Far West & Karnali · – · –
Far West & Karnali in May
The plains are very hot and many visitors stop coming by mid-May, though wildlife viewing at water holes is good for those who can take the heat. The hills are at their best for walking: Rara, Khaptad, Simikot and the Limi valley are open and green. Khaptad's Ganga Dashahara fair falls in late May or June, when pilgrims from four districts climb to Triveni.
Local tip for May
Pre-monsoon cloud builds by noon, so plan mountain flights for early morning.
Where to go in May
Far West & Karnali2,990 mRara Lake
Nepal's largest lake, ringed by pine at almost 3,000 m
Far West & Karnali3,000 mKhaptad National Park
High meadows where Khaptad Baba meditated for fifty years
Far West & Karnali2,910 mSimikot
Airstrip town on the old pilgrim and salt route to Kailash
Far West & Karnali3,700 mLimi Valley
Three Tibetan villages and an 11th-century monastery on the border
Festivals around May
Trips at their best in May
Far West & Karnalimax 1,400 mBardia Tiger Safari
Four nights at Thakurdwara on the edge of Bardia National Park, Nepal's largest lowland park. Full-day jeep safari, a guided walk on …
Far West & Karnalimax 4,560 mHumla: the Kailash Trail to Hilsa
Eight nights on the old pilgrim and trade route of upper Humla, the way Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims walked toward Mount Kailash. …
Far West & Karnalimax 3,300 mKhaptad Meadows Trek
Seven nights to the Khaptad plateau, a rolling upland of meadows and fir forest at about 3,000 m in the far west. …
Far West & Karnalimax 2,540 mKhasa Kingdom Heritage: Jumla, Sinja, Dullu
Eight nights through the heartland of the Khasa Malla kingdom, which ruled western Nepal and parts of western Tibet from about the …
Far West & Karnalimax 2,500 mRamaroshan Lakes and Dullu
Six nights by jeep and on foot across the hills of the far west. Through Doti to Ramaroshan in Achham, an upland …
Far West & Karnalimax 3,700 mRara Lake by Air
The shortest way to Rara. Fly from Nepalgunj to Talcha airstrip in Mugu, walk about three hours to the lake, and spend …
Far West & Karnalimax 3,700 mRara Lake Trek from Jumla
Nine nights on foot from Jumla to Rara, Nepal's largest lake. The route crosses the Jaljala pass at 3,580 m, drops into …
Elsewhere in Nepal in May
Questions
Is May a good time to visit Far West & Karnali?
The plains are very hot and many visitors stop coming by mid-May, though wildlife viewing at water holes is good for those who can take the heat. The hills are at their best for walking: Rara, Khaptad, Simikot and the Limi valley are open and green. Khaptad's Ganga Dashahara fair falls in late May or June, when pilgrims from four districts climb to Triveni.
What is the weather like in Far West & Karnali in May?
Bardia up to 40 °C; Rara 6–20 °C. Conditions change fast with altitude, so check the forecast for each stop a week before you travel.
Where should we go in Far West & Karnali in May?
We suggest Rara Lake, Khaptad National Park, Simikot, Limi Valley. Pre-monsoon cloud builds by noon, so plan mountain flights for early morning.