Trekking in Nepal in Autumn (September-October-November)

Among all the other seasons, Autumn is the best season for trekking in Nepal. During this time, almost all the popular trekking destinations of Nepal are easily accessible. The days are pleasant and the nights are cool. The clean atmosphere and the cloudless and vibrant sky rewards you with the most splendid views of the Magnificent mountains and hills. This season comes after the rainy season, leaving the surrounding to be fabulously delightful. 

Autumn in Nepal falls on the month from September till November. The trees lose its leaves after turning yellow, red or brown and created fantastic picturesque landscape views as you walk along the route. This is the most preferred and peak season of trekking in Nepal.

The trail along the journey offers you with the best crystal clear views of the mountain vistas and you will also meet other trekkers.  You do not only get to trek to the base camps, but this is the finest season for peak climbing as well. You can achieve your dream of climbing the top of the Himalayas during autumn. 

Autumn is perfect for outdoor activities in Nepal. The climate differs with its topography ranging from tropical to arctic. During autumn, you do not only get to explore the Himalaya regions but also get to participate in the biggest festival of the Hindus i.e. Dashain and Tihar.

The whole country turns into a beautiful and colorful garden-like place with lights gleaming everywhere. You can get insights into cultures of different ethnic groups and enjoy the warm hospitality of friendly Nepalese people. 

Highlights of trekking during Autumn in Nepal

• Trek into the world’s highest mountains and untarnished mountain regions, following the footsteps of popular mountaineers.
• Visit Sherpa villages and the other communities around Namche Bazaar.
• Best season for panoramic photography of the mountain ranges and the sunrise
• Get rewarded with the majestic sunrise-view over mountains and massifs from the viewpoints under the clear blue sky
• Perfect weather for trekking with pleasant temperature in the day time and cool chilling temperature during the night time.
• Best views of the Himalayan ranges than any other time of the year along the trail
• A-one hospitality and accommodation service
• Ascent past bamboo woods and picturesque landscapes 
• Discover hidden valleys and restricted regions which are preserved for centuries, unaffected by modernization.
• The walled city and ancient monasteries along the region
• Opportunity to get immersed in the main Hindu festival i.e. Dashain and Tihar
• Opportunity to explore the traditional culture, rich heritage and the lifestyle of the locals.

What to expect?

Autumn is the peak season for trekking in Nepal. It is obvious that the trekking trails will be overcrowded and you will have to hurry while taking pictures. But they will offer you exquisite views and aroma. The tea houses and lodges will have the best services and facilities but the rooms will be pack and you will have to wait long for your meals.

Therefore, consult a professional travel agency to assist with your accommodation so that you can get a good room and won’t have to deal with any kind of inconvenience during your stay

 Trekking during the daytime will be warm to hot. You will also meet plenty of other trekkers on the trails and lodges, especially on the popular trekking trails. As you reach higher elevations, you will be rewarded with the best spectacular mountain views.

The best part about trekking during autumn is that you will be able to conquer peaks and also get to take the closest look of the mountains. The aureate rays of the sun falling on the peaks will look breathtaking. You will experience a surreal feeling looking at those arts of nature.

While in the lodges in the mountain regions, there might be a lot of people queuing for hot showers. So try your best to get a room with an attached bathroom.

The trail can be slippery and muddy while trekking through forests. So walk carefully. Do not stop taking pictures in the landslip area. 

Weather

The climate in the mornings and evenings are a bit chiller and cool but the day is still warm. The usual daylight temperature is around 12° to 15°C. The climate in the higher altitude is much colder than the city area but enjoyable for trekking. 

The temperature ranges from 20 to 5-degree Celsius at an elevation of 1000 to 3500m.  If you plan to trek higher, the temperature ranges 20° C during the day and goes negative during the night. The days are longer and you will get the opportunity to explore the Himalayas and the scenic environment of Nepal walking through the valleys and flowers blooming along the trail. The high passes are snow-free and you can also get clear and magnificent mountain views under the deep blue sky. 

Suggested trekking destinations

Everest Base Camp Trek

Autumn is a popular choice for people all around the world to be in the Everest Base Camp, for its weather. The trek to Everest Base Camp starts from Lukla, which is the gateway of Everest region, after about a 45 minutes flight from Kathmandu. As you trek up the valley from Lukla, you will be surrounded by the sky-touching peaks, such as Cho Oyu, Nuptse, and Lhotse. Namche Bazaar will be your acclimatization destination before you ascend any higher. Upon your arrival to Kalapatthar, you will be able to view the entire Mt. Everest.

