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Climate
The best seasons to trek in Nepal are autumn, from mid September
until end November and spring, from the beginning of March
until the mid May.
Autumn (mid-September to end-November)
This is the most popular time to trek. Generally during autumn,
the weather is clear with mild to warm days and cold nights.
However, in the higher altitude, the nights drop into freezing
temperature. In this season, the mountains views are astonishingly
clear.
Approach to winter and the mid winter (end-November through
March)
It is also possible to trek during winter, from December until
the end of February. Daytime temperatures will be cooler;
however, the nights will often be very cold. The days are
generally clear but occasional winter storms can bring snow
as low as 2500m. Early October through late November is also
the busiest period for trekking. But in mid winter (January
through March), trekking is more challenging in the high altitudes
with semi-regular snowfall followed by more winter storms,
which break the long fine periods. The mid-December to mid-February
is the coldest time.
As snow gets harder and wind condition remains stabilized
in early winter, climbing some of trekking peaks is possible.
Climbing Mera peak, Island peak, Chulu, and trekking in Annapurna,
Everest, Langtang in early winter have been quite popular
over the past few years.
Spring and early summer (mid-March through May)
In the spring, the mornings are usually clear but afternoon
cloud build-up brings occasional showers. The days are mix
up with warm and rain, which displays wildflowers like rhododendrons.
The whole country is lush and an abundant green at this season.
This period instigate the second most popular and pleasant
trekking season as this is rice-planting time. Late-march
into April is especially beautiful. It is also a good time
for climbing as the high passes are usually snow free and
the mountain views are still clear in April. Up to May, the
weather becomes hazy and disturbed with the clouds.
The monsoon (June to mid-September)
From June to September, is the monsoon season. Generally the
morning is cloudy and cloud wisps form on random ridges and
peaks. Trekking at this time of year is generally difficult
and uncomfortable as the weather is hot and it rains almost
every day. The trails become muddy and are often leech-infested
and the mountains are usually obscured by cloud. During April
and May, there is an expectation of thunderstorm, hail shower
and strong winds among the fine periods. There are, however,
possibilities for summer trekking in the trans-Himalayan regions
of mustang, Dolpo and Tibet. These regions lie in a rain-shadow
and therefore receive significantly less precipitation than
the more southerly areas.
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