Trekking in Nepal in Winter: Best Treks, Weather and Tips (December–February)

Most people plan their Nepal trek for October or April, and for good reasons. But winter, from December to February, has a quiet magic that many experienced trekkers prefer. The skies are often the clearest of the year, the trails are empty, lodge owners have time to sit and talk, and the mountains stand sharp and white against deep blue skies. The trade-off is the cold, and on high routes it is serious cold.

We guide treks every winter, and we are often asked whether it is a good idea. The honest answer is: yes, if you choose the right trek and prepare properly. This guide explains what winter trekking in Nepal is really like, which treks work best, how cold it gets and how to stay comfortable and safe.

Winter in Nepal: what to expect

Winter in Nepal is dry. The monsoon is long gone, and most days are sunny and calm, especially in December and early January. Daytime temperatures in the sun can feel surprisingly warm, even at altitude, but as soon as the sun drops behind a ridge, the temperature plummets. Nights above 3,500 m are well below freezing. Occasional winter storms, known as western disturbances, bring cloud and snow for a day or two, mostly in January and February.

Location	Altitude	Day (in sun)	Night
Kathmandu	1,400 m	18–20°C	0–3°C
Pokhara	820 m	20–22°C	5–8°C
Ghorepani	2,860 m	8–12°C	−5 to −2°C
Namche Bazaar	3,440 m	5–8°C	−10 to −5°C
Dingboche	4,410 m	0–5°C	−15 to −10°C
Gorak Shep	5,164 m	−5–0°C	−25 to −15°C

The pros of winter trekking

• Clear skies: December and January often have the most reliable mountain views of the year.
• Quiet trails: far fewer trekkers than in autumn or spring. You may have lodges almost to yourself.
• Easy lodge bookings: no competition for the best rooms, even at Gorak Shep.
• Authentic atmosphere: lodge owners have more time, and you see village life in its quieter season.
• Festivals: Christmas and New Year in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and Losar (Tibetan New Year) in February.
• Snow-covered scenery: fresh snow on forests and villages is beautiful.

The cons

• Cold nights: teahouse rooms are unheated, and nights above 4,000 m are bitterly cold.
• Short days: about 10–11 hours of daylight, so walking days must start and finish earlier.
• Closed lodges: some high-altitude lodges close from mid-December to February, especially in remote areas.
• Snow on passes: high passes may be blocked or require crampons and extra days.
• Frozen water: pipes freeze, so toilets and showers may be limited.
• Flight delays: winter fog in the Terai and Kathmandu can delay morning flights, including to Lukla.

Best winter treks in Nepal

Ghorepani Poon Hill

Our top pick for winter. Low enough to stay fairly comfortable, with sunrise from Poon Hill over snowy peaks and rhododendron forest white with frost. Snow sometimes falls at Ghorepani, adding to the beauty. Our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek page has the day-by-day plan.

Mardi Himal

Crisp, clear views of Machhapuchhre from High Camp are superb in winter. The upper ridge can be icy or snowy, so bring microspikes and be ready to turn back at the viewpoint if conditions are poor. Have a look at our Mardi Himal Trek.

Everest View Trek

Namche Bazaar and the Everest View Hotel are cold in winter, but Everest is often perfectly clear. Staying below 4,000 m avoids the harshest cold. The full itinerary is on our Everest View Trek page.

Helambu and Chisapani–Nagarkot

Close to Kathmandu and fairly low, these work well as a short winter trek. Tharepati may have snow. Have a look at our Helambu Trek and Chisapani Nagarkot Trek.

Langtang Valley

Cold at Kyanjin Gompa but usually open, with close views of the Langtang glaciers. Check snow conditions before climbing Tserko Ri. Have a look at our Langtang Valley Trek.

Pikey Peak

A beautiful winter option in the lower Solukhumbu, with wide Everest views and no Lukla flight. You'll find the route in detail on our Pikey Peak Trek page.

