Nepal has a typical monsoonal climate, with a dry season from October to May and a wet season from June to September. The main monsoon is from mid-June to September, and the very best times to visit are Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May).
Kathmandu is not as cold as many people think. Even in the winter months (December to February) the day time temperature in the sunshine can reach a pleasant 20 degrees, but night-times can fall near to freezing. In the summer the temperatures in Kathmandu climb to 30 degrees and above.
Obviously climate charts and temperature extremes differ across the country and temperatures are much colder in the north, and warmer in the south.
If you are volunteering in the winter, please bring warm clothing (think layers), and cool, summer clothing is suitable for the remainder of the year. If you are here during the monsoon, please bring a waterproof jacket and an umbrella.
If you are planning to go trekking, it is also possible to hire cold weather clothing, such as down jackets etc.
We advise female volunteers not to wear sleeveless tops, shorts, or short skirts in villages due to cultural norms. Although Kathmandu is becoming more progressive and attitudes are shifting, most Nepalese people dress modestly and cover their bodies.