Nepal in October

Nepal in October

If you’re planning a trip to Nepal, October is a great time to visit as the weather is pretty much perfect. Days are characterised by pleasantly mild temperatures in the low to mid 20s. The air is clear and the sunshine is bright, so spectacular views of the vast Himalaya are guaranteed.

Nepal Climate and Weather in October: If you’re planning a trip to Nepal, October is a great time to visit as the weather is pretty much perfect. Days are characterized by pleasantly mild temperatures in the low to mid 20s. The air is clear and the sunshine is bright, so spectacular views of the vast Himalaya are guaranteed. With the weather so good, it’s not surprising that trekking routes can be busy and teahouses crowded, but don’t worry, there’s still plenty of space for everyone. Wildlife in the national parks is abundant and easy to spot at this time of year. The pleasant temperatures are also ideal for exploring Nepal’s ancient historic towns with their wing-roofed temples, hidden squares and frenetic markets.

Kathmandu Weather: Daily high temperatures decrease by 4°F, from 81°F to 76°F, rarely falling below 72°F or exceeding 85°F.

Daily low temperatures decrease by 11°F, from 63°F to 52°F, rarely falling below 49°F or exceeding 65°F.

Pokhara Weather in October: Daily high temperatures decrease by 5°F, from 81°F to 76°F, rarely falling below 72°F or exceeding 84°F. Daily low temperatures decrease by 9°F, from 66°F to 58°F, rarely falling below 54°F or exceeding 69°F.

Everest Base Camp Weather: In the Everest region, October days are sunny with a temperature range of 12°C-16°C (53.6°F-60.8°F). So, when you trek to the Everest Base Camp during this time, you can walk in warm and sunny days. At night, however, the temperature drops to 2°C to -5°C (35.6°F-23°F) at this time of the year.

October weather in Nepal

Average weather around the major tourist area of Nepal

Best Places to visit in Nepal in October

Kathmandu,officially the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, is the capital and the most populous city of Nepal with 845,767 inhabitants living in 105,649 households in 2021 and 2.9 million people in its urban agglomeration. It is located in the Kathmandu Valley, a large valley in the high plateaus in central Nepal, at an altitude of 1,400 metres (4,600 feet).

The capital city of Kathmandu can set the tone of your Nepal tour as it will give you a glimpse into what Nepal is all about. The old building and busy streets with the scent of incense will give you an experience that no other city can. Temples, shrines and statues are the characteristics of this royal city. Durbar Square is a palace square in Kathmandu which attracts many tourists as is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Hindu pilgrims flock to this city to visit the Pashupatinath Mandir which is situated on the banks of River Baramati. Kathmandu also has famous Buddhist shrines like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath. The trekkers use Kathmandu as a base for their expedition. Kathmandu is the best place to buy trekking gear. You can also enjoy Nepali street food on the streets of Kathmandu.

Nagarkot: Though it isn’t a major backpacking spot in Nepal, Nagarkot is becoming increasingly popular amongst those travelers looking to experience rural Nepal. There are now plenty of hotels and small local restaurants in the area.

However, due to there being quite poor road infrastructure in place, it’s not a part of the typical Nepal program.

Still, I honestly think it’s one of the nicest places to visit in Nepal, and there’s plenty on offer for those looking to take it easy for a few days and capture some close-up views of the Himalayas.

Sagarmatha National Park: Sagarmatha brings you closer to Mt. Everest and it is one of the best places to visit in Nepal. Sagarmatha National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that serves as a conservation site of local flora and fauna. The park has endangered animal species like pheasant, snow leopard and red panda. The national park is also home to trees like pine, oak, and rhododendrons.       

The trekkers love this place as it not only has Mt. Everest but also has other peaks like Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Thamserku, Nuptse and Amadablam. The diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery of this region also bring nature photographers to this region.

Pokhara: Pokhara’s spellbinding beauty has been the subject of many travel writers. Its pristine air, the spectacular backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna Range and the serene Phewa, Begnas and Rupa Lakes, makes this destination ‘the Jewel of the Himalaya’. Pokhara is an ideal and energetic destination for all tourists, no matter what is their age group or what type of entertainment they are expecting. From hills to waterfalls to pristine lakes, to markets and shrines there is absolutely nothing that you can miss in this place.

