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With the heavy snow and the clear weather, winter offers some of the best views of the Himalayas. But trekking to higher altitudes might get difficult with all the snow and extreme temperatures. Some popular trekking routes might not be accessible in the winter or become very challenging. Winter is not a popular season for treks in Nepal, but still, some trails are perfect for your winter getaway and are entirely accessible and doable. In this article, we have listed some of the best winter treks in Nepal.
Top 7 winter treks in Nepal
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Winter in Nepal begins in December and lasts until February. Based on their experiences, many individuals, primarily from Europe and North America, believe that winters are severe with heavy snowfall. However, this is not correct. Most regions in Nepal experience temperate winters, and winter treks are popular.
The temperature during this time ranges from -5°C to 10°C (23°F to 50°F), according to elevation. Winter trekking in Nepal is both exciting and challenging. The season provides clear, breathtaking views and peaceful routes, but it is not for the faint of heart. The weather can quickly fall close to freezing, especially at higher elevations, and heavy snow frequently makes many paths extremely dangerous, if not blocked.
Those who can tolerate a little cold, however, will find it well worthwhile: crisp mountain vistas, the opportunity to experience rural culture largely unfiltered, and lower rates across the board for accommodation and guides are clear benefits. Winter hiking in Nepal is available for those who feel sufficiently brave.
1. Langtang Valley Trek
The Langtang Valley Trek is a fantastic trek for your winter getaway. The trail to the Langtang Valley and the Kyanjin Ri could be a perfect destination for your winter adventure. It is also known as the “Valley of Glaciers,” with over 70 glaciers you can discover on your trek to Langtang. It is also one of the closest treks from Kathmandu, which is ideal if you are short on time while still enjoying the beautiful mountains, Tibetan settlements, and landscapes. Langtang National Park is also home to snow leopards and red pandas, so you can spot them far out in the wild if you are lucky enough. Despite its higher altitude, the trek is relatively more accessible than other high-altitude treks. The Langtang Region is severely cold during the winter, with temperatures dipping down to 3°C-9°C during the daytime and the nights remaining mainly in the minus temperatures. Despite the cold weather and snowfall, the trail is still accessible and stays open even during the colder seasons.
2. Everest View Trek
Everest View Trek is easy in the winter, mainly because you don't have to go higher up in the Everest Region. The EBC Trek and other higher-altitude treks are challenging due to heavy snow and even some roadblocks, so the Everest View Trek can be a better alternative in the Everest Region during colder seasons. The View Trek will reward you with stunning views of the mountains in the Everest Region without the challenging, strenuous walk, which is almost impossible during the winter.
The trek will take you to Tengboche, 3930m, where you can enjoy the culture, and traditions of the Sherpas in the Everest Region, enjoy the beautiful landscape, and get one of the best views of Mt. Everest, 8848m. You can also stay a few days in Tengboche to visit the World's Highest Monastery, Tengboche Monastery at 4100m, and get insights about the local people and culture.
The trek will take you to Tengboche, 3930m, where you can enjoy the culture, and traditions of the Sherpas in the Everest Region, enjoy the beautiful landscape, and get one of the best views of Mt. Everest, 8848m. You can also stay a few days in Tengboche to visit the World's Highest Monastery, Tengboche Monastery at 4100m, and get insights about the local people and culture.
3. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Ghorepani Poon Hill is a popular trekking trail in Nepal that is also quite accessible during the winter. You can also add a short walk in your trek to the Jhinu Hot Springs to enjoy a hot bath in the winter. With only an altitude of 3210m, PoonHill can be a great trekking destination in the winter without getting much disturbed by the extreme cold or heavy snow. You can do the trek almost all year. It is a straightforward climb that offers one of the best views of the Annapurna Mountain range, especially during sunrise when the first rays of the sun strike the beautiful Himalayas. The temperature occasionally falls to minus, but that isn’t the case during the day. Even from December to February, you can expect colder weather, but it won’t be much of a concern. However, the weather can get slightly below freezing in Ghorepani, so prepare accordingly.
4. Mardi Himal Trek
Mardi Himal Trek is quite a newer trekking trail in the Annapurna region that is popular for the close view of the Annapurna Range. The beauty of the mountain ranges like Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna II (7937 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Hiunchuli (6441 m), Annapurna III (7555 m), and Macchapuchhre (6993 m) is even better in winter with the heavy snow. However, the off-beaten trail offers moderate difficulty, even in winter with the snowy trails. You will go through the beautiful oak and rhododendron forest, and with the snow all around, it offers views like in fairy tales, making it one of the best treks in winter. With a few extra days, you can extend your Poon Hill trek to Mardi Himal.
5. Khopra Ridge Trek
Khopra Ridge Trek is one of the best destinations for your winter adventure. The off-beaten trails to the Khopra will take you through the off-beaten tracks with beautiful lush forests, Magar and Gurung settlements, and some of the best panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Massifs.
The Khopra Ridge Trek is an underrated trail starting to become popular among domestic trekkers. You can enjoy stunning views of the mountains like the Nilgiri at 7061m, Annapurna at 8091m, Dhaulagiri at 8167m, Hiunchuli at 6441m, and Macchapuchhre at 6993m, which will leave you in awe. The trek is also an alternative to other popular and crowded trails, like the Poon Hill trek in the Annapurna Region. You can also trek to Khayer Lake, which offers a great view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Massifs while worshipping in the Barahi Temple. People also bathe in the sacred Khayer Lake, which is impossible in the colder season.
6. Nagarkot Chisapani Trek
The Nagarkot Chisapani Trek is the nearest hiking trail to Kathmandu. You will leave the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and arrive in the calm and quiet of Shivapuri National Park in just a couple of minutes. Chisapani and Nagarkot are both located near the northeastern area of Kathmandu's countryside. Both towns have one of the most famous skylines in many Himalayan mountains. Among them are Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar, and numerous others.
Furthermore, the trek goes through Shivapuri National Park. Before entering the National Park, you will have the opportunity to view the Sundarijal waterfall. As you go through the Shivapuri wilderness, you will come across a variety of bird species.
7. Pikey Peak Trek
Pikey Peak Trek, located in the southern Solu-Khumbu region near the Everest region, offers a quieter experience than busier routes during peak seasons (Autumn and Spring). The trek through Shera villages offers an excellent opportunity to see Sherpa culture personally. The view from Pikey Peak at 4,000 meters may only be comparable to a few others. The panorama features Everest, Lhotse, Gaurishanker, Makalu, and Dorje Lakpa, among others. Pikey Peak Trek in December, January, and February offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
This walk spans approximately 55 kilometers and takes 9 days to complete. The average walk time is 5 hours per day.
During winter, the minimum temperature at Pikey Peak ranges from -2 to -6 degrees Celsius, while the highest maintains between 6 and 10 degrees Celsius. Pikey Peak receives snow on several days during the winter.
Wrapping it Up
Not all treks are accessible in the winter. However, these treks are some of the best trekking trails for your winter adventure. Of course, few people prefer it, but trekking in winter with snowy trails and mountains covered heavily with snow will make it a memorable trip. The best part is that the tracks will get less crowded in the winter, making your trek even more enjoyable and peaceful.
If you are planning your winter adventure in Nepal, contact us!
Jasmine Neupane
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