🗓️ Best Time to Visit
When Should You Visit Kathmandu?
Top months: Mar · Apr · May · Oct · Nov · Dec. Compare 12-month weather, festivals, and pricing on one page to find your match.
Quick Answer
The best time to visit Kathmandu is Mar · Apr · May · Oct · Nov · Dec. These months balance pleasant weather, festival programming, and manageable crowds — the canonical first-visit pick.
Kathmandu by Season
★ Top Pick
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Avg 27°C / 12°C
- • Spring peak season begins — clear and warm
- • Holi (the colours festival, around March)
- • Trekking season picks up
☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug)
Avg 28°C / 20°C
- • Monsoon arrives (around mid-June)
- • Low season — lowest prices, fewest crowds
- • Mountains usually hidden by cloud
★ Top Pick
🍁 Fall (Sep-Nov)
Avg 26°C / 14°C
- • Monsoon retreats (usually late September)
- • Indra Jatra (Sep) — masked dances & Kumari chariot in Kathmandu Durbar Square
- • Air still clean post-monsoon
★ Top Pick
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
Avg 20°C / 3°C
- • Clear, dry winter days — good for sightseeing
- • Cold nights near freezing + morning fog
- • Winter air pollution at its worst (valley inversions)
Month-by-Month at a Glance
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain | What to Pack | Crowds·Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19/2 | 2d | Coldest month, but sunny and dry by day. Mild afternoons around 19°C with cold nights near 2°C and morning fog. Layer up: a warm jacket and fleece for mornings and evenings, lighter clothes for sunny midday. Bring an N95-type mask — January air quality is often poor in the valley. | Mid |
| February | 21/4 | 3d | Late winter warming up. Pleasant afternoons around 21°C, cool nights near 4°C. A jacket for mornings and evenings, lighter layers for the sunny day. Air quality still poor on still mornings — keep an N95-type mask handy. | Mid |
| ★ March | 25/8 | 4d | Warm, comfortable spring. Pleasant afternoons around 25°C with mild nights near 8°C. Light clothing for the day, a light jacket or sweater for evenings. UV climbs — sunscreen and sunglasses. One of the best months to visit. | High |
| ★ April | 28/12 | 7d | Warm pre-monsoon spring at its best. Warm afternoons around 28°C, comfortable nights near 12°C. Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat. A light layer for the occasional cool evening. Peak trekking season. | High |
| ★ May | 29/16 | 12d | Hot, humid pre-monsoon. Warm afternoons around 29°C, mild nights near 16°C, with rising humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and an umbrella for sudden downpours. Strong UV. | Mid |
| June | 28/19 | 16d | Monsoon begins (mid-June). Warm and humid, afternoons around 28°C, nights near 19°C, with heavy rain and high humidity. Light, quick-dry clothing, a rain jacket, an umbrella, and waterproof shoes. The cleaner-air, low-season, but wet time of year. | Low |
| July | 28/20 | 20d | Peak monsoon. Warm, very humid, afternoons around 28°C, nights near 20°C, with the year's heaviest rain. Light, quick-dry clothing, a good rain jacket, an umbrella, and waterproof shoes are essential. Cleanest air but the wettest month. | Low |
| August | 28/20 | 19d | Late monsoon, still very wet and humid. Afternoons around 28°C, nights near 20°C. Light, quick-dry clothing, a rain jacket, an umbrella, and waterproof shoes. Clean air, low prices, but mountains still mostly hidden. | Low |
| September | 28/19 | 13d | Monsoon winding down (retreats by late month). Warm days around 28°C, mild nights near 19°C, decreasing rain. Light clothing, an umbrella for lingering showers, and a light layer for evenings. Air still clean; mountains start to reappear late in the month. | Mid |
| ★ October | 26/14 | 5d | The best month — clear, dry, mild post-monsoon. Pleasant afternoons around 26°C, cool nights near 14°C, low rain, crisp clean air, and excellent mountain views. Light clothing for the day, a jacket or sweater for cool evenings. Sunscreen for the high-altitude sun. | High |
| ★ November | 23/8 | 1d | Excellent late-autumn weather. Mild afternoons around 23°C, cool nights near 8°C, very dry and clear with superb mountain views. Light clothing for the day, a warm jacket and sweater for chilly mornings and evenings. Among the best months to visit. | High |
| ★ December | 20/3 | 1d | Cold, dry, sunny winter. Mild afternoons around 20°C, cold nights near 3°C with morning fog. A warm jacket and fleece for mornings and evenings, lighter layers for sunny midday. Bring an N95-type mask — winter air quality declines through the month. | Mid |
★ = recommended season. Full month guides on the monthly weather pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?
The best time to visit Kathmandu is Mar · Apr · May · Oct · Nov · Dec. These months offer the most pleasant weather and full outdoor activity calendars. March is one of the best months in Kathmandu — warm, comfortable spring weather with afternoons around 25°C, mild nights near 8°C, clear skies, and good mountain visibility. Rainfall is still low (abo
What's the price difference between peak and off-season in Kathmandu?
Prices vary significantly by season. Weekday departures during shoulder season offer the best value.
Is it okay to visit Kathmandu in winter?
Kathmandu winter averages 20°C / 3°C. It's cold, but you trade weather for off-season pricing and seasonal events (Christmas markets, indoor museums, winter festivals). Bring a heavy parka, scarf, and gloves.
Should I visit Kathmandu during summer holiday season?
Kathmandu mid-summer (July-August) averages 28°C highs. This is the most expensive season — airfare and hotels peak — but outdoor festivals run at full capacity. Book 3-6 months ahead and prepare for heat.
What's the cheapest month to visit Kathmandu?
June, July, August is the off-season — flights and hotels are at annual lows. Trade-off: this is usually cold or rainy season, so adjust packing and indoor-activity weight accordingly.
Why you can trust this guide
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified