Nepal's climate is dictated by the monsoon
which arrives in June and usually finishes in late
September. The monsoon brings torrential rains that
flood the rivers so most people wouldn't want to be
kayaking or rafting at this time. Peak season for
tourists and for rafting is probably October through
November: the monsoon is over, everything is very
green, rivers are moderately high but dropping, temperatures
are warm and skies are clear with fine mountain views.
Winter months from late December through
to early February are cold, but skies are still clear
and river levels will be low. Lots of river running
groups come out over Christmas and have a great time,
but you certainly should expect cold water and perhaps
think in terms of wet suits and dry tops.
From late February through to early
April is also a good time for river running - river
levels are reliably low, air temperature warm, rivers
warm and blue. The disadvantage is that the air is
often hazy: you cannot be assured of stunning mountain
views and there may be an occasional shower of rain.
In the past, many kayakers and rafters have visited
Nepal over the Christmas holiday, when the facts seem
to suggest that Easter might he a better time.
