Tihar 2026 dates
Tihar, also called Deepawali, is the five-day festival of lights that follows Dashain by about three weeks. Homes, shops and lakeside streets in Pokhara are lit with oil lamps and strings of lights, and groups of children go door to door singing Deusi and Bhailo. The exact day-by-day sequence follows the lunar calendar, so confirm it close to your dates.
- Laxmi Puja, the main night of lights: Sunday 8 November 2026
- Govardhan Puja: Tuesday 10 November
- Bhai Tika, when sisters mark tika on their brothers: Wednesday 11 November
Why November is a strong month to trek from Pokhara
November stays dry and clear, the trails are less crowded than during Dashain, and the autumn views remain excellent. The change is temperature. Days are comfortable for walking, but nights at altitude are properly cold, and daylight is shorter, so plan to arrive at your lodge by mid-afternoon.
Tihar itself brings the same holiday pressure on transport and hotels as Dashain, though on a smaller scale. Book flights, buses and Pokhara hotels early if your trip overlaps 7–11 November.
Best routes for a Tihar trek
Lower and mid-altitude routes are the most comfortable choice in November, with the higher ones best for people who already have cold-weather experience.
- Ghorepani Poon Hill (4 days, 3,210 m): clear sunrise views and warm lodges, the most popular choice.
- Ghandruk Loop and Dhampus & Australian Camp (2 days): short and flexible, easy to fit around festival days.
- Panchase Trek (3 days): quieter forest trails above Pokhara.
- Mardi Himal (6 days, 4,450 m) and Annapurna Base Camp (9 days, 4,130 m): possible, but expect freezing nights at High Camp and in the sanctuary. Carry a warm sleeping bag liner and insulated layers.
What to pack for cold nights
Use a layering system rather than one heavy jacket: a base layer, a fleece or light down mid layer, a windproof shell, a warm hat and gloves. Lodge rooms are unheated, so a sleeping bag rated for low temperatures, or a rental from Lakeside, makes a real difference above 3,000 m. For a full list, see the packing checklist linked below.
Seeing Tihar in Pokhara itself
If you finish your trek before Laxmi Puja, spend the evening walking through Lakeside and the older neighbourhoods to see the lamps, rangoli patterns at doorways and families visiting each other. It is one of the best times of year to see everyday Nepali culture alongside the mountains. Some businesses close on the main days, so confirm any restaurant or tour booking in advance.