One of the most common questions we receive at Trekkership is simple: when is the best time to go? The answer depends entirely on where you want to trek. Each destination has its own climate patterns, and choosing the wrong season can mean monsoon-soaked trails, snowbound passes, or extreme cold that makes the experience miserable rather than magical. This guide covers every major destination we operate in, month by month.
Nepal: Himalayas (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang)
Nepal has the most clearly defined trekking seasons of any destination in the world:
- October and November (Best) — Post-monsoon crystal clarity. Blue skies, sharp mountain views, comfortable temperatures. The most reliable season for both Everest and Annapurna regions. Busy but for excellent reason.
- March, April, May (Excellent) — Spring brings rhododendron blooms at lower elevations and warming temperatures. Mornings are generally clear; afternoons can cloud over. Slightly more cloud than autumn but spectacular flowering makes the lower trails beautiful.
- December to February (Possible) — Cold, especially at night and at altitude. High passes can be snowed in but most popular routes remain accessible. Far fewer crowds and lower prices. Best for experienced trekkers comfortable with winter conditions.
- June to September (Avoid for main routes) — Monsoon season. Heavy rain, leeches, and poor visibility. Upper Mustang and Dolpo are exceptions as they sit in the rain shadow.
Patagonia, Chile (Torres del Paine)
Patagonia has a short but intense good-weather window corresponding to the Southern Hemisphere summer:
- November to March (Main Season) — The only practical window for most trekkers. December and January are warmest and driest but busiest. October and April are shoulder months with fewer people but less predictable conditions.
- April to October (Avoid) — Wind, snow, and extremely cold conditions. Some passes close. Not recommended for anything except highly experienced mountaineers with winter kit.
Patagonia Booking Tip
Torres del Paine refugio and camping permits for December and January sell out 6 to 12 months in advance. If you want to trek in peak season, contact us well ahead of your intended travel dates. We hold permit allocations that allow us to secure bookings when public availability is exhausted.
Switzerland and the Alps (Tour du Mont Blanc)
The Alps have a classic mountain summer season:
- July and August (Peak) — Maximum reliability for clear weather. High trails fully snow-free. Warmer temperatures. Busiest period with most refuges fully booked — reserve months ahead.
- June (Shoulder) — Some snow still on high passes early in the month. Later June is excellent. Fewer people than July-August and good wildflower displays beginning.
- September (Excellent) — Often the most beautiful month in the Alps. Crowds drop sharply after August, temperatures are crisp and pleasant, autumn colours begin on lower slopes. Our preferred month for the Tour du Mont Blanc.
- October to May (Closed) — High passes typically snowbound. The TMB is a summer route only.
Peru (Inca Trail)
The Inca Trail has a strict seasonal permit system with a defined closure:
- May to September (Dry Season, Best) — Clear skies, dry trails, best visibility. The most popular period. Permits sell out months in advance — apply early.
- October and April (Shoulder) — Some rain but far fewer trekkers. The trail and ruins are often dramatically atmospheric with low cloud and mist. A beautiful alternative to peak season if you do not mind some wet weather.
- November to March (Wet Season) — Heavy rainfall, slippery trails, frequent cloud cover. Sections can be challenging.
- February (Closed) — The Inca Trail is officially closed every February for maintenance and conservation. No permits are issued.
Tanzania (Kilimanjaro)
Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round but two seasons offer significantly better summit success rates:
- January to March (Excellent) — The short dry season. Clear skies, good visibility, moderate temperatures. January and February are among the best months on the mountain.
- June to October (Best) — The long dry season. July, August, and September are the most popular months. Cold at altitude but reliably clear weather and the highest summit success rates of the year.
- November (Shoulder) — Short rains begin but Kilimanjaro often remains climbable with some cloud and afternoon rain. Lower prices and fewer crowds.
- April and May (Avoid) — The long rains. Heavy rainfall, muddy trails, and significantly lower summit success rates. Not recommended.
Planning Your Trek Around Your Holiday Calendar
Now that you know the optimal seasons for each destination, here is a month-by-month planning guide for when to book which trek:
- January — Patagonia W Trek, Kilimanjaro
- February — Patagonia W Trek, Kilimanjaro
- March — Nepal (Annapurna, Everest), Patagonia W Trek
- April — Nepal, Inca Trail (shoulder)
- May — Nepal (peak spring), Inca Trail (dry season begins)
- June — Swiss Alps TMB, Inca Trail, Kilimanjaro
- July — Swiss Alps TMB, Inca Trail, Kilimanjaro
- August — Swiss Alps TMB, Inca Trail, Kilimanjaro
- September — Swiss Alps TMB, Inca Trail, Kilimanjaro
- October — Nepal (peak autumn, best overall), Kilimanjaro
- November — Nepal (excellent), Patagonia W Trek (season opens)
- December — Patagonia W Trek, Kilimanjaro
Our advice: decide on your destination first, then let the best season determine your travel dates. Trekking in the right season makes an enormous difference to both the experience and your summit success rate.
Elena Voss
A certified mountain guide with Trekkership since 2011. Expert in high-altitude trekking, wilderness safety, and cultural immersion travel. All articles are based on first-hand experience guiding thousands of trekkers across the world's greatest trails.
