There are many options for the best winter treks in Nepal. The transition of the autumn beauty into winter paradise comes quite naturally in Nepal. The country experiences primarily four major seasons. It is a well-established fact that for higher altitude trekking and trips, the spring and the autumn seasons are the best. However, that is not to say that trekking cannot be done during the summer or the winter seasons.
Winter treks in Nepal have their charm and allure. Although in general, higher altitude trekking is not recommended for winter treks, many medium and low-altitude trekking options do remain.
Reasons to do Winter Treks in Nepal
Although spring and autumn are the best seasons for trekking, not all people can manage to visit Nepal in that time frame. In such cases, you do not need to be disheartened because winter treks in Nepal also carry amazing virtues just as much as the peak trekking seasons of spring and autumn. In the first place, the atmosphere of the Himalayas during winter is very fresh and crisp. In contrast to the popping colors of the spring or the autumn, winter brings about a subdued melancholic feel upon the land. Coupled with the warmth of the mid-day sun and rolling fogs during late evenings and early mornings, winter treks in Nepal present a very charming trekking experience that is unique in its own right.
In the second place, almost all of the options for winter treks in Nepal are relatively easy to moderate level trips. No previous trekking experience is required to do any of the winter treks. In addition to this, the trekking journeys do not reach extensive altitude levels. Being that, it eliminates the chance of altitude sickness. Likewise, winter treks in Nepal present the best option for people who want easy/moderate journeys while experiencing the best elements of the regions.
Here are our top 5 picks for the best winter treks in Nepal-
Everest Panorama Trek
Duration: 11 Days
Price: 1,150.00 USD per person
Trip Grading: Moderate
Maximum Elevation: 3,860 meters
The Everest Panorama Trek is among the best winter treks in Nepal. Not only does it take you through the Everest region, but it also presents the best features of Khumbu. The winter season enhances the experience of trekking. And the Everest Panorama Trek fully embraces this aspect of the journey. It includes a Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour at the beginning of the trip. Then, the journey begins with a flight to Lukla. The reason why the Everest Panorama Trek is among the best winter treks in Nepal is self-explained in the title itself. You see panoramic views of the Mount Everest massif at all places of the journey. It includes destinations like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and the Khumjung Village among many others.
Some of the major highlights of the Everest Panorama Trek include going through the Sagarmatha National Park, the famous Himalayan Town of Namche Bazaar, visiting the Tengboche Monastery at the Tengboche village and the Khumjung Monastery at the Khumjung Village.
Together with the constant view of the Everest Mountains at all times of the trek, the Everest Panorama Trek is ideal for people who want to experience the beauty of the Khumbu in a short time. Namche Bazaar’s beauty is palpable during the winter. Moreover, the views of the Himalayas from the Everest View Hotel are sharper and have more invigorating tones. In the same fashion, the sights of the mountains from the Tengboche village are also quite beautiful. These highlights and many more make the Everest Panorama Trek our top pick for best winter treks in Nepal!
Annapurna Panorama Trek
Duration: 10 Days
Price: 780.00 USD per person
Trip Grading: Moderate
Maximum Elevation: 3,210 meters
Among all of the winter treks in Nepal, the Annapurna Panorama Trek is the one that deserves a visit at least once in life! Not only is it an immensely beautiful journey, but it also is one of the most memorable. As the name suggests, it takes place in the beguiling Annapurna region. It also includes a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley before the commencement of the journey. Then the trip goes through many prominent settlements and villages of the Annapurna. You start the trip with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The lake-side city of Pokhara is a wonderful destination that seems to bloom up in the winter. The famous Phewa Lake that lies right beside the city sometime gets covered in very light fog during winters, which gives the lake its ethereal feel.
Furthermore, the trekking trail of the Annapurna Panorama Trek goes through different Magar and Gurung Villages. Settlements like Tikhedhunga, Ghorepani, Tadapani, and Ghandruk are included in the trip. But perhaps one of the best highlights of the journey is visiting Poon Hill. The vantage point of Poon Hill is famous across the country as one of the best viewpoints of Nepal. The panorama of the entire Mount Annapurna massif from Poon Hill is simply indescribable. Identically, the sight of mountain peaks like Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Nilgiri, and the Lamjung Himal among many are quite breath-taking. Coupled with the amazing Himalayan terrain and river valleys, the Annapurna Panorama Trek is without a doubt among one of the best winter treks in Nepal.
