Off the bat, for those of you wondering what Dashain is, it is one of the biggest festivals in Nepal, followed closely by Tihar. Visiting Nepal in Dashain lets you witness celebrations and amazing mountain scenes.

The festival is celebrated widely across the country. It is a time of celebration in most Nepali households where no stones are left unturned for feasts, dances, and family gatherings.

Many Nepalis return home during Dashain to spend time with loved ones which make for amazing travel across Nepal as families come together and are in heightened spirits, making your time in Nepal a pleasant one.

Therefore, Dashain celebration time is popular for visiting Nepal.

Dashain

Dashain is a festival that celebrates the harvest season, and an important victory over evil by the Hindu goddess Durga. It is one of the greatest festivals in Nepal. Celebrations come as visiting families to exchange blessings, having lavish feasts, playing cards, and for the younger audience (or the young at heart) riding swings and flying kites.

Dashain usually takes place in October and lasts for 10 days. It is perfect for you to plan a getaway and come join the festive season here in Nepal. This year, Dashain falls starts on Thu, Oct 3, 2024 to Wed, Oct 16, 2024.

Tihar

Not long after, Dashain comes to Tihar, which is also referred to as the ‘Festival of Light’. While people visit family and celebrate with cards and delicious Nepalese foods much like in Dashain, it also has its own special charm. Spread across five days, cities and villages alike are illuminated with earthen lamps and electrical string lights, making for a bright and colorful experience as you walk the streets of Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Animal lovers will especially love ‘Kukur Tihar’, a festival where dogs are honored for the protection and companionship they provide and are adorned with vermilion tika (auspicious red powder) on their foreheads and floral necklaces.

So, here are the reasons to visit Nepal during Dashain.

Clear Skies for Trekking during Dashain

Without a doubt, the best time to trek in Nepal is between October and November. Why do you ask? The monsoon rains (and those pesky clouds) would have gone by then, meaning the skies are clear, the trails are dry perfect for hassle-free trekking and to get some amazing mountain views whether you hike either in the outskirts of Kathmandu or any of our other treks.

For those of you, craving majestic mountain ranges and peaks, this time of year is peak tourist season for a reason.

Likewise, nothing can beat the mountain views from September to November, so will book your next grand adventure.

You may think since it is a popular time of the year for trekkers and climbers, travelers may crowd the trails. Instead, it may be true for our popular treks such as the Annapurna Circuit or the Everest Base Camp. Besides, you can explore a plethora of other equally stunning (and less commercialized) treks such as the Upper Mustang Trek or the Shey Phoksundo Trek. Either way, we assure you won’t go wrong whether you trek the old favorites or choose a trail less trodden.

Adventure Sports Await during Dashain 

For those who want an adrenaline kick, then the Dashain time is perfect for you. You can skip larger crowds but still get amazing cloudless views of the Himalayas if you choose to para-gliding, bungee jump, or zipline. Currently, multiple locations provide bungee jumping, para-gliding, and zip-lining options from Dhulikhel (just a two-hour drive from Kathmandu), to The Last Resort where you jump overlooking the roaring Bhote Koshi river and cliffs, to the newly opened bungee jump in Kushma which if we haven’t convinced you enough is the world’s second-highest bungee jump.

Rafting and Kayaking Down Roaring River

Trekking and climbing aren’t the only attractions in Nepal for adventure. With roaring rivers from mountains, there is ample opportunity to go whitewater rafting or kayaking in Nepal. You can easily book a rafting or kayaking package complete with tents, barbeques, and campfires along the riverside.

October and November are also perfect for water sports since it’s warm during the day, heating the rivers to comfortable temperatures. Since there are thousands of rivers running through Nepal, you can follow rivers from the mountains all the way to the plains for epic sightseeing and a journey of adventure in Nepal.

Perfect Weather for National Park Visit during Dashain

Of course, not everyone is a trekker or a rafter, but since the temperatures hover (on average) between 60 to 70 Fahrenheit, this is also an ideal time to visit national parks to the south of Nepal. While summers get unbearably hot in the Terai region to the south of Nepal, autumn or Dashain time is ideal for exploring the south.

Temperatures are lower during this time, which means wildlife such as the elusive Bengal Tiger or One-Horned Rhinoceros is more active. We can sight these animals in the many national parks in the south such as Chitwan National Park and Bardiya National Park to name a few. If you are a birdwatcher, this season is also peak time for birding as there are over 150 species of birds migrating to the wetlands of Nepal to escape the cold (some all the way from Russia!). The perfect weather makes it more popular for visiting Nepal during Dashain.

Nepal at its Cultural and Religious Peak

For those who are interested in learning more about the Hindu religion and culture, this truly is the best time to visit. Dashain time is the perfect time to have a cultural tour in Nepal. Worship is in full swing with temples opening their doors for devotees to pray and pay respect to the goddess Durga and her many manifestations.

One prominent temple to visit during this time is the Taleju Bhawani temple, which only opens once a year during Dashain. It houses the goddess Taleju, a patron goddess of the old kings of Kathmandu, the Shova Bhagwati temple in Bishnumati where animals are sacrificed to appease the goddess Durga, and the 17th-century Guheshwari temple in Pashupatinath where a remnant of the goddess Sati is housed. The religious festivities surrounding these temples are a sight to behold as devotees pay their respect and pray for good fortune.

Kathmandu is Relatively Quieter 

An unexpected perk of visiting Nepal during Dashain is that many returns to their native villages during the festival, which means the capital city of Kathmandu is relatively quieter. Make no mistake, this does not mean the city is dead and since it is peak tourist season, all amenities (if not more) will be available to you. However, it is less crowded than usual which means you can travel around the historic palace squares and museums of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur with peace.

On the flip side, should you hike to the short hiking destinations near Kathmandu or the many scenic villages across Nepal, you will find it more boisterous and lively since many return home during this time. It’s a win-win where you can explore the busier streets of Kathmandu at your own leisure, but also join in the festive spirits of local communities and homestays across Nepal.

Whether you are a trekking or climbing enthusiast, a bird watcher, or someone interested to learn more about the vibrant culture, visiting Nepal in Dashain offers the best of Nepal for everyone. With clear skies, festivals, adventure, and wildlife, you will not go wrong to pick Dashain time of year to come to visit Nepal for trekking and hiking.

If you are looking for Nepal Travel Tips, it is to visit Nepal during the Dashain festival. It’s definitely our favorite time of the year and we know it will very well be yours too!