THE BEST TIME FOR TREKKING IN NEPAL

The best time for trekking in Nepal is season-wise, but moderate treks can be enjoyed nearly all seasons. However, Himalayan Friendly would like to recommend the best time to venture around the Nepal Himalayas. The treks to enjoy delightful moments depend upon one’s physical fitness level
and stamina to cope with steep uphill. As well as health conditions, trekkers from beginners to veteran adventurers are required to be medically fit.

Nepal has four main seasons spring, summer with monsoon, autumn/fall, and winter. Trekkers can book during these seasons, depending on the regions, grades, and duration of the treks.  Nepal has the world’s highest peaks, namely Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Makalu. Includes Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu and Mt. Annapurna with hundreds of 7,000 m and above
6,000 meters peaks. Making Nepal, a premier country for all activities from moderate to adventurous adventures.

The influx of visitors to Nepal is especially for trekking around its various Himalayan regions. The country offers boundless destinations around the Himalayas from moderate, adventurous, challenging to demanding. From leisure hiking for a few days to moderate walks of a week or more to adventurous treks.

Trekking In Nepal

Nepal and its Himalayas offer a wider range of trekking destinations, from the Far East of Kanchenjunga and Makalu. Extends towards the Mid-East around Everest, Rolwaling Valley to Langtang and Ganesh Himal with Ruby Valley. The Himalayan range continues towards Manaslu, and Lamjung Himal towards the west with Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himal. Includes the Far Wild West of Mustang, Dolpo, and Limi Valley to Nepal’s largest Rara Lake.  The most popular and favorite trekking destinations are around the Mid-West and Nepal’s Mid-East regions. Likewise, Annapurna ranges with dozens of trekking destinations, following different routes around the southern hills and north of the

Annapurna. Next is the Everest region the popular treks are to Everest Base Camp and the climb of high Kalapathar Viewpoint. The Everest areas of Solu-Khumbu have more to offer for eager adventurers and trekkers from the scenic Gokyo Valley of Lakes. It includes traverses over various high passes towards the east to west of Khumbu, and Everest regions.

The other favorite and popular trekking destinations are around the Langtang Himal regions. The main flow of trekkers enjoys a week Langtang Valley Trek, and visiting the holy Gosainkunda ponds. Trekkers can extend the journey to Helambu before reaching Kathmandu, after concluding Langtang and Gosainkunda trekking. The other exciting and popular is the Annapurna Circuit involves a high Thorang-La Pass above 5,416 m high.   The treks around Nepal’s Mid-West include the Manaslu Circuit, Ganesh Himal, the Ruby Valley, and Tsum Valley. Adventure continues towards Nepal Far West to Upper Mustang, following the old Trans Himalayan Trade and Caravan route to Tibet.

The other adventures around Western Nepal are Around Dhaulagiri including treks to Dhaulagiri base camp and French Pass. Then visit the Hidden Valley before completing the treks at Jomsom with a flight to scenic Pokhara city. Trekkers can also enjoy off-the-beaten routes around the Himalayan region.  Venture to the Far Wild West Nepal, and adventure to Lower and Upper Dolpo, as well as trek to Jumla and Rara around Nepal’s largest lake. The far west adventure extends to Humla and Limi Valley, located closer to the Tibet border.

VARIATION OF TREKKING GRADES AND BEST SEASONS TO CHOOSE:

The best season for trekking in Nepal also depends on the trekking regions from moderate to adventurous and challenging. Moderate treks will be ideal and perfect country walks around the Himalayas, especially for beginners. The moderate treks are a few days to a week for all types of people and age groups can join. The moderate-grade treks, do not involve high altitude and will
be safe from catching HAS (High Altitude Sickness). Which can occur in other high- altitude treks that involve passes above 4,500 to 5,000 meters. A moderate trek takes you to an average height above 2,500 m to 3,000 meters and can be enjoyed nearly all seasons. The next is adventurous treks of more than a week walks or more to 2-3 weeks. Most adventurous treks lead to moderate and pleasant walks, it is adventurous to reach higher altitude destinations.

Most adventurous walks are to base camps and include a few high passes to cross. For adventurous treks, choose the right seasons, spring and autumn/fall. Late March to May and September to November are the best for longer trekking adventures. Adventurers and expert trekkers, in search of challenging adventures can enjoy around the hidden corners of the Himalayas. The challenging treks involve traversing high passes above 5000 m to near 5, 5000 meters.

The deep snow conditions crossing over the high passes make it challenging and demanding. For the challenging grade treks, it is best to venture during the season of late spring to May and early summer of June. Include autumn/fall seasons from September to mid-November, before the winter times of heavy snowfall.  The best times for trekking in Nepal, are spring from March to May and autumn/fall of September to November.

THE BEST AND RIGHT SEASONS FOR ALL TYPES OF TREKKING:

Nepal has four main seasons, the spring (March to May), summer/monsoon (June to August), and autumn/fall (September to November). Winter (December to February).
Spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time when vegetation gets slowly greener after the winter. The springtime days are much longer with sunlight hours
from early morning 6 a.m. till late dusk 6 p.m. Most days are fine and clear for scenic views of surroundings landscapes and snow-capped peaks. It can get overcast with a cold afternoon breeze, and light rains with snowfall above 2,500 meters high. Mornings and nights are cold including the late
afternoon, but it is the peak time for trekking in Nepal Himalayas.  The spring season is best for pleasant walks with wildflowers in seasonal bloom. Especially the rhododendrons of various species and colors from tall trees to bush. In spring temperatures rise according to altitude, an average of a minimum of 05° to a maximum of 20° Celsius, above 1,500 m high. Around 3,000 m above will be a minimum of – 5° to a maximum of 20° Celsius, excluding the extra wind chills.

AUTUMN / FALL SEASON FOR TREKKING IN NEPAL HIMALAYAS:

Autumn/ fall is the next best season for trekking in the Nepal Himalayas. Days are fine with clear weather for views and pleasant walks. Autumn/fall, from mid-September to November is one of the right seasons to venture around the Himalayas.  The autumn season is a perfect time to choose for all types of adventures around the Himalayas. Most days are full of sunshine for excellent views of the snowy peaks.

But cold mornings, late afternoons, and nighttime gets dark soon due to shorter daylight hours. Sun rises late morning at 6 a.m. and sunset by 5 p.m. From 6:30 a.m. onwards till mid-afternoon, the sun gets bright making the day walks more enjoyable. Expect snowfall above 2,500 meters high sometimes during the autumn/fall season.

WINTER SEASON FOR TREKKING IN NEPAL HIMALAYAS:

Winter times December to February, are considered the low times for tourism and trekkers in Nepal. Few travelers visit Nepal for various short trekking and other leisure adventures during the winter season. It is also an enjoyable time around the Himalayas, where trekkers encounter fewer trekkers, than in high seasons. Winter is the best time for moderate trekking around the high scenic foothills of the Himalayas. Although, cold mornings and night time, days are full of sunshine and crystal clear
for views of towering peaks. Wintertime makes a great Christmas and New Year Holiday in the Himalayas when most days are bright and clear. A few trekkers also enjoy treks to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and Langtang Valley, during the winter time. Trekkers can enjoy the pleasant walk, and being away from the large crowd of trekkers on high seasons. During winter times expect snowfall above 2,000 meters high, a perfect time for short and moderate treks.