Kathmandu: When to Go

October-November, the start of the dry season, is probably the best time of year to visit Kathmandu: the weather is balmy, the air is clean, visibility is perfect and the countryside is lush and green following the monsoon. February-April, the tail end of the dry season is the second-best time to visit: visibility is not so good because of dust, but the weather is warm and many of Nepal's wonderful wild flowers are in bloom. In December and January, the views are crystal clear, but it can be chilly in the evenings: few of the cheaper hotels in Kathmandu have any heating and most travellers stay out in the warmth of Thamel's bars and restaurants until late and then rush home and dive under the blankets. The rest of the year is fairly unpleasant for travelling: May and early June are generally too hot and dusty for comfort, and the monsoon from mid-June to September obscures the mountains in cloud and turns trails and roads to mud. You'll probably find you spend most of the time indoors with a book while the rain thunders down outside.

Weather

There are four main types of weather in Kathmandu: hot and muggy, hot and rainy, balmy and clear and just plain chilly. In the shoulder seasons of October-November and March-April views are clear, temperatures are warm without being oppressive and rain showers are brief and refreshing. November to February is also clear and dry but often cold, especially after dark. May and June can be unbearably hot and muggy until the monsoon arrives to inundate the country with unrelenting rain from June to September.

Temperature (average ° C)

Humidity (average %)

Rainfall (average mm)

Sunshine (average hrs per day)