Seasons and calendar
Nepal keeps its own time
Nepal runs on Bikram Sambat, about 56 years and 8 months ahead of the Gregorian calendar, with a new year in mid-April. Its clock is set 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of UTC. Here is the year in both calendars, region by region.
| Region | Jan Poush–Magh | Feb Magh–Falgun | Mar Falgun–Chaitra | Apr Chaitra–Baisakh | May Baisakh–Jestha | Jun Jestha–Asar | Jul Asar–Shrawan | Aug Shrawan–Bhadra | Sep Bhadra–Asoj | Oct Asoj–Kartik | Nov Kartik–Mangsir | Dec Mangsir–Poush |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu Valley | ||||||||||||
| Pokhara & the Annapurnas | ||||||||||||
| Everest & Solukhumbu | ||||||||||||
| Chitwan & the Terai | ||||||||||||
| Lumbini & the Buddha's Country | ||||||||||||
| Mustang & Dolpo | ||||||||||||
| Langtang & Manaslu | ||||||||||||
| Eastern Nepal | ||||||||||||
| Far West & Karnali |
Autumn · Asoj to Mangsir (Sep–Dec)
The clearest air of the year after the monsoon. Peak trekking season, and Dashain and Tihar, Nepal's biggest festivals, usually fall in October or November.
Winter · Poush to Magh (Dec–Feb)
Cold, clear and quiet. Good for the Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and lower treks; high passes such as Thorong La can close after snow.
Spring · Falgun to Baisakh (Mar–May)
Rhododendrons flower in the hills, high camps warm up and the Terai parks are at their most open. Haze can soften the views by May.
Monsoon · Jestha to Bhadra (Jun–Aug)
Rain on the south side of the Himalaya and leeches on low trails, but green valleys and festivals. Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Limi in the rain shadow are at their best.