Annapurna Base Camp (with caution)

ABC is possible in winter and beautiful under snow, but the section between Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp can be exposed to avalanche risk after heavy snowfall. Always follow local advice and be prepared to wait or turn back. See our Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

Everest Base Camp in winter

Can you trek to Everest Base Camp in winter? Yes, and some of our guides prefer it: clear skies, empty trails and the Khumbu under snow. But it is serious. Night temperatures at Lobuche and Gorak Shep can fall to −20°C or lower, wind chill on Kala Patthar is fierce, and some lodges above Dingboche close. You need:

• A sleeping bag rated to at least −20°C, plus a liner.
• An expedition-weight down jacket and insulated trousers.
• Warm mittens, a balaclava and thermal layers.
• Microspikes for icy trails.
• An experienced guide who knows which lodges are open.
• Flexibility for Lukla flight delays caused by fog or winter storms.

Read our full Everest Base Camp guide and consider the luxury lodge trek for warmer nights in the lower Khumbu.

Treks to avoid or approach with care in winter

Trek	Winter issue
Annapurna Circuit	Thorong La (5,416 m) is often closed or dangerous after snow; lodges at Thorong Phedi and High Camp may close
Manaslu Circuit	Larkya La (5,106 m) can be snowbound; Dharamsala lodges may close
Everest Three Passes	Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La can be icy and impassable
Gosainkunda	Often snowbound; lodges may close
Kanchenjunga, Makalu	Very cold, remote, many lodges closed
Upper Mustang	Very cold and windy; many lodges and monasteries closed

Some trekkers do cross the Thorong La in December and early January in good conditions, but it depends entirely on recent snowfall. Always check with your trekking company and be prepared to change plans.

What to pack for a winter trek

Winter packing is about warmth without excessive weight. In addition to our standard Nepal trekking packing list, bring:

• A sleeping bag rated to −15°C to −20°C for high treks, or −10°C for lower ones.
• A thick down jacket with a hood.
• Insulated trousers or fleece trousers for evenings.
• Thermal base layers, top and bottom, and a spare set for sleeping.
• Warm hat, balaclava or buff, and insulated gloves plus mittens.
• Warm socks and camp booties for the lodge.
• Microspikes and gaiters for snow and ice.
• Hand and toe warmers.
• An insulated water bottle or bottle covers to stop water freezing.
• High-factor sunscreen and good sunglasses: snow reflects intense UV.

Staying warm in teahouses

• Spend evenings in the dining room, where the stove is lit.
• Fill a bottle with boiling water before bed and put it in your sleeping bag.
• Change into dry clothes as soon as you arrive; sweaty layers make you cold.
• Eat well: your body burns more energy keeping warm.
• Keep batteries warm in your sleeping bag.
• Ask for extra blankets; lodges usually have plenty in winter.
• Put tomorrow's clothes in your sleeping bag so they are warm in the morning.

Daily rhythm in winter

Winter days are short, so the rhythm of trekking changes. Mornings are very cold until the sun reaches the trail, so there is little point starting before 7:30 or 8:00 on most days. Walk during the warmest hours, keep lunch stops short, and aim to reach the next lodge by 2:00 or 3:00 p.m., before the sun disappears behind the ridges and the temperature drops sharply. Early evenings are spent around the dining room stove, and most people are in their sleeping bags by 8:00.

Safety considerations

• Snow and avalanches: follow local advice, especially on ABC and high passes.
• Icy trails: use microspikes and trekking poles on shaded, frozen sections.
• Hypothermia and frostbite: keep dry, cover extremities and tell your guide if you cannot warm up.
• Altitude: the cold can make altitude symptoms feel worse; follow a gradual itinerary. For the details, read our altitude guide.
• Insurance: make sure it covers winter trekking at your altitude and helicopter evacuation.

Winter beyond trekking

Winter is also a lovely time for the rest of Nepal. The Kathmandu Valley is sunny and dry, good sightseeing weather; Chitwan and Bardia are cool and pleasant, with excellent birdwatching; Lumbini is comfortable to walk around; and mountain flights often have perfect visibility, although morning fog can cause delays. Christmas and New Year in Pokhara and Kathmandu are festive, with the Pokhara Street Festival bringing music and food to Lakeside.

