When to Go to Nepal
To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.
Climate
Nepal’s unique geographical position lends it a remarkable variety of climatic zones with micro-climates wherever you look. The south of the country, the Terai, enjoys a sub-tropical climate like the plains of India: hot summers, punctuated by the heavy monsoon rains, drying in September into a cool, dry winter. Spring arrives in February and temperatures climb steadily to the high 40’s c before the monsoon again brings relief.
As one gains altitude the weather becomes cooler and whilst Kathmandu can still get hot it is cooler than, say, Pokhara. Over 2,000m and things really change with warm to hot summer days and cold nights. The monsoon reaches even the high valleys with rain or snow but autumn and spring are a delight. Beware the freezing cold nights!
Seasonality
Visitors take full advantage of the clear days and nights of October and November, and these two months are also the country’s busiest. Travel in December, January and February for stunning clear skies whilst trekking and in February and March for the delight that is spring. Nepal’s famous rhododendrons appear in April ad May, but by then the air is not so clear.
National Holidays
| Date |
Description |
| 01 Jan 08 |
In addition to those holidays below a number of religious festivals, based on the lunar calender, take place, including:
Jan - Vasant Panchami, Mar - Ghode Jatra (Festival of Horses), Mar - Holi, Mar/Apr - Chaite Dashain, Aug - Rakshya Bandhan (Janai Purnima), Aug/Sep - Krishna Janmashtami, Sep - Fulpati Saptami, Sep - Maha Asthami, Sep - Maha Nawami, Sep - Vijaya Dashami, Oct - Laxhmi Puja, Oct - Ghatasthapana and Oct - Gobardhan Puja. |
| 30 Jan 08 |
Lhosar and Martyr's Day |
| 19 Feb 08 |
Rashtriya Prajatantra Divas(National Democracy Day) |
| 06 Mar 08 |
Maha Shivaratri |
| 08 Mar 08 |
Women's Day |
| 14 Apr 08 |
Navabarsha (New Year's Day) |
| 12 May 08 |
Buddha Jayanti |
| 20 Aug 08 |
Children's Day |
| 09 Nov 08 |
Constitution Day |
National Events
| Event |
Occurs |
Description |
| Religious Festivals in Nepal |
Various |
Nepal is known the world over for its succession of colorful vibrant festivals. It is said that “In Nepal every other building is a temple and every other day is a festival.” The Nepalese are said to observe more festivals than there are days in the year. There are many kinds of festivals, some honour certain Hindu and Buddhist gods or goddesses, some recreate important events from ancient mythology and epic literature. Religious festivals strickly follow the lunar calendar. The best part about the festivals in Nepal is that all the events are celebrated with the same enthusiasm the way it has been for hundreds of years, as it was when people had no other means of entertainment. Festivals such as Dashain and Tihar are of national significance; those such as Bisket Jatra or Red Machchhendranath Jatra belong to the traditions of the old Valley towns and still others, such as Mani Rimdu, are observed only by a particular countryside community. Please see www.welcomenepal.com/brand/Calendar_of_Events.pdf for a comprehensive list. |
| Phewa New Year Festival |
8-15 April 2008 |
|
| Gala Street Festival |
14 April |
Entertainment events in Thamel, Kathmandu |
| Bagmati River Festival |
5 June to 21 August 2007 |
|
| Elephant Polo |
18-24 November 2007 |
|
