Kathmandu Weather And Best Time To Visit Kathmandu

The capital city of Kathmandu is located at an elevation of 1400 m in the middle of the Kathmandu Valley in central Nepal. Kathmandu’s strategic location underneath the four mighty mountains Phoolchowki, Chandragiri, Nagarjuna and Shivapuri, ensure a perfect spot for those looking to undertake various adventures and trekking opportunities around the main city spots. While autumn and spring are the best seasons to undertake such activities, its favorable climatic conditions guarantee there is always something special in store for you no matter when you decide to stop over. Interestingly, the rains that are abundant in the monsoon season are responsible for creating lush, green vegetations in the countryside, which has earned Nepal the title of ‘Switzerland of Asia’.

Here’s a list of various weather conditions in the city of Kathmandu and also the best time for you to visit.

Also known as the season of festivals; hands down, autumn is the best time to plan a trip down to Kathmandu. The two most important festivals, Dashain (Festival of Victory) and Tihar (Festival of Lights), are celebrated during these months.

It is also the best season to go camping, where you’ll get to witness bright, crisp mornings and clear skies, with birds chirping merrily in your surroundings. Sunrises and sunsets are an especially magical time, with hues of bright oranges, fierce reds and majestic golds and blues that are seen painted all across the sky.

While winters do get chilly in Kathmandu, it is still relatively milder in the valley regions as compared to the higher altitude zones of the country. Daytime experiences a pleasant and docile temperature range of 2-15ᴼC, but the nights are slightly more frigid. It is still a good time of the year to go sight-seeing, or maybe even book an Everest flight, since the mountain ranges are best viewed in months of low precipitation and clearer skies.

Winters are also generally off season, so trekking can be more fun with lesser crowded trails and cheaper lodging options.

The obvious alternative to the autumn months, if you are looking to visit Kathmandu, is the springtime. Mostly known for the rhododendron blooms spread all along the countryside, you will experience spring in this city at its multihued best. While trekking in the Annapurna Region, you may choose to take a dip in the natural hot springs that are supposed to have healing properties due to their mineral content.

The Seto Machhendranath Festival is also celebrated in this season.

Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging between 19-35ᴼC. But the heat don’t last too long before monsoons bring some relief. Kathmandu doesn’t see much rain (20-37 mm annually); and while it usually only rains for about an hour and mostly at nighttime, it can still lead to substantial clogging of the streets and marketplaces.  It remains predominantly cloudy throughout the days. Summertime is also off season, so if you are up for braving a humid climate with heavy rain, it’s a good time to avail great discounts on accommodation and shopping sprees.

The procession of the 'Lord of Rain' seen in the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival is also a part of the summer months.