Nepal’s climate ranges from subtropical in the Terai lowlands to alpine and Arctic in the high Himalayas. Kathmandu averages 10°C in January and 24°C in July, with the monsoon bringing 80 per cent of annual rain from June to September. The best trekking seasons are October to November (clear skies, moderate temperatures) and March to April (warmer, rhododendrons blooming). Pokhara is warmer and wetter than Kathmandu, receiving over 3,000mm of rain annually with spectacular mountain views in the dry season. The Terai lowlands (Chitwan, Lumbini) are subtropical: hot and humid from March to October, pleasant from November to February. High-altitude treks (Everest, Annapurna) are only feasible in the pre-monsoon (March-May) and post-monsoon (October-November) windows.
