While Nepal may be most famous for its high mountains, it actually spans from jungle-filled plains bordering India to the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. There’s a lot of climatic diversity. The best month to visit Nepal largely depends on what you want to do while you’re there, and whether you’ll be visiting either very high or very low-lying places. The climate plays a big part in the tourism seasons. In different seasons, you can see rhinos and other wild animals, go white-water rafting, or hike in the mountains.

Much of the above advice doesn’t really apply if you want to climb Mt Everest or another Himalayan peak. The climbing seasons are not always the same as the best trekking and sightseeing seasons. Spring (March to May) and early autumn (late September and October) are the best times for mountaineering, as temperatures and weather conditions are optimal for such activities. However, conditions vary year by year, and climbing expeditions are sometimes affected by unpredictable events in the mountains.

The festival season takes place during the peak tourism season. Festivals are usually held in October and in November. The dates are different because they follow a lunar calendar. One is mostly a family affair, and the capital essentially clears out for around a week during the festival. Many shops and businesses are closed. The festival of light is more accessible to travellers. You will see displays of lights outside homes and businesses all over the country. It is the best time to visit the capital of Nepal.

Much of Nepal sits at a lower altitude than many people think, and the short winter is typically mild there, including one in the capital. There may be some foggy mornings and cold nights, but when the sky is clear, winter days can be quite warm in the cities. The other major advantage of visiting the country in the winter is that it’s one of the cheapest times to visit Nepal, and there are few other tourists around. Lower-altitude trekking trails will be comfortable, as long as you have a good jacket for cold nights.

Nepal isn’t only about the mountains. National parks are full of wildlife, including lots of one-horned rhinoceros and a few Royal Bengal tigers. The best time to see wildlife is at the end of winter. In late January, local villagers are allowed to cut the high elephant grass that shoots up after the rainy season. Then the animals that were previously hiding in it become visible. You’re much more likely to see rhinos and other animals at this time of year. Later, the temperatures become very hot, and everyone including animals hide from the burning sun.

By late spring, the arrival of the monsoon is expected in Nepal. Temperatures become uncomfortably hot in many places, and the air quality is poor. The unpleasant conditions become more tolerable with the arrival of the monsoon in June. Then the locals welcome the rains, which are cooling and refreshing, but rather heavy. However, for travellers, the monsoon is the worst time to visit Nepal. Rain means cloudy skies, muddy and flooded streets, canceled or delayed flights, and the potential for landslides across roads.

For years, spring was considered to be a second high season in Nepal. However, in recent years, this common wisdom sounds less and less true. Winters are usually dry, and as temperatures heat up through the spring, wildfires spread. This has been happening for a long time. With climate change, wildfires have become worse over the last few years. The smoke from wildfires impacts air quality throughout the country, and it is already dangerous in the capital. It also negatively influences how well you can see in the mountains.