Season guide · Kathmandu · Nepal
Kathmandu in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Suraj Belbase, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Warm days, rhododendrons in the hills and the second trekking season, with haze and afternoon storms increasing into May. Expect highs up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F), with about 21 rainy days across March–May. March–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 8°C (46°F) to 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 21
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 25°C (77°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 3 | 11.9 h | 4/5 |
| April | 28°C (82°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 6 | 12.8 h | 4/5 |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 12 | 13.5 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 27°C (81°F) against a yearly 25°C (77°F), and 21 of the year's roughly 109 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- 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)
- May: Rato Machhindranath chariot festival in Patan (spring, often stretching over weeks)
Make the most of the weather
Nature · Budhanilkantha
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
The forested hills on the valley's northern rim form a national park crossed by trails, including a steep climb to Shivapuri peak at about 2,730 metres and walks to the Nagi Gompa nunnery.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Views
Experience · Tribhuvan International Airport
Everest mountain flight
Book for one of your first mornings so there is time to rebook if the flight is cancelled for cloud.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour in the air
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Nature · Chobhar
Taudaha Lake
A small lake south-west of the city on the road to Dakshinkali, linked by legend to the draining of the Kathmandu Valley by the bodhisattva Manjushri.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- 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
Day trips in spring
- Changu Narayan (About 1 hour by road) — The oldest temple in the valley, a two-tiered Vishnu shrine on a ridge with a stone inscription from the 5th century and superb early carvings.
- Dhulikhel and Namobuddha (About 1.5–2 hours by road) — Dhulikhel is an old Newar trading town with mountain views, and a road or day hike leads to Namobuddha, a hilltop stupa and large Tibetan monastery tied to a legend of the Buddha's compassion.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Kathmandu?
Yes: March–April are among the best months. Warm days, rhododendrons in the hills and the second trekking season, with haze and afternoon storms increasing into May.
+What is the weather like in Kathmandu in spring?
Highs of up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F), with about 21 rainy days over the season.