Is February a good time to visit Nepal?

It is a good month for most of the country. Festivals in Kathmandu, mountain flights, Pokhara, jungle safaris (the grass is cut, so animals are easier to see) and mid-altitude treks.

What is the weather like in Nepal in February?

Still cool but warming up, with long clear spells and the first spring days at the end of the month. Kathmandu averages 21°C by day and 4°C at night, Pokhara 22/8°C and Chitwan 27/11°C.

What festivals are in Nepal in February?

Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath (February–March); Gyalpo Losar, Sherpa and Tibetan new year (February–March); Democracy Day (19 February).

Where should I go in Nepal in February?

Halesi–Maratika Caves, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Janaki Mandir, Janakpur, Boudhanath Stupa, Chitwan National Park, Phewa Lake and Tal Barahi.

Nepal in February: Weather, Festivals & Where to Go

What Nepal is like in February (Magh–Falgun): the weather in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, festivals, crowds and the places at their best.

Weather: Still cool but warming up, with long clear spells and the first spring days at the end of the month.
Good for: Festivals in Kathmandu, mountain flights, Pokhara, jungle safaris (the grass is cut, so animals are easier to see) and mid-altitude treks.
Watch out for: Nights above 3,000 m are still well below freezing and some lodges stay shut until March.
Crowds: Winter · Medium
Festivals: Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath (February–March)
Gyalpo Losar, Sherpa and Tibetan new year (February–March)
Democracy Day (19 February)

Average climate

	High	Low	Rain
Kathmandu	21°C	4°C	20 mm
Pokhara	22°C	8°C	35 mm
Chitwan	27°C	11°C	15 mm

Best places to visit in February

Cave

Halesi–Maratika Caves

Khotang, Koshi Province

Limestone caves sacred to Hindus as Halesi Mahadev, to Buddhists as Maratika, and to the Kirat people.

Park & wildlife

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Sunsari, Koshi Province

Grassland and river islands on the Sapta Koshi, home of Nepal's last wild water buffalo and a paradise for birds.

Temple & shrine

Janaki Mandir, Janakpur

Dhanusha, Madhesh Province

A white marble palace-temple of 1910 dedicated to Sita, built where her image is said to have been found.

Monastery

Boudhanath Stupa

Kathmandu, Bagmati Province

One of the largest stupas in the world, the heart of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, ringed by monasteries and circling pilgrims.

Park & wildlife

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan, Bagmati Province

Nepal's first national park and a World Heritage Site: one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, gharials and elephants in sal forest and grassland.

Lake & pond

Phewa Lake and Tal Barahi

Kaski, Gandaki Province

Pokhara's lake, with Machhapuchhre reflected in still water and a pagoda temple on an island.

City & bazaar

Pokhara

Kaski, Gandaki Province

Nepal's adventure capital and tourism capital, where the Annapurnas rise just 30 km from the lakeshore.

Heritage & palace

Bandipur

Tanahun, Gandaki Province

A car-free Newar hill bazaar of the 19th century, perfectly preserved on a ridge with a Himalayan skyline.

Heritage & palace

Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha

Rupandehi, Lumbini Province

The sacred garden where Siddhartha Gautama was born, marked by the Maya Devi temple and Emperor Ashoka's pillar of 249 BCE.

Heritage & palace

Tilaurakot (Kapilavastu)

Kapilvastu, Lumbini Province

Ruins of the Shakya capital where Prince Siddhartha lived for 29 years before leaving through its eastern gate.

City & bazaar

Tansen

Palpa, Lumbini Province

A hill-town of cobbled streets, Newar houses and dhaka weavers, capital of the old Palpa kingdom.

Park & wildlife

Bardiya National Park

Bardiya, Lumbini Province

The largest national park in the Terai and the best place in Nepal to see a wild tiger, on the banks of the Karnali.

Also good in February

Shuklaphanta National Park Pathibhara Devi Chainpur Bazaar Khumjung and Khunde Salleri, Phaplu and Chiwong Phidim Antu Danda Mai Pokhari Basantapur and Tehrathum Dhaka Dhankuta Bhojpur Okhaldhunga and Rumjatar Chaudandigadhi Rauta Pokhari Arjundhara Dham Kankai Mai Biratnagar Betana Wetland Dharan Bhedetar Baraha Kshetra Ganga Sagar and the ponds of Janakpur Dhanushadham Mithila Art Centre, Janakpur Janakpur–Jaynagar Railway Jaleshwar Mahadev Rajbiraj Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Koshi Barrage Malangwa and the Sarlahi plains Gaur Gadhimai Temple Simraungadh Parsa National Park Birgunj Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak Chandragiri Hills Sankhu and Vajrayogini Bungamati and Khokana Nagarkot Madhyapur Thimi Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti Balthali Nuwakot Durbar Kakani Rasuwagadhi Fort Helambu Trek Bhote Koshi Kalinchowk Bhagawati Dolakha Bhimsen Jiri Manthali and the Sunkoshi valley Sindhuligadhi Daman Chitlang Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)Makwanpur Gadhi Sauraha and Tharu culture Bis Hajar Tal Upardang Gadhi Siraichuli Sarangkot Begnas and Rupa lakes Machhapuchhre (Fishtail)Ghandruk Dhampus and Australian Camp Panchase Sikles Gorkha Durbar Barpak and Laprak Ghalegaun and Bhujung Besisahar and Lamjung Durbar Siddha Gufa Byas Gufa, Damauli Devghat Chhangchhangdi Kushma bridges and bungee Baglung Kalika Tatopani hot springs Amaltari Tharu homestay Lumbini Monastic Zone Devdaha Niglihawa, Gotihawa and Kudan Ramagrama Stupa Triveni Dham and Valmiki Ashram Rani Mahal Ruru Kshetra (Ridi)Resunga Supa Deurali Swargadwari Dang valley and Ambikeshwari Nepalgunj and Bageshwari Banke National Park Dullu and the eternal flames Jajarkot Durbar Syarpu Lake Kupinde Lake Birendranagar and Bulbule Lake Kakrebihar Deuti Bajai Bhimdatta and the Mahakali Ghodaghodi Lake Karnali Bridge, Chisapani Tikapur Park Dhangadhi Shaileshwari and Silgadhi Mangalsen Durbar Ajaymerukot Amargadhi and Ugratara Tripurasundari and Melauli Satasi Dham Sirubari Jhilmila Lake

Quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Nepal?: It is a good month for most of the country. Festivals in Kathmandu, mountain flights, Pokhara, jungle safaris (the grass is cut, so animals are easier to see) and mid-altitude treks.
What is the weather like in Nepal in February?: Still cool but warming up, with long clear spells and the first spring days at the end of the month. Kathmandu averages 21°C by day and 4°C at night, Pokhara 22/8°C and Chitwan 27/11°C.
What festivals are in Nepal in February?: Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath (February–March); Gyalpo Losar, Sherpa and Tibetan new year (February–March); Democracy Day (19 February).
Where should I go in Nepal in February?: Halesi–Maratika Caves, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Janaki Mandir, Janakpur, Boudhanath Stupa, Chitwan National Park, Phewa Lake and Tal Barahi.

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Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and move by a few weeks each year. Temperatures are long-term averages.