Month guide · Kathmandu · Nepal
Kathmandu in October
What October is really like in Kathmandu: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sumitbhatt222, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
October is one of the best months to visit Kathmandu. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 4 rainy days and roughly 11.4 hours of daylight. Clear, crisp air and peak trekking season; Dashain closes many offices and fills buses and flights.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 4
- Daylight
- About 11.4 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in October
October is the 7th-warmest month in Kathmandu: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°F). Rain falls on roughly 4 of its 31 days. Compared with September (28°C (82°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 23°C (73°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 06:03
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 17:35
- Daylight
- About 11.4 hours
Spring (March–May). Warm days, rhododendrons in the hills and the second trekking season, with haze and afternoon storms increasing into May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 5 for crowds (the peak is October at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in October). Book accommodation early: October is one of the pricier months.
Events in October
- Dashain — Nepal's biggest festival, with kites and family gatherings (usually October)
- Tihar — festival of lights (October or November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Museum · Patan (Lalitpur)
Patan Museum
Housed in the Keshav Narayan Chowk wing of Patan's royal palace, this museum displays bronze and stone Hindu and Buddhist sculpture with clear explanations of iconography.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Street · Old City
Asan and Indra Chowk market walk
Walk it in the morning when the vegetable sellers are out, and step into side courtyards such as those off Kel Tole to find hidden shrines.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Photo spot
- History
Museum · Durbar Marg
Narayanhiti Palace Museum
The royal palace at the top of Durbar Marg became a museum after Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Religious site · Budhanilkantha
Budhanilkantha Temple
Non-Hindus usually view the statue from beside the enclosure; combine it with a hike in Shivapuri park.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 13°C and 4 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Kathmandu?
One of the best months to visit Kathmandu, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are March–April and November–December. Compare every month.
Kathmandu in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Kathmandu?
It is one of the best months to visit Kathmandu. Clear, crisp air and peak trekking season; Dashain closes many offices and fills buses and flights.
+How warm is Kathmandu in October?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kathmandu in October?
Expect rain on about 4 days of the month, so it is usually dry.