Worst Time to Visit Nepal: Month-by-Month Verdict for Treks, Cities and Chitwan (2026)
For most visitors the worst time to visit Nepal is the monsoon, from mid-June to late September, when rain hides the mountains, landslides block roads and Lukla flights stall for days. Close behind come January and February for high-altitude treks (passes snowed in, nights down to -20 C) and May for the Terai and Chitwan, where afternoons pass 40 C. Worst depends on the trip, though. Upper Mustang and Dolpo are at their best in the monsoon, and December to February is fine for city sightseeing and low treks.
- Worst overallMid-June to late September (monsoon)
- Worst for high treksJune, July and January
- Worst for Chitwan and the TeraiMay to August
- Worst air in KathmanduMarch and April (forest-fire smoke)
- Best monthsOctober, November, April
- Monsoon normal dates13 June to 2 October (DHM)
Are you planning to visit Nepal? Well, you have chosen the right place to go for a holiday or vacation - you will be loaded with immense fun and adventures. The diverse geography, culture, people, and climate are the best attractions of this country. From the high-altitude Himalayas to the lowlands of Terai and from alpine and tundra climates in the high Himalaya to hot subtropical weather in the lowlands, Nepal has thousands of tourism aspects to offer.
If you talk about the culture, festivals, and backgrounds of the people living here, you will surely lock this country up in your heart. The richness and the weight of history that the diverse communities of Nepal carry are nowhere to be found in any other place in this world. That’s why Nepal is a unique country with a blend of natural beauty, cultural abundance, and geographical richness.
Nepal has big mountains and a busy festival calendar. But when planning a trip to Nepal, it's essential to know what time of year is best. The weather can significantly impact your plans, from the amount of rain you'll experience to how much snow will be on the ground, so here's a guide to help you plan your perfect visit. We'll cover the worst time of year to visit Nepal and why and some tips for when you should go instead. So read on for everything you need to know about planning your trip!
Overview of Nepal's Seasons and Climate
Nepal's year is usually split into four seasons: spring (March to May), the summer monsoon (June to September), autumn (October and November) and winter (December to February). The traditional Nepali calendar names six. Which one is worst depends on what kind of activities and experiences you're looking for.
If you're interested in trekking and mountaineering, the best time to visit is autumn, from late September to November. The monsoon normally pulls out of Nepal around 2 October (Department of Hydrology and Meteorology), and October and November bring the clearest, most stable weather of the year.
The spring season from March to May is also a good time for trekking, as the weather is warm but not too hot. It is the second busy season after autumn, so the popular trails get crowded, and haze often softens the views by May.
Summer in Nepal overlaps with the monsoon (June to September), so it brings the most rainfall, not the least. That said, the rain-shadow regions north of the main range, such as Upper Mustang and Dolpo, are actually at their best in these months, and the hills turn a brilliant green.
The monsoon season features heavy rain from June to September in Nepal. There are better times for trekking or outdoor activities, but if you are okay with getting wet, you may enjoy discounted rates at hotels and restaurants. Just be sure to bring your rain gear!
Finally, winter from December to February can be cold in Nepal, especially at higher elevations. However, this is also an excellent time for crisp mountain views, lower-altitude treks, and quiet sightseeing. If you don't mind bundling up, winter is a good choice for Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and treks below about 3,500 m.
The Worst Month for What: A 12-Month Verdict
A month that ruins one trip can be perfect for another. July is miserable on the Annapurna Circuit and the best month of the year in Upper Mustang. Each month below is rated for four kinds of trip, on the same Best, Good, Possible and Avoid scale we use in our Everest Base Camp month-by-month guide.
| Month | Himalayan treks (Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu) | Rain-shadow treks (Upper Mustang, Dolpo) | Kathmandu and Pokhara | Chitwan and the Terai | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Possible | Possible | Good | Good | Coldest month, high passes often snowed in, morning fog delays flights |
| February | Possible | Possible | Good | Best | Still cold up high, Chitwan grass cut back for wildlife viewing |
| March | Good | Possible | Possible | Best | Rhododendrons start, forest-fire smoke builds over Kathmandu |
| April | Best | Good | Possible | Good | Peak spring trekking, worst air of the year in the valley |
| May | Good | Good | Possible | Avoid | Haze and pre-monsoon storms, Terai afternoons above 40 C |
| June | Avoid | Good | Possible | Avoid | Monsoon arrives around 13 June, leeches and landslides begin |
| July | Avoid | Best | Possible | Avoid | Wettest month, Pokhara averages about 940 mm |
| August | Possible | Best | Possible | Avoid | Still wet, roads to trailheads often blocked |
| September | Good | Good | Good | Possible | Rain eases late in the month, but late storms happen |
| October | Best | Good | Best | Good | Clear skies, Dashain holidays, busiest trails |
| November | Best | Good | Best | Good | Dry and clear, Tihar, colder nights up high |
| December | Good | Possible | Good | Good | Quiet trails, cold nights, short days |
Ratings are our own, based on the weather records and recent seasons described below. Everest trekkers with spare days can still make July work, as our Everest Base Camp in July guide explains, but on Annapurna and Manaslu the landslide-prone access roads make it an Avoid. Rain-shadow treks are rated Possible in winter because nights in Lo Manthang drop well below freezing and some lodges close. For a closer look at the two hardest seasons, read our guides to offseason trekking in the monsoon and winter and trekking in January. If you want the best season instead, start with autumn in Nepal.