Annapurna Circuit: The Annapurna Circuit is a trek within the mountain ranges of central Nepal. The total length of the route varies between 160–230 km (100-145 mi). The circuit is very tough at times, and the high altitude and unpredictable weather of the Annapurna mountain range can make crossing the Thorong La Pass a dangerous task – particularly if you’re not prepared

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a former royal palace complex located in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It housed the Malla kings of Nepal from 14th to 15th century and the kings of the Kingdom of Bhaktapur from 15th to late 18th century until the kingdom was conquered in 1769. Today, this square is recognised by UNESCO managed jointly by the Archeological Department of Nepal and Bhaktapu Municipality and is under heavy restoration due to the damages from the earthquake in 1934 and the recent earthquake of 2015.

The Durbar Square is a generic name for the Malla palace square and can be found in Kathmandu and Patan as well. The one in Bhaktapur was considered the biggest and the grandest among the three during its independency but now many of the buildings that once occupied the square has been lost to the frequent earthquakes. During its height, Bhaktapur Durbar Square contained 99 courtyards but today hardly 15 of these courtyards remain.

Chitwan National Park: Chitwan National Park is famous for the best wildlife-viewing national parks in Asia, where you’ll have an excellent chance of spotting endangered One-horned Rhinos, Royal Bengal Tiger, Deer, Monkeys, Wild Boar and up to 544 species of birds. This national park is a great place to visit. There are loads of animals to be seen, including monkeys, crocodiles, rhinos, elephants, peacocks and lots of other birds. The guides that work in the park are very knowledgeable. There are plenty of activities in the area, including a canoe ride in the park.

Lumbini: Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. Lumbini is a village, archaeological site, and place of pilgrimage honored as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha, l. c. 563-483 BCE) located in modern-day Rupandehi District of Nepal, Province 5, near the Indian border.

Langtang National Park: Langtang’s expansive high meadows provide summer habitat for numerous ungulate species such as musk deer and Himalayan tahr. The park is also well known for its populations of red panda, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, wild dog, ghoral, serow and more than 250 species of birds. You can reach Langtang National Park from Kathmandu in a 4 hours drive (202Km). There are early morning buses starting from 7-9 am, that run from Machhapokhari, New Bus Park in Kathmandu to Syabrubesi in Langtang National Park. The ticket fare is between INR 600 – 800.

Dharan: Nestled in the foothills of the Mahabharat Range, the sprawling city of Dharan is well known for its ancient temples, greenery, scenic views, and cleanliness. The city is the gateway to the hill districts of eastern Nepal and has a lot to offer visitors. Dharan is a very beautiful and busy town in East Nepal. As a gateway to the hilly districts for Terai and also as a gateway to plain Terai for hills, Dharan is an important touristic town from many angles.

Mt. Everest: Most people pay between $30,000 and $60,000, and some will pay as much as $220,000! But prices continue to rise, so if you are on a tight climbing budget, go as soon as your skills, experience, and checkbook can support a safe attempt. There are also easy way to see this amazing mountain by taking Mountain flights around the Kathmandu city with view of Mountains.

Nuwakot: Nuwakot Durbar is a famous place located in a historic District of Nepal, Nuwakot which was built by the great king Prithvi Narayan Shah. Prithivi Narayan becomes first Shah King of Nuwakot when he won over Nuwakot in 1801 BS. In that time, Nepal country differed into 22 States and 24 states.

Things to do in Nepal in October

Trekking: October is in the middle of the official peak (best) trekking season in Nepal. Beautiful clear skies in Annapurna during October in Nepal In October mountain views are at their best with good clarity and temperatures. During the day it’s sunny with the sun shining brightly. During the night the temperatures drop slightly but not greatly. This is one of the best seasons to go trekking in Nepal. For the most part at 2,000m expect day time temperatures of 22+ degrees and temperatures at night around 8 degrees. Top trekking Tours you can do in October:

1. Everest Base Camp trek: The best time to visit Everest Base Camp is either side of the late-May to mid-Sep monsoon season. Late Sep-Nov and Feb-Mayare the main trekking months with fairly stable conditions, good visibility and temps at Base Camp getting up to about -6°C.
2. Annapurna Circuit Trek: The Annapurna Circuit is one of the greatest treks in Nepal, if not the world. This classic circuit trek is an incredibly varied and extraordinarily beautiful journey. Dramatic deep gorges, bleak high mountain passes, Buddhist temples, picturesque farming villages and all the major mountains of the Annapurna Massif.
   
