Nepal has a monsoon climate with a dry season from October to May and a rainy season from June to September. The Kathmandu Valley, at around 1,400 m, is mild and can be visited all year.
- October–November
- The best time for most trips: clear skies, mild temperatures and the great festivals of Dashain and Tihar. Also the busiest season, so book early.
- December–February
- Cool, often clear days and cold nights. Good for the valley, Chitwan and Lumbini; trekkers going high need warm gear.
- March–May
- Warm and dry, with rhododendrons in flower. Haze can hide the mountains towards May, and the Terai gets very hot.
- June–September
- Monsoon: green landscapes, fewer visitors and daily rain, mostly in the afternoon or at night. Mountain views are rare and some roads are affected by landslides.
Pokhara is at its most beautiful in October and November, ideal for walks and mountain views.