Nepal · tool
Best time to visit Kathmandu
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Best time to visit Kathmandu, Nepal
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2-15°C, clear and dry with excellent mountain views. | low | low |
⚠ Days are short, and evenings can be very cold. | |
| February | 5-18°C, dry and starting to warm up. | low | low |
| |
| March | 10-23°C, mild and increasingly sunny. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ End of March can see the start of pre-monsoon showers. | |
| April | 14-26°C, warm with increasing humidity and occasional showers. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Pre-monsoon showers can occur, especially later in the month. | |
| May | 18-28°C, hot and humid with increasing monsoon influence. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ The monsoon season officially begins, bringing heavy rainfall and reduced visibility. | |
| June | 20-29°C, hot, humid, and rainy. | low | moderate |
⚠ Heavy monsoon rains are prevalent, impacting travel and outdoor activities. | |
| July | 21-29°C, peak monsoon season with heavy, persistent rain. | low | low |
⚠ Heavy monsoon rains continue, significantly disrupting trekking and travel. | |
| August | 21-28°C, late monsoon with heavy rain easing slightly. | low | low |
⚠ Monsoon rains continue, though the intensity may decrease by late August. | |
| September | 18-25°C, post-monsoon, clearing skies and mild temperatures. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Still a chance of lingering showers early in the month. | |
| October | 12-22°C, dry, sunny, and pleasant with crisp air. | peak | peak |
⚠ This is peak tourist season, so book flights and accommodation well in advance. | |
| November | 8-18°C, dry, sunny, and cool. | high | high |
⚠ Temperatures drop significantly in the evenings and at higher altitudes. | |
| December | 3-15°C, cold, dry, and clear with potential for frost. | low | low |
⚠ Very cold nights and early mornings; mountain passes can be snow-covered. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
Celebrated with parades, cultural programs, and family gatherings, marking the start of the traditional Nepali calendar.
Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, with special prayers and ceremonies at Buddhist monasteries.
A unique festival where people parade cows through the streets to honor the deceased, accompanied by music and comedy.
A vibrant festival dedicated to the god of rain and thunder, featuring masked dances, processions, and the living goddess Kumari.
The longest and most important festival in Nepal, celebrating victory over evil with family reunions, feasting, and kite flying.
A five-day festival of lights, where homes are decorated with oil lamps and candles, and various animals are worshipped.
A major Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, observed with fasting, prayer, and pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple.
Insider timing tips
- •The post-monsoon months of September and October offer a sweet spot with clearing skies and moderate temperatures, though crowds and prices increase.
- •While winter (December-February) is cold, it offers the clearest mountain views and lowest prices, making it ideal for budget travelers who don't mind the chill.
- •The monsoon season (June-August) sees significantly fewer tourists and lower prices, but heavy rainfall can lead to travel disruptions and limit outdoor activities.
- •April is a great shoulder month for trekking before the monsoon, with pleasant weather and the added cultural vibrancy of Nepali New Year.
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