   To reach the start of the trek, we drive first down the main Pokhara road from Kathmandu and then follow the Marshyangdi River to Besisahar. The trek proper begins here, crossing and re-crossing the gorge carved by the Marshyangdi River on suspension bridges before you reach Manang, the largest village on the route. An acclimatisation day is taken here to prepare for crossing the Thorung La pass which is the highest point of the trek at 5416m. From there you descend progressively with plenty of up and down along the way until you reach Jomsom. We end our trip with a spectacular mountain flight to Pokhara and then a second flight on to Kathmandu.

1. Manaslu Trek: Mount Manaslu, also known as Kampunge is the eighth highest mountain in the world. It is located in the west-central part of Nepal. Manaslu in Sanskrit means “manasa” meaning “Intellect” or “soul”. The peak elevates to a height of 8,163 m. Climbing Manaslu takes about 7 weeks, including the scenic trek to Manaslu Base Camp at 4,400 metres. The trekking route remains relatively untouched and is a highlight on its own.
2. Langtang Region Trek: Dominated by the Langtang Himalayas, this valley trek is relatively shortbut one that runs through rhododendron and bamboo forests alongside thundering waterfalls and stunning snow-capped mountains.

The trail takes you to an altitude of 4,000 meters, and if you want to go higher, you’d not want to miss seeing the sunrise from the Tserko Ri at 5,000m.

This diverse trek introduces you to the Tamangs and the Sherpas Buddhist culture, and the ancient monastery of Kyanjin Gompa, situated near Tserko, upholds this tradition. The spectacular views on this trek include Dorje Lakpa (6,990m / 22,933 ft), Langtang Ri (6,370m / 20,898 ft) and Langtang Lirung (7,245m / 23,769 ft).

The trek passes through Langtang National Park- a pristine countryside with majestic flora and fauna, yak pastures, and local cheese factories! Himalayan pheasants, Himalayan deer, Himalayan bears, monkeys, and the elusive red panda, are native to this region.

Langtang Village was utterly destroyed during the April 2015 earthquake. The resilient locals have been busy rebuilding; Teahouses and lodges have been rebuilt and open. The best way for people to help us continue visiting this area.

Type of trek: 

Tea House Trek: As the name suggests, you trek towards your destination (the next tea house), along your trekking trails. The tea houses not only provide food but also lodging with all the basic amenities.

Camping: In this type of trek, you will be making camps on your destinations along the trail of your trek. All of the cooking, cleaning equipment will be carried. These types of treks are suitable for remote areas where there are no tea houses available.

Comparatively, the camp trekking is more expensive and offers more adventure and wilderness exploration than the tea house trekking. And the latter is a bit more comfortable one.

Mountain Flights:Mountain flights in Nepal is an hour flight tour starting and ending in the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu. This trip takes one to the nearest distance of the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha 8,848m), Dorje Lakpa (6966m), Gauri Shanker (7134m), Gyachungkang (7952m), Pumori (7161m), Nuptse (7855m) including innumerable mountains of the entire Himalayan selection.

Mt. Everest is the main attraction of the particular flight. The flights are normally operated in the morning. The months of spring and autumn (February, March, April, October, and November) will be the best time for mountain flights in Nepal since the weather is fine and steady and visibility is evident through those months. A part of all preparations, assessing weather forecast is much helpful to program for good mountain flight experience from Nepal and its own Himalayas

Helicopter Tour: October is the best season to visit Mount Everest helicopter flight as you can enjoy the Clearview of the mountain, as well as the pleasant weather, makes it more comfortable to reach Everest. October is not only the best weather to Heli tour to Everest but is also a peak season so you should be ready for the crowd.

