Month guide · Kathmandu · Nepal
Kathmandu in May
What May is really like in Kathmandu: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nirmal Dulal, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 13.5 hours of daylight. Pre-monsoon heat and humidity build, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; Everest climbing season peaks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 3rd-warmest month in Kathmandu: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (28°C (82°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:14
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:45
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
Autumn (October–November). Clear skies, comfortable days and the main festival and trekking season; the busiest and most expensive time.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is October at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in October). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in 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)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
Religious site · Boudha
Boudhanath
One of the largest stupas in the world, Boudhanath's white dome and gilded tower are strung with prayer flags and ringed by Tibetan monasteries, shops and cafés.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Photo spot
- Couples
- After dark
Religious site · Gaushala
Pashupatinath Temple
Watch cremations quietly from the east bank and never photograph mourners up close; a licensed guide helps explain the rituals.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- After dark
Historic site · Patan (Lalitpur)
Patan Durbar Square
Patan's royal square is often considered the most harmonious in the valley, with the stone shikhara of the 17th-century Krishna Mandir, the Royal Palace's courtyards and a row of tiered temples.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 15°C and 12 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Kathmandu?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events 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 May a good time to visit Kathmandu?
It is a shoulder-season month. Pre-monsoon heat and humidity build, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; Everest climbing season peaks.
+How warm is Kathmandu in May?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kathmandu in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.