June-September | The Monsoon Season: Rainy Days and Low Visibility
Nepal's monsoon season typically begins in June and lasts until September. This is the time of year when the country experiences its heaviest rains and lowest visibility. If you're planning a trip to Nepal during this time, be prepared for wet weather and limited views.
The monsoon delivers roughly 80% of Nepal’s annual rainfall. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology puts the normal start at 13 June, when the rain reaches eastern Nepal, and the normal end at 2 October, though recent years have run long. In 2025 it arrived on 29 May and stayed until 10 October, the longest monsoon on record. Pokhara, one of the wettest cities in the country, averages about 940 mm of rain in July alone and more than 3,000 mm a year.
Rain is only half of it. Saturated hillsides give way, and the worst disasters of recent years have come at the start or end of the season. On 27 and 28 September 2024, Kathmandu got about 240 mm of rain in 24 hours, its heaviest since 1970, and floods and landslides killed more than 190 people across Nepal. On 4 and 5 October 2025 landslides in Ilam killed 38 people, and later that month the remnants of Cyclone Montha dumped snow on the Larkya La, where 128 trekkers had to be flown out. Most recently, a flood down the Bhote Koshi on 26 August 2026 took out bridges on the road to Langtang, which reopened for trekking on 22 October 2026 (see our flood update).
For travellers this means blocked highways, long jeep detours and Lukla and Jomsom flights that can sit grounded for days. Treks on the main Himalayan routes are possible, but you get mud, leeches below about 2,500 m and mountain views mostly at dawn. The exception is the rain-shadow north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Jomsom averages under 50 mm in July, so the monsoon is prime time for Upper Mustang and Dolpo.
One of the best things about traveling during Nepal's monsoon season is that fewer tourists are around. So if you don't mind getting wet, this can be a great time to visit Nepal and experience its culture and natural beauty without crowds.
Just be sure to pack your rain gear and wear comfortable shoes that can handle slippery conditions. And if you're heading into the mountains, be aware that visibility can be very low during this time of year.
December-February | Cold Weather in Winter: Snowed-In Passes, Avalanche Zones and Short Days
Nepal is a country that is well-known for its mountains, but the winter months can bring some challenges. In January, nights at Gorak Shep on the Everest Base Camp trail fall to between -15 and -25 C, cold enough for frostbite if your gear is not up to it.
Heavy snowfall is the bigger problem for most trekkers. The high passes on the classic circuits, Thorong La (5,416 m), Larkya La (5,106 m) and Cho La, can close for days after a storm, and guides will turn groups around rather than cross in deep snow. Our guides to the Annapurna Circuit in winter and Everest Base Camp in winter cover what to expect on those routes.
Avalanches are a risk on a few specific stretches rather than across the country. The best-known is the gorge between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp on the Annapurna Base Camp trail, where slides come down after heavy snow, mostly from January to March. In January 2020 an avalanche there buried four South Korean trekkers and three Nepali guides. If you're planning on trekking in Nepal during the winter, check the conditions before setting out and go with a guide who will wait out the risk.
Closure of mountain routes is another challenge visitors to Nepal may face during the winter. After heavy snowfall, high roads such as the jeep track to Manang can be impassable for a while, some lodges above 4,000 m close for the season, and days are short, with about 10.5 hours of daylight in late December. Down in Kathmandu and the Terai, thick morning fog in December and January often delays the first flights of the day. This can make getting around Nepal slow, especially if you're trying to reach remote villages or towns. If you're planning on traveling to Nepal during the winter, check road and trail conditions before setting out.
March-May | The Hot Season: Terai Heat, Haze and Forest-Fire Smoke
The hot season in Nepal runs from March through May. Up in the mountains this is one of the two best trekking seasons. The problems are lower down, and they come from heat, dry air and smoke more than from rain.