December, January or February?

• December: the best winter month for trekking. Early December still feels like late autumn at lower altitudes, with clear, stable weather and few trekkers.
• January: the coldest month, with the highest chance of snow on high trails. Beautiful but demanding.
• February: still cold, with more winter storms, but days lengthen and warm up towards the end of the month. Losar celebrations are a cultural highlight.

A winter trek day by day: Poon Hill in January

To give you a feel for winter trekking, here is how a typical January trek to Poon Hill unfolds. You drive from Pokhara to the trailhead in the morning sun, wearing a T-shirt and fleece, and begin the long climb of stone steps through Magar villages. The lower trail is warm in the sun and cool in the shade. By the afternoon, as you climb through rhododendron and oak forest towards Ghorepani, patches of frost remain on shaded sections, and you may walk through snow if a storm has passed recently.

At Ghorepani, the lodge dining room becomes the centre of the world. The stove is lit early, and trekkers, guides and the lodge family gather around it with tea and cards. The night is cold, around −5°C outside, and your room is not much warmer, but a good sleeping bag and a hot water bottle keep you comfortable. At 5 a.m. you climb Poon Hill by head torch, stamping your feet at the top as you wait for the sun. When it rises, the whole Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range turns pink and gold under a perfectly clear sky, with far fewer people around you than in October. Later that day you walk through frosted forest to Tadapani, and by the time you descend to Ghandruk, you are back in the sunshine among terraced fields. This mix of cold nights, sunny days and crystal views is winter trekking at its best.

How winter affects altitude

Cold weather does not directly cause altitude sickness, but it can make it harder to cope with. In winter, trekkers often drink less because water is cold and toilets are uncomfortable, and dehydration makes altitude symptoms feel worse. Cold also increases your body's energy use and can disturb sleep, both of which reduce your ability to adapt. Make a conscious effort to drink warm fluids throughout the day, such as tea, hot lemon and soup, eat well, and keep to a gradual itinerary with acclimatisation days. Tell your guide if you feel unusually tired, have a headache or cannot get warm.

Lodges in winter: what changes

On the main trekking routes, most lodges stay open in winter, but some things change. In the Everest region, a number of lodges at Lobuche, Gorak Shep and on the Three Passes route close for a few weeks in January and February, and families move down to warmer villages. The remaining lodges are quieter, and you may have more space and attention. Water pipes often freeze overnight, so toilets may use buckets of water and showers may be unavailable at higher altitudes. Many lodges light their dining room stoves earlier in the afternoon in winter, and some offer electric blankets for a small fee in the lower Khumbu. A guide who knows which lodges are open is essential, especially on longer routes.

Photography in winter

Winter is a very good season for mountain photography. The air is clear and dry, particularly in December and early January, and the low sun creates long shadows and warm light for much of the day. Fresh snow adds contrast to villages, forests and moraines. Cold drains batteries quickly, so carry spares in an inside pocket and keep your camera in your sleeping bag at night. When moving from the cold outside to a warm dining room, put your camera in a sealed bag first to avoid condensation. And protect your eyes and skin: snow reflects intense sunlight at altitude.

Christmas and New Year in the mountains

Spending Christmas or New Year on a trek is a special experience. Lodges on popular routes such as Poon Hill, the Everest trail and Langtang often make an effort for their guests, with decorations, special menus and sometimes a small celebration. Treks such as the Everest View Trek or Poon Hill fit neatly into the holiday period, leaving time to celebrate New Year in Pokhara or Kathmandu, where the Pokhara Street Festival and New Year parties in Thamel create a festive atmosphere. Book early, as flights and hotels fill up at this time of year.

