By Autumn treks in Nepal run from September to November, and the best month depends on the trek: early September suits the dry valleys behind the Himalaya, October gives the clearest skies for Everest and Annapurna, and November is the quiet, cold month for lower treks like Langtang and Poon Hill. This guide matches each trek to a month, shows what changes in cost and crowds, and flags the permit fees that rise in autumn.
Most “best time” articles say “autumn is great” and stop there. That is true, but it does not help you choose between nine treks and three months. The tables below do.
Autumn treks in Nepal at a glance
- Season: September to November. The Nepal Tourism Board lists spring and autumn as the best trekking seasons in most areas.
- Clearest skies: October and November, after the monsoon, according to the board.
- September: the monsoon tail. Rain can still fall on most routes; the dry valleys behind the Himalaya, like Upper Mustang, are the exception.
- Cost trap: restricted-area permits cost more in September to November than in December to August.
- Festivals: Dashain and Tihar fall in autumn and make flights, buses and hotels busy.
Last checked: 5 November 2026. Season, rainfall, cold and festival facts come from Nepal Tourism Board pages. The restricted-area fees come from the Department of Immigration table hosted by the board; that document shows no date, so confirm the fee before you pay. Trek lengths and prices come from our own packages, and the month-by-month advice is our guiding experience, marked as ours where it is.
Autumn View of Mount Everest and Nuptse from Kala Patthar
In this guide: Why autumn | Month by month | Trek by trek | Autumn permit fees | Dashain and Tihar | How cold | Which trek | FAQ
Why autumn is the main trekking season
Nepal has five seasons, according to the Nepal Tourism Board: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter. The board says most of the country’s rain falls in the monsoon months of June to September, and that the best times for trekking are spring and autumn. For views, it says “the clearest skies are found after the monsoon in October and November.”
That gives you three practical reasons to trek in autumn: dust and rain have been washed out of the air, trails are dry after the monsoon, and the villages are fully open. The cost is more trekkers and, for some routes, higher permit fees.
Autumn treks in Nepal, month by month
| Month | What to expect | Best treks | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | The monsoon tail. The board puts the monsoon at June to September, so rain is still possible. Greener trails, fewer trekkers. | Upper Mustang, where the board says even the monsoon months are ideal because it lies in the rain shadow | Leeches and cloud on lower trails; flights can be delayed by cloud (ours). |
| October | Clearest skies of the year, according to the board. Stable weather, busiest trails, Dashain falls in this window in many years. | Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu Circuit, Gokyo | Full teahouses and busy flights; book early (ours). |
| November | Clear and cold, quieter after Dashain and Tihar. The board says skies stay clear in November. | Langtang, Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp, lower Everest treks | Colder nights at altitude, and shorter days (ours). |
The month cut-offs vary from year to year. Treat them as typical patterns, not guarantees, and ask us for conditions close to your dates. For a live example of what a single month looks like, see our Everest Base Camp conditions report for October 2026.
Which treks work in autumn: trek by trek
| Trek | Our package length | Highest point | Autumn verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | 14 days | Kala Patthar 5,545 m | Best in October and November. The board lists October to November among the best times for the region. |
| Annapurna Circuit | 18 days | Thorong La 5,416 m | The board lists September to November as the best season for the area. Best in October. |
| Manaslu Circuit | 18 days | Larkya La, about 5,100 m (published figures differ) | The board lists March to May and September to November. A restricted-area permit applies. |
| Gokyo and Renjo La | 14 days | Gokyo Ri 5,357 m | Strong in October and November, with lake views in clear light. |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 10 days | About 4,130 m | Good in October and November; no high pass. |
| Langtang Valley | 10 days | Kyanjin Ri, about 4,773 m | The board lists October to November and March to May. November is quiet and clear. |
| Ghorepani Poon Hill | 9 days | About 3,210 m | Best on clear mornings; October and November are the usual choice (ours). |
| Muktinath trek | Varies by route | Thorong La 5,416 m on the pass route | Shares the Annapurna autumn window; see our Muktinath trek guide. |
| Upper Mustang | Restricted area | Not covered in this guide | The board says the rain-shadow area suits even monsoon months, so September works. |
Package lengths and prices are on the individual trek pages and can change. Highest points use the figures in our own trek guides. For detail on the big three, read the Everest Base Camp guide, the Thorong La crossing guide and the Manaslu vs Annapurna comparison.
Annapurna South Trail View
The autumn permit trap: restricted areas cost more
This is the detail most guides miss. The Department of Immigration table of restricted-area permits, hosted by the Nepal Tourism Board, charges more in September to November than in December to August for some areas:
| Area | September to November | December to August |
|---|---|---|
| Manaslu (Gorkha) | US$70 per week, then US$10 per day after 7 days | US$50 per week, then US$7 per day after 7 days |
| Nar and Phu (Manang) | US$90 per week | US$75 per week |
| Upper Mustang | US$500 for the first 10 days, then US$50 per day | Same fee, no seasonal split in the table |
The table lists no issue date and says fees are set by government notification from time to time. Treat these figures as a guide, and confirm the current fee with us or the Department of Immigration before you pay. If you want to save on a Manaslu or Nar Phu permit, the cheaper months are December to August, but you give up the autumn weather.
