Dashain & Tihar 2026 Dates (Oct 11–25 · Nov 8–11) — and How They Reshape Your Autumn Trek
Dashain 2026 runs 11–25 October (Tika on 21 Oct); Tihar follows 8–11 November. The dates are only half the story — here is exactly how Nepal's two biggest festivals reshape Lukla flights, buses, guide availability and teahouse crowds if you're trekking this autumn.
Dashain & Tihar 2026 — the dates
- Ghatasthapana (day 1): Sunday 11 October 2026
- Phulpati: 17 Oct · Maha Ashtami: 18 Oct · Maha Navami: 20 Oct
- Vijaya Dashami (Tika — the main day): Wednesday 21 October 2026
- Dashain ends (Kojagrat Purnima): 25 October 2026
- Tihar (Deepawali): 8–11 November 2026 (Bhai Tika on 11 Nov)
Planning around these dates? Our verified Nepal festival calendar 2026–2027 lays out every festival with its trekking impact, and our monsoon-end guide covers when the autumn season actually opens. 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.
Dashain & Tihar 2026 dates
- Dashain: Ghatasthapana 11 October → Vijaya Dashami (Tika) 21 October → ends 25 October 2026.
- Tihar (Deepawali): 8–11 November 2026.
- Both fall inside Nepal’s prime October–November trekking season.
| Day | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Ghatasthapana (start) | 11 October |
| Phulpati | 17 October |
| Maha Ashtami | 18 October |
| Maha Navami | 20 October |
| Vijaya Dashami (Tika day) | 21 October |
| Kojagrat Purnima (end) | 25 October |
From the trail · Mustang
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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