Month guide · Kathmandu · Nepal
Kathmandu in January
What January is really like in Kathmandu: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Suraj Belbase, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 10.6 hours of daylight. Sunny, mild days and cold nights near freezing; many buildings are unheated, so bring warm layers. Morning fog and smog are common.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 10.6 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Kathmandu: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with December (20°C (68°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:55
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:30
- Daylight
- About 10.6 hours
Monsoon (June–September). Frequent heavy rain, cloud-covered mountains and landslide-prone roads, but green landscapes and few tourists.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is October at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in October). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Maghe Sankranti — winter festival with special foods (usually mid-January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Religious site · Swayambhu
Swayambhunath
Climb the eastern stairs early in the morning when pilgrims circle the stupa, and keep food and loose items away from the monkeys.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
- Kids
Garden · Thamel
Garden of Dreams
A neoclassical garden of pavilions, fountains and lawns created in the 1920s for Field Marshal Kaiser Shumsher Rana and restored with Austrian support.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Architecture
Religious site · Boudha
Kopan Monastery
Check the monastery's schedule for short meditation sessions open to visitors.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Thankot
Chandragiri Hills cable car
A cable car from Thankot, on the south-western rim of the valley, rises about 2.4 km to Chandragiri hill at around 2,500 metres.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 2°C and 1 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Kathmandu?
A good-value shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–April and October–December are better overall. Compare every month.
Kathmandu in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Kathmandu?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Sunny, mild days and cold nights near freezing; many buildings are unheated, so bring warm layers. Morning fog and smog are common.
+How warm is Kathmandu in January?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kathmandu in January?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.