Nepal is a world-class trekking destination for trekkers and hikers, offering various trekking options throughout the year. The winter season (December to February) can be quite cold and snowy in most of the Himalayan parts of Nepal. There are still many trekking routes that are accessible and offer beautiful views during the wintertime. In this blog, I am going to give you details information about the best winter season treks in Nepal.
Even during the cold season, you can travel to your dream destinations to have a real trekking experience in your life. Nepal is a country where you can go trekking during the winter season too. However, you have to be more prepared and require a bit more trekking equipment during this season. The surrounding scenario will be perfect because of the blue sky and white landscapes.
As already mentioned Nepal is a kingdom for trekking, hiking, and mountaineering activities. Therefore there are plenty of options for the best winter season trekking in Nepal. Here are some of the best winter season treks in Nepal:
Everest Base Camp Trek
This is one of the most popular treks in Nepal and takes you to the base of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest8848.86m. The trek offers stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, landscape, and surrounding areas. Complete this trek need around 12 to 14 days depending on the walking ability of a trekker. To do Everest Base Camp Trek during the winter season is worth challenging yourself.
During the winter months, December to February the trails are less crowded, and the views are often clearer. The only problem will be cold and frozen everything, basically the water in the high elevation. Therefore if you don’t like the crowd and want to enjoy the mighty view of Everest in a peaceful way then it’s time. So it’s one of the high-altitude winter season treks in Nepal.
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
| Day 1 | Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,800m), then trek to Phakding (2,652m) |
| Day 2 | Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) |
| Day 3 | Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar, explore the town and surrounding areas |
| Day 4 | Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870m) |
| Day 5 | Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360m) |
| Day 6 | Acclimatization day in Dingboche, explore the town and surrounding areas |
| Day 7 | Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940m) |
| Day 8 | Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,160m), then hike to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and return to Gorak Shep for the night |
| Day 9 | Hike up to Kala Patthar (5,545m) for sunrise views, then descend to Pheriche (4,371m) |
| Day 10 | Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar |
| Day 11 | Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla |
| Day 12 | Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu |
This itinerary can be different from your choice. Also, there can be one day difference because during the busy trekking season you have to travel to Manthali to fly to Lukla and fly back from Lukla.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you through diverse landscapes and offers breathtaking views of the Annapurna mountain range. While hiking to the Base Camp of the world’s 10th-highest peak Mt. Annapurna you will reach above 4000m in 3 days from 800m. So that the rapidly changing atmosphere will be another attraction of this trek.
This trek can be completed in around 7 to 10 days and is a great option for those who want a shorter trek. During the winter months, the skies are often clear, making for some of the best views of the year. Again cold icy walking trails will be your enemy because the final destination ABC is mostly frozen. But still, this trek is one of the best winter season treks in Nepal.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary
| Day 1 | Drive to Birethanti and trek to Ulleri |
| Day 2 | Trek to Ghorepani |
| Day 3 | Early in the morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani |
| Day 4 | Trek from Tadapani to Chhomrong. |
| Day 5 | Trek to Chhomrong to Deurali |
| Day 6 | Trek from Deurali to ABC via MBC |
| Day 7 | Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo |
| Day 8 | Bamboo to Jhinu Danda |
| Day. 9 | Jhinu Danda to Siwi and drive back to Pokhara |
Langtang Valley Trek
Langtang Trek takes you through the beautiful Langtang Valley, offering views of snow-capped peaks and traditional mountain villages. Langtang region is one of the badly affected regions by an earthquake in 2015. But tourism in this area is recovering slowly in its way. And Langtang Valley Trek is the
The trek takes around 8-10 days to complete and is a good option for those who want a less crowded trek. The trek can be challenging during the winter months, but the scenery is worth it. Combining natural and cultural beauty makes it one of the perfect winter season treks in Nepal.
