest Base Camp Trek: Autumn and Spring
During autumn and spring, the Everest Base Camp will be the perfect choice for trekking. During spring the temperature will be mild and the sky seems to be very clear and rhododendrons will be blooming along the trail whereas in the autumn season, the weather will be stable which makes visibility clearer as a result we will get to see the panoramic mountain views.
The trail will be more crowded in this season which makes the tea house and lodge lively. Treks to Everest Base Camp will be more worth it however you should be ready for bitter cold and snow.
Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Autumn and Spring
Annapurna circuit and Annapurna Base camp trek is well known for its diverse landscapes ranging from subtropical forests and deserts in high altitudes which makes the trail even more exciting. Spring and autumn are the ideal peak seasons because during this time weather seems to be stable, with pleasant temperatures and booming flora.
Langtang Valley Trek: Spring and Autumn
Langtang Valley is one of the shortest treks in Nepal compared to other trails like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp because it’s very close to Kathmandu. Therefore the trail can be done in a week. Though it’s a short trek but ends with breathtaking views of the Himalayas and rhododendrons will be blooming around the trail which makes the trail more beautiful.
Autumn and spring are the best time for the Langtang Valley trek because of the clear sky you will get to witness the excellent visibility of the Langtang range. Whereas in monsoon season the trekking is more challenging because of the witty season the trail will be slippery, landslides may occur during the trail so the trail may not be worth it.
Upper Mustang Trek: Summer/Monsoon
The upper Mustang trek is among the top trek to enjoy in monsoon season. As it lies in the Trans Himalayan region there is a low chance of rain so most of the trekkers choose the upper Mustang as their destination for the trekking in the rainy season. During summer weather is very enjoyable with warm temperatures and vibrant green landscapes which makes the trail memorable and fun.
Here are some important points to consider during the Upper Mustang trek.
• Arrange your ticket around Tiji festivals where you get to know about the Tibetan culture which can make your trip unique
• Discover the distinctive Tibetan culture by touring the historical monasteries area.
Manaslu Circuit Trek: Autumn and Spring
Manaslu trek is one of the least popular trials in Nepal. However, it is getting popular day by day as an alternative route to the Annapurna circuit. Manaslu circuit trek can be ideal during the Autumn and spring seasons as the weather seems to be very clear and it’s less crowded compared to Annapurna base camp and Everest Base Camp. This trek is more challenging as you need to cross Larkya La Pass so during winter trekking is not recommended.
Things to know about Manaslu Circuit Trek:
• Due to limited infrastructure teahouse might be fully booked so always book early in autumn
• For a longer and memorable trip combine the trek with a visit to Tsum Valley.
Things to take into account while selecting the ideal season for trekking in Nepal
When trekking in Nepal it’s very important to pick the right time to ensure a safe and memorable trip for a lifetime. However, every season has different advantages and challenges. But challenges will take you to the breathtaking views of the Himalayan which can be memorable for a lifetime. Here are some important things to remember to make the ideal decision for trekking in Nepal.
Weather Conditions
Weather plays a vital role while trekking in Nepal. Therefore it is important to choose the right time to trek in Nepal. Every season has its advantages and challenges so understanding small factors can make a huge impact on your trekking.
Spring (March to May)
Perfect for steady weather, blossoming rhododendron forest, and warm temperatures. The weather can be erratic later in the season though and there may be chances of rain.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn season is the peak and best season for trekking as the sky seems to be very clear with moderate temperatures which makes visibility even more clear and outstanding as a result you end up taking excellent panoramic views of the Himalayas and spectacular views of snowcapped peaks.
Winter
The temperature will be very cold at high altitudes and the sky will be clear because of the dry weather. High passes like Thorong La on the Annapurna circuit may become impossible because of the huge snowfall.
Monsoon (June to August)
During monsoon season there is heavy rainfall which makes the trek impossible and more challenging. Wet conditions and landslides make the trail even worse so there will be high risk and you won’t be able to get a panoramic view of the Himalayan. Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa will be the best choices during this season as there will be fewer chances of rain as they lie in the trans-Himalayan region.
Crowd Level
Spring and Autumn are considered as peak seasons in Nepal. During this season you will get to encounter trekkers from different parts of the world. As a result, you will get to know people from different parts of the world which can make your trek memorable and worth it. Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek will be more crowded as it is a dream trail for the trekkers.
So if you want to experience the trek where there are fewer crowds it is better to trek the Manaslu circuit or Kanchenjunga camp which offers a similar experience.
Trail conditions:
The state of the trail might change according to the season, time of year, and weather. During monsoon season trail will be slippery and more challenging. Even there is a high chance of landslide which makes the trial more challenging and risky.
Autumn and Spring
The most stable trail condition is seen during these seasons when the trails are dry and well maintained in most of the routes.
Winter
During winter trail is more risky and challenging as in higher elevations snow accumulates. Larkya La on the Manaslu circuit remains closed due to the excessive snow.
Monsoon
During monsoon, there will be heavy rain which makes the trail slippery and wet. So trails like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Trek are impossible so Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpa will be the best choice as they lie in the upper hilly region which makes the trial more pleasant.
Off-season trekking in Nepal
Most of the trekkers choose spring Season and autumn season to trek in Nepal however season treks also offer unique experiences.
Monsoon Treks:
Upper Mustang and upper Dolpa will be the perfect choice during monsoon season it falls in rain shadow areas of the Himalayas. Compared to other parts of Nepal, these areas receive significantly less rainfall, which makes for comparatively dry trails and a respite from the typical monsoon weather.
Winter Treks:
In Nepal, during the winter season, most of the trail is very challenging so trials like the Ghorepani poon hill trek, Kathmandu Valley trek, and Helambhu circuit will be perfect choices as it will be less crowded and the mountain is fully covered by snow which makes it more beautiful and worth it.
Advantages of off-season trek in Nepal
• Trekking in the off-season you will encounter less crowd, which can be a peaceful experience
• Off-season trekking means there will be heavy discounts on lodging and food making it an affordable choice for the adventure.
• Off-season hiking offers a different and frequently dramatic landscape, whether it’s the snow-covered trails of winter or the flowering of monsoon-fed flora.
Choosing the Best time for your trek in Nepal
The best time to travel in Nepal depends upon the weather, crowd levels, and the scenery. Spring and autumn are considered the safest and best seasons as they offer beautiful weather and scenic views.
Every season has its own specialty however if you want to skip crowds and are willing to tackle rain and snow winter season can be the option for trekking.
Whether it’s a well-traveled route like EBC or a lesser-known treasure like the Manaslu Circuit, you may design an amazing trekking experience in Nepal by comprehending the features of each season and coordinating them with your trekking objectives.
You can enjoy the stunning natural beauty and cultural diversity that make Nepal one of the best trekking destinations in the world all year round with careful preparation.
