When to go · Kathmandu
Kathmandu in December
Good month. Cold mornings and nights; bring layers.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) / 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 1
- Crowds
- Medium
- Nepal overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Nepal overall
Verdict
Cold mornings and nights; bring layers.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- KathmanduHighs around 19 °C (66 °F), lows around 4 °C (39 °F), rain on about 1 dayHighs around 66 °F (19 °C), lows around 39 °F (4 °C), rain on about 1 day
- Kathmandu valley, Nepal · Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Nagarkotcool
Cold nights Dec–Feb (near 0 °C (32 °F)); dust and smoke haze in spring hide the mountains; monsoon rain most afternoons Jun–Sep.Cold nights Dec–Feb (near 32 °F (0 °C)); dust and smoke haze in spring hide the mountains; monsoon rain most afternoons Jun–Sep.
Winter season
Cold, dry and bright days; fewer crowds.
Watch: Cold rooms and haze; power cuts.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Nepal overall
- Medium
- Prices · Nepal overall
- Medium
Nepal overall: Cold but clear; lower treks and Pokhara are good; high passes can close.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kathmandu, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
Oct: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Oct: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Night low
Dec: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
Oct: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 1 (better)
Oct: 4
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Oct: High
Prices
Dec: Medium
Oct: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 0
Oct: 2
December: Cold mornings and nights; bring layers.
October: Clearest skies; Dashain and Tihar crowds, closures and sold-out transport.
Kathmandu: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket