Trekking in Nepal in October

October is the most popular trekking month in Nepal, and the reasons are good. The monsoon has gone, the air is washed clean, skies are mostly clear and the trails are dry. Days are comfortable at low altitude, nights above 4,000 m are cold and the high passes are usually open. The costs are crowds, busy flights and the pressure of the Dashain and Tihar holidays.

This guide describes what October is like on the trail region by region, what the weather does through the month and how to book around the crowds. For the whole year see best time to trek in Nepal.

What the weather does in October

The month is not uniform. The pattern in most years:

• Early October: the last of the monsoon cloud clears, the hillsides are green and the rivers are still high. Occasional late storms are possible, and views are excellent once the air is clear.
• Mid-October: the most stable weather. Skies are clear in the morning and cloud builds a little in the afternoon.
• Late October: colder, drier and clearer. Nights at altitude drop sharply, and the first snow can fall on the passes.

As always, this is a general pattern. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and your guide's observations are better guides on the day than any article.

Region by region

Everest

October is the peak. The Khumbu trail is busy, the lodges at Namche and Dingboche fill and Lukla flights are in demand. Many flights run from Ramechhap in the peak weeks, which means a pre-dawn drive from Kathmandu. The views from Kala Patthar and Gokyo Ri are usually at their clearest, and nights at Lobuche and Gorak Shep are cold enough that you should plan for severe frost by the end of the month. See best time for Everest Base Camp for the month-by-month comparison.

Annapurna

The Circuit is at its best, and the pass is open in most years. Do not take this for granted. In October 2014 a blizzard on Thorong La killed a large number of trekkers, which is why local guides now watch the forecast carefully and start the pass day early. The best time for the Annapurna Circuit and snow and high-pass conditions explain what to watch. Shorter routes such as Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill and Mardi Himal are also at their best, with clear dawn views.

Crowds, festivals and flights

Dashain is Nepal's biggest festival and typically falls between late September and mid-October, followed by Tihar (the festival of lights) in late October or early November. The exact dates change each year. For 2026, Ghatasthapana (the first day) was 11 October and Vijaya Dashami, the main tika day, is 21 October, with the government Dashain holiday listed for 17 to 23 October (Ministry of Home Affairs list for 2083 BS, as reported by calendar sites). Tihar follows with Laxmi Puja on 8 November and Bhai Tika on 11 November 2026. For 2027, Dashain is expected to start about 30 September, with the tenth day, Vijaya Dashami, around 9 October, according to a Nepali calendar listing; we could not find the official 2084 BS holiday list or Tihar dates, so check them before you book. Sources differ by a day on some intermediate dates (for example Maha Navami on 19 or 20 October 2026). In practice that means:

• Government offices and banks close for several days, which can delay permits and cash withdrawals.
• Buses and flights fill as people travel home, so book transport weeks ahead and expect higher prices.
• Guides and porters may be unavailable or have family commitments.
• Lodges in village communities may close for a few days, especially in smaller settlements.

Buy permits, flights and bus tickets before the holiday period, or build in a buffer day. Read Kathmandu to Lukla flights and Kathmandu to Syabrubesi for transport specifics.

How cold is it

Temperatures vary by altitude more than by date. A rough guide:

That means a sleeping bag rated for at least -10 C comfort for higher routes (or rented in Kathmandu), a down jacket, a warm hat and gloves, and a layering system. See the packing list.

Booking in October

• Flights: reserve Kathmandu to Lukla and Pokhara to Jomsom early. In the busiest weeks, they sell out.
• Lodges: you cannot always reserve, but your guide can call ahead. Aim to arrive by mid-afternoon at busy villages.
• Permits: buy the day before leaving, and avoid holiday weeks. Restricted-area permits for Manaslu and Upper Mustang need more lead time.
• Agencies and guides: the best ones book out; confirm a month ahead.

Safety in the busy month

Crowds do not make a route safe. Trails are busy but people still get sick, and a full lodge may mean sleeping in an over-subscribed dormitory. Keep to your acclimatisation plan (see the acclimatisation schedule), and do not let the pace of other groups set yours. If you are looking for partners, October is also when the most trekkers are in Kathmandu and Pokhara; read how to find a trekking partner safely.

Who should choose October

October is right if you want the best odds of clear weather, are comfortable with crowds and can book ahead. If you prefer quiet trails and cannot book early, consider April or the shoulder weeks at the end of September and mid-November.

A sample October plan for the Annapurna Circuit

A standard schedule, with approximate sleeping altitudes:

The full plan is in the Annapurna Circuit itinerary. On a fast road-assisted schedule you can shorten the early days, but the rest day and the two nights below the pass are not worth cutting.

Ways to avoid the worst of the crowds

Even in October, you can improve your odds.

• Walk the other direction. Most Circuit trekkers go anticlockwise, and a few go the reverse way, which is harder acclimatisation-wise. Do not do this without a plan.
• Start earlier in the day. Leaving at first light puts you ahead of the main stream and in better weather.
• Choose a less-travelled route. Langtang and Manaslu are quieter, and Mardi Himal offers views with fewer people than Poon Hill.
• Move to the shoulders. The last week of September and the first half of November are less crowded than the middle of October.
• Stay at smaller villages. If the main stage village is full, a neighbouring one a short walk away often has beds.

Health in October

Cold dry air at altitude dries your throat and nose, so carry lozenges and lip balm. Dehydration is easy to miss when the days are mild but the air is thin. The sun is still strong, so wear a hat and sunglasses. Because the trails are busy, stomach bugs travel quickly through lodges, and the best defence is hand hygiene and boiled or filtered water. Read the altitude basics before you go, especially if you plan to cross a high pass.

Comparing October with other months

If you want to compare Everest and Annapurna by month, the Everest guide and the Annapurna Circuit guide go through each month in detail.