Nepal is an enchanting destination for travelers and trekkers all over the world.
It attracts visitors from all over the world with its rich natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outstanding hospitality.
November with its moderate weather conditions and temperatures add to the beauty of Nepal.
November an ideal month to be in Nepal.
If you’re wondering about the things to do in Nepal in November, you will have plenty of options to choose from.
Days in November have amazingly clear views of landscapes. The month also offers dry, bright, and cool days for trekking or mountain climbing.
If you are looking to know a bit more about the diverse culture of Nepal, November offers great weather for sightseeing. In addition, November hosts different festivals which allows a more intimate look into the rich traditions and rituals of Nepal.
Whether you’re looking for soft adventure, or you’re an adrenaline junkie, November offers more stable weather conditions for all pursuits.
Trekking
Nepal boasts of some of the most diverse trekking routes and destinations in the world. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trekker, Nepal has something to offer you.
November is one of the best months to go for trekking in Nepal. The month sees more stable weather conditions and cool temperatures that are ideal for trekking.
You can choose your route and destination depending on the type of trekking experience you wish to have. In November, all the trails and destinations for trekking are open, and more importantly, easily doable. The trails are also dry which is great for walks.
Some of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal are:
Due to the popularity of these trails, there is more than one way to reach these destinations. You can choose the one that suits your requirements and preference. You can choose short or long duration treks with easy to challenging difficulty levels.
Some of the under-rated and lesser-known treks with magnificent views and quieter trails to go for in November are:
In November, you can enjoy the full glory of these treks. All of these treks guarantee fabulous views of the mountain peaks, sunrise, and sunsets.
These treks will almost always entitle you to fabulous views of the glaciers, rivers, streams, waterfalls, and hills. November is also a great time to observe the clean and green alpine flora with its diverse fauna.
For travelers looking for a more relaxed, easy, and short trek in November, there are other great options such as:
Everest View Trek
Though short, these treks in November offer clear panoramic views of the mountain peaks. Apart from the natural spectacle, November is also the proper time to experience the rich tradition and culture of Nepal on these trails.
Mountain Climbing
Another popular reason for visits to Nepal in November is mountain climbing. Almost all the mountain peaks are open for climbing in November.
This month has the climate favorable for a successful peak summit.
Some of the highest trekking peaks in Nepal are
Island Peak (6,189m)
Mera Peak (6,476m)
Singhu Chuli Peak (6,501m)
These are perfect ascents for introducing you to mountaineering. It is ideal for people with no prior mountaineering experience. Yet, these climbs serve as a challenging adventure with fabulous views.
Sightseeing Tours
To get a better glimpse of Nepal’s culture and lifestyle, sightseeing tours in Nepal are an ideal option. These include visits to ancient temples, stupas, and monasteries. It also includes visits to ancient palaces and museums.
Some of the best sightseeing tours to do in Nepal in November are:
Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour
This tour includes visiting and exploring 7 out of 8 of Nepal’s World Cultural Heritage Sites. These include:
Boudha Stupa
This is one of the biggest stupas in Nepal. This enormous gold and the white stupa is almost always bustling with devotees and fluttering prayer flags. You can also visit one of the many Buddhist monasteries here.
Pashupatinath Temple
One of the most sacred temples for Hindus in Asia, Pashupatinath Temple lies on the banks of the Bagmati River. The temple complex is home to many smaller temples, idols, ashrams, and inscriptions.
The complex boasts of 518 temples and monuments. You can see the main pagoda-style temple with a golden roof and four doors covered with silver and wood carvings in an enclosed courtyard.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Located in the city of Bhaktapur, it is home to at least 4 distinct squares.
These are Durbar Square, Pottery Square, Taumadhi Square, and Dattatreya Square. These host several temples, a palace-museum and a gallery among other sites.
Here, you can visit The 55-Windowed Palace. It is the best place to visit to get a glimpse of the rich historic Nepalese architecture with Intricate wood carvings.
Other famous sites to visit in Bhaktapur are Nyatapola Temple, Statue of Bhupatindra Malla, Bhairav Nath Temple, Golden Gate, and Lion’s Gate. You can also observe the local potters at work at Pottery Square.
Swayambhunath Stupa
This stupa lies on top of a hill with a small forest surrounding it. It is one of the most ancient stupas in Kathmandu valley. The stupa complex comprises of another smaller hillock too. Here you can find the Manjushree temple.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The medieval royal palace plaza is the main tourist attraction in Kathmandu city. The square is also known as Basantapur Durbar Square.
It is home to several temples, beautiful ancient statues of Gods and Goddesses, and a busy market. It also holds the ancient palaces of the Shah and Malla Kings who ruled over the city.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan has a greater concentration of temples than any other city or town in Nepal. There are both Hindu and Buddhist temples of different architectural styles.
Most of the Hindu and Buddhist temples in Patan are from the 8th-17th century.
Some of the must-visit places in the Square are the Golden Temple, the Kumbeshwar Temple, and the Red Machhendranath Temple.
Nagarkot
This hill station lies at an altitude of 2,195 meters. This place boasts of stunning views of the Himalayas. Along with this, it is popular for its sunrise and sunset views over the Himalayas.
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Buddhists from all over visit Lumbini as their most sacred pilgrimage. Lumbini is also a great place for meditating.
Gorkha
Gorkha (1,060m) is an old city that gives a glimpse of ancient history and culture of Nepal. You can visit the ancient palace here.
Gorkha is also the originating place of the famous ‘Gurkhas’ known throughout the world for their bravery. Gorkha Palace, Gorkha bazaar, Upallokot, and Manakamana Temple are the places to visit while in Gorkha.
Bandipur
Bandipur is an ancient trading outpost of Nepal. You can enjoy the beautiful places and sceneries of Bandipur while there. You can also appreciate the beautiful views of the mountains like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Langtang.
Pokhara
Pokhara- the city of Lakes is a great place to relax and spend your leisure time in Nepal.
This is the start point of famous treks of the Annapurna Region. It is also a famous spot for the adventure sports Nepal.
Here, you can visit the lakes such as Fewa, Rupa, and Begnas. Natural beauty, cultural diversity, and a bustling city center are the attractions of this place.
Reasons to take these Tours in November
Fabulous weather conditions- bright, long, dry days with cool temperatures. The weather is neither too hot nor too cold which is perfect for tours. November also sees fewer crowds than October.
Mountain Views
November in Nepal sees very less humidity and precipitation levels. Due to this, the skies are clear, offering amazing visibility. You can enjoy fabulous, clean, and clear mountain sights in Nepal. Some of the best ways to enjoy these without climbing or trekking are:
Skydiving Above Mt. Everest
This is the world’s highest skydiving adventure in the world.
This extreme adventure activity sees the skydivers take a leap from an AS350 B3 Helicopter at the height of 29,500 feet next to Everest.
You will land at Syangboche Airport (12,340 ft) and Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,000 ft).
You can go for extreme adventure every year only in October and November. The dive will give you the thrill of a lifetime, and you will get to see the most magnificent aerial views of the Everest Region.
Helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp (EBC)
As the name suggests, this tour allows you to visit and tour EBC without trekking and climbing. You can enjoy views of the world’s tallest mountain ranges.
Mountain flight to Everest
The mountain flight to Everest takes you the closest to the world’s highest mountain- Mt. Everest.
The entire flight takes less than an hour, yet you get an up-close, aerial view of the world’s highest mountain.
Some of the other mountain peaks you can see on the flight are Shisha Pangma (8,013m), Gaurishanker (7,134m), Melungtse, Cho Oyu (8,201m), and Pumori. Along with these, you can also see Nuptse, Lhotse, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, and Gaurishanker peaks.
All these flights leave from Kathmandu between 7 and 9 in the morning.
You will drift above the clouds, over snow-capped peaks, and view the spectacular array of lakes, glaciers, rivers, and gorges below. The flight also allows for excellent photo opportunities.
Jungle Safari
Nepal has a varied topography rich in flora and fauna. Another fantastic way to witness these is through jungle safaris, jungle walks, and boat rides through the jungles.
The most popular place for this is Chitwan National Park. In November, this place is neither too hot nor too cold.
Hence, you can visit the Park- a sprawling area of lush jungles and grassy plains. You can witness the wildlife in their natural habitat.
Here, you will be able to spot rhinos, elephants, and hundreds of bird species among other wildlife. If lucky, you can also hear and see the elusive Bengal tiger.
