If you asked a room full of Nepali trekking guides to pick one month for a first trip to the Himalaya, a lot of hands would go up for November. The monsoon is long gone, the dust has settled, and for weeks at a time the sky over the mountains is the deep, almost violet blue you only get at altitude. It is colder than October, especially at night, but the views are often the clearest of the year.
This guide covers what November is really like in Nepal: the weather in the mountains and the cities, which treks are best, which festivals you might catch, how busy it gets, and what to pack.
Quick answer: November is one of the best months to visit Nepal. Expect dry, stable weather and very clear mountain views, with cold nights at altitude (around −10°C to −15°C at Everest Base Camp). Kathmandu is around 20–23°C by day and 7–10°C at night. It is ideal for Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu treks and for Chitwan. Trails are busy in the first half of the month and quieter towards the end. In 2026, the festival of Tihar falls in early November.
November in Nepal at a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Weather | Dry and mostly clear; occasional late-season storm |
| Mountain views | Excellent, often best of the year |
| Kathmandu | About 20–23°C by day, 7–10°C at night |
| Pokhara | About 23–25°C by day, 10–12°C at night |
| Chitwan | About 26–28°C by day, foggy mornings later in the month |
| High trails (4,000–5,000 m) | Around 0–10°C by day in the sun, −10°C to −15°C at night |
| Crowds | Busy in early November, easing off later |
| Festivals | Tihar, Chhath, Mani Rimdu (some years) |
The weather in November
By November the monsoon is a memory. The air is dry, the rivers have dropped and the haze that builds up in spring hasn't arrived yet. Mornings in the mountains are usually perfectly clear, and although cloud sometimes builds in the afternoon, it rarely spoils the day. Rain is unusual. Every few years, though, a late cyclone from the Bay of Bengal pushes north and dumps snow on the high passes, so it is worth keeping an eye on forecasts and building in a spare day if you are crossing a pass.
The big change compared with October is the cold. Days are shorter, the sun drops behind the ridges by mid-afternoon, and once it does, the temperature falls fast. In the lowlands and the cities, November is close to perfect: warm days, cool evenings and clean air after the rains.
Temperatures by place
| Place | Altitude | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | 1,400 m | 20–23°C | 7–10°C |
| Pokhara | 820 m | 23–25°C | 10–12°C |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | 8–12°C | −4 to −2°C |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130 m | 5–10°C | −8 to −5°C |
| Dingboche | 4,410 m | 4–8°C | −10 to −6°C |
| Gorak Shep | 5,164 m | 0–5°C | −15 to −10°C |
These are rough figures. Wind chill makes high passes feel much colder, and a sunny afternoon at 4,000 m can feel almost warm. Our altitude guide explains why the cold and the altitude together are worth taking seriously.
Best treks in November
Everest Base Camp
November is one of the two best months for the Everest Base Camp trek. The views from Kala Patthar are usually crisp, and the light on Everest at sunset is extraordinary. Nights at Lobuche and Gorak Shep are properly cold, so a good sleeping bag and down jacket are essential. Lukla flights run more reliably than in spring, though they are still sometimes delayed. Many flights leave from Ramechhap in this season. See our EBC guide.
Annapurna Base Camp and Poon Hill
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is lovely in November. The forests are dry, the bamboo sections less muddy, and the sanctuary is ringed by clear peaks. Poon Hill sunrise is at its best in November; you might share it with a crowd in the first two weeks, but it is still worth the early start.
Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit
Both circuits are excellent in November, but the passes, Thorong La (5,416 m) and Larkya La (5,106 m), are cold and occasionally snowbound. Start early on the pass days and follow your guide's advice. Late November is close to the end of the safe season for Larkya La in some years. Our guides to the Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit cover the details.
Langtang, Mardi Himal and shorter treks
If you are short on time, Langtang Valley (7–10 days) and Mardi Himal (5–7 days) are both excellent in November and less crowded than the big-name routes. Lower treks like the Australian Camp and Dhampus hike from Pokhara give big Annapurna views for very little effort.
Quieter options
If you want to avoid crowds entirely, consider the Ama Dablam Base Camp trek, the Tsum Valley, Kanchenjunga, or Phoksundo Lake in Dolpo. These see a fraction of the traffic of EBC and ABC even in peak season.
