The best months for the Kanchenjunga trek are April to May and October to November. Spring brings rhododendron flowers and warmer days, and autumn brings the clearest skies. East Nepal gets heavy monsoon rain from June to September, so those months are best avoided.
Spring: April and May
Spring is colourful. Forests in the lower valleys turn red and pink with rhododendrons, and temperatures are comfortable at lower camps. Views can be hazy by afternoon as the heat builds, and there can be late snow above 4,000 m in early April.
Autumn: October and November
Autumn gives the best visibility. The air is dry and stable, and mornings are clear and sharp. Nights are cold at the high camps, and November gets colder fast. This is the most popular season, but this valley is never crowded.
Monsoon: June to September
The east of Nepal is wetter than the west, with leeches, landslides and cloud covering the mountain for days. Roads to Taplejung can close. Few trekkers go, and we do not recommend it.
Winter
Winter is possible for experienced teams, with cold nights, short days and snow on the upper trail. Lodges and shelters are mostly closed, and you carry everything you need. We do not plan winter trips for first-time visitors.
Choosing between the two
If flowers matter, go in spring. If views matter most, go in autumn. If you want the quietest trail, try late April or the last week of November, and accept that the weather will be less reliable.
Temperatures and daylight
In the best seasons, lower valleys are warm in the day, often 20 degrees Celsius or more. At Ghunsa nights are cold, and at Lhonak and Pangpema they can drop well below freezing. Days are longer in spring, shorter in November.
Flights and roads in each season
Flights to the east are most reliable in the dry months of October to November and April to May. Roads to Taplejung can be blocked after heavy rain, so avoid the monsoon if your schedule is tight.
Plan it
See the north base camp itinerary and how hard the trek is.
