Best time to visit · Kathmandu · Nepal
The best time to visit Kathmandu
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bijay Chaurasia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best months for Kathmandu are October and November, when the monsoon has cleared the air and the Himalaya are visible, followed by March and April for spring flowers and trekking. December to February is dry and sunny but cold at night. July, the wettest month, brings daily rain, cloud and landslide risk on mountain roads.
Key facts
- Best months
- March–April and October–December
- Shoulder season
- January–February, May–June and August–September
- Warmest month
- June (avg high 29°C (84°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 19°C (66°F))
- Rainiest month
- July (~24 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- July–August
Seasons
At about 1,400 metres, Kathmandu has mild, sunny autumns and springs, cold winter nights near freezing, and a wet monsoon from June to September when daily showers and cloud hide the mountains.
October–November
Autumn
Clear skies, comfortable days and the main festival and trekking season; the busiest and most expensive time.
December–February
Winter
Dry, sunny days and near-freezing nights; fewer visitors, though high passes on long treks may be snowbound.
March–May
Spring
Warm days, rhododendrons in the hills and the second trekking season, with haze and afternoon storms increasing into May.
June–September
Monsoon
Frequent heavy rain, cloud-covered mountains and landslide-prone roads, but green landscapes and few tourists.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 2°C | 1 | 10.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 21°C | 4°C | 2 | 11.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 25°C | 8°C | 3 | 11.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 28°C | 11°C | 6 | 12.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 28°C | 15°C | 12 | 13.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 29°C | 19°C | 18 | 13.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 28°C | 20°C | 24 | 13.7 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| August | 28°C | 20°C | 22 | 13.1 h | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| September | 28°C | 18°C | 16 | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 26°C | 13°C | 4 | 11.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| November | 23°C | 7°C | 1 | 10.7 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| December | 20°C | 3°C | 0 | 10.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Maghe Sankranti — winter festival with special foods (usually mid-January) |
| February | Losar — Tibetan New Year at Boudhanath (February or March); Maha Shivaratri — sadhus gather at Pashupatinath (February or March) |
| March | Holi (usually March) |
| April | Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur — Nepali New Year chariot festival (usually mid-April) |
| May | Buddha Jayanti — the Buddha's birthday at Swayambhunath and Boudhanath (April or May); Rato Machhindranath chariot festival in Patan (spring, often stretching over weeks) |
| August | Gai Jatra — procession honouring the recently deceased (August or September); Krishna Janmashtami at Patan's Krishna Mandir (August or September) |
| September | Indra Jatra — the Kumari's chariot procession (usually September); Dashain (late September or October) |
| October | Dashain — Nepal's biggest festival, with kites and family gatherings (usually October); Tihar — festival of lights (October or November) |
| November | Tihar (some years) |
| December | Yomari Punhi — Newar harvest festival with yomari dumplings (usually December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in July–August, and the sights are quietest in July. Many visitors avoid July.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Monsoon | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Kathmandu?
The best months for Kathmandu are October and November, when the monsoon has cleared the air and the Himalaya are visible, followed by March and April for spring flowers and trekking. December to February is dry and sunny but cold at night. July, the wettest month, brings daily rain, cloud and landslide risk on mountain roads.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Kathmandu?
Usually in July–August. The wettest month, with heavy showers most days, often at night; the valley is green and quiet.
+What is the rainiest month in Kathmandu?
July, with about 24 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Kathmandu get?
The warmest month, June, averages highs of 29°C (84°F) and lows of 19°C (66°F).