Festivals in November
Tihar
Tihar, the Nepali festival of lights, is the second biggest festival of the year after Dashain. It lasts five days and falls in late October or early November, following the lunar calendar. In 2026 it falls in early November. Each day honours a different being: crows, then dogs (garlanded with marigolds and given a tika on their foreheads), then cows and the goddess Lakshmi, with oil lamps and candles lighting up every house. On the last day, Bhai Tika, sisters bless their brothers with seven-coloured tika and garlands. Groups of children and young people go from house to house singing deusi and bhailo songs in the evenings. Kathmandu and Pokhara are at their most beautiful during Tihar, though offices close and some services slow down.
Chhath
A few days after Tihar comes Chhath, a festival dedicated to the sun god, celebrated mainly by Maithili and Bhojpuri communities in the Terai but also at ponds and rivers in Kathmandu, such as Kamal Pokhari and Gahana Pokhari. Devotees stand in the water at sunset and sunrise making offerings. It is a beautiful, quiet thing to watch, as long as you keep a respectful distance.
Mani Rimdu
Mani Rimdu is a Sherpa Buddhist festival held at Tengboche Monastery in the Everest region, usually in October or November depending on the Tibetan calendar. Over several days the monks perform masked dances (cham) representing the victory of Buddhism over older spirits and demons. If your EBC dates line up with it, it is a remarkable thing to see. Our festivals guide and Sherpa culture guide have more.
Crowds and booking
November is peak season, especially the first half. On the EBC and ABC trails, popular lodges fill up, Lukla flights are fully booked, and the hotels in Thamel and Lakeside are busy. A few practical points:
- Book early. Lukla flights and good lodges in places like Namche and Dingboche fill up months ahead. For November departures, booking by the summer is sensible.
- Later is quieter. The second half of November is noticeably less busy, and the weather is often just as good, only a little colder.
- Prices. Hotel rates in the cities are at their high point, but there is rarely any price-gouging on treks. Lodge prices are set locally and stay the same through the season.
- Go further afield. If you dislike crowds, choose a less famous trek, or start a popular trek on a weekday and walk at the opposite end of the day from the big groups.
Other things to do in November
- Chitwan safari: warm, dry and great for wildlife. Grass is still tall early in the month, so rhino sightings get easier later on. See our Chitwan guide.
- Rafting: river levels have fallen to comfortable volumes and the water is cool but not cold. The Trishuli is an easy day trip, and multi-day rivers like the Sun Koshi and Karnali are in great condition. Read our rafting guide.
- Paragliding in Pokhara: clear skies and good thermals make November one of the best months to fly. See our paragliding guide.
- Mountain flight: the morning Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu has excellent visibility in November.
- Kathmandu Valley: warm days for exploring Bhaktapur, Patan and the stupas, and cooler evenings for sitting on rooftop terraces.
What to pack for November
For a trek, your kit is the usual teahouse list with an extra emphasis on warmth:
- Sleeping bag rated to at least −10°C, or −15°C for EBC and the high passes.
- Down jacket with a hood for evenings and early starts.
- Thermal base layers, top and bottom, for sleeping.
- Warm hat, buff and two pairs of gloves, liners and insulated.
- Sun protection: sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm. The sun is strong even when it is cold.
- Lighter clothes for the warm, low-altitude days and for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan.
- A water bottle you can fill with hot water and tuck into your sleeping bag at night.
Our full packing list covers the rest, and we can lend you a down jacket and sleeping bag if you'd rather not carry your own from home.
A sample two-week November trip
- Days 1–2: arrive in Kathmandu, explore Durbar Square, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath.
- Days 3–9: fly to Pokhara and trek to Poon Hill and Ghandruk, or do Mardi Himal.
- Day 10: a lazy day in Pokhara, boating on Phewa Lake or paragliding.
- Days 11–13: drive to Chitwan for a jungle safari.
- Day 14: return to Kathmandu and fly home.
With three weeks, you have time for Everest Base Camp plus a few days in Kathmandu and Chitwan. Our itinerary guide has more ideas.
November vs October
| October | November | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Clear, occasional late monsoon rain early in the month | Clear and dry |
| Temperatures | Warmer | Colder, especially at night |
| Views | Very good | Often the best of the year |
| Crowds | Busiest month | Busy early, quieter later |
| Festivals | Dashain, sometimes Tihar | Tihar, Chhath, sometimes Mani Rimdu |
In short, if you feel the cold and want the warmest possible autumn trek, pick October. If you want the clearest skies and slightly quieter trails, especially late in the month, pick November. More in our Nepal in October guide.
Should you visit Nepal in November?
Yes. It is hard to think of a better month for trekking: stable, dry weather, clear views and the trails in great condition, with the bonus of Tihar lights in the cities. Just pack warmly, book your flights and lodges early, and consider the second half of the month if you'd like a bit more peace on the trail. Contact us to plan a November trek or tour.