When to go · Kathmandu, Nepal
Best time to visit Kathmandu
The sweet spot is May, April and June — averages 21°C, 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
October – November, March – April (clear, dry mountain views)
A mild mid-hill valley climate (1,400 m). Warm, wet summers dominated by the June–September monsoon, and dry, sunny, cool winters with cold nights and crisp Himalayan views. Spring and autumn are ideal.
The short answer
21°C · 8 rainy days · mid season
19°C · 5 rainy days · high season
22°C · 12 rainy days · low season
Hardest months: July and January. averages 22°C, 19 rainy days, few other visitors.
Month by month
| Month | Avg temp | Rain days | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C | 1d | mid | Chilly |
| February | 12°C | 2d | mid | Chilly |
| March | 16°C | 3d | high | Great weather, peak crowds |
| April | 19°C | 5d | high | Great weather, peak crowds |
| May | 21°C | 8d | mid | Comfortable but damp |
| June | 22°C | 12d | low | Wet |
| July | 22°C | 19d | low | Wet |
| August | 22°C | 18d | low | Wet |
| September | 21°C | 12d | mid | Wet |
| October | 18°C | 4d | high | Great weather, peak crowds |
| November | 14°C | 1d | high | Mild |
| December | 11°C | 1d | mid | Chilly |
Verdicts are read off the three columns to their left — temperature distance from 21°C first, then rainfall, with crowds breaking ties. Averages, so any given week can differ.
If you'd rather go cheap than perfect
June, July and August are low season in Kathmandu — thinner crowds, and the months where accommodation is easiest to book late. Budget travellers already work to about $20–40 a day here; low season is where the accommodation share of that goes furthest.
Book the month you picked
Fares move with the same seasons as the crowds — the quiet months above are usually the cheap ones to fly.