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Trekking in Nepal in April is the suitable time for mountain areas. The days are warm and windy but can experience the clear views of Himalayas. April is perhaps the most popular month for travel in Nepal, with prime weather for outdoor adventures at any altitude. The most popular trekking routes are at their best and busiest—you'll need to book well in advance to secure your spot on the trail. While you won't have the country all to yourself, you'll find that this is peak season for good reason.
Nepal sees enormous variation in weather between the plains of the Terai, the mid-hills where Kathmandu and Pokhara are located, and the high Himalaya. Most parts of Nepal are pretty hot in April, with the exception of settlements high in the mountains, but even these experience warm and sunny days. Kathmandu and Pokhara see temperatures into the 90s Fahrenheit. Rain is scarce in April, but winds (often filled with dust) pick up in the spring. The Terai can often be uncomfortably hot.
You can see the most trekkers in Nepal in April. While crowds are hardly a problem in most places around the country, popular trekking areas—the Everest and Annapurna regions especially—do see a steady stream of trekkers. The best lodges fill up fast at this time, and domestic flights and long-distance tourist buses should be booked as far in advance as possible. Many hotels charge a peak-season rate, which is higher than the low-season rate.
Trekking trails are at their best in April. Conditions are dry, views are clear (but not quite as reliable as in October), and daytime temperatures are warm even high in the mountains. Spring is the best time to tackle treks with high passes. While it's always a good idea to trek with a guide in Nepal, one of the advantages really shows at this time: they can help secure your accommodation on the busiest trails.
Treks in the high Himalaya and the rainshadow of the Himalaya (Mustang and Upper Dolpo) can be enjoyed comfortably in April. Temperatures will still be cold at night at higher altitudes, but daytime conditions are almost always sunny and warm. Popular trekking destinations like Annapurna, Everest and Langtang region are best for trekking. Kathmandu, on the other hand, will be very hot and dusty in the build-up to monsoon. Head out to the hills, mountains, and rivers instead, where you'll enjoy cleaner air.
Trekking in the mountains tops the list of reasons to visit Nepal in April. Both camping and teahouse treks in most regions are accessible and at their best. Travelers interested in flowers and botany will enjoy trekking through colorful rhododendron forests throughout the month. April is also usually the start of the brief Everest climbing season—there's only a short window in which conditions are suitable for ascending the highest mountain in the world. If (slightly) smaller mountains are more your cup of tea, April is also a good time to take a crack at a trekking peak, such as Island Peak or Mera Peak. White-water rafting and kayaking trips are an enjoyable activity in April. Water levels in the months leading up to the monsoon (starting in June) can be on the low side, so some rivers are better than others in April for white-water activities. For more on whitewater rafting in Nepal. Mountain biking is another good April activity, as trails will largely be dry.
Traditional Nepali festivals (whether Hindu or Buddhist) usually follow a lunar calendar. This means that some festivals that fall in April one year may be in March or May the next. Some festivals that often fall in April are: Rato Machchendranath, a Patan festival during which a diety statue is pulled through the streets in an enormous chariot for several days. Nepali New Year, particularly lively in Bhaktapur, where the Bisket Jatra chariot festival is held. Buddha Jayanti, or Buddha's birthday, is especially vibrant in Buddhist communities, such as the Boudhanath area of Kathmandu.
