When to come & travel tips
Seasons, timing and the small things that make a trip smoother.
The two prime trekking seasons are spring (March–May), when the rhododendron forests bloom and the days lengthen, and autumn (September–November), which brings the clearest, most stable skies of the year. Winter treks are possible on lower routes for those who don't mind the cold, while the summer monsoon (June–August) is best avoided in most regions — though the rain-shadow lands like Dolpo and Mustang stay dry and are at their best.
However fixed your dates, arrive in Kathmandu a day or two before the trek starts. Domestic flights to mountain airstrips are weather-dependent and can shift, and that buffer turns a stressful missed connection into a relaxed extra day exploring the city. Leave a spare day at the end for the same reason.
On the trail, pack a soft duffel for the porters and a comfortable daypack for yourself, carry small-denomination cash for tea houses and tips, and download offline maps and a good book — evenings are long, mobile signal is patchy, and that's rather the point.
- Best seasons: spring (Mar–May) & autumn (Sep–Nov)
- Arrive 1–2 days early to buffer weather-dependent mountain flights
- Pack a soft duffel for porters, a comfortable daypack for yourself
- Carry small cash for tea houses, tips and the odd hot shower