Another great option is a visit to Bardia National Park. Covering an area of 968 sq. km, it is the most undisturbed national park in the country.
Home to alligators, Bengal tiger, swamp deer, one-horned rhinoceros, and Gangetic dolphins, this is a great alternative to the popular Chitwan National Park. Here, if lucky, you can spot a herd of wild elephants.
Adventure Sports
Due to its exotic landscape and the presence of the Himalayas, Nepal is an ideal location for adventure sports. These include exciting and thrilling outdoor activities. Some examples are paragliding, bungee jumping, zip lining, and mountain biking among others.
Nepal is also the 2nd richest country in freshwater sources. Hence, it is gaining a reputation as a popular place for river rafting, canoeing, and boating.
You’ll find extreme adventurers from all over the world in Nepal. The weather conditions play a vital role in being able to do these activities. November provides these conditions for you.
Zip Lining
There are 2 places that offer zip lining in Nepal.
- The zip line in Pohara is very steep and fast. Its an 1800 meters long zip line and you go up to speeds of 120 km/hr. You can sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views of nature
- Dhulikhel has another zip line station that is 1,100 meters long.
Bungee Jumping
Bungee Jumping in Nepal is something an adrenaline-junkie should not miss. This thrilling adventure is an experience of a life time.
Nepal is home to 2 bungee jumping spots- Tatopani and Pokhara.
- Tatopani- This is one of the most popular bungee locations in all of Asia. It offers bungee jump and swing from a bridge at a height of 160 meters. You will dive into the gushing waters of the Bhotekoshi river.
- Pokhara: This is Nepal’s first and only tower bungee. Here you dive from a height of 70 meters from a man-made steel structure. This could be a good option for novice jumpers.
Canyoning
For Canyoning, the stretch between Kathmandu and Pokhara on the way to Chitwan is the best option. You can explore the deep ravines and indulge in a thrilling experience. This adventure-filled expedition is a beautiful mind and body experience.
White Water Rafting
This fun and thrilling adventure allow for a wet and wild experience in the Himalayas.
Home to many rivers, Nepal offers different rafting trips ranging from one day to a week or even ten-days long rafting package.
Motorbike Across Nepal
Riding a motorbike across Nepal gives you a high that practically no other activities can give.
You can enjoy the winding mountain roads that offer some spectacular vistas. It allows you to explore Nepal with total freedom. But motorbiking in Nepal isn’t for everyone. The roads here can be dangerous and potholes are pretty common.
November is the perfect month to go on a motorbiking trip as the roads will be dry and there are less chances of mudslide and landslide.
Other Fun and Interesting Things to do in Nepal in November
Farmstays, Homestays
If you want to get a closer looking at how the locals of Nepal live, these are great options.
- Homestays: These are popular all over Nepal including the cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara. You will stay with a local family which gives you an intimate look into their lifestyle, tradition, and cuisine.
- Farmstays: This is a relatively new concept in Nepal. It offers you a stay at a local farm in exchange for a pair of helping hands. You can take part in farm work and see how the rural farmers of Nepal make a living.
In November, these are not as fully booked as in October.
Meditation and Yoga
There are many yoga retreats in Nepal where you can learn and practice meditation, yoga, and spirituality.
Most of these are practiced outdoors, surrounded by the very best of the natural world. These allow you to better connect with the world. In November, you can enjoy these sessions in a clean atmosphere.
If yoga retreats are not for you, you can practice these in local monasteries and nunneries. Many of them offer courses on meditation and yoga. Some also offer you some spiritual guidance.
Try the Nepali Cuisine
Another enjoyable way to understand the Nepali culture is through its food.
Make sure to try the staple local meals like dal-bhat-tarkari and mo: mo.
If you are into cooking, you can sign up for a local momo-making class or traditional dal-bhat-tarkari making class.
November is a peak season for visitors and travelers in Nepal. Hence, all the facilities for meals like restaurants, lodges, cafes are open and running.
Final Say,
November is the perfect month to witness the amazing views of the mountains.
Almost all the trekking destinations and routes are comfortable to do this month. It is also a great month to indulge in adventure activities or sightseeing. It is also a fabulous month to witness old traditions through various festivals.
For any further queries or questions related to your visit to Nepal in November, feel free to contact us.