Several expeditions take place during autumn in the Everest Base Camp. You can enjoy some of the best views during your flight to and from Lukla. Everest Base Camp turns into a colorful and jolly field by the tents and trekkers in their gears. The climate in this altitude is warm with an average temperature of 17-degree Celsius.

It can usually get as high as 25-degree Celsius in the day and as low as – 15-degree Celsius at night in the areas above 13,000 ft of altitude.  As autumn is a peak season, thousands of trekkers trek to Everest Base Camp due to which the trails are crowded and lodges are packed. Therefore, make sure your trek agency has pre-booked your rooms to get comfortable stays. You will have to wait a little longer for meals as well. 

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna base camp trek is an amazing walk to the base of the world’s 10th highest mountain Mt. Annapurna (8091m) of Nepal, through diverse landscape and culture complete with rich mountain vistas, terraced fields, traditional Gurung villages and a wide variety of flora and fauna. The trekking starts from —- to Annapurna Base Camp. You get the close-up view of the tallest mountain peaks of Annapurna range from this trek. 

Trekking in this season rewards you with splendid views of Mt. Annapurna. Mt. Machhapuchhre and Mt. Dhaulagiri still covered in thick snow. The Himalayas are your continual companion throughout this trek. The teahouses at a higher altitude will be more basic providing lesser services or facilities.

You can enjoy facilities like a hot shower, laundry, hot water thermos, good food, comfortable accommodation, extra blankets, charging electronic gadgets, and room heaters in the dining hall with a certain amount of extra charges for the extra services. Make sure you have pre-booked the rooms in the Lodges. 

Langtang Valley Trek

Langtang is the third most popular trek in Nepal after Annapurna and Everest regions that lies in the nearest Himalayan region from Kathmandu. It is a pleasant short trek that offers spectacular close-up views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers of Langtang Lirung (7246m), Kimshung (6781m) and Langshisha Ri (6370m).

The trail encompasses some of the most prepossessing natural sceneries found in the country. This trek also passes through the Langtang National Park, which is the first Himalayan National Park in the country.

Trekking to Langtang Valley during autumn rewards you with the chance to witness wildlife and flora of Langtang National Park. It is a complete package of delight to trek into the dense and vibrant forests and bamboos in the warm temperature with majestic views along the trek.

Autumn is the perfect time to climb peaks as well such as Yala peak and Naya Kang. You will be accommodating in the teahouses during the trek. The accommodations are available on a twin-share basis. But, it is always safe to pre-book for the rooms if you are trekking in autumn.

Upper Mustang Trek

Autumn is the most suitable time to visit Upper Mustang where you get to experience the blend of beauty, spirituality, serenity, and comfort. The average temperature during the day is about 16°C to 22°C while -6°C to -2°C at night. The flow of tourists increases every year in autumn. 

The jungles bloom with beautiful flowers which makes your journey seem like a walk into a charming bliss. The weather is clear and bright which rewards you with high visibility of the dazzling snow-capped peaks to the south and stark, rustic landscape to the north will look picture perfect. It is a journey to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal is a great trekking destination during autumn. The weather is perfect with blue and clear sky offering unobstructed views of the mountains. The trail follows forests that are full of colorful Rhododendron blossoms. The Mardi Himal High Camp is at an altitude of 3580 m from sea level. It is an awesome place to take a breathtaking view of the Annapurna range and  Annapurna Base Camp.

The highest temperature in Mardi Base Camp may go up to 20 degrees. However, the daytime temperature is generally near to 17 degrees during autumn. It is cold but not freezing in the nighttime and early mornings. Trekking through beautiful villages, forests and incredible landscapes, you will reach Mardi Himal to 3,300 m altitude.

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Annapurna Circuit Trek is a classic trekking journey in the Annapurna region that has often been voted as the best long-distance trek in the world. The weather and temperature conditions in the Annapurna region remains perfectly stable during autumn.

The diverse ethnic-culture, mountain scenery, lifestyles and landscape of this region are incredibly amazing and worth exploring.  The mountain scenery along the circuit includes the Annapurna Massif (Annapurna I-IV), Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, Pisang Peak and the Paungda Danda. You won’t have to face difficulties due to unstable weather during autumn as in winter and summer.  

Gokyo Valley Trek

Gokyo Valley trek is one of the most spectacular trek routes in Everest Region during the early autumn season. It is an easy short trek than other high altitude trek routes in Everest Region to an altitude of 5357 m. The trek to Gokyo Valley offers you some of the best views under the clear skies, excellent sunrise, majestic Mountains, incredible peak and glacier view Gokyo Ri that leaves you mesmerized. The higher altitude can dump snow on the trail at any time of year. 