Dashain and Tihar: how festivals affect your trek
The Nepal Tourism Board says Dashain usually falls in September or October and lasts 15 days, and that it coincides with the autumn trekking season. Its Tihar page describes a five-day festival of lights and lists 19 to 23 October without a year, so check the dates for your own year, as they move.
For trekkers the effects, from our experience, are practical:
- Travel is busier. Many Nepalis travel home for Dashain, so buses, domestic flights and hotels fill up.
- Some shops close on the main days, so carry cash and snacks, and avoid arriving in Kathmandu without a booked room.
- The festivals are worth seeing. If your dates overlap, plan a day in Kathmandu or Bhaktapur for tika, kites and lights.
- Book early. Autumn Lukla flights and teahouse beds are the first to sell out.
How cold is autumn at altitude?
The Nepal Tourism Board says average temperatures drop 6°C for every 1,000 m you gain. Using that rule, Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m is roughly 24°C cooler than Kathmandu at about 1,350 m, since the climb is about 4,000 m. That is a rough rule of thumb, not a forecast. Clear autumn mornings feel mild in the sun, but nights above 4,000 m are well below freezing in November (ours).
What to pack for an autumn trek
- Layers. A warm down jacket for evenings, plus thin base layers and a windproof shell.
- Sun protection. Hat, sunglasses and sun cream, since clear skies mean strong sun at altitude.
- A rain layer for September and the lower trails.
- A warm sleeping bag for November nights.
- Cash, because ATMs are not available high on the trail.
Our Everest Base Camp packing list covers the full kit, and our training guide helps you prepare.
Which autumn trek should you pick?
| If you want | Choose | Month |
|---|---|---|
| The big view and a first Himalayan trek | Everest Base Camp | Mid-October to mid-November |
| A high pass and varied scenery | Annapurna Circuit | October |
| A quieter, remote circuit | Manaslu Circuit | October |
| Lakes and a quieter route than Base Camp | Gokyo and Renjo La | Late October to November |
| An easier trek with strong views | Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill | November |
| Something close to Kathmandu, quiet in November | Langtang Valley | November |
| Avoid the monsoon tail in September | Upper Mustang | September |
If you are weighing two treks, see Everest Base Camp vs Annapurna Base Camp and the five best short treks.
FAQ
When is the best time to trek in Nepal in autumn? October gives the clearest skies, according to the Nepal Tourism Board, and is the busiest month. November is quieter and colder. September is the monsoon tail.
Which months are autumn in Nepal? September, October and November. The board lists autumn as one of five seasons.
Is September good for trekking in Nepal? It is the end of the monsoon, which the board puts at June to September, so rain is possible. The dry valleys behind the Himalaya, such as Upper Mustang, suit September better.
Is October the best month to trek Nepal? For clear skies it is the strongest choice, but it is also the busiest. Book flights and teahouses early.
Is November good for trekking? Yes. Skies stay clear and trails are quieter after the festivals, but nights are colder, especially above 4,000 m.
Which trek is best in autumn? Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit are the classics in October. Langtang and Poon Hill are good in November.
How cold does it get on an autumn trek? The board says temperatures drop 6°C per 1,000 m of altitude. Nights at altitude are below freezing in November, in our experience.
Do restricted-area permits cost more in autumn? For some areas, yes. The Department of Immigration table lists higher weekly fees for Manaslu and for Nar and Phu from September to November. Confirm current fees before you pay.
When are Dashain and Tihar? Dashain usually falls in September or October and lasts 15 days, according to the board. Dates move each year, so check your own year.
Will Dashain affect my trek? It can make buses, flights and hotels busier, and some shops close on main days. Book early and carry cash.
Do I need to book autumn treks early? Yes. Lukla flights and teahouse beds sell out first in October. We suggest booking several months ahead.
Can Base Camp Hikes plan my autumn trek? Yes. Tell us your dates, fitness and budget, and we will suggest the trek and month that fit.
Plan your autumn trek with Base Camp Hikes
See our Everest Base Camp trek and Annapurna Circuit trek, or message the team on WhatsApp or phone at +91 932 595 1234 (9 am to 7 pm IST), write to info@basecamphikes.com, or use our enquiry form.
Sources
- Nepal Tourism Board: Climate in Nepal (five seasons, monsoon, clearest skies, temperature drop)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Why visit Nepal during Dashain (timing, autumn trekking season)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Tihar (five-day festival, listed dates)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Annapurna Conservation Area (best season, Upper Mustang permit)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Langtang National Park and Manaslu Conservation Area (best seasons)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Everest Region (best time to visit)
- Department of Immigration table, hosted by Nepal Tourism Board: Trekking Permit to Restricted Areas (restricted-area fees)
