Dashain and Tihar 2026: the festival dates that shape an autumn trek
Nepal's biggest festivals fall right in peak trekking season — Dashain (Oct 11–25) and Tihar in early November. Here's how the celebrations affect, and enrich, an autumn trip.
If you are trekking Nepal this autumn, you are arriving in festival country. The two biggest celebrations in the Nepali calendar — Dashain and Tihar — fall squarely within the peak October–November trekking window, and they will shape your trip in ways worth planning for. Handled right, they turn a great trek into an unforgettable cultural experience.
Key facts
- Dashain runs about 11–25 October 2026
- Vijaya Dashami (the main Tika day) falls around 20 October
- Tihar (the festival of lights) follows in early November
- Both land in Nepal's peak autumn trekking season
The dates
Dashain, the 15-day festival honouring the goddess Durga, begins with Ghatasthapana on 11 October and builds to Vijaya Dashami — the great Tika day of blessings — in the third week of the month, before closing with Kojagrat Purnima on 25 October. A couple of weeks later, Tihar lights up the country: five days of oil lamps, marigold garlands and worship of Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity.
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana (start) | 11 October |
| Phulpati | 17 October |
| Maha Ashtami | 18 October |
| Vijaya Dashami (Tika) | ~20 October |
| Kojagrat Purnima (end) | 25 October |
What it means on the trail
There are two sides to trekking during the festivals. The upside: villages are decorated, families gather, and you may be welcomed into celebrations with extraordinary warmth — a genuine window into Nepali life. The practical side: around the Tika days of Dashain, many Nepalis travel home, so buses and domestic flights are heavily booked and some city shops and offices close. The trails themselves can actually feel a touch quieter mid-Dashain as local staff take leave, before filling again. Book transport and flights well ahead, and expect a festive, occasionally slower rhythm.
What this means for you
Trekking during Dashain and Tihar is a privilege, not a problem — but it rewards planning. Book your internal flights and trek dates early (festival travel fills fast), build a little flexibility around the Tika days, and let your guide bring you into the celebrations along the way. An autumn trek wrapped in Nepal's greatest festivals is the trip people talk about for years.
Source: Drik Panchang (Nepali festival calendar 2026).
Cover photo: Manish Ratna Buddhacharya via Pexels (Pexels License).
Source: Drik Panchang
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