Best Winter Treks in Nepal

by Jayaram Thapaliya · Updated August 18, 2023

December, January, and February is known as winter season in Nepal and it is also possible to do trekking. Despite, cold temperature, we can do low altitude short day trekking without any problem. All you need is warm clothes and 3 to 7 days time for trekking. Hence, in this post, I am going to highlight the BEST WINTER TREKS IN NEPAL.

Generally, lower elevation(altitude) trail is best for wintertime. Desppite cold temperature, if you visit wiht proper trekking clothes and equipment, you will be satisfied at that time. No crowds, so you will get more hospitality in teahouses. Moreover, clear skies make the trip beautiful during winter.

Where can you trek in the winter time in Nepal?

It depends on the trekker’s choice. Every trekking region has suitable hiking for winter. If you want to see Everest, you can make the trip to Everest Region. For the Everest Experience, Pikey Peak, Everest Panorama, Namche Bazzar Trekking, and Everest View Short Trek are the best for winter time.

In the case of Annapurna region, there are many routes. Among them, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Khopra Ridge, Annapurna Panorama, Mardi Himal, and Mohare Danda are BEST FOR WINTER TREK IN NEPAL. It is worthwhile to do in cold seaon due to less traffic on the trail.

Tamang Heritage Trail, Langtang Valley, Gosaikunda Lake, and Helambu Trekking is the best in Langtang for the winter period trek in Nepal.

What are the best treks for the winter time in Nepal?

The following trekking trails are the best treks for winter.

1. Poon Hill Trek 
2. Khopra Ridge Trek
3. Annapurna Panorama Trek
4. Everest Panorama Trek
5. Langtang Valley Trek
6. Mardi Himal Trek
7. Tamang Heritage Trail
8. Pikey Peak Trek
9. Mulde Peak Trek
10. Chisapani Nagarkot Trek

POON HILL WINTER TREK – 3210m

Ghorepani Poon Hill trekking is one of the best short easiest treks for wintertime in Nepal. Because the maximum elevation of the Poon Hill trek is 3210m and you can do it in less than weeks.

Since Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking is very busy during peak season, it might be a good idea to explore in the wintertime. In winter, we will snow-cover land from Nanthanti to Tadapani. So if you want to make a trip on a snowy trail, make Poon Hill Trek.

KHOPRA RIDGE WINTER TREK – 3660m

If you want to be involved in more adventures than Poon Hill, you can try Khopra Danda Trek. It also has other names Khopra Ridge and Khayar Lake Trekking. You can do the Khopra trek with Poon Hill or without Poon Hill too. Adding some extra trekking days on Poon Hill Trek you can do the Khopra Ridge trek within a week. Likewise excluding the Poon Hill trek you can trek to Khopra Ridge Trek within 5 days time.

The maximum elevation of Khopra Ridge Trek is 3660m so it is a moderate trek. For details, You can visit Khopra Ridge Trek.

ANNAPURNA PANORAMA WINTER TREK – 3210M

It is best to trek on the foothills of Annapurna in winter. It is also known as Poon hill trek. But Annapurna Panorama trails Inc lies more places than poon hill trek. You can make a start from Nayapul and end trek at Dhampus Phedi via Ghorepani, Poon Hill, Tadapani, Ghandruk, Landruk, Pothana, and Dhampus. For details: Annapurna Panorama Trek

EVREST PANORAMA WINTER TREK – 3440m

To make a comfortable trek to Everest Region, we can do Everest Panorama Trekking in Winter. Trekking to Everest Base Camp can be strenuous because temperatures can fall down up to -20 °C to -25 °C. Because of the freezing cold at Everest Base Camp, it might not be suitable for all. However, we can trek the foothills of Everest and it is known as Everest Panorama Trekking. This trek takes travelers to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) and Khumjung Village (3,790 m).

Surrounding Namche Bazaar and itself, the minimum winter temperatures drop to between -5 °C to -8 °C and the maximum remains between 7 °C and 8 °C.

During the Everest Panorama trek, we can see a panoramic view of Ama Dablam (6,812m), Everest(8,848m), Lhotse(8,516m), Nuptse (7,855m), and Tawoche (6,501m). All in all, Everest Panorama Trek is one of the best winter treks in Nepal.

LANGTANG VALLEY WINER TREK – 3800m

Since Lantang maximum altitude of this trek is 3800m, you can make the Langtang valley trek for your winter vacation in Nepal. Booking Langtang Trek in winter, you will have great views of Snow Capped Langtang Ranges as well as enjoy by walking above snow from Ghodatabela.

MARDI HIMAL WINTER TREK – 3550m

Since Mardi Himal Trek is busiest in Autumn / Spring, it will be the best trip if we can make this in other seasons. And summer is also not suitable, because the rainy season falls at this time. So Because of perfect weather, clear skies, fewer people on the route, and low altitude trek, Mardi Himal Trek can be your best winter trek.

TAMANG HERITAGE TRAIL WINTER TREK – 3165m

The Tamang Heritage temperate trail we can do through the year but it is best to visit between December to February. Because the Ganesh Himal Ranges and Langtang range will be full snow-capped. Since the maximum altitude of the Tamang heritage trail is 3165 and can be done in less than a week from Kathmandu.

PIKEY PEAK WINTER TREK – 3640m

The Pikey Peak trek is suitable for winter because the maximum altitude of Pikey Peak is 4050. Once you can see the best view of Everest, Kanchanga, and many more mountains with clear skies if you trek Pikey Peak in Winter.

MULDE PEAK WINTER TREK – 3450

The Mulde Peak Trek you can do throughout the year. But it is worth it to trek to Mulde Peak in Wintertime. It is located near the popular Poon Hill trek which has the same altitude level(slightly higher). So this means it has the same temperature as Poon Hill. But View from Mulde Peak is better than Poon Hill and it is less demanding too.

CHISAPANI NAGARKOT WINTER TREK – 2175m

For those who don’t want to go Annapurna or Everest region trekking, short treks near Kathmandu Valley is suitable to do winter trek. You can do the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek within 3 days from Kathmandu and the temperature in winter lies between 40-70°F (4-19°C).

Conclusion

I hope this 10 trekking trails are enough for winter treks. Because it is covers that high demanded treks with low altitude. Low altitude hiking trails are for throughout the year including winter time.  Let me know if you have a plan to visit Nepal in winter by commenting below.