Best Time to Visit Nepal

This blog aims to cover the best time to visit Nepal, which is March to May. Nepal is nestled in the Himalayas. So when someone goes uphill, they will notice a drastic change in the temperature and weather. This is why it is best to plan your trip after knowing all the season

Nepal has four seasons, and we can divide them into spring, summer, autumn and winter. Here are some events and activities that you can participate in if you wish to visit Nepal for your next vacation:

Spring Season

• Time Period: March to May 
• Average Temperature: 8 to 28 degrees Celsius 
• Annual Rainfall: 22 to 181 mm 

Nepal's spring season is characterised by comfortable weather, blossoming rhododendrons and crystal clear lake views. This season is the best time to visit Kathmandu and other such places. In terms of tourism, the months of March to April are also popularly referred to as "Shoulder Season". 

Here are some sites that you can visit and specific events and festivals that you can attend in Nepal during the spring seasons:

1. Celebrate Nepali festivals like Ghode Jatra, Seto and Chaite Dashain

2. Plan a picnic with your friends and family at Godavari Botanical Gardens

3. Go hiking around Kathmandu and Pokhara

4. Try rafting on Seti, Marsyangdi or the Trishuli rivers

5. Visiting Terai to spot wild animals

6. Admire the jacaranda trees at local parks all over Kathmandu

7. Take a mountain flight to the base camps of Everest, Annapurna and Kori Danda

Summer Season

• Time Period: June to September
• Average Temperature: 19 to 27 degrees Celsius 
• Annual Rainfall: 363 to 511 mm 

Summers in Nepal are highly humid, with a lot of rainfall and occasional thunderstorms. The rains give Nepal a beautiful and unique charm and add to its royalty. There are a variety of festivals that you will be able to attend if you visit Nepal during this season. 

Below are some of the best things to do in Nepal during summers:

1. Take a trip to Bhaktapur, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

2. The best time to visit Pokhara is during the summer seasons

3. If you are an amateur trekker, try trekking through the Ghorepani Poonhil trek

4. Try paragliding at Pokhara

5. Go for white river rafting

6. Celebrate Gai Jatra during August

7. Attend the Indra Jatra during September

Autumn Season

• Time Period: October to November 
• Average Temperature: 18 to 22 degrees Celsius 
• Annual Rainfall: 6 to 63 mm 

Autumn is a prevalent season amongst trekkers. Like spring, the autumn season also has perfect weather conditions that make it easier for trekkers to climb the mountains. This season sees many tourists, which is why travel agents refer to this season as the high season. Additionally, many festivals and events take place during this season. 

Below are some season-specific things that you can do this season:

1. Celebrate Dashain, which is the Nepali equivalent of Navaratri and Durga Puja

2. Participate in Annapurna 100 Ultra Trail Race

3. Admire the magnificent views of the Himalayas from Dhulikhel

4. Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha

5. Book a jungle safari at Chitwan National Park

6. Try zip lining in Pohara

7. Go for bungee jumping at Tatopani

Winter Season

• Time Period: December to February
• Average Temperature: 3 to 19 degrees Celsius 
• Annual Rainfall: 10 to 27 mm

Due to the dropping temperatures, December to February sees fewer visitors in the country. However, if you wish to see snow-capped mountains and experience the joy of seeing the snowfall, this is the best time to visit Nepal during the winter. 

The mercury drops as low as two here, so remember to carry heavy coats, scarves, mufflers and windcheaters while visiting this place. Here are some things that you must participate in while you visit Nepal:

1. Celebrate Maha Shiv Ratri at the Pashupati Nath Temple

2. Go trekking from the Mardi Himal Base Camp

3. Visit the beautiful tea estates at Illam

4. Admire the fantastic views of Rara Lake at Rara National Park

5. Enjoy the sights of beautiful grasslands at Khaptad National Park

6. Go sightseeing at Boudhanath Stupa (Bodhnath), a UNESCO World Heritage Site

7. Go for Royal Bengal Tiger sightseeing at the Bardiya National Park

Monsoon

• Time Period: June to August
• Temperature Range: Around 26 degree Celsius 
• Average Rainfall: 511 to 778 mm

The monsoon season in Nepal is shorter than all the other seasons in this country. The days are usually warm and humid, and it mostly rains at night. Furthermore, landslides are widespread occurrences during this season. Due to this reason, this season might not be the best time to travel to Nepal. 

