Offseason Trekking in Nepal

Nepal is a dream destination for everyone looking for adventure, spirituality, and a unique experience.  It is the dream for all adventure seekers to trek to Everest Base Camp while visiting Lumbini or monasteries in Nepal is often dreamt by spiritual people. Nepal is home to one of the greatest experiences and the joy adventurous souls can seek. Every passionate traveler knows that the best time to visit Nepal is pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. These are the best seasons to either go for a trek in Nepal or visit the places there.

While it is best to visit Nepal during peak seasons, Travelling to Nepal in the offseason can be more beneficial.

Peak Season for Trekking in Nepal

The peak tourism seasons in Nepal are autumn during September-November and spring during March-May when the weather is warm, skies are generally clear, and conditions are at their best for outdoor activities.

Off-seasons for Trekking in Nepal

The off-seasons are the monsoon months (June-August) and the winter (December-February).

During off-seasons, there will obviously be fewer tourists. With that in mind, know that there are even fewer crowds and hotels often provide discounts. In fact, you might be surprised by all the benefits of traveling to Nepal during the tourist offseason of year.

Reasons to Visit Nepal During the Offseason

1.  Less-crowd

Travelling anywhere during the offseason means fewer tourists and the same applies to Nepal. Popular trekking trails will be emptier, and you won’t have to jostle for unobstructed views. This applies to many popular treks, especially on the Ghorepani-Poon Hill trek, where during peak season, getting up early to see the sunrise over the Annapurna Himalayas is somewhat not applicable as all the other tourists do the same.

Likewise, in bustling cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, the crowds will be thinner. Cultural trips and adventure activities in Pokhara are not season-dependent, so you can enjoy most of the activities to the fullest without having to shove through the crowd.

Unlike some tourist places that are completely closed in the off-season, most places in Nepal will still be operational, which means you won’t have any trouble booking a room or finding open restaurants.

Similarly, during season trek routes are very crowded. Trails are crammed up with tourists of various ages, guides, and potters. If you want to trek in the peaceful and less crowded environment, the off-season can be the best time to visit Nepal.

2.  Jungle safaris

The national parks of Chitwan and Bardia are scorching hot in the summer. Extremely scorching sun, drenched in sweat shovelling through a crowd doesn’t sound appealing at all. So it might not be a bad idea to try and travel during the offseason.

Experienc   jungle safaris pleasantly in the winter. Chitwan is famous for an endangered species one-horned rhino which you can practically spot at the bank of the river in Monsoon time.

Other attractions include bird watching and other creatures, the rare gharial crocodile. In Bardia national park situated at far western Nepal, you are more likely to spot a Royal Bengal Tiger in pleasant weather.

3.  Monsoon trekking

Monsoon is not the best time to visit Nepal for panoramic mountain views, but you will get to observe some of the exciting festivals such as Ropain festival( paddy plantation) during the Monsoon time.

And the rain doesn’t usually last all day. It may only rain for a couple of hours in the afternoon or evening, so if you make an early start, you can avoid getting drenched. There are several parts of Nepal that don’t experience monsoons at all.

Summer is the perfect time to trek in high-altitude regions like Mustang and Dolpo, which can particularly be cold in the other seasons. Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo require an expensive permit to visit but, Lower Mustang and Lower Dolpo are comparatively more easily and cheaply accessible. 

4.  Vacant and Empty guesthouses

As the percentage of trekkers and climbers visiting Nepal is very less in the off-season, you can easily get a room and the bed in the off-season. Along with it, you can get the room for the cheapest price.

You would love the peaceful environment of the villages and the trails. You don't have to wait long for your masala tea, and yes, your order won't be forgotten or eaten by someone else.

5.  Animal Encounters

If you are a wildlife lover, you will definitely love to visit Sagarmatha National park in the way to EBC. As the trekking trail is not crowded in these seasons, the chances of an encounter with wild animals are very high at Sagarmatha National Park.

You can get to see much wildlife like mules, yaks, and various species of birds and butterflies. Similarly, you are more likely to spot a Royal Bengal Tiger in Bardia National park in the Far-west region of Nepal if you happen to visit there.

6.  Awesome weather

Do you know it's not just freezing cold in Nepal? Some months before winter and after spring, the temperature is warmer. And if you can't stand the coldness then June is a month to choose as at night you won't need to sleep in your down jacket with a double layer of blankets on top. The morning won't be that chilly.

7.  Lower prices

While Nepal is always a budget-friendly destination, it becomes even more budget-friendly in the off-season. Flights to the country are cheaper, and good hotels and hostels are unlikely to be full, meaning you will get better quality for your money.

Traveling in the off-season has quite an advantage. You may say it can be the new best time to visit Nepal. But along with the advantages, there certainly are some disadvantages. The way may be slippery, so take care of it. The Himalayan region is not that affected by rainfall, but expect the unexpected.