Paragliding: You can paraglide all year round. During winter, the flights are particularly calm, and in summer, the upwinds offer especially high and long flights. Due to the temperatures, many passengers prefer the warm summer months. Paragliding in Pokhara is generally a safe activity. It’s probably safer than crossing the street at a busy intersection in town! There are more than 250 flights a day during peak season. In case of an accident, you have a reserve chute and a large lake for safety.

Bungee Jumping: Bungee jumping activity found its first ever spot at the Bhote Koshi gorge in Nepal. And now it is one of the most famous spots for bungee jumping in the whole world. The gorge is located near Nepal-Tibet border and has a height of 160 meters. As the jump was designed by one of New Zealand’s leading bungee consultants and now being operated by expert and experienced jump masters, bungee jumping in Nepal from Kathmandu is surely a breathtaking fall and very safe as well.

• Cultural Tour: 
• Seven World Heritage Day Tour of Kathmandu Valley
• Private Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour – UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Day Trip to Bhaktapur and Panauti from Kathmandu
• Kathmandu Full Day Tour
• Private Sightseeing Day Tour of Kathmandu’s Four UNESCO Heritage Sites
• Take Nepal and Bhutan Luxury Combo Trip of 17 Days (NEW)

Festival Tour: Dashain festival 2023 starts with Ghatasthapana on 26 September and ends on 5 October with ‘Vijaya Dashami’. Dashain is the longest and the biggest festival in Nepal. The festival is about family gathering, feasting and merry making. Dashain is 15 days long festival that falls in September or October, starting on Shukla Paksha (bright lunar fortnight) and ending on Purnima, full moon day. The festival is dedicated to Hindu mother goddess Durga, symbolizing the feminine dynamic energy. For the nine days, nine different aspects of mother goddesses are worshiped with Tantric rituals for empowerment. The tenth day is the day of celebration as a victory of good over evil. The following five days are when people visit their senior relatives to get their blessings. Fests are organized in every house with exchange of gifts.

Cycling Tour: In the shadow of the Himalayas and shrouded in ancient mysticism, Nepal has been at the center of the spiritual world for centuries. Nepal has eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains including Everest, making it a big draw for all types of adventure seekers. Found between India to the south and the Tibetan Plateau to the north, the small country boasts the most prolific stretch of the Himalayas, making the country’s height more significant than its length. The amount of natural and cultural sights in Nepal is almost overwhelming, so be prepared to come back multiple times to tackle more of its many challenges.

Not everything in Nepal is straight up and down; the Kathmandu Valley is surprisingly accessible for most cyclists. The fertile plains make for gentle cycling, with arguably the most dramatic backdrop in the world. Southern Nepal eases off the intensity, as the Himalayas in the north begin to blend into the jungles of northern India, providing a more relaxing ride that is rich in both Hindu and Buddhist history. Geographically small but vastly diverse, cycling Nepal is rewarding in so many ways. You get to take in the world’s most spectacular mountain range while having your soul deeply nourished by the longstanding culture and traditions of the peoples of Nepal. As most will attest, your second trip to Nepal is booked before you’re finished with your first.

Birdwatching Tour: “Nepal Bird Watching Highlight Tour” accompanied by expert guides and naturalist who knows the area, culture and abundant bird habitation of Nepal including migratory with various information to share. After a wonderful time in the great jungle of Chitwan with various activities and programs from bird watching, elephant safari, and jungle walks, jeep ride with canoe floats on Rapti River.

“Nepal Bird Watching Highlights Tour” leads around famous scenic, historical and cultural spots first an interesting journey to picturesque Pokhara with a interesting hikes to Sarankot and up at Peace Stupa with boating on Fewa Lake with impressive bird life in pristine woodlands in the shade of Annapurna Himalayan range with majestic Mt. Machhapuchhre “fish tail”

River Rafting and Kayaking: Nepal has many rivers for you to explore: Trishuli River (1 up to 3 days rafting/kayaking), Seti River (2 days rafting trip), Bhote Koshi River (1 day rafting trip), Kali Gandaki River (3 days rafting trip), Marsyandi River (1 to 2 days rafting/kayaking trip), Sun Koshi River (7 to 9 days rafting trip).

Nepal Travel Tips for October:

Book your tour, trek or other logistics well in advance as it is peak tourist season.

