Nepal tour and trek for winter months of December, January and February

Most of the guidebooks mention Autumn and Spring as the tourist season for Nepal. It is actually true for hardcore trekking and mountaineering. But for those coming only for cultural tours, short treks, walking, and wildlife safari tours, the weather is perfect throughout the winter months of December, January and February. Actually, it is mostly clear from morning till sunset during these months, offering some of the best sunrise and sunset views over the Himalayas. Days are mostly sunny and warm. The temperature is moderate for hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife safari tours. The temperature of higher viewpoints of the short treks may get down to 0 or below freezing points. But it is manageable with warm clothing and heating available in the teahouses/lodges. It doesn't snow in the lower valleys like Kathmandu and Pokhara. The other popular destinations, like Chitwan and Lumbini, are more in the tropical region, making winter a perfect time to visit. Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, sees an increased number of tourists during these months.
Fewer tourists, crisp skies, sunny days, and spectacular landscape views with Himalayan peaks blanketed in snow are the benefits of a Nepal tour in winter.

Everest panorama
Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Amadablam seen on a short Everest trek during December

Nepal tour in December - January

The Autumn trekking season slows down in December. December is known as the shoulder season, and most of the trekking groups are on their way back by the second week of December. Even though the temperature starts to drop, it hasn't yet snowed. Day temperature ranges from 12 - 22 degrees centigrade, making it perfect for short treks, cultural tours, and wildlife safaris.
The Christmas and New Year holiday in Asian countries once again increases tourists in destinations like Kathmandu and Pokhara.
The popular trails like Ghorepani (Short trek in Annapurna) and Namche Bazaar (Short Everest trek) are filled with trekkers from China, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia. The little snow at the higher reaches makes the trek fun and picturesque. The Christmas and New Year time is perfect to do a culture and nature tour of Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, and Pokhara. There are several hill towns like Bandipur and Nagarkot for day hikes and insight into the countryside lifestyle.
 
January is dry month with possibility of rain and snowfall in the mountains. It doesn't snow in Kathmandu and Pokhara. January is supposed to be the coldest month in Nepal. The average temperature in Kathmandu will be about 18 degree centigrade. Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini will be warmer. Minimum temperature of short trek destinations like Namche and Ghorepani will drop down to as low as - 8 at night and is possible to do with warm clothing.

Annapurna south seen from Astam village.
Annapurna South and Huinchuli seen from Astam village, a day hike from Pokhara

Nepal in February

The temperature starts to increase in the month of February. Kathmandu will have a temperature of 20 degrees average maximum and about 6 degrees average minimum. Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini are in the tropical zone and have warm and comfortable weather. February is a dry month with a rain probability of only 2 days on average.
It is also shoulder season to Spring, and trekkers start to arrive at Kathmandu and Pokhara by mid-February.
The benefit of travelling to Nepal in February is that it is less crowded and the Himalayas appear more beautiful with snowfall from the peak winter. This is perfect for short treks, cultural tours, and wildlife tours.
Chinese New Year holiday in Asian countries increases tourists in Nepal during the month. Also, one of the major Hindu festivals - Shivaratri falls at the end of the month.
Thamsherku during the month of December
Mt Thamsherku in the sunset during the winter months (Short Everest Trek)

Things to do in Nepal during winter

Short treks in Nepal during winter

Winter months are perfect for short treks in the foothills of the Himalayas. There are several popular short treks that offers best of mountain culture and Himalayan scenery. These short treks goes as high as 3,000 - 4,000 m within a week or less time from its base town of Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Winter days are sunny with clear sky. The temperature is moderate making it perfect for walking. Snow deposits over the Himalayas make it appear more picturesque. Also it is less crowded as the mountaineers and hardcore trekkers avoid coming in these months. The higher reaches of the short treks may see snowfall but this makes the trekking more interesting. Proper clothing and experienced guides and porters make the trek more comfortable. Teahouse dinning will have heating.
poon-hill.jpg
Ghorepani Poon Hill trek - Short trek in Annapurna

Nepal tour during winter

cores of tourists just come to enjoy the Himalayan scenery with the luxury of the hotels. for such tourists winter is perfect with guaranteed Himalayan view. One can easily drive or fly to destinations like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini in the low land. Cultural tour of 5 to 10 days could be planned with day hikes and overnight in ridge top villages like Nagarkot, Astam and Bandipur. Again the winter explorer have the benefit of fewer tourists, clear sky and moderate day temperature.
BBoudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu
Boudhanath Stupa - Kathmandu

Buddhist pilgrimage tour of Nepal

The months of December to February are also the best time to visit the Buddhist pilgrimage sites of Nepal. Most of the important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, including Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, are in lower valleys. Actually, this is peak tourist season for Lumbini, which will have temperatures up to 40 degrees centigrade from April to September.
Lumbini the birthplace of Buddha
Mayadevi temple - Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top 5 Himalayan Trips for September

Image
By September, monsoon rain starts to subside and the clouds get thinner providing a window for Himalayan view. The lush green rolling hills replenished by rain, clear blue sky and the crystal clear snow peak make the September view the most photogenic. The hot and humid summer temperature starts to cool down. September till December is the main season for Himalayan tours. It may still rain once in a few days in Nepal and Bhutan, but Tibet gets very little rain throughout the monsoon. The gigantic Himalayas block the monsoon clouds causing rain shadow. Fewer tourists, lower price and cultural immersion opportunities are the benefits  of Nepal tour in September . Here are the top 5 trips in the Himalayas recommended for September. Nepal Tibet Bhutan tour While it may still rain in the southern flank of the Himalayas, Tibet gets very little rain throughout the monsoon. The Himalayas block the rain clouds making Tibet an alpine desert. Start a tour with Tibet and fly to Nepal and B...
Read more

Chitwan tour and best things to do in Chitwan

Image
This is why you should visit Chitwan National Park Royal Bengal Tiger in Chitwan National Park Chitwan national park is the last reminiscent of the jungle that once spread from the foothills of the Himalayas till the Gangetic plains. Massive deforestation, migration and hunting in the last centuries limited it to the 935 sq. km area. The habitat lost and poaching put some of the precious wildlife species in the verge of extension. So let's look into the historical facts about the depletion. For long time the jungle was ground for recreational hunting for Mughal elites and nobles. With the introduction of modern weapons, it got worse in the time of British reign. According to historian Mahesh Rangarajan, “over 80,000 tigers…were slaughtered in 50 years from 1875 to 1925. After ascending the throne in 1911, King George V and his retinue travelled north to Nepal, slaying 39 tigers in 10 days. Colonel Geoffrey Nightingale shot more than 300 tigers in India. Thousands of Tiger...
Read more

Nepal, an active holiday destination for all

Image
The layers of mountains ascending to some of the highest peaks in the world make Nepal the best destination to connect with nature and adventure. This is the best place for an active holiday for all age groups and people with different fitness levels. While there are hardcore technical climbing and expeditions to many virgin peaks, the gentle hiking from the luxury resorts at the pristine hill stations makes comfortable active Nepal holidays for seniors . The 800 km stretch of the Himalayas in Nepal has eight out of the ten highest peaks in the world. The glacial river gushing down the valleys cut deep gorges. The daunting peaks, steep valleys, and harsh weather kept the mightiest enemies away for centuries, making it a country without an independent day. The hidden valleys sheltered several cultures and practices of the region, while its counterpart went through several upheavals. This small country is a natural paradise with religious and ethnic tolerance among the 125 ethnic group...
Read more