Nepal · tool
Best time to visit Kathmandu
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Photo by Meghraj Neupane on Unsplash
Best time to visit Kathmandu, Nepal
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0-15°C, dry and clear with cold nights | low | low |
⚠ Can be very cold, especially at night and in higher elevations. | |
| February | 2-18°C, dry and mild | low | low |
⚠ Air quality can be poor due to dust and winter emissions. | |
| March | 8-23°C, warming with increasing sunshine | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Holi can be a very boisterous celebration. | |
| April | 12-25°C, warm and mostly sunny | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Occasional pre-monsoon thunderstorms can occur. | |
| May | 15-27°C, increasingly humid with afternoon showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Humidity and increasing rainfall signal the approaching monsoon. | |
| June | 18-28°C, hot and humid with heavy monsoon rains | low | low |
⚠ Heavy monsoon rains make trekking difficult and roads prone to landslides. | |
| July | 18-28°C, hot and humid with peak monsoon rains | low | low |
⚠ Monsoon season is in full swing; expect frequent, heavy downpours and travel disruptions. | |
| August | 18-28°C, hot and humid with lingering monsoon rains | low | low |
⚠ Monsoon rains begin to subside but can still cause travel issues. | |
| September | 15-25°C, clearing skies and pleasant temperatures | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Transition month from monsoon to dry season; occasional showers possible. | |
| October | 10-22°C, dry, sunny, and crisp | peak | peak |
⚠ Peak tourist season, book accommodations and flights well in advance. | |
| November | 5-18°C, dry and sunny with cool days | high | high |
⚠ Air quality can start to decline towards the end of the month. | |
| December | 0-15°C, dry and clear with very cold nights | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Nights are very cold; daytime temperatures are pleasant if sunny. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
March
Holi
Festival of Colors, celebrated with throwing colored powder and water.
April
Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat)
Celebrated with parades, cultural programs, and family gatherings.
September/October
Dashain
The longest and most auspicious Hindu festival, involving family reunions and blessings.
October/November
Tihar (Deepawali)
Festival of Lights, celebrated with lamps, fireworks, and offerings to deities and animals.
May
Buddha Jayanti
Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.
September
Indra Jatra
A vibrant street festival honoring the god of rain and the king of the heavens.
Insider timing tips
- •The post-monsoon (September) and pre-monsoon (March-April) offer a sweet spot with good weather and fewer crowds than the peak autumn season.
- •While October is ideal for trekking, prices and crowds peak significantly due to excellent visibility and festivals.
- •The monsoon months (June-August) are the cheapest and least crowded, but heavy rains severely limit trekking and can cause travel disruptions.
- •Air quality can be a concern, particularly in winter (December-February) and during festival periods with increased burning.
- •Local festivals like Dashain and Tihar can mean some businesses and transport services operate on reduced schedules or close entirely.
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