Langtang Valley Trek
(One of the Off-beaten-paths winter treks in Nepal)
Duration: 11 Days
Price: 1,020.00 USD per person
Trip Grading: Moderate/Easy
Maximum Elevation: 5,050 meters
Among the best winter treks in Nepal, the Langtang Valley Trek is perhaps one that isn’t visited by many trekkers. Because of the trip’s off-the-beaten-paths nature, the Langtang Valley Trek is ideal for trekkers who want a less crowded journey. But aside from this characteristic, the Langtang Valley is extremely majestic in terms of nature and Himalayan beauty. The Langtang valley itself is often famously referred to as “the Valley of Glaciers”. It lies 19 miles north of Kathmandu. The wild and rocky terrains of the valley are complemented gorgeously by the snow-clad mountains and Himalayan glaciers. The Langtang Mountain is also equally captivating during the winter.
The Langtang Valley also has its topography complimented with jade-like grasslands and pastures for yaks and horses. It is blessed with an impressive landscape. Moreover, the valley is also home to various rare species of birds and animals. This is a fact contributed to the Langtang National Park, which you will go through in the trekking journey.
Some major highlights of the Langtang Valley Trek include its famous Cheese Factory and the Kyanjin Gompa. The cheese at the local factory is made with fresh yak’s milk. Similarly, the visit to the Kyanjin Gompa serves as the cultural aspect of the journey. You can get insight into the Tibetan influenced Buddhist culture prevalent in this region. The majority of the people in the Langtang Valley are of Tamang ethnicity. Learning about the cultures and traditions of the local people is prudently incorporated within the Langtang Valley Trek, which is why it is among the best picks for winter treks in Nepal.
Culture Blends Adventure Tour
Duration: 07 Days
Price: 699.00 USD per person
Trip Grading: Moderate/Easy
Maximum Elevation: 2,175 meters
The Culture Blends Adventure Tour is in its own a relatively different winter treks in Nepal. It differs from the rest of the winter treks in that it entirely takes place within the Kathmandu valley. It includes various prominent vantage points that the valley is riddled with. In other words, it is the best option for people who have a very limited amount of time to spend here but want to experience the best features of the country without having to go too far away from the capital.
The Cultural Blends Adventure Tour starts with a Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour and then includes destinations like Sundarijal, Chisapani, Nagarkot, and Dhulikhel. It is a perfect blend of easy hiking with amazing natural scenery and Himalayan panorama. Moreover, the local countryside villages of Sundarijal and Dhulikhel also provide a culturally rich experience.
Some of the major highlights of the Culture Blends Adventure Tour includes going through the famed Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve and panoramic views of the Kathmandu valley and the Himalayan ranges of Annapurna and the Everest from vantage points at Nagarkot.
The sunrise view especially from the view-tower at Nagarkot is mesmerizing. Similarly, places like the Rohini Bhanjyang, the Khalthung village, the Robi Bhanjyang, and many others are also visited. The blend of adventure and culture, as the name itself suggests, is what makes the Culture Blend Adventure Tour a simple yet enticing best winter treks in Nepal.
Short Everest Trek
Duration: 07 Days
Price: 1060 USD per person
Trip Grading: Moderate
Maximum Elevation: 3,900 meters
The Short Everest Trek is among the best winter treks in Nepal for people who have a very limited amount of time to spend here. It presents the best hallmarks of the Khumbu in just 7 days! The destinations include going through the Sagarmatha National Park to villages like Phakding, the town of Namche Bazaar, and the Khumjung/Khunde village.
It begins with a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. It also includes visiting the famed Everest View Hotel. It is the most convenient for people who have a short time here to experience the Everest Himalayas without having to do extended trekking journeys. It is a fun and rather a leisurely trip that best highlights the Khumbu’s best elements in the winter, which is why it is among the best winter treks in Nepal.
Conclusion
Trekking in Nepal in the winter is a pleasing and wonderful experience at the same time. The cold mornings and the chilly nights with warm sunny days are lovely for trekking. The above mentioned are some of the easiest and moderate trekking routes in Nepal. For these treks, you do not need to have bulky clothes or large trekking bags. However, if you are thinking of trying a bit more extravagant trekking experience then there are many trails as well. You can check our extended list of trekking routes for winter in our 15 best winter treks in Nepal. All in all, winter treks in Nepal are substantially an incredible thing to do and experience.