Choose less popular tour and trek destinations to avoid crowd.

Prepare with sleeping bag if you are going on a popular treks.

There will be mass exodus of locals because of festival making it difficult to travel.

Keep your itinerary flexible considering delays and cancellation of transportation and domestic flights.

Main days of the festival will have restaurants and shops closed.

How to go to Nepal?

On-arrival tourist visas are available for citizens of most countries at several border entry points, as well as Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. This makes flying into Nepal an easy travel option. Should you be visiting from Tibet or India, crossing by car or bus at a designated border crossing is also possible. Keep in mind that if you plan to volunteer while in Nepal, that is technically considered “work” and you can be fined if volunteering on a tourist visa without prior permission.

Transportation in Nepal?

Once in Nepal, microbuses, taxis, and long-distance tourist buses can get you around from location to location, or you can rent a motorbike. There are also several domestic airlines which provide regular flights between Kathmandu and popular destinations like Pokhara and Bharatpur.

Trekking is also popular amongst tourists, with each region offering its own set of circuits. Treks can be arranged through IPPG approved tourism centers or trekking companies if you wish to join a group or explore less traveled circuits.

Food and Culture in Nepal

Hinduism and Buddhism are the two largest religions in Nepal, but there are also a number of indigenous ethnic groups, mostly rural or nomadic, which have their own traditions and beliefs.

Since the large majority of inhabitants are Hindu, there is a strict division of castes and you should be aware of the rules surrounding eating and drinking, such as eating with your right hand, washing your hands before and after meals, and avoiding touching water containers or others’ food when eating in a group. You should also avoid touching others with your left hand.

Where to eat around Kathmandu?

The vibrant restaurant scene of the capital city of Nepal offers a surprisingly vast range of options – from traditional Nepali to the best of European fine dining. Here are some of the must-try places to eat in Kathmandu. Let’s explore.

Bhojan Griha Restaurant:

Built as a residence for a royal priest more than 150 years ago, the impressive four-storey building of Bhojan Griha can nowadays host more than 250 people in one sitting. Located in Dilli Bazar, the restaurant serves traditional Nepali food in charming surroundings. While sat on colourful cushions, savouring Nepali delicacies served in traditional brassware, guests can enjoy regular cultural shows – from Nepali folk music to regional dance. Bhojan Griha also has a Kama Sutra bar, appropriately decorated with traditional erotic wood carvings.

Yangling Tibetan Restaurant

Yangling serves the best momos in Kathmandu. Along with momos – traditional Nepalese dumplings, stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables and served steamed or fried – this small and unpretentious family-run restaurant also features some other traditional dishes. Some of these include hefty thukpa –a traditional Nepali hot noodle soup with meat and vegetables – and a tasty and rich Tibetan butter tea.

Rosemary Kitchen and Coffee Shop

Cafe, Restaurant, Indian, European, Asian.

Rosemary Kitchen features an exciting mix of European and Asian cuisine, using only organic produce from local farms. Dishes are as broad-ranging as Mexican breakfast, Italian bruschetta, spicy Thai curry and traditional Nepali thali. The restaurant has a lovely open courtyard seating area – perfect for a coffee break or a glass of wine from the impressive wine collection.

FAQ:

Is October a good time to visit Nepal?

As the monsoon dissipates in September, Nepal welcomes beautiful clear skies, fresh air and incredible views. October and November are two of the best months to visit as dry days make trekking easier and offer good visibility. The verdant landscapes following the rains are ideal for photographers.

How is the weather of Nepal in October?

We’re expecting roughly 8 to 15 days of rain, so your rubber boots and umbrella are going to see plenty of use this month if you’re keen on staying dry. Our weather forecast can give you a great sense of what weather to expect in Nepal.

Is October cold in Nepal?

October Weather in Kathmandu Nepal. Daily high temperatures decrease by 4°F, from 81°F to 76°F, rarely falling below 72°F or exceeding 85°F.

What clothes to take to Nepal in October?

• Flowy Pants. Due to the hot weather, having long pants in a breathable fabric like linen, are such a must-have!
• Breathable Long Skirts and Dresses.
• Jumpsuits.
• T-Shirts.
• Close Toed Shoes.
• Passport Cover.