January is Nepal's coldest month, and its quietest. The trekking crowds have gone home, the skies are often perfectly clear, and the mountains stand out sharp and white against a deep blue sky. If you are prepared for cold nights and short days, January offers some of the best views of the year and trails you will have almost to yourself.
Quick answer: January is cold, dry and clear. Kathmandu is about 17–19°C by day and 1–3°C at night, with frost; Everest Base Camp nights fall to around −20°C. Best for lower and mid-altitude treks such as Poon Hill, Ghandruk, Mardi Himal and the Everest View trek; high passes are usually snowbound. Expect fog in the Terai. Festivals include Maghe Sankranti in mid-January.
January at a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Weather | Dry and clear; occasional winter storms |
| Views | Excellent |
| Kathmandu | About 17–19°C by day, 1–3°C at night |
| Pokhara | About 19–21°C by day, 6–8°C at night |
| High trails | Very cold; snow on passes |
| Terai | Foggy mornings, cool days |
| Crowds | Very low |
The weather in January
January is dry, with long stretches of clear weather. Days in Kathmandu and Pokhara are mild and sunny, but mornings and evenings are cold, and most buildings have little heating. In the mountains, nights are bitterly cold; above 4,000 m, water bottles freeze solid. Occasional western disturbances bring a day or two of cloud and fresh snow higher up. In the Terai, including Chitwan and Lumbini, thick fog often lingers until late morning and can delay flights.
| Place | Altitude | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | 1,400 m | 17–19°C | 1–3°C |
| Pokhara | 820 m | 19–21°C | 6–8°C |
| Ghorepani | 2,860 m | 6–10°C | −5 to −1°C |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | 3–8°C | −12 to −7°C |
| Gorak Shep | 5,164 m | −8 to −2°C | −22 to −15°C |
Best treks in January
- Poon Hill: crystal-clear sunrises; snow possible around Ghorepani.
- Ghandruk and Australian Camp: easy, low and beautiful.
- Mardi Himal: superb views; the upper ridge may be snowy.
- Everest View: big views of Everest without the coldest nights.
- Helambu and the Chisapani–Nagarkot hike near Kathmandu.
- Everest Base Camp: possible for well-equipped, experienced trekkers; some lodges close.
High passes such as Thorong La, Larkya La and the Three Passes are usually snowbound in January. See our winter trekking guide.
Festivals in January
- Maghe Sankranti (mid-January) marks the start of the month of Magh and the end of the coldest days. Families eat sesame sweets, yam and ghee, and people bathe at river confluences such as Devghat. For the Tharu and Magar communities it is also the New Year (Maghi).
- Prithvi Jayanti (around 11 January), National Unity Day, honours King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
- Sonam Losar, the Tamang New Year, often falls in late January or February.
Other things to do in January
- Kathmandu Valley: sunny days, few tourists and clear views from the rim. See our day hikes.
- Everest mountain flight and helicopter tours: some of the clearest skies of the year.
- Chitwan: cool, foggy mornings; plan safaris for late morning.
- Kalinchowk: one of the easiest places near Kathmandu to see snow. See our Kalinchowk guide.
What to pack for January
- A sleeping bag rated to −15°C (−20°C for EBC).
- A heavy down jacket, thermal base layers, fleece and warm trousers.
- Warm hat, buff, liner gloves and insulated mitts.
- Microspikes if your guide recommends them.
- Warm clothes for Kathmandu evenings and unheated rooms.
Should you visit Nepal in January?
Yes, if you love clear skies and quiet trails and don't mind the cold. Choose a lower or mid-altitude trek, or a well-prepared Everest trek, and enjoy Nepal at its most peaceful. Contact us to plan a winter trip.