Nepal · Month comparison
November vs October
October ranks #1 overall vs November at #4. The finest month — crystal-clear skies, Dashain festival, and the most dramatic mountain views of the year.
November
#4 of 12 months
Best match
Late autumn sweet spot — excellent views, fewer trekkers than October, and the high passes still clear.
- ↑November is the second-finest trekking month and significantly calmer than October: the Dashain-Tihar crowd has dissipated, tea house rates have softened from the peak, and the clear mountain conditions continue uninterrupted — November is specifically recommended for the Annapurna Circuit as the Thorong La pass is reliably clear and the trail is less densely populated than in October
- ↑Mani Rimdu festival (Tengboche Monastery, October–November date varies): the 19-day Sherpa Buddhist ceremony culminating in masked dances and sacred performances at Tengboche is the most important festival in the Everest region; timing an EBC trek to coincide with Mani Rimdu creates an experience that connects the trekking culture with the spiritual foundation of the Sherpa communities
October
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The finest month — crystal-clear skies, Dashain festival, and the most dramatic mountain views of the year.
- ↑October delivers Nepal's most celebrated conditions: the monsoon has ended, the air has been washed clean, and the Himalayan panoramas — Everest from Kala Patthar, Annapurna from Poon Hill, Ganesh Himal from Nagarkot — are at their sharpest and most dramatic; photographers and trekkers specifically plan years around October visits
- ↑Dashain (Nepal's most important Hindu festival, date varies late September–October) transforms the country: a 10–15 day celebration featuring kite-flying, family reunions, animal sacrifices at Durbar Squares, and the blessing of children by elders with tika (coloured powder and yoghurt); the atmosphere in Kathmandu during Dashain is the most culturally charged of any month
| Factor | November | October |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 9 | 10 |
| Value score | 5 | 4 |
| Crowd score | 4 | 3 |
| Events score | 7 | 8 |
| Atmosphere | 9 | 10 |
| Avg high temp | 21°C | 24°C |
| Monthly rain | 15mm | 55mm |
| Daily sunshine | 7.5hrs | 8hrs |
November trade-offs
- ↓Temperatures drop sharply in November: high passes see night temperatures of -5°C to -15°C, and the EBC route above 4,000m requires full cold-weather gear; the pleasant daytime warmth is offset by genuinely cold mornings and evenings that require quality equipment
- ↓November is the final reliable month for high passes: the first significant snowfall typically arrives in late November or December on Thorong La; trekkers planning the high passes should aim for early-to-mid November to ensure clear access
- ↓Some higher-altitude teahouses begin to close in late November as the approaching winter reduces trekker numbers — facilities above 4,500m on both the EBC and Annapurna Circuit become more limited toward month's end
October trade-offs
- ↓October is the most competitive accommodation month in Nepal: the EBC route lodges in Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Gorak Shep book out weeks to months in advance; the Annapurna Circuit tea houses similarly fill rapidly; arriving without confirmed accommodation for the high-altitude stages of any circuit in October is inadvisable
- ↓October peak season pricing: tea house rates double or triple from monsoon prices, guides and porters charge premium rates, and permit prices for restricted areas are unchanged but the total trip cost is highest of any month
- ↓Dashain creates specific practical challenges: many Kathmandu shops, restaurants, and services close for 10 days around the festival; bank hours change, tourist taxis become harder to find as drivers return to their home villages, and logistics around the festival period require advance planning
Scores compare months within Nepal. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →