# Winter Treks in Nepal ## Winter treks in Nepal From December to February, Nepal's skies are often the clearest of the year and the trails are quiet. Lower and mid-altitude treks such as **Poon Hill**, **Ghandruk**, **Mardi Himal**, **Helambu**, the **Everest View** trek and **Chisapani–Nagarkot** are ideal, avoiding the snowbound high passes. Nights are cold, so a warm sleeping bag and down jacket are essential; we can lend both. - **Clear skies** and excellent mountain views - **Quiet trails** and available lodges - **Lower altitudes** avoid snowbound passes ## Trips - [Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/ghorepani-poon-hill-trek.md): 7 days, Easy to moderate, max 3,210 m / 10,531 ft, from US$590. The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a 7-day guided trek from Kathmandu and the most popular short trek in Nepal. From Pokhara, you climb stone staircases through Ma... - [Everest View Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/everest-view-trek.md): 7 days, Easy to moderate, max 3,880 m / 12,730 ft, from US$890. The Everest View trek is a 7-day guided trek that brings you face to face with Mount Everest (8,849 m) without the altitude and length of the base camp trek. Fl... - [Mardi Himal Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/mardi-himal-trek.md): 7 days, Moderate, max About 4,500 m / 14,760 ft (Mardi Himal Base Camp area), from US$620. The Mardi Himal trek is a 7-day guided trek from Kathmandu up a narrow grassy ridge beneath Machhapuchhre (6,993 m) and Mardi Himal (5,587 m) in the Annapurna r... - [Pikey Peak Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/pikey-peak-trek.md): 8 days, Moderate, max 4,065 m / 13,337 ft (Pikey Peak), from US$790. The Pikey Peak trek is a short 8-day trek in the lower Solukhumbu to one of the best Everest viewpoints in Nepal, without the Lukla flight. From the summit of P... - [Helambu Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/helambu-trek.md): 7 days, Easy to moderate, max 3,640 m / 11,942 ft (Tharepati), from US$520. The Helambu trek is a 7-day short trek that starts right from Kathmandu, with no flight and no long bus ride. Walk out of the valley at Sundarijal through Shiva... - [Chisapani Nagarkot Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/chisapani-nagarkot-trek.md): 4 days, Easy, max 2,215 m / 7,267 ft (Chisapani), from US$320. The Chisapani Nagarkot trek is the best short trek near Kathmandu: an easy 3–4 day hike along the Kathmandu Valley rim. Walk from Sundarijal through Shivapuri N... - [Australian Camp and Dhampus Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/australian-camp-dhampus-trek.md): 3 days, Easy, max 2,060 m / 6,759 ft (Australian Camp), from US$190. The Australian Camp and Dhampus trek is an easy 3-day short trek from Pokhara with some of the best mountain views you can get for very little effort. A short d... - [Ghandruk Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/ghandruk-trek.md): 3 days, Easy, max 1,940 m / 6,365 ft (Ghandruk), from US$210. The Ghandruk trek is an easy 3-day short trek from Pokhara to Ghandruk (1,940 m), one of the largest and most beautiful Gurung villages in Nepal, with close-up... - [Panchase Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/panchase-trek.md): 3 days, Easy to moderate, max About 2,500 m / 8,202 ft (Panchase Danda), from US$220. The Panchase trek is a quiet 3-day trek from Pokhara to a sacred, forested ridge west of Phewa Lake. Cross the lake by boat, climb past the World Peace Pagoda,... ## Winter treks in Nepal: the complete guide Winter (December to February) is the quietest season on Nepal's trails, and one of the most beautiful. Skies are often crystal clear, the mountains are dusted with fresh snow, and the lodges are peaceful. Days are sunny and pleasant at lower altitudes, but nights are cold, and the highest passes can be closed by snow. Choose the right route and a **winter trek in Nepal** can be the best trip of your life. This guide explains which treks are best in winter, what the weather is like, and how to stay warm and safe. ## What is winter trekking in Nepal like? In winter, the weather is generally dry and stable, with the clearest skies of the year after the autumn season. Below about 3,000 m, daytime temperatures are often comfortable for walking in a light layer. Higher up, mornings and nights are freezing, and above 4,000 m temperatures can drop well below –10°C at night. Days are shorter, so walking days start a little later and finish before dark. ## Best winter treks - [Ghorepani Poon Hill](/ghorepani-poon-hill-trek): a short trek with outstanding winter sunrises over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas. - [Mardi Himal](/mardi-himal-trek): a ridge trek close to Machhapuchhre; the upper sections can have snow. - [Everest View trek](/everest-view-trek): see Everest from Namche and Tengboche without going too high. - [Helambu](/helambu-trek): a low-altitude trek near Kathmandu through Sherpa and Tamang villages. - [Chisapani to Nagarkot](/chisapani-nagarkot-trek): easy walking on the valley rim. - [Pikey Peak](/pikey-peak-trek): a lesser-known viewpoint with a famous panorama including Everest. - [Australian Camp](/australian-camp-dhampus-trek), [Ghandruk](/ghandruk-trek) and [Panchase](/panchase-trek): short, easy treks near Pokhara. ## Can I trek to Everest Base Camp in winter? Yes, with good equipment and a flexible plan. The trail is quiet and views are often superb, but nights at Lobuche and Gorak Shep are very cold, some lodges close, and snowfall can cause delays. Lukla flights can also be disrupted. See our [winter trekking guide](/blog/trekking-in-nepal-in-winter). ## High passes in winter Passes such as the **Thorong La** on the Annapurna Circuit and the **Larkya La** on the Manaslu Circuit can be blocked by heavy snow in winter, sometimes for days. If you plan a circuit in December, allow spare days and be prepared to turn back. January and February are often the most difficult months for high passes. ## What to pack - A four-season sleeping bag rated to about –15°C or lower for high treks - A warm down jacket - Thermal base layers, fleece and warm hat and gloves - Waterproof boots and gaiters - Microspikes for icy sections - Sunglasses and sunscreen: snow reflects strong sunlight You can rent much of this in Kathmandu; see our [gear guide](/blog/trekking-gear-rent-or-buy-kathmandu). ## Lodges in winter On popular low and mid-altitude routes, most lodges stay open. Dining rooms are heated by a stove in the evening, but bedrooms are not, so a good sleeping bag is essential. Higher up, some lodges close for the season; your guide will plan accordingly. ## Advantages of winter trekking - The clearest mountain views of the year - Quiet trails and easy lodge availability - Comfortable walking temperatures at lower altitudes - Better availability of flights and guides ## Book a winter trek with Himalayan Hiking We will recommend a route that suits winter conditions and your experience. [Contact us](/contact-us), or read our month-by-month guides for [December](/blog/nepal-in-december), [January](/blog/nepal-in-january) and [February](/blog/nepal-in-february). ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I trek in Nepal in winter? Yes, lower and mid-altitude treks are excellent. ### Which treks are best in winter? Poon Hill, Ghandruk, Mardi Himal, Helambu, Everest View and Chisapani–Nagarkot. ### Are high passes open in winter? They are often snowbound; we don't recommend them. ### How cold is it? Nights drop below freezing above about 2,500 m. ### Is winter quiet? Yes, except around Christmas and New Year. Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/category/winter-treks-in-nepal