Best Winter Treks in Nepal

Best Trekking in Nepal During the Winter Season

Many of us assume that trekking excursions in Nepal are only available in the spring and autumn. Hence, we wistfully fantasize about the spring adventures of next year as autumn folds up, not giving a thought to the winter season. The winter months in Nepal are indeed regarded as an off-season for travel, particularly for mountain activities that include trekking. However, Nepal offers a wide range of possibilities all year long; you just have to pick the right destination and prepare accordingly.

While some are longing for the possibility of winter treks in Nepal, some might not think of winter trekking as their typical vacation, though they are available. It is acceptable given the harsh, dark, freezing, and uncomfortable weather of winter. But the mountains are beautiful in the winter and likely provide the greatest vistas and scenery of the year.

In fact, Nepal’s Himalayan Region becomes a winter wonderland for those who have experienced trekking in winter.

With the autumn crowds gone, you can explore with a bit more space and have the Himalayas only to yourself. You can experience the journey more keenly than during other seasons.

The glaring bright sun, the crisp air, partially to fully frozen cascading waterfalls, the freshly coated mountains, and the wild, off-beat, and trail-worthy paths in winter will satisfy your urge to adventure. Also, why wait till next year when you will get discounts on the airfares, accommodations, meals, and overall package along with the lovely trails, scenery, and the Himalayas to yourself?

Here we have shortlisted our best winter treks in Nepal, offering you real adventures as well as plenty of stunning Himalayan & hilly landscapes, traditional sites, vibrant cultures, and culinary delights to explore.

1. Ghorepani Poonhill Trek

An easy and scenic Ghorepani Poonhill Trek pops up as the first thought for the winter trek in Nepal. It is not only a winter trekking route but is an all-season favorite. This trekking route is ideal for beginners, family vacations, and nature and culture enthusiasts. It is also called the Poonhill Trek and is famous for the golden sunrise and stunning views of the Annapurna range.

The vantage point, Poonhill at 3,120 meters, is the highest elevation in this journey. The trek offers a breathtaking view of the entire Annapurna Range along with nearby peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, and Hiunchuli.
Along with offering a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, this journey is renowned for its thriving cultures and traditions.

There are many possibilities to learn about rural life in Nepal because the walk necessitates traveling through a lot of ethnic Gurung and Magar settlements. This route travels through the oak and rhododendron woodlands for most of the time, with the Himalayas as the backdrop.

The Ghorepani Poonhill route gets super crowded every spring and fall, which might not be your cup of tea. So, you can go for this trek in the winter when the trail is less busy and the Himalayas are captivating.

Similar to that, this trail is coated with white snow during the winter, which brightens the region, adding more excitement to the journey. Also, you do not have to wait long for the Himalayan vistas, as this trek is reasonably accessible.

2. Everest View Trek in Winter

Making up to Everest Base Camp in the cold winter is possible, but not easy. There are chances of the trail getting blocked as you approach closer to base camp. Hence, the Everest View Trek is a great alternative to seeing Everest in winter.

This trek is also called the Everest Panorama Trek. It is implied by the name that you will see panoramic views of Mount Everest (8,848 m) and other stunning, tallest mountains in Nepal's Khumbu Himalaya.

Perfect for all age groups and all types of trekkers, Everest View Trek lets you discover the stunning Khumbu region, a variety of different scenery, the Sherpa houses, and the Sherpa people, their culture, and their way of life.

You can see the Himalayan ranges of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and many other summits in the Khumbu region during the winter from some breathtaking vantage points.

3. Langtang Valley Trek

The Langtang Valley trek is among the shortest and simplest treks in Nepal. Though this route does not see as many trekkers in the Everest and Annapurna regions, it is equally beautiful both naturally and culturally. This trekking trail is one of the closest to the capital, Kathmandu, where you can experience the wonderful Himalayan culture and scenery.

The Langtang Valley Trek is one of the more secure high-altitude hiking routes among the various winter treks in Nepal because there is a low chance of avalanches or altitude sickness.

The valley is known as the valley of glaciers, as there are more than 70 glaciers. You might get to discover some of them on your trekking journey. Similarly, the trek route lies inside the Langtang National Park, which borders Tibet, and you might get to encounter some endangered species such as the Red Panda.

Kyangjin Ri is the highest point in this Langtang Valley Trek at 4300 meters. And this vantage point provides a comprehensive 360-degree panorama of the Langtang range, such as Langtang Lirung (7246m), Kimshung (6781m), and Langshisha RI (6370m). Along with the Himalayan splendor, the Tamang people and their cultures and traditions are also fascinating. Therefore, it is safe and enjoyable