Weather in Kathmandu

About Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the launching pad for the greatest mountain adventures on Earth. The Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur are extraordinary medieval complexes. Boudhanath stupa is one of Buddhism's great sacred sites. And the Himalayas — Everest, Annapurna, Langtang — begin just hours from the city.

Country

Nepal

Best months to visit

April, November, December

Currency

NPR

Language

Nepali

Things to do in Kathmandu

Everest Base Camp trek Pashupatinath temple Boudhanath stupa Bhaktapur Durbar Square Paragliding in Pokhara Mountain flight

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

16C

Cool, with occasional showers.

February

18C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

March

22C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

April

25C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

May

25C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

June

26C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

July

26C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

August

26C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

September

25C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

October

23C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

November

21C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

December

18C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Kathmandu is the world's gateway to the Himalayas and a destination of profound spiritual power in its own right — the medieval Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur are UNESCO-listed masterpieces of Newari architecture, the Boudhanath stupa is one of the largest in the world and draws Tibetan pilgrims from across Asia, and the Pashupatinath temple complex on the Bagmati River offers the most honest and moving encounter with life, death, and Hindu ritual available to a respectful visitor. The views of Everest from Nagarkot and Sarangkot are genuinely life-changing.

Best areas to stay in Kathmandu

Thamel

Kathmandu's tourist district — trekking equipment shops, backpacker guesthouses, and restaurants serving everything from dal bhat to pasta; the energy of Nepal's adventure tourism hub.

Boudhanath & Pashupatinath

Two of the most sacred sites in the Kathmandu Valley — the vast Tibetan Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath and the atmospheric Hindu cremation ghats at Pashupatinath.

Patan (Lalitpur)

The most refined of the three Kathmandu Valley kingdoms — a perfectly preserved medieval Durbar Square of extraordinary temples and the finest Newari architecture in Nepal.

Bhaktapur

The best-preserved of the three Durbar Squares — medieval streets largely unchanged for centuries, extraordinary woodcarving traditions, and excellent pottery and thangka workshops.

Getting to Kathmandu

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Flights

Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu is served from London via connecting hubs — Qatar Airways (Doha), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), and Air India (Delhi) offer good connections. The flight to Kathmandu is around 9–10 hours via these hubs.

⏱

From London

~11–13 hours total journey time from London (via hub)

🚕

Getting around

Taxis and ride-hailing apps (InDrive, Pathao) serve Kathmandu's urban area; microbus services connect the valley cities cheaply; most Durbar Squares are best explored on foot within manageable distances of each other.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?

October and November are the finest months — perfect post-monsoon clarity, dry skies, and the best mountain views. March to May (spring) is also excellent and sees the most trekkers. The monsoon (June–September) brings rain but also lush green landscapes and the best light on the mountains at dawn.

Do UK citizens need a visa for Nepal?

Yes — a Tourist Visa on Arrival is available at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) and most land border crossings for US$30 (15 days), US$50 (30 days), or US$125 (90 days). Alternatively, apply for an e-visa online before travel at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np.

Is altitude sickness a concern in Kathmandu?

Kathmandu sits at 1,400m — too low to cause significant altitude sickness. However, day trips or treks into higher elevations require proper acclimatisation planning. Consult a travel doctor about acetazolamide (Diamox) if planning trekking above 3,500m.

Is it safe to trek in Nepal independently?

It is possible but increasingly restricted — a TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card is required for all major routes, and a guide and porter arrangement is mandatory for most trek areas. Hiring a guide significantly enhances safety, navigation, and cultural understanding.

What happened to Kathmandu's temples in the 2015 earthquake?

The 2015 Gorkha earthquake caused devastating damage to Kathmandu's historic districts. Reconstruction has been ongoing — some temples and durbar squares are fully restored, others are in progress. The reconstruction itself has become part of the city's living history.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

The morning circuit of Boudhanath stupa with Tibetan monks and pilgrims in the crisp October air was one of the most peaceful and spiritually affecting experiences of my travelling life. The Himalayan panorama from Nagarkot at dawn the next day was extraordinary.

Chris M. · October 2024

★★★★★

Bhaktapur Durbar Square was extraordinary — medieval streets barely changed in centuries, extraordinary woodcarved temples, and the best view of the valley. The dal bhat set at a traditional restaurant was the finest meal of the entire Nepal trip.

Sarah L. · November 2023

★★★★☆

Kathmandu is intense and extraordinary in equal measure — Pashupatinath at dawn as the cremations begin was confronting and deeply moving in a way few travel experiences manage. The mountain flight to see Everest from the air was worth every penny.

Ben R. · April 2024