Winter treks for families

Winter school holidays make December and February popular times for families to visit Nepal. For children, we recommend low, short treks with comfortable lodges, such as Poon Hill, the Ghandruk loop, Australian Camp or Chisapani–Nagarkot. Children feel the cold faster than adults, so bring extra warm layers, hats and gloves for them, and keep days short so you arrive at the lodge while it is still sunny. Combine the trek with warmer lowland experiences such as a Chitwan safari. Our Nepal Family Holiday works well in winter.

Our guides' winter tips

• "Start after the sun hits the trail. Walking in the shade at 6 a.m. in January is misery, and you gain nothing."
• "Wear a thin buff over your mouth on cold mornings. It warms the air you breathe and helps prevent the Khumbu cough."
• "Keep your water bottle upside down in your pack. Ice forms at the top first, so the lid will not freeze shut."
• "Bring two pairs of gloves: thin ones for walking and warm mittens for rest stops and sunrise."
• "Do not be shy about asking for extra blankets. Lodges have them, and they are free."

Winter trekking itineraries we recommend

One week: Poon Hill and Pokhara

Arrive in Kathmandu, fly to Pokhara, trek Poon Hill over four days via Ghorepani, Tadapani and Ghandruk, and finish with a relaxing day in Pokhara before flying back. This is the ideal winter trip for first-timers, with sunny days, clear views and manageable cold.

Ten days: Everest View and Kathmandu

Spend two days exploring the Kathmandu Valley's temples in the winter sunshine, then fly to Lukla for a five- or six-day Everest View Trek to Namche, Khumjung and Tengboche, with a spare day for flights. You see Everest at its clearest without going above 4,000 m.

Two weeks: Everest Base Camp for experienced trekkers

For fit, experienced trekkers with the right gear, a standard 14-day Everest Base Camp itinerary works well in December, with an extra spare day for Lukla. Expect bitterly cold nights at Lobuche and Gorak Shep, and trails so empty you may have Kala Patthar to yourself.

Winter trek and safari

Combine a five-day trek near Pokhara with two nights in Chitwan, where winter days are warm and good for wildlife and birdwatching. It is a lovely balance of cold mountain nights and sunny jungle days.

How to prepare your body for winter trekking

Fitness preparation for a winter trek is similar to any other season, with a few additions. Train in cold conditions if you can, so you learn how your body and gear behave in low temperatures. Practise layering: learning when to add and remove layers before you get too hot or too cold is the key to comfort. Build up your endurance so you can walk steadily without long stops, which quickly chill you in winter. And test your sleeping system at home if possible: a night in a cold room or a garden with your sleeping bag will tell you whether you need a liner or a warmer bag.

Frequently overlooked winter details

A few small details make a big difference in winter. Daylight is short, so carry a head torch in your daypack every day, not just for early starts. Sunscreen and lip balm are just as important as in spring, because snow reflects UV strongly and the air is dry. Lotions and creams can freeze, so keep toiletries inside your sleeping bag at night. Phone batteries can shut down suddenly in the cold even when they show charge remaining. Wet boots will freeze overnight if left in your room, so dry them near the dining room stove (not on it) and put the insoles in your sleeping bag. And remember that ice on the trail is often invisible in the early morning shade; microspikes weigh little and can prevent a nasty fall.

Booking a winter trek

Winter bookings are usually easy, with plenty of availability for guides, lodges and flights, except around Christmas and New Year. Even so, book at least a few weeks ahead so your trekking company can confirm which lodges will be open on your route and prepare warm gear for you. Ask whether sleeping bags and down jackets rated for winter conditions are included or available to rent.

Is winter trekking right for you?

Winter trekking suits people who love clear skies, solitude and crisp mountain air, and who do not mind being cold at night. It suits lower treks, and experienced trekkers who want a quiet Everest Base Camp. If you hate the cold, or dream of crossing the Thorong La, choose autumn or spring instead. Read our guide to the best time to trek in Nepal to compare the seasons.

If you would like to trek this winter, contact our team. We will recommend a route that suits the conditions, lend you warm gear and choose lodges that are open and warm.