March is when Nepal wakes up from winter. The days grow longer and warmer, snow begins to melt on the lower passes, and the forests of the middle hills start to turn red and pink with rhododendron, Nepal's national flower. The trails that were quiet in January fill up again with trekkers, and in Kathmandu the expeditions start arriving with their mountains of kit for the Everest season.
It is one of the best months to visit Nepal, especially if you like your treks a little warmer and greener than in autumn. Here is what to expect.
Quick answer: March is the start of the spring trekking season. Expect mostly dry, sunny weather, warming temperatures and rhododendrons in bloom from mid-March in the middle hills. Kathmandu is around 20–25°C by day and 7–10°C at night. Early March can still be cold and snowy on high passes. It is ideal for Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal and Everest Base Camp. Afternoon cloud and haze are more common than in autumn. Holi usually falls in March.
March at a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Weather | Mostly dry and sunny; occasional afternoon showers and snow higher up |
| Views | Clear mornings, cloud and haze building in the afternoons |
| Kathmandu | About 20–25°C by day, 7–10°C at night |
| Pokhara | About 24–27°C by day, 11–13°C at night |
| High trails | Cold nights, around −10°C at 5,000 m; snow possible on passes early in the month |
| Flowers | Rhododendrons from mid-March, peaking in April |
| Crowds | Moderate, building through the month |
| Festivals | Holi, sometimes Maha Shivaratri and Losar |
The weather in March
March is a month of transition. In the first week or two it can still feel like late winter at altitude, with cold nights, frozen mornings and snow lying on the higher passes such as Thorong La and Larkya La. By the end of the month spring is in full swing: the lower valleys are warm, wildflowers are out, and the high trails are much more comfortable.
The trade-off is visibility. As temperatures rise, so does haze from the plains and from agricultural burning, and cloud tends to build up after lunch. Mornings are usually clear and beautiful, so plan to start walking early to get the best views. Short afternoon showers or hail are possible, particularly later in the month.
Temperatures by place
| Place | Altitude | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | 1,400 m | 20–25°C | 7–10°C |
| Pokhara | 820 m | 24–27°C | 11–13°C |
| Ghorepani | 2,860 m | 10–15°C | 0 to 3°C |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | 8–13°C | −5 to −1°C |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130 m | 5–10°C | −8 to −4°C |
| Gorak Shep | 5,164 m | 0–5°C | −15 to −10°C |
Rhododendron season
The great attraction of spring trekking is the rhododendron forests. Nepal has around thirty species of rhododendron, from shrubs to trees more than ten metres tall, and in spring whole hillsides turn red, pink and white. The lower forests, between about 1,500 and 2,500 m, begin to bloom in March; higher forests follow in April and May.
The best places to see them are:
- Ghorepani and Poon Hill, where the forest between Ulleri, Ghorepani and Tadapani is famous for its blooms. See our Poon Hill guide.
- Mardi Himal, with dense rhododendron forest on the climb to Forest Camp. See our Mardi Himal guide.
- Langtang and Helambu, between Chisapani and Tharepati.
- The Everest region below Tengboche, later in the season.
- Pikey Peak and the lower Solukhumbu.
Best treks in March
Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp
Probably the best combination in March. The Poon Hill trek is at its most colourful, and the Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp combination adds the sanctuary, still deep in snow, surrounded by giant peaks. Watch for avalanche risk in the gorge between Deurali and MBC early in the season; your guide will check conditions.
Everest Base Camp
March is a good month for the Everest Base Camp trek, colder at the start, warming by the end. Lukla flights from Ramechhap usually resume in spring. By late March, the first expedition teams are heading up to base camp, which adds a buzz to the trail.
Mardi Himal and other short treks
For a week or less, Mardi Himal, Australian Camp and the Ghandruk trek are excellent and very pretty in spring.
High passes
The Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu Circuit and Everest Three Passes are possible in March, but snow can close passes in the first half of the month. Late March or April is safer for these routes. Read our guides to the Annapurna Circuit and Three Passes.
Festivals in March
Holi
Holi, the festival of colours, usually falls in March on the full moon of the month of Phalgun. In Kathmandu and the hills it is celebrated a day before the Terai. Expect people of all ages throwing coloured powder and water at each other in the streets, especially around Basantapur and Thamel. Wear old clothes, protect your camera and phone, and join in if you like.
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva, falls in February or March. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, including colourful sadhus from India and across Nepal, gather at Pashupatinath. It is one of the most spectacular religious gatherings in Nepal.
Losar
The Tibetan and Sherpa New Year, Gyalpo Losar, falls in February or early March. Boudhanath is the place to see it in Kathmandu, with prayers, new prayer flags and family celebrations.
Our festivals guide lists the main festivals through the year.
Other things to do in March
- Chitwan and Bardia: the grass is cut and burned in the national parks, making wildlife easier to see. A great time for a jungle safari.
- Rafting: water levels are low and the water is cold early in the month, warming by the end.
- Paragliding: spring thermals are good, though afternoons can be hazy. See our paragliding trip.
- Kathmandu Valley: pleasant days for sightseeing and day hikes around the rim of the valley.
What to pack for March
- Layers for big temperature swings between warm valleys and cold nights at altitude.
- A down jacket and a sleeping bag rated to −10°C for high treks.
- A light waterproof jacket for afternoon showers.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen.
- Microspikes if you are crossing a high pass early in the month (ask your guide).
Our full packing list has the rest.
March vs April
| March | April | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperatures | Cooler, especially early on | Warmer |
| Rhododendrons | Lower forests from mid-March | Peak bloom |
| High passes | Snow possible early in the month | Usually open |
| Visibility | Clear mornings, some haze | More haze and afternoon cloud |
| Crowds | Moderate | Busy |
More in our Nepal in April guide.
Should you visit Nepal in March?
Yes, especially in the second half of the month. You get warm days, flowers, quieter trails than in April, and the chance to catch Holi. Start your walking days early for the clearest views, and keep a spare day in hand if your trek crosses a high pass. Contact us to plan a spring trek.