Trekking in Nepal is the best adventure of a lifetime, so many people want to trek in Nepal in Autumn, also known as fall in some parts of the world, a transitional season between summer and winter. Possessing goodness in both summer and winter, autumn is arguably the best time of the four seasons for trekking in Nepal. Characterized by Shedding leaves from deciduous trees, Shorter daylight hour, and Cooler weather, it is also a time of festivities worldwide, and Nepal is no different. In the Northern Hemisphere, including Nepal, autumn more or less spreads between mid-September and mid-November, the best time to trek in Nepal.
Nepal is a popular destination among trekkers and mountaineers. Trekkers and mountaineers worldwide travel to Nepal all four seasons to witness the majestic Himalayas. Spring and autumn are considered the best time to trek in Nepal as the weather is mild and the sky clearer, making the trip more enjoyable and likely to provide a better view of the Mountains.
But Nepal is not just home to the highest peaks in the world but also one of the most culturally rich countries. With hundreds of ethnic groups residing all over Nepal, each with its unique culture, festivities are plentiful. Dashain and Tihar are the grandest and longest festival in Nepal; coincidentally, they also fall in autumn. Dashain, also known as Vijayadashami, marks the victory of Truth over falsehood. Families get together for celebration; they get blessings from elders, wear new clothes, fly kites, play swings, and worship different avatars of goddess Durga.
Tihar, also known as Deepawali and Diwali, comes two weeks later. Tihar is also known as the festival of lights because all devotees decorate their homes with electric and butter lamps. It is equally exuberant, if not more. During the five days of Tihar, devotees worship crow, Dog, Goddess Laxmi, Cow, and Brothers.
Right after Tihar comes Chhath. Chhath is a festival native to residents of Terai. It involves worshipping the Sun God and his wife, Chhatimaiya, and offering them sweets and fruits. Devotees bathe in the nearest river, lake, or pond. They fast and remain immersed in water during sunrise and sunset. Fasting ends after offering Argha to the rising sun on the final day.
Late October marks harvesting time for Nepali farmers. If everything had gone well, Paddy fields would be ready for harvest by mid-October. Grains are yellowish-brown and drooped down as they are heavy on top. Unlike farmers in the west, Most Nepali farmers still use essential hand tools to harvest paddy fields instead of harvester machines. They work relentlessly in the area from dawn till dusk; in weeks, all the stalks are taken off the field. Next, those stalks are bundled and sent to a processing station where Grain seeds are separated from the stalks. Then seeds are left to dry for a few hours. After the drying process, they are threshed to remove husks. It can be a fantastic experience to learn how rice comes from the paddy field to one’s plate.
Nepal’s weather generally remains cool throughout the year in the hills. Winters are frigid in the mountains, and summers can get scorching hot in the Terai region. Autumn, however, marks the period when the weather is pleasant all over Nepal. The temperature starts cooling down, and gradually, the precipitation also decreases.
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Average temperatures of Kathmandu in September, October, and November are 28º C, 26º C, and 23º C on the top side, and 19º C, 14º C, 8º C on the minimum side respectively. Kathmandu falls in a hilly area of Nepal. If you move up, the altitude temperature can drop further; if you move down, the temperature can be warmer.
Rainfall can still be heavy in early September as sometimes monsoon can prolong; however, towards the beginning of November, the likelihood of heavy rain is minimal. Skies are usually straightforward, but sometimes altocumulus clouds may form. Sunshine makes the days warm and cosy.
With the best summer and winter, autumn is the best time to travel to Nepal for adventure sports, including trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, etc. And even if you are not cut out for strenuous activities, you can still come and enjoy the Nepali festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, which are the grandest festivals of Nepal during autumn.
Which is the best time for Trekking in Nepal? It is a Shorter daylight hour and Cooler weather, as fall in some parts of the world is a transitional season.