The trek offers an excellent view of the mountains, hills and the valleys under the clear sky on your side, walking over the grassy landscapes up to moraine and glacial landscapes. These trails will be crowded the most out of all the seasons as it is the peak season for trekking. The experience that you receive during autumn cannot be received by most tourists during other seasons.

Everest Base Camp Trek Via Gokyo Lake

Cho La Pass Trek offers you the fusion of all the Everest region treks. Autumn has the perfect weather and climatic conditions in the Everest region that remains stable for long. This results in a perfect trekking environment giving you the grand trip of the Khumbu valley leading to Gokyo Lake, over Cho La, Tawache and Cholatse. 

The trail passes through renowned regions like Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and other regions of the Khumbu district. As you follow these trails, you get to explore the charming traditional Sherpa villages and interesting monasteries with old Buddhist religion and cultures retaining its past traditional way of life, landscapes that change empathetically, the lush green forests, monasteries, Colorful prayer flags, Mane and many more. Crossing the Cho La Pass is an achievement you’ll be able to cherish for your lifetime. 

Everest View Trek 

Autumn is one of the best times for Everest View Trek. It is suitable for those people who have limited or short holiday duration for Nepal Himalaya trekking as well as to see the top of the world within one week. This trek offers you a chance to explore the Sherpa villages and their lifestyles.  This is one of the best treks in Nepal and offers an exclusive trekking experience.

The weather is very clear during this time. So you can see the panoramic view of the unspoiled Himalayas and beautiful landscapes still covered in snow, from up close. You can walk at your own pace in the warm weather and experience the glorious walk on the footprints of legendary mountaineers.

The route turns beautiful as you pass through High Passes and roaring Dudhkoshi River. You also get introduced to the renowned Namche bazaar, serene Imja Tse valley and several Buddhist Monasteries on the trail.

SEE: Trekking in Nepal in Monsoon (June-July-August)

Manaslu Larke Pass Trek

Manaslu Larke Pass Trek is the “untarnished” natural paradise Nepal trekking located on the border between Nepal and Tibet. This trek flaunts the amazing panoramas of the mountain peaks on the Nepal-Tibet border. During autumn, the trail offers an excellent combination of rugged scenery and adventure that have been well-preserved. It also involves the crossing of one of the most dramatic high passes, Larkya La pass.

Autumn rewards you with colorful blossoms of local flora, and fauna and green landscapes as you walk along the route to reach the circuit. It is also the safest season to cross this pass Larkya La pass. This trek provides you a close interaction with the different ethnic groups who live in the higher villages scattered along the route and experience their lifestyle that has not been affected by urbanization. 

Ghorepani Poonhill Trek

Trek to Poon Hill is an idle place to discover breathtaking mountain scenery & beautiful hill villages.  It is a popular short trek from Pokhara which distance is roughly 52 kilometers which are equal to 32 miles.

During autumn, you can see an amazing panorama of the complete Annapurna massif from the poon hill ridge as the weather remains utmost favorable and the skies are clear blue. The weather with the sun shining and blue sky makes the journey and the view when reached the hill station looks even more spectacular and indelible.

Equipment required while trekking

• Sleeping bag (–15° bag will suffice on most treks)*
• Silk liner
• Fleece
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Usual trekking pants, shirts, and shorts
• Trekking boots
• Winter hat and gloves
• Water bottle and water purification (pump, tablets, or SteriPen; bring from home)
• Hiking poles (lessen the impact on your joints)
• Sunglasses (essential when you cross snow line)
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Reading materials (Kindle may be best)
• Journal and pens
• Camera with extra batteries
• Daypack (for your rain jacket, snacks, camera, etc.)
• Heavy-duty duffle bag (preferred by porters)
• Sunscreen
• Hand sanitizer, lip balm
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, floss, etc.)
• Face/body wipes
• Medications (Ibuprofen, others if necessary)

Conclusion

Autumn is the best time of the year for Everest, Annapurna, Cho La Pass, Langtang and Kathmandu brim areas. The season rewards perfect and clear weather with clear astounding visibility of the great Himalayas. You will neither have to wear a large number of clothes to make yourself warm nor sweat/shiver as you would in the hotter/colder months. 

The main festivals of the Hindus fall at this time, so you will get to enjoy their cultures, festivals, and hospitality along with the natural beauty of Nepal. 

Many tea houses in popular trekking trails get booked out during the peak season. Thus, you might face difficult to get a room or accommodation if you have not pre-booked it. As these popular trials will be busy, porters will also charge high and the flights will be tight. 

Contact us If you have any quires regarding trekking in Nepal in autumn.