Home to eight out of the ten highest mountains in the world including the tallest one, the Mt.Everest (8848 meters), and a diverse pool of many natural and cultural wonders of the world, Nepal is a hotspot for travelers from all around the world. The tiny Himalayan nation, nestled between giants India and China, offers the wide array of destinations for all kind of travelers. People come here to witness the beautiful rivers, majestic mountains, rare flora, and fauna, and experience unique traditions untouched by global influences amongst many other things that the country has to offer. To add to it, the people of the country, who are renowned worldwide for their hospitality, live by the mantra “Gods are Guests”. You are bound to meet some of the most humble and welcoming people here.
Many travelers also believe that a visit to Nepal does not only bring about a lifetime worth of experiences but also revitalizes their soul and minds. With altitudes ranging from below the sea level to the highest point on Earth (8,848 meters), within a width of only 193kms (approx. 120 miles), Nepal offers a huge diversity of topography, natural resources, floras, faunas, and culture while perfectly reflecting the ideal tolerance among the prevalent religions. Here, almost every day is a social carnival day for some group or the other, allowing one to witness surreal beauty and culture pretty much any time of the year. The best times to come to Nepal depends on the traveler’s choice of activities. But, there are two major seasons which are considered ideal for travel in Nepal; Spring and Autumn.
Spring
Spring in Nepal is between March and May. Like pretty much anywhere else in the world, springtime brings around beautiful flowers and you can hear birds chirp along. This is the time when the Rhododendron flower (national flower of Nepal) blooms above the height of 3,000 meters above the sea level. This time is considered the 2nd best time of the year for trekking as the days are long, but as you go higher up the mountains, it gets chilly and you should always pack layers of clothes. This time is also considered the best to see some wildlife in the plains of Nepal which are home to some of the rarest species in the world such as the one-horned rhinoceros, the Gharial crocodile etc.
Autumn
Autumn- late September to November- is probably considered the best time to visit Nepal as the skies clear out and treks reveal the most magnificent views of the Himalayas. It has the ideal weather as the heat usually drops and the winter is barely starting post monsoon. The nights are chilly, and the air pressure is moderate which makes a great trekking experience. This is also the time when the whole country is in the festive mood as people celebrate Dashain and Tihar which are two of the major festivals of the country. The trails are packed during this time and it is advised to book your trips in advance to ensure you get your slice of the experience.
Despite autumn followed by spring being the best times to trek in Nepal. All hope is not lost for people who make it here during the monsoon (June-August) and still want to experience the magnificence of the Himalayas. Rain shadow areas having relatively little precipitation because of a topographic barrier, especially a mountain range; provide potential trekking options for visitors even when the rest of the country is experiencing massive rainfalls. The weather forecast cannot be guaranteed during the time, but thousands of tourists hit the trails every year. The upper Mustang (dubbed as the Last Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal) on the Northern side of the Annapurna along with the Dolpa circuit which includes Lake Phoksundo are major rain shadow areas. Furthermore, the Rara Lake trek, which provides views of the largest lake in Nepal is also an option. This route is not as dry as the Dolpo or Upper Mustang Treks, but nature and the lake coming into life during the summer makes the trip worthwhile.
Various other features such as adventure sports, cultural and historical trips, beautiful rivers and waterfalls, religious festivals etc. provide a bustling and exciting environment at any time of the year. Tourists are bound to have an unreal experience and long to be back no matter when they visit. So, pick your desired activities, and plan your trip to ensure that you get your piece of this little heaven on Earth.