Trekking in Nepal is always a wonderful journey for adventure seekers, whether it's their first time or they've done it many times before. The Himalayan country has a unique aura that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world. Nepal has four seasons, but we're talking about the winter treks in Nepal, which are a surprise to many people. Winter is an excellent time to visit Nepal for short hikes at lower elevations. There will be less rain, but the temperatures will drop to the point where thick clothes and gear are required.
For those who like to trek in less of a crowd, trekking in Nepal in the winter is a fantastic option; most trekking trails will have fewer visitors and clean, pleasant teahouses. The winter months of December, January, and February in Nepal will have a bright sky. For high-altitude treks like the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp, the beginning of December is still ideal, but from December 20 on, it is not a good idea to walk at higher altitude. Many trekking agencies travel for commercial purposes, but they rarely disclose the circumstances clearly enough to prevent mishaps and casualties. For optional plans during the winter months, Rugged Trails Nepal makes full notice of them and offers suggestions.We don't only think about business; we think about our ground crew, who have to cope with all kinds of scenarios, and without them, nothing is possible.
2024 Winter Treks in Nepal
Well, spring and autumn are commonly the nicest times to trek in the Nepal Himalayas, but there are still some treks that are doable during the winter season too. When it's heavy snowfall, even the suggested below treks are not possible for some days where we need to walk through some small passes. If the weather conditions don't look helpful, our guide will change the trek plans and won't listen to the customers forcing words, which normally happens to some customers. Rugged Trails Nepal gives full authority to guides for this kind of unstable situation, which is helpful, and we didn't have any bad experiences.
Short Everest View Winter Trekking
The 5-day Everest Panorama Trek is a shorter version of the Everest Base Camp Holiday Package up to Namche Bazaar from Kathmandu. Tengboche is an additional day on the trek, which needs another 2 extra days, and during the heavy snowfall, it's not easy to walk after Kyangjuma. From the Everest View hotel and also from the Namche Bazaar, we can see Mt. Everest and other mountain peaks clearly. This short 5-day Everest View Hike is an all-time favorite for those who don't have enough time in Nepal and want to see Mt. Everest.
- No. of Days: 5 Days
- Maximum Height: 3,880 m (12,729 ft)
- Starting Point: Kathmandu-Lulkla.
- Everest View Trek Price: USD 899 +
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tribes: Mostly Sherpas and Tibetans
Short Ghorepani Poon Hill Winter Trek
The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is one of the most popular treks in the Annapurna region, and Rugged Trails Nepal is one of the best-selling treks in Annapurna from Pokhara. The highest point, Poonhill, is at 3210 m with magnificent views of the Annapurna Ranges, Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, and other peaks. Trekking in Ghorepani doesn't have any risk of flights or weather, and it's an easy trek from Pokhara, passing through small local villages and forests. During the heavy snowfall, the circuit to Tadapani from Ghorepani is not possible.
- No. of days: Minimum 2 to 3 Days
- Maximum Height: 3,210 M (10,531 ft)
- Starting Point: Kathmandu - Pokhara
- Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek Price: USD 295
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tribes: Gurung, Magar, and Mixed
Muldai Khopra Danda Winter Trek.
Muldai Viewpoint Khopra Trek is another short trek in the Annapurna Region that is perfect during the winter for those who want to enjoy a closer view of the snowy Himalayas. Khayer Lake from Khopra Danda is not possible because it takes almost a whole day from Khopra Danda and also because it's icy and slippery. Muldai is another beautiful viewpoint on this trek, besides Khopra Danda. For this trek, we need to confirm with the community lodges in mid-winter.
- No. of Days: 5-7 days
- Maximum Elevation: (3,640 M)
- Muldai Khopra Danda Trek Price: USD 295 +
- Muldai Khopra Danda Trek Difficulty: Moderate
- Trek Starting Point: Pokhara-Ghandruk.
- Trek Style: Teahouses and Lodges.
- Tribes: Gurung and Mixed.
Kathmandu Valley Winter Trekking
Kathmandu Valley Rim Trek is ideally a great choice to trek in the winter from Kathmandu. We don't need to worry about the heavy snowfall, and the trek is around Kathmandu Valley. The interesting part of this trek is that we can make it for 2 to 5 days, and most of the hotels have heating, which is another good thing about this trek. At some point, we can use luxury hotels such as those in Nagarkot and Dhulikhel if we want to skip the normal local lodges.
- Starting Point: Kathmandu-Sandarijal.
- No. Days Required: 2 To 6 Days
- Maximum Elevation: 2,200 M - 7,217 Ft
- Kathmandu Valley Rim Trek price: USD 325 +
- Trek Difficulty: Easy
- Trek Style: Guest Houses, Hotels.