Additionally, the roads are always congested, and if you get stuck in traffic, you may have to wait for hours before the roads get cleared. For instance, a 14-hour bus ride quickly extends up to 27 hours if a sudden landslide occurs. Furthermore, all the trekking and hiking routes are closed during monsoon seasons.

Monsoon

• Time Period: June to August
• Temperature Range: Around 26 degree Celsius 
• Average Rainfall: 511 to 778 mm

The monsoon season in Nepal is shorter than all the other seasons in this country. The days are usually warm and humid, and it mostly rains at night. Furthermore, landslides are widespread occurrences during this season. Due to this reason, this season might not be the best time to travel to Nepal. 

Additionally, the roads are always congested, and if you get stuck in traffic, you may have to wait for hours before the roads get cleared. For instance, a 14-hour bus ride quickly extends up to 27 hours if a sudden landslide occurs. Furthermore, all the trekking and hiking routes are closed during monsoon seasons.

Now that you know the peak, shoulder and off-seasons to travel to Nepal, let us discuss some things you must know before travelling to this country. Here is a list of those things:

• Tribhuvan International Airport, situated in Kathmandu, is the most chaotic. At first glance, you might find it immensely crowded, so try not to feel overwhelmed the moment you land.
• If you stay in Kathmandu, then try to find accommodation at Thamel. This is a lovely place in the vicinity of the capital for travellers and is also well-connected and accessible via other areas in Kathmandu.
• You cannot take Nepalese currency out of the country as it is illegal. So make sure you exchange all your cash for INR before returning to India.
• Remember to get a trekking permit from Nepal Tourism Office before you start climbing mountains. Without a TIMS (Trekkers Information Management Systems) card, you will not be allowed to trek in Nepal.

Below are a few tips that will come in handy for you while you travel in Nepal:

• While travelling in Nepal, do not try to pick or consume "ganja". This common weed grows on the hillside and is illegal to consume in the country.
• In Nepal, people use 220V plugs to use their electric gadgets. Therefore, make sure you carry a universal plug and voltage adapter kit so that you can use and plug in your electronic gadgets easily.
• Do not display any food items in front of the monkey in temples or religious sites. They might try to snatch it from you; in this case, you might get injured.
• After 10 PM, if you are trying to get a taxi in Nepal, they might try to run without a meter and even ask you to pay double the price. So, try to negotiate the terms before you get into a cab.
• Do not visit establishments in KTM and PKR like bars and clubs. This is because there have been instances of tourists getting lured into buying alcohol at the double the price. Furthermore, such establishments are unsafe as there have been reports of fights and violence.
• Be prepared to use squatting toilets in Nepal as most public bathrooms in Nepal do not house the western toilets like in India.

Most Nepali people know how to speak English and Hindi, but it would be helpful if you knew a few phrases in Nepali before you travel to that country. Below are some phrases that will come in handy:

• Hello: Namaste
• Thank You: Dhanyabad
• Good bye: Pheri bhetaunla
• Excuse Me/ Sorry: Maaph garnuhos
• Yes: Hajur
• No: Chaina or Haina 
• Do you speak English?: Tapaai Angreji bolnuhunchha?
• I am lost: Ma haraye
• Do you have any rooms available?: K tapai sanga kunau kotha upalabda cha?
• How much is this?: Yes ko kati parchha? 

Now that you know all the places you can visit in Nepal and the best time to visit Nepal from India, you can start making your travel plan. You can also buy reliable travel insurance and medical insurance before your trip begins. Travel and medical insurance will help you save a lot of money if you require help during unforeseen circumstances like loss of luggage and passport, medical emergencies and more.