Langtang Valley Trek Itinerary
| Day 1 | Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. |
| Day 2 | Trek from Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel. |
| Day 3 | Trek from Lama Hotel to Langtang Village. |
| Day 4 | Trek from Langtang Village to Kyanjin Gompa. |
| Day 5 | Hike to Tserko Ri and return to Kyanjin Gompa. |
| Day 6 | Trek from Kyanjin Gompa to Lama Hotel. |
| Day 7 | Trek from Lama Hotel to Syabrubesi. |
| Day 8 | Drive back to Kathmandu. |
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a shorter option, but still offers a stunning glimpse of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. Also, the dramatic sunset and sunrise view from Poon Hill is once a lifetime experience. Typical Gurung and Magar villages along the way and the culture and tradition of the local people will add extra beauty to this hike.
This trek takes around 3 to 5 days to finalize and it is a good option for those who have limited time. During the winter months, the skies are often clear, making for some incredible mountain and sunrise views. Therefore if you wish you have a great sunrise and sunset view during the winter season this is the best winter season trek in Nepal for that.
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Itinerary
| Day 2 | Drive to Birethanti and trek to Ulleri |
| Day 3 | Trek from Ulleri to Ghorepani. |
| Day 4 | Early in the morning hike to Poon Hill and trek to Tadapani. |
| Day 5 | Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk and drive back to Pokhara |
Mardi Himal Trek
Mardi Himal Trek is one of the new trekking routes located in the Annapurna region. It is a short and moderate trek that takes you through the beautiful terraced fields, rhododendron jungle, and alpine landscapes, providing stunning views of snow-capped peaks including Mount Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South, Annapurna Three, and Mardi Himal.
The highest point of the trek is Mardi Himal Base Camp, which is situated at an altitude of 4,500 meters above sea level. The trek itinerary allows you to visit beautiful places such as the Australian Camp, Pritam Deurali, Forest Camp, Low Camp, Badal Danda, and High Camp. From there you can experience the local culture and lifestyle of the people living in the remote villages.
Mardi Himal Trek Itinerary
| Day 3 | Drive to Kande and trek to Deurali. |
| Day 4 | Trek from Deurali to Low Camp. |
| Day 5 | Trek from Low Camp to High Camp. |
| Day 6 | Hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp and return to High Camp. |
| Day 7 | Trek from High Camp to Sidhing and drive back to Pokhara |
Upper Mustang Trek
The Upper Mustang Trek takes you through the late forbidden Himalayan Kingdom of Upper Mustang. Where a trekker can explore an ancient Buddhist monastery, caves, stupas, and traditional villages. This is one of the restricted region treks in Nepal, where you can not trek without a trekking guide and requires a special trekking permit. This is one of the moderated types of winter season treks in Nepal.
Trekking to the Upper Mustang will offer a unique cultural and traditional experience once in your life. During the winter season, the trekking trails are less crowded, and the landscape is especially beautiful with snow. However, the Upper Mustang Trek is one of the best summer treks in Nepal as well.
Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary
| Day 2 | Fly or drive from Pokhara to Jomsom (2,713m) and trek to Kagbeni (2,810m) |
| Day 3 | Trek from Kagbeni to Chele (3,050m) |
| Day 4 | Trek from Chele to Syangboche (3,800m) |
| Day 5 | Trek from Syangboche to Ghemi (3,520m) |
| Day 6 | Trek from Ghemi to Tsarang (3,620m) |
| Day 7 | Trek from Tsarang to Lo Manthang (3,730m) and in the afternoon, explore the ancient capital and surrounding area of Lo Manthang. |
| Day 8 | Trek to Chhoser Village and explore the region and back to Lo Manthang. |
| Day 9 | Trek from Lo Manthang to Drakmar (3,810m) |
| Day 10 | Trek from Drakmar to Syangbochen (3,800m) |
| Day 11 | Trek from Ghiling to Chhuksang (2,980m) |
| Day 12 | Trek from Chhuksang to Jomsom (2,713m) |
| Day 13 | Fly or drive from Jomsom to Pokhara and |
Pikey Peak Trek
Wow, the Pikey Peak Trek! That’s a fantastic choice for winter-season trekking in Nepal. Pikey Peak is a lesser-known but stunning trekking destination in the lower Solu region of Nepal. Or the lower part of the Everest region. Offering incredible views of the Mountains, including Mt. Everest and other giant peaks.
