Travel guide · Nepal
Visiting Nepal in March
March opens spring: warming days, early rhododendrons, the colour of Holi and the high trails reopening.
Nepal in March marks the start of spring and the second great trekking season. Days warm steadily, the snow retreats from high passes, lodges reopen, and the first rhododendrons begin to glow on the hillsides — all while the joyful festival of Holi splashes the streets with colour. It is one of the most rewarding months to visit, balancing good trails, blooming forests and pleasant weather. For the year in full, see our month-by-month guide to Nepal.
Weather in March
March brings a clear warming trend. Kathmandu and Pokhara enjoy days of roughly 20 to 25°C with comfortable nights, though afternoon haze can start to soften mountain views by month's end. The Terai grows hot as the dry season peaks. In the high mountains it remains cold but increasingly stable, with high passes shedding their winter snow as the month goes on.
Trekking in March
March is a prime spring trekking month. Routes that were snowbound in winter come back into season: the Annapurna Circuit trek and its Thorong La pass begin to clear, the Everest and Gokyo trails reopen with closed lodges coming back to life, and lower-altitude classics shine. The big draw is the rhododendron, Nepal's national flower, which starts blooming at lower elevations and works its way uphill — the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek passes through some of the finest rhododendron forest in the country. Plan high routes with our Nepal trekking guide.
What else to do
Beyond trekking, March is excellent for sightseeing before the pre-monsoon heat and haze fully set in, and a good time for white-water rafting as rivers run at moderate, fun levels. Wildlife viewing in Chitwan and Bardia is still strong, with the dry forest concentrating animals near water. Sunrise viewpoints can be slightly hazier than in winter but remain worthwhile in the early morning.
Festivals in March
The standout is Holi, the festival of colours, usually celebrated in March over two days — hill towns including Kathmandu and Pokhara first, the Terai a day later. Expect coloured powder, water balloons, music and a riot of fun in the streets; dress in clothes you don't mind ruining. Depending on the lunar calendar, Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath may also fall around early March, drawing thousands of pilgrims and sadhus. Confirm dates in our festival calendar of Nepal.
Crowds and prices
March is shoulder building to high season. Trails grow busier through the month as spring trekkers arrive, and prices firm up from the winter lows, though it is still less crowded than peak autumn. For the cooler, quieter tail of winter, look back at Nepal in February; for what many consider the finest spring month, read ahead to Nepal in April. To compare the seasons overall, see our best time to visit Nepal guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is March a good time to visit Nepal?+
Yes. March is one of the best months, opening the spring trekking season with warm, mostly clear days and the first rhododendron blooms at lower elevations. It is also when Holi, the festival of colours, brightens the streets.
Can you trek in Nepal in March?+
Yes, March is a prime spring trekking month. High passes begin to clear of snow, lodges reopen, and routes from Annapurna Base Camp to Everest and Langtang come back into season. Lower forests start to bloom with rhododendron, especially toward late March.
What is the weather like in Nepal in March?+
Days warm up across the country, with Kathmandu and Pokhara around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius and milder nights. Afternoon haze can build in the hills, the Terai grows hot, and the high mountains stay cold but increasingly settled.
When is Holi in Nepal?+
Holi, the festival of colours, usually falls in March (sometimes late February), spread over two days, with hill towns celebrating first and the Terai a day later. Streets fill with coloured powder, water and music.
