Nepal in October: Weather and Festivities
The fall season is the best time to visit Nepal. No surprise that the country draws a huge number of tourists in October. The weather conditions are great for trekking and sightseeing and the country celebrates its two major festivals—Dashain and Tihar—during this time. Traveling to Nepal in October does mean that you will have to deal with peak crowds and prices. But that is a small price to pay to see this beautiful country in the best condition. Just make sure to book your tours early and you will be all set.
Nepal Weather in October
The weather in Nepal in October is amazing. The whole month is characterized by clear and sunny weather. The average daytime temperature is 25℃ during this time, especially in and around the capital, Kathmandu. But if you are heading up to the mountain areas for trekking, expect cold weather. For instance, in Simikot, a lesser-known but great trekking destination in northwestern Nepal, the temperature during October is freezing with an average high of -0.1°C. So you will need to pack plenty of expedition-ready gear and layers if you are planning to trek Nepal’s mountain region.
You can also expect a small amount of snowfall in October, only around 33mm of snow for the entire month. So as a general rule of thumb the higher you go, the colder the conditions are going to be.
Weather in Nepal in October - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 17 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 18 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 2 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 4 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 62.6 | 66.2 | 75.2 | 82.4 | 84.2 | 84.2 | 80.6 | 80.6 | 80.6 | 77 | 71.6 | 64.4 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 35.6 | 39.2 | 46.4 | 53.6 | 59 | 62.6 | 64.4 | 64.4 | 62.6 | 57.2 | 48.2 | 39.2 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 13 | 14 | 10 | 29 | 70 | 129 | 325 | 239 | 175 | 67 | 7 | 8 |
Why Visit Nepal in October
There are so many great reasons to holiday in Nepal in October. Let us check out a few of them:
- Availability of flights: October is the peak season in Nepal, and the number of flights also increases. There are 44 indirect routes just from Denver to Nepal in October alone.
- Dashain: The biggest festival of Nepal’s Hindu community, Dashain is celebrated all across the country. Be a part of the revelry as the people celebrate this 15-day festival with their relatives and friends.
- Tihar: Following Dashain, we have Tihar, the Hindu festival of lights that you might have heard of around the world as Diwali. Hundreds of illuminations in the communities welcome Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Dogs, crows and cows are also worshipped during the festival and children sing and dance and play with firecrackers around the neighborhood.
- Camping treks: October is an ideal time to try out a camping trek as the teahouses and guest houses all tend to fill up pretty quickly during this peak season. Being wholly self-sufficient, you can escape into nature and enjoy the perfect conditions without having to pay for accommodation.
Where to go and what to do
October offers amazing trekking conditions in Nepal with great weather and visibility. But the popular trails around Annapurna and Everest are going to get busy during this time. So if you are looking for a more quiet trekking experience, why not head to lesser-known destinations? You can try the camping trails of the Limi Valley in northwestern Nepal instead. Head to Simikot to start the trek that guarantees beautiful alpine vistas.
With everyone hitting up the trails, October is a great month to explore the temples and sights around Kathmandu. Although many of the historic sights have been destroyed by the 2015 earthquake, there is still plenty to explore, and you can even see the locals rebuilding some of these glorious temples, including Hanuman Dhoka and Kasthamandap. Head to Pokhara, another major tourist city of Nepal, known for its beautiful lakes. October is an ideal month to try paragliding in Pokhara.
Nature and wildlife lovers can head to Chitwan or Bardiya national parks to spot the endangered Bengal tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros and many other wildlife species. October weather is ideal for going on jungle safaris in these parks, situated in the plains, where it is usually hot.
If you can afford to travel here during October and do not mind battling the crowds, you are going to have a great time. From perfect trekking conditions to colorful and vibrant religious festivals to awe-inspiring scenery, a trip to Nepal in October guarantees visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We get it, trying to organize and plan a trip to Nepal can be a nightmare. Between logistics and dates and booking multiple accommodations and transfers, it gets confusing quickly. Instead, let our travel experts take care of everything by checking our customizable trips in Nepal. It’s a no-brainer.
