# Nepal in May: Everest Season, Warm Trails and the Last Weeks before the Monsoon

_Published 27 September 2025_

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

AspectWhat to expectWeatherWarm; afternoon cloud and showers increasing late in the monthViewsClear mornings, hazier afternoonsKathmanduAbout 28–30°C by day, 16–18°C at nightChitwanOften 35°C or moreHigh trailsMild days; nights still below freezing above 4,500 mCrowdsBusy early, easing laterFestivalsBuddha 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.

PlaceAltitudeDayNightKathmandu1,400 m28–30°C16–18°CPokhara820 m29–31°C19–21°CNamche Bazaar3,440 m14–18°C3–6°CAnnapurna Base Camp4,130 m10–15°C−3 to 1°CGorak Shep5,164 m5–10°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](/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](/gokyo-renjo-la-pass-trek) are quieter alternatives.

### Annapurna and Manaslu

[Annapurna Base Camp](/annapurna-base-camp-trek) and the [Annapurna Circuit](/annapurna-circuit-trek) are good in May, with higher forests still in flower. The [Manaslu Circuit](/manaslu-circuit-trek) is pleasant, and Larkya La is usually clear of heavy snow.

### Upper Mustang and the Tiji festival

[Upper Mustang](/upper-mustang-trek) 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](/places/lo-manthang-upper-mustang).

### 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](/news/everest-spring-2026-season-record-summits).

## 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](/places/lumbini), [Boudhanath](/places/boudhanath-stupa) and [Swayambhunath](/places/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

AprilMayTemperaturesWarmWarmerRhododendronsPeak at mid-altitudesHigher altitudesViewsGood, some hazeHazier, more afternoon cloudEverest base campExpeditions arrivingSummit seasonRainOccasionalMore frequent late in the monthMore in our [Nepal in April guide](/blog/nepal-in-april).

## 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](/contact-us) to plan a May trip.

## Frequently asked questions
### Is May a good time to visit Nepal?
Yes, especially for high-altitude treks. Lowlands are hot and views are hazier than in autumn.

### How hot is Nepal in May?
Kathmandu is about **28–30°C** by day; Chitwan often exceeds **35°C**.

### Can I trek to Everest Base Camp in May?
Yes, it is one of the best months, coinciding with the Everest climbing season.

### Does it rain in May?
Afternoon showers and storms become more frequent later in the month.

### When does the monsoon start?
Usually in **early to mid-June**.

### What is the Tiji festival?
A three-day masked dance festival in Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang, usually in May.

### When is Buddha Jayanti?
On the full moon of **April or May**.

### Are rhododendrons still blooming in May?
Yes, at higher altitudes, such as around Tengboche and in the upper Annapurna forests.

### Which treks are best in May?
**Everest Base Camp**, **Gokyo**, **Annapurna Base Camp**, **Manaslu** and **Upper Mustang**.

### What should I pack for May?
Light layers, a down jacket, rain gear and sun protection.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/nepal-in-may