March and April are the driest months, and that is when Nepal's forest fires peak. Around 80 percent of the country's roughly 2,500 wildfires a year burn between late February and late May, and the hills around Kathmandu trap the smoke. On the worst days the valley's air quality index has passed 300, in the hazardous range, and the haze can hide the Himalaya from Nagarkot for a week at a time. If you have asthma or a heart condition, pack a good mask and check the live AQI before day trips. Afternoon thunderstorms and hail start in May, and a few early landslides can follow, but the real landslide season is the monsoon.
Health issues are also a concern during the hot season. In May and early June the Terai bakes. Nepalgunj regularly tops 40 C and set a record of 45 C on 14 June 2012, and Chitwan is not far behind. Heat stroke and dehydration are real risks, particularly for those not used to higher temperatures, so plan jungle walks for early morning and drink more than you think you need. February to April is a better window for Chitwan.
Festivals That Can Change Your Plans
Nepal is a country worth visiting if you're a traveler who enjoys exploring new cultures and learning about different customs. Festivals are a reason to come, but a few of them shut offices, fill buses and push up prices for a week or more. Here's a quick guide to the ones that affect travel:
-Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival, falls in late September or October and runs for about two weeks. Government offices and many businesses close for the main days, and a large share of Kathmandu heads home to the villages, so long-distance buses and domestic flights sell out and prices rise. Treks run as normal. Just before it, Hindus observe Pitri Paksha (Sorha Shraddha), a 16-day period for honouring ancestors, which is mostly family rites at home and barely touches visitors.
-In late October or November, Nepal celebrates the Hindu festival of Tihar (Diwali), known as the festival of lights. In 2026 it runs from about 7 to 11 November, with Laxmi Puja on 8 November. This 5-day festival is a joyous occasion for Hindus, and travelers mostly enjoy the oil lamps and marigolds, though offices close for a few days and transport is busy.
-Nepal has three Losars, or new year festivals. Tamu Losar (Gurung) falls around 30 December, Sonam Losar (Tamang) in January or February, about 7 February in 2027, and Gyalpo Losar (Sherpa and Tibetan) in February or March. They are a time for feasting, family visits and monastery dances, and they are a good reason to be in Boudhanath or the Khumbu rather than a reason to stay away. See our festival treks guide for dates.
Long Holiday Periods and Crowded Attractions During Festive Times
If planning a trip to Nepal, plan around its biggest holidays. Long holiday periods, Dashain above all, can be challenging due to crowds at popular attractions, sold-out buses and higher hotel prices.
Festive times are particularly chaotic, as everyone is out and about celebrating. This can make it challenging to get around and enjoy the sights. If you're not used to large crowds, Nepal may not be the best place for you during a holiday period.
Also Read: Mount Everest Rainbow Valley: Death Zone of Everest
All in all, the worst time cannot be detected as usual - it depends on your travel plan here in Nepal. It is based on what activities you are planning and the possible challenges while you create your actions and knowing if the surrounding environment in Nepal hampers the plan. But if we see generally, the high altitudes are not recommended in the winter season (December to February, though our January trekking guide covers it if you do go), and the hot lowlands are best avoided in the pre-monsoon heat (March to May). Simply, it means avoiding cold regions in the winter, hot areas before the monsoon and the main Himalayan routes in July and August. If you plan well, Nepal can be the wonderland you might have been looking for your whole life. Who knows if Nepal’s destinations are waiting for your presence and ready to give you daring adventures?
Worst Time to Visit Nepal: FAQs
What is the worst month to visit Nepal?
For a typical trip with a trek and some sightseeing, July. It is the wettest month, Pokhara averages about 940 mm of rain, the mountains hide behind cloud and landslides block the roads to trailheads. Upper Mustang and Dolpo are the exception, because they sit in the rain shadow.
Is it safe to trek in Nepal during the monsoon?
It can be, on the right route and with flexible dates. The risks are landslides on the drive in, flooded rivers, leeches and grounded flights. Rain-shadow treks such as Upper Mustang avoid most of them. Read our offseason trekking guide before you book.
Is winter a bad time to visit Nepal?
Only for the high passes. December to February is clear, quiet and cheap in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, and treks below about 3,500 m, such as Poon Hill, work well. Expect nights of -15 to -25 C at Everest Base Camp and closed passes after snow.
When is the air worst in Kathmandu?
March and April, when forest fires burn across the hills and the valley traps the smoke. On bad days the air quality index passes 300. Winter mornings can also be smoggy.
When should I avoid Chitwan?
May to August. May brings 40 C heat, and the monsoon floods some trails and leaves the grass too tall for good wildlife viewing. February to April is the best window.
