May is the height of spring in the high Himalaya and the last full month before the monsoon. At Everest Base Camp, the expedition village is at its busiest as climbers wait for their summit window. Higher up, rhododendrons are still flowering and the days are long and warm. Lower down, the heat builds, haze thickens and afternoon storms become more frequent. It is a month that rewards going high.
Quick answer: May is warm, long-day trekking weather with more haze and afternoon cloud than autumn, and the first pre-monsoon showers later in the month. Kathmandu is about 28–30°C by day; Chitwan is very hot. It is the peak of the Everest climbing season, ideal for EBC, Gokyo, Annapurna Base Camp, Manaslu and Upper Mustang (Tiji festival). Festivals include Buddha Jayanti (April or May).
May at a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Weather | Warm; afternoon cloud and showers increasing late in the month |
| Views | Clear mornings, hazier afternoons |
| Kathmandu | About 28–30°C by day, 16–18°C at night |
| Chitwan | Often 35°C or more |
| High trails | Mild days; nights still below freezing above 4,500 m |
| Crowds | Busy early, easing later |
| Festivals | Buddha Jayanti, Tiji (Upper Mustang) |
The weather in May
May is the warmest month before the monsoon. Mornings in the mountains are usually clear, but warm air rising from the valleys builds cloud by late morning, and thunderstorms with rain or hail become more common in the afternoons, especially in the second half of the month. The monsoon itself usually reaches eastern Nepal in early to mid-June. In the Terai and the low valleys it is hot and humid; the mountains are the place to be.
| Place | Altitude | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | 1,400 m | 28–30°C | 16–18°C |
| Pokhara | 820 m | 29–31°C | 19–21°C |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | 14–18°C | 3–6°C |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130 m | 10–15°C | −3 to 1°C |
| Gorak Shep | 5,164 m | 5–10°C | −10 to −5°C |
Best treks in May
Everest Base Camp and Gokyo
May is a superb time for the Everest Base Camp trek: warm days, the busy expedition camp at base camp and rhododendrons blooming around Tengboche. Start walking early to beat the afternoon cloud. Gokyo and Renjo La are quieter alternatives.
Annapurna and Manaslu
Annapurna Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit are good in May, with higher forests still in flower. The Manaslu Circuit is pleasant, and Larkya La is usually clear of heavy snow.
Upper Mustang and the Tiji festival
Upper Mustang is excellent in May, and the three-day Tiji festival in Lo Manthang, with masked dances by the monks, usually falls in May. Book well ahead; lodges fill up. See our Lo Manthang guide.
Treks to approach with care
Lower treks such as Poon Hill are hot and hazy in May, with fewer mountain views. Langtang routes from Syabrubesi were put on hold after the August 2026 flood; check with us before booking.
The Everest climbing season
Most Everest summits from Nepal happen in May, usually in the second half of the month when the jet stream lifts off the summit. Base camp becomes a tent village of several hundred climbers and staff, with dining tents, puja altars and helicopters. Trekkers can walk among the camps but should be respectful of the teams. Read about the 2026 season.
Festivals in May
- Buddha Jayanti (Buddha Purnima), the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing, falls on the full moon of April or May. Celebrations are biggest at Lumbini, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.
- Tiji in Lo Manthang, usually in May.
- Rato Machhindranath Jatra, Patan's long chariot festival, usually runs in spring and early summer.
What to pack for May
- Light clothes for warm valleys and a down jacket for high nights.
- A waterproof jacket and pack cover for afternoon storms.
- A sleeping bag rated to about −10°C for EBC.
- Sun protection, especially at altitude.
- Leech socks if walking through lower forests late in the month.
May vs April
| April | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperatures | Warm | Warmer |
| Rhododendrons | Peak at mid-altitudes | Higher altitudes |
| Views | Good, some haze | Hazier, more afternoon cloud |
| Everest base camp | Expeditions arriving | Summit season |
| Rain | Occasional | More frequent late in the month |
More in our Nepal in April guide.
Should you visit Nepal in May?
Yes, especially for high treks like Everest, Annapurna Base Camp, Manaslu and Upper Mustang. Start early each day, expect some afternoon cloud, and avoid the hottest lowlands. Contact us to plan a May trip.