Nepal Trekking at the time of Rhododendron bloom

One of the most frequently asked questions that our team at the Trail Info & Booking Center are faced with is: “When is the best time to travel in Nepal? Well, this question cannot be answered easily, because the Himalayan country is just as diverse as the wishes and desires of our customers. We have taken a current occasion, the snow masses of this winter, to recommend spring as the ideal travel and trekking time in the Himalayas. Who hasn’t thought, at least for a moment, of the light, warmth and blossoming of spring in the face of winter?

All the magic of Nepal at one glance: idyllic villages, magnificent mountains! But when is the best time to travel to Nepal? © Trail Angels

Spring or Autumn? In general, it is told that autumn (from the end of September to the beginning of December) is the best time to travel in the Nepalese Himalayas. This is also true, because the weather is stable – usually one beautiful day with a deep blue sky follows another. This way even the lower temperatures at higher altitudes lose their horror with good equipment. The only disadvantage is that it’s the high season! Especially on the “classics” like the Everest Base Camp Trek or the Annapurna Trek to the Base Camp of the Annapurna South Wall, it can get pretty crowded. If you want to have it a little quieter, you should take a closer look at the itinerary and focus on the insider tips to enjoy the magic of the Himalayas in peace. Of course, we are happy to advise you.

Autumn in the Himalayas: Stable weather with crystal clear mountain air! View of Mt. Everest from Gokyo Peak © Trail Angels

Otherwise you decide for spring! Depending on the altitude, most trekking tours are very good from mid-March to mid-May (later the monsoon rain gradually sets in). There are several advantages for you: The days are getting longer and longer, there are considerably fewer trekkers on the way and the enchanting floral beauty of the Himalayas will captivate you. Disadvantages? Well, at the beginning of the spring season the passes (about 5.000m) can still be snow-covered and not passable. And the later the spring, the more likely it is to rain in the afternoons which might even end in thunder and lightning. But usually this is a guaranty for the next day to start off radiantly beautiful. In May it can get quite hot for hiking at lower altitudes, then it is better to reach higher altitudes.

Spring in the Himalayas: blooming flowers, warmer temperatures and one or two rain showers. Mountain village on the Mardi Himal Trail © Trail Angels

The true miracle and thus one of the best travel times of Nepal is the rhododendron blossom in spring! Dozens of different rhododendron species spread in the mountain forests of the Himalayas up to an altitude of 4.000m and transform these in spring with their petals – from bright white to purple red – into a wonderful blaze of color! This creates a breathtaking contrast to the giants of the Himalayas shining in the sun. And the waves of this sea of colors are buzzing and humming as the wild bees eagerly collect the nectar for the famous Nepalese mountain honey! If you want to hike this natural wonder on fantastic paths, we recommend the following two trails.

Incredible views and impressions on the Annapurna Mardi Himal Trail © Trail Angels

Annapurna Mardi Himal Trail
This trail leads through a particularly scenic region of the southern Annapurna region. Off the beaten track, the trail first passes fertile farmland and lush jungle up to the ridges of the Mardi Himal. Here, magnificent rhododendron forests spread out and on the beautiful high-altitude trail, we climb higher and higher to the Mardi Himal Base Camp at almost 4.500m, where the view of the glacier giants of the Annapurna Himal becomes clear. Especially the Machhapuchare (6.997m), also called “fishtail mountain” because of its daring shape, will take your breath away! No other trail in Nepal offer such a wide variety of landscapes in such a short time – from jungle to glacier – and can be perfectly combined with other activities, like an outdoor program around Pokhara or the jungle safaris in Chitwan National Park.

Views of the highest peak of the world are guaranteed on the Everest Easy Trail © Trail Angels

Everest Easy Trail
Although the beauty of the Rhododron Blossom is not so famous for the Everest region as the southern Annapura region, the beauty of the untouched mountain forests in Sagarmatha National Park is at least as impressive! And it is particularly this region that is hiked on the Everest Easy Trail, without reaching altitudes above 4.000m. What makes the Everest Easy Trail such a unique experience is that you will always be hiking off the beaten track and will be able to admire unique panoramas on Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam and Co. in addition to the rich floral life. And the possibility of combining it with other programs – as with the Mardi Himal Trail – is of course also available!

Summer as well as winter, Nepal is always worth a trip, because Sommer wie Winter, because the glory of the peaks will always captivate you © Trail Angels

Summer or winter?
And last but not least, there’s also a lot to know about the other travel times in Nepal! In summer, the monsoon – the rainy season – has Nepal and the Himalayas tightly under control. In most regions trekking is not really recommended. There are exceptions: The Tibetan influenced highlands Mustang, Dolpo or Humla are in the rain shadow of the Himalayas and are therefore suitable for lonely trekking experiences. However, you have to be prepared for delays on arrival (domestic flights often get cancelled). And in winter the not too high situated regions of the Himalayas are attractive as well as the foothills and the Pre-Himalayas. When planning the daily stages, please remember the short time of daylight and the crossing of frozen water streams can – often also for the crew – turn out to be a delicate task.

In fact, Nepal is a destination for all four seasons! And who sees himself in the snow and minus degrees after the buzzing and humming of the wild bees in the blaze of color of the Rhododendron forests, should look at these offers exactly or contact the Trail Info & Booking Center directly.

Related articles