March along the trail
| Place | Elevation | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lukla | 2,860 m | +11 °C | 0 °C |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | +8 °C | −2 °C |
| Dingboche | 4,410 m | +1 °C | −9 °C |
| Gorak Shep | 5,164 m | −6 °C | −14 °C |
Modelled 10-year averages (ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo), checked against the Pyramid research station in the Khumbu, 2016-2025 (within about 1–2 °C of the station's measurements). Temperatures only: the model's rainfall is too coarse to trust in rain-shadow valleys such as Manang, so we leave it out. Mountain valleys and ridges vary more than these grid-model averages show.
The start of spring
March opens the spring trekking season. Days warm up lower down and the first rhododendrons flower below Namche, while the high trail above Dingboche still holds winter’s cold.
What to expect
- Cold nights higher up. Early March can still feel wintry at Lobuche and Gorak Shep; the table above shows the modelled averages.
- Quieter than April. Trails and teahouses are busier than in winter, but less crowded than at the peak of spring.
- Some snow. Late-winter snow is possible on the higher sections early in the month.
Who it suits
Trekkers who want spring skies with fewer people, and who come prepared for cold nights.