- Tribes: Mixed
Winter Dhampus Sarangkot Trekking
Dhampus Sarangkot Trek is another short and beautiful trek from Pokhara, with beautiful scenery from a lower elevation. Dhampus village is the largest Gurung village in this area, and we can still see the typical mountain lifestyle. The Short Dhampus Trek is perfect for all kinds of travelers all around the year. The views from Sarangkot are magnificent, such as Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Lamjung Himal, and Annapurna Ranges, which are the major highlights of the trek. The trek will end at Pokhara, which is a beautiful lake city in Nepal.
- Starting Point: Kathmandu-Pokhara.
- No. Days Required: 1 To 3 Days
- Maximum Elevation: 1,680 M - 5,511 Ft
- Dhampus Sarangkot Trek Price: USD 275–385
- Trek style: lodges, hotels.
- Trek Difficulty: Easy
- Tribes: Gurung and Mixed.
Winter Mardi Himal Trekking
The 3-day Mardi High Camp Trek could be another best short winter trek in Annapurna Region. Generally, the Mardi Viewpoint and Base are the points of the trek, but the views from Badal Danda and Mardi High Camp are incredible. The trail from High Camp to Viewpoint and Base Camp is not possible when there is snow, but it's still worth seeing the mountains and beautiful landscapes from High Camp and Badal Danda.
- Starting Point: Kathmandu-Pokhara.
- No. Days Required: 3 to 5 Days
- Maximum Elevation: 3,580 M - 11745 Ft
- Mardi Himal Trekking Price: USD 355 +
- Difficulty: Moderate or Easy
- Style of Trek: Tea Houses, Lodges
- Tribes: Gurung and Mixed.
Kalinchwok Drive Winter Tour
Kalinchwok is another great spot in Nepal; trekking might not be that exciting, but if you want to play with snow and see the panoramic mountain views, it's a great choice. Kalinchwok is a popular winter destination in Nepal for Nepalese people and others who don't want to trek but want to enjoy the snowy hills and mountains. We can reach Kalinchwok in one day from Kathmandu by Jeep drive or by local sharing buses. At Kalinchowk, there is a cable car, which is another glimpse to see the mountain and the beautiful landscapes.
- Number of Days: 2 To 3 Days
- Maximum Height: 3,800 M (12,467 ft)
- Starting Point: Kathmandu-Charikot.
- Kalinchwok Trekking Price: USD 495–855
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Style of Trip: Jeep Drive. (Guest House)
- Tribes: Thami and Mixed.
Khumai Danda Winter Trek
Compared to other treks, the Khumai Danda or Khumai Hill trip is less popular. This trek's route begins in Baglung District and travels through a number of picturesque towns and terraces before coming to a finish at Kumai Village. The routes here are less popular yet provide beautiful hilltop views of the Himalayan mountains, including Annapurna, Fishtail, and many more. A brief section of the Great Machhapuchhre Trail (GMT), the Kumai Danda Winter Trek is a popular trekking route in the Annapurna region of Pokhara. For all the dreamers who wish to travel to a new location in Nepal, the Short Khumai Danda perspective trek is the perfect choice.
- Khumai Danda Trek starting Point: Pokhara
- Duration of Trek: 4-5 Days
- Khumai (Hill) Danda Elevation: (3,000 M) 9,843 Ft
- Khumai Danda Trek Cost: Starts from USD 395
- Khumai Danda Trek Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Seasons to Trek: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
- Required Trek Permits: Annapurna Conservation Fees and local entry fees
- Trek-style: lodges and tea houses.
- To book this trek: Short Khumai Danda Winter Trek
Short Kori Danda Winter Trek
In Nepal's Annapurna Region, a viewpoint called Kori Danda has just been discovered. Since Kori Danda is located in Nepal's Annapurna Region, you will be surrounded by some of the most stunning mountains. Annapurna Mountain itself is a well-known hiking route destination worldwide. Whatever your reason for visiting Nepal, trekking is the best way to see and understand the country. Although it was already the most well-liked trip in Nepal, Nepali travel agencies portray it as a recently found trek on this globe. Sikles was one of the few hiking routes that existed in the 1970s and 1980s, along with Ghorepani Poonhill, Annapurna Base Camp, and Annapurna Circuit.
- Kori Danda Trek starting Point: Pokhara, Sikles
- Duration of Trek: 3–6 Days
- Kori Danda Elevation: 3,800 M (12,467 ft)
- Kori Danda Trek Cost: Starts from USD 495
- Kori Danda Trek Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Seasons to Trek: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
- Required Trek Permits: Annapurna Conservation Fees and local entry fees
- Trek-style: lodges and tea houses.
- To book this trek: Short Kori Danda winter Trek
