The Mardi Himal trek runs every month of the year, but the answer to "when should I go" depends on what you want to see. Spring is rhododendrons. Autumn is clear skies. Winter is snow and empty trails. Monsoon is leeches and cloud. Below, a month-by-month breakdown of weather, visibility, temperatures, crowd levels, and what flora is in bloom.
Pokhara at 820 m is sub-tropical; the Upper Viewpoint at 4,200 m is sub-alpine. The trail crosses three vegetation zones and four distinct weather windows in a single year. Here is how each month actually walks, with temperatures recorded at Forest Camp (2,520 m) and High Camp (3,580 m) over the past five years.
Cold and clear. Snow possible above Low Camp; near-certain at High Camp.
Quietest trail of the year and the cleanest mountain views, but you must pack for serious cold and accept that some teahouses above Low Camp may be shut. Crampons useful, not essential.
Cold but stabilising. Last snowfalls of winter in the first half.
A late-winter sweet spot for trekkers willing to pack cold-weather gear. Trails are clean, lodges are emptier, and skies are typically the sharpest blue of the year.
Warming fast. Stable sunny mornings, occasional afternoon haze.
Start of peak season. Temperatures pleasant, lodges all open, photos sharp before lunch. The first wave of spring trekkers arrives, but the trail is still less crowded than April.
Mild days, cool nights, occasional pre-monsoon afternoon showers.
The most popular month for a reason. Forest Camp to Low Camp turns red, pink, and white for hours. Book teahouses ahead, especially Forest Camp. Mid-afternoon haze sometimes hides the high peaks.
Warm days, regular afternoon thunderstorms in the second half.
Shoulder of spring and pre-monsoon. Mornings are clear and warm, afternoons close in with cloud and occasional rain. Set summit pushes for first light. Crowd thins in the second half.
Monsoon arrives mid-June. Daily heavy rain. Leeches in the lower forest.
We do not run paid trips. Trail is wet, leeches active below 2,500 m, and mountain visibility is unreliable for 90 percent of the trip. Photographers occasionally come for the green forest, but the high views you came for will not be there.
Peak monsoon. Daily downpours, landslide risk on roads to Pokhara.
Avoid. The lower trail is slick, leeches are at peak activity, and the 90 minute drive from Pokhara to Kande can be cancelled by landslides. Reschedule to autumn.
Monsoon weakens late August. Some clear evenings.
Late August is the earliest we will run trips again, and only with weather windows. Botany-focused trekkers come for the alpine wildflowers. Otherwise wait two more weeks for September.
Monsoon retreats first half. Clear stable weather second half.
Shoulder of autumn. The trail is quiet, the green is at its richest, and the second half delivers the post-monsoon clarity that October is famous for. Book mid-September onward.
Stable, sunny, cool mornings, mild afternoons. The classic Nepal trekking weather.
The single best month for the trek. Skies are sharp blue, temperatures are comfortable, and visibility is at its annual peak. Book teahouses well ahead. Trail is busy but never crowded.
Cooling. Stable. Frosty nights from mid-month. First snowfalls late.
Equal to October for many guides. Days are crisp and bright, the air is dry, and crowds taper after the first two weeks. Pack warmer for nights at High Camp than October.
Cold. First serious snow above 3,000 m by mid-month.
Winter starts. Trails are quiet, lodges below Low Camp all open, but High Camp may close in heavy snow years. For experienced trekkers with cold-weather gear, December is one of the most beautiful months. For first-timers, prefer October or November.
Most trekkers narrow it down to spring or autumn. Both are peak season, both have very different feel. This is the head-to-head we run for booking calls.
The questions trekkers ask when narrowing down a date. Honest answers, no marketing softening.
We run small-group trips from Pokhara every Saturday from September to May. We also run private trips any day. A $50 deposit holds your place. Pay the rest on arrival in cash or by card.