The trek usually takes around 5 to 7 days, starting from places like Jiri or Phaplu and ascending to Pikey Peak. It’s known for its serene trails, beautiful landscapes, and encounters with local Sherpa and Rai communities, providing a glimpse into their culture and traditions.
The best times for the Pikey Peak Trek are usually during the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) when the weather is generally clear, and the views of the mountains are spectacular. Also, the winter season is perfect for this trek because of the lower elevation.
If you are planning to do this trek during the winter season, make sure to prepare for cold weather conditions, carry appropriate gear, and take your time to acclimatize properly to the altitude. The stunning vistas make it a memorable trek for any adventure lover.
Pikey Peak Trek Itinerary
| Day 1 | Kathmandu to Dhap Bazaar |
| Day 2 | Dhap Bazaar to Jhapre |
| Day 3 | Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp |
| Day 4 | Pikey Base Camp to Junbesi |
| Day 5 | Junbesi to Thupten Chholing Monastery and back to Junbesi |
| Day 6 | Junbesi to Phaplu and drive back to Kathmandu |
Helambu Trek
Helambu Trek! It’s a beautiful trekking route in the Langtang region of Nepal. This trek is popular for its stunning landscapes, charming villages, and cultural experiences. Helambu trek usually takes around 5-7 days, making it a great option for those looking for a shorter trek compared to some of the longer ones in the region. Even you can combine it with Gosainkunda or Langtang Trek.
The journey starts from Sundarijal or sometimes from Melamchi Pul. During the trip passes through rhododendron forests, terraced fields, and typical villages like Kutumsang, Thadepati, and Tarkeghyang. One of the highlights is experiencing the unique culture and lifestyle of the local Tamang and Sherpa communities along the way.
The glimpses of the snow-capped peaks, including Langtang Lirung and Ganesh Himal, are breathtaking and add to the trek’s beauty. Plus, the relatively lower elevation compared to some other treks in Nepal makes it more accessible to a wider range of trekkers even during the winter season and make it one of the best winter season treks in Nepal.
Helambu Trek Itinerary
| Day 1 | Kathmandu to Sundarijal drive and trek Chisapani |
| Day 2 | Chisapani to Gul Bhanjyang |
| Day 3 | Gul Bhanjyang to Tharepati |
| Day 4 | Tharepati to Tarkeghyang |
| Day 5 | Tarkeghyang to Sermathang |
| Day 6 | Sermathang to Melamchi Bazaar and drive to Kathmandu |
Nowadays because of the road access it can make it shorter. However, I suggest the longer version because it’s the complete package of the Helambu Trek.
Why you should do trekking in Nepal during the winter season
Clear views: Winter in Nepal offers clear skies and crystal-clear views of the snow-capped mountains. The lower humidity levels and the lack of haze during the winter months make the views even more stunning and picturesque.
Fewer crowds: Nepal is a popular trekking destination, and many of the trekking routes can be quite crowded during peak seasons. However, during the winter months, there are fewer tourists, and the trails are less crowded, providing a more peaceful and tranquil trekking experience.
Cheaper prices: Trekking in Nepal can be expensive, especially during peak seasons. However, during the winter months, prices for accommodations, flights, and permits are often lower, making it a more affordable time to visit.
Unique experiences: Trekking during the winter season can offer unique experiences, such as walking on snow-covered trails, seeing frozen waterfalls, and experiencing traditional winter festivals celebrated by the local communities.
Physical challenge: Trekking during the winter season can be more physically challenging, as the cold weather and snow can make the trails slippery and more difficult to navigate. This can be a great opportunity for trekkers who are looking for a more challenging and adventurous experience.
Overall, trekking during the winter season in Nepal can be a unique and rewarding experience for those who are well-prepared and up for the challenge. Note that during the winter months, it is important to be well-prepared for cold weather and potential snowstorms. It’s recommended to hire a guide or porter to ensure your safety and comfort on the trek.
