Pokhara Weather by Month: When to Visit

Overview

Pokhara sits at approximately 820 metres elevation in the Gandaki Province of Nepal, at the base of the Annapurna Himalayan range. Its climate is subtropical highland, distinct from Kathmandu's cooler highland character. The city receives more annual rainfall than most places in Nepal — it is one of the wettest cities in the country — because the Annapurna massif forces moisture-laden monsoon air upward. This makes Pokhara lush and green but also means monsoon (June-September) is notably wet.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

January: Cold mornings (around 2-5 degrees Celsius overnight, 15-20 degrees Celsius midday). Very clear skies and the best mountain visibility of the year. Low tourist numbers outside Chinese New Year. Dry season at its peak.

February: Gradually warming. Clear mornings with excellent mountain views. Rhododendrons begin to bloom at altitude. A pleasant month to visit with still-manageable crowds.

March: Warm and clear in the valley (midday 25-28 degrees Celsius). Rhododendron forests in full bloom on the Annapurna foothills. Busy with trekkers. One of the best months overall.

April: Hot in the valley (midday approaching 30 degrees Celsius). Mountain views remain mostly clear, particularly in the mornings. Haze develops in afternoons. Busy tourist season continues.

May: Pre-monsoon heat builds. Afternoon thunderstorms become increasingly common. Hazy skies. Crowds thin toward the end of May.

June: Monsoon begins. Temperatures remain warm (25-30 degrees Celsius) but rainfall increases dramatically. Mountain views largely obscured. Leeches on lower trails. The city and surrounding hills are intensely green.

July: Monsoon peak. Heavy and frequent rainfall. Highest annual temperatures with humidity. Very few international tourists. Rivers and waterfalls (including Davis Falls) at maximum volume.

August: Similar to July. Monsoon continues. Some breaks in the cloud are possible, occasionally revealing the Annapurna peaks. A dramatic month for those who enjoy monsoon landscapes.

September: Monsoon begins to ease in the second half of the month. Occasional clear mornings. Green surroundings. Tourist numbers begin to pick up.

October: Post-monsoon. The most celebrated month. Crystal-clear skies, excellent mountain visibility, comfortable temperatures (midday 20-25 degrees Celsius, cool evenings). Busiest tourist month of the year. Paragliding and trekking season in full swing.

November: Remains clear and increasingly cool. Excellent visibility. Slightly less crowded than October. Morning temperatures drop noticeably in the second half. One of the best months to visit.

December: Cool to cold (overnight temperatures can approach 5 degrees Celsius or below). Very clear skies. Quieter than November. Christmas and New Year bring a small surge in visitors from Europe and North America.

Summary by Activity

Activity	Best Months
Mountain views from the valley	October, November, December, January, February
Trekking to ABC or Poon Hill	October-November, March-April
Paragliding	September-May
Boating on Phewa Lake	Year-round (calm mornings), best Oct-May
Waterfalls (Davis Falls)	July-September
Fewest crowds	June-August

FAQ

Q: Can I trek in monsoon?

Experienced trekkers do attempt lower-altitude sections of Annapurna routes in monsoon, but the risk of trail damage, landslides, and leech-infested paths is significant. Upper-altitude sections above 3,000 m sometimes have clearer windows. Most first-time trekkers should avoid monsoon trekking.

Q: How cold does Pokhara get?

At valley level, overnight temperatures rarely drop below 0 degrees Celsius even in the coldest months. Light frost is very unusual at lake level. However, temperatures drop sharply with altitude — above 3,000 m, sub-zero conditions are common in winter.