Nepal November is one of Nepal's driest travel months, but temperatures vary enormously with elevation. Sauraha near Chitwan is the warmest major destination in this comparison at 28°C (82°F) during the day with only 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain. Pokhara is cooler at 25°C (77°F) and even drier at 17 mm (0.7 in), while Kathmandu averages 21°C (70°F), 26 mm (1 in) and 240 sunshine hours. Bhaktapur has almost the same temperature as Kathmandu. In the high mountains, conditions can be far colder, with Manang averaging only 1°C (34°F) by day. For a warm lowland trip, choose Chitwan. For mountain views and mild days, Pokhara has an especially strong November climate.
Nepal in November weather at a glance
Nepal's November weather is shaped more by altitude than by distance. The national range runs from 1°C (34°F) daytime highs in Manang to 30°C (86°F) in Janakpur. Rainfall varies from only 3 mm (0.1 in) in Lumbini to 95 mm (3.7 in) in Kāskī.
| Destination | Daytime | Nighttime | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sauraha | 28°C (82°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 0 | - |
| Pokhara | 25°C (77°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 1 | 220 hrs |
| Kathmandu | 21°C (70°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 1 | 240 hrs |
| Bhaktapur | 21°C (70°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | - | - |
| Manang | 1°C (34°F) | -10°C (14°F) | - | - | - |
Historical averages from Weather & Climate. Mountain conditions vary strongly with elevation and should not be inferred from valley or city data.
Kathmandu is mild, dry and sunny
Kathmandu averages 21°C (70°F) during the day and 10°C (50°F) at night. Rainfall is only 26 mm (1 in) over around one day, while sunshine reaches approximately 240 hours.
This combination is one of the main reasons November works so well for the Kathmandu Valley. Afternoons are mild, rain is uncommon and the air is far drier than during the monsoon season.
Nights are much cooler than the afternoons, so a warm layer is necessary after sunset. The 11°C (52°F) difference between the average day and night is typical of the dry-season feel in the valley.
Pokhara is warmer and drier than Kathmandu
Pokhara averages 25°C (77°F) during the day and 12°C (54°F) at night. Rainfall totals just 17 mm (0.7 in) over around one day, and sunshine reaches about 220 hours.
Compared with Kathmandu, Pokhara is four degrees warmer during the day and receives 9 mm (0.4 in) less rain. It has slightly fewer sunshine hours, but the overall climate remains exceptionally favorable.
For travelers who want lakeside time and mountain views without cold daytime temperatures, Pokhara arguably has the most comfortable November climate in this comparison.
Chitwan is warmest and almost rainless
Sauraha, the main tourism base near Chitwan National Park, averages 28°C (82°F) during the day and 14°C (57°F) at night. Rainfall is only 10 mm (0.4 in), with zero rainy days in the monthly averages.
This is a very different climate from the Kathmandu Valley. Daytime temperatures are seven degrees warmer, and nights are also milder. If you want to add lowland wildlife and forest to a Nepal trip, November provides warm conditions without monsoon rainfall.
The low rainfall also makes travel logistics easier. Roads and trails are less affected by the heavy rain that defines the summer monsoon.
Bhaktapur closely matches Kathmandu
Bhaktapur averages 21°C (70°F) during the day and 10°C (50°F) at night, almost exactly matching Kathmandu. November rainfall is around 23 mm (0.9 in).
For travelers deciding whether to spend a night in Bhaktapur or visit as a day trip, weather is not a meaningful differentiator. The two cities share the same broad Kathmandu Valley climate.
The mountains are a completely different climate zone
The most important warning in any Nepal weather comparison is altitude. Weather & Climate records Manang at only 1°C (34°F) during the day and -10°C (14°F) at night in November. Those figures are entirely different from Pokhara's 25°C (77°F) and Kathmandu's 21°C (70°F).
City averages should therefore never be used as a proxy for trekking conditions. Temperature falls rapidly with elevation, and mountain weather can change quickly even during a generally dry month.
How dry is Nepal in November?
At the country level, Lumbini is among the driest places at only 3 mm (0.1 in), while Kāskī reaches 95 mm (3.7 in). Among the main destinations in this article, Sauraha has 10 mm (0.4 in), Pokhara 17 mm (0.7 in), Bhaktapur 23 mm (0.9 in) and Kathmandu 26 mm (1 in).
Even the higher city total remains low. November is therefore a strong month for a route that combines the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and the southern lowlands.
Kathmandu, Pokhara or Chitwan?
Choose Kathmandu for culture, historic sites and the highest verified sunshine total in this comparison at 240 hours. Choose Pokhara for warmer days and lower rainfall. Choose Chitwan if you want the warmest conditions and virtually no rain.
The three can work very well together because the temperature differences create variety without introducing much rainfall risk.
Which Nepal destination should you choose?
- For culture and sunshine: Kathmandu, with 21°C (70°F) days, 26 mm (1 in) of rain and 240 sunshine hours.
- For mountain views and mild warmth: Pokhara, with 25°C (77°F) days and only 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain.
- For the warmest lowland weather: Sauraha, with 28°C (82°F) days and 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain.
- For a quieter Kathmandu Valley base: Bhaktapur, with 21°C (70°F) days and 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain.
- For high-altitude travel: prepare for conditions far colder than the cities, including 1°C (34°F) days in Manang.
Where is the best weather in Nepal in November?
Pokhara has perhaps the strongest all-round climate for a typical traveler because it combines warm 25°C (77°F) days with just 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain. Kathmandu is cooler but sunnier, while Chitwan is warmer and even drier.
November's strength is not that all of Nepal has the same weather. It is that many of the country's key lowland and valley destinations are dry at the same time. The major exception is altitude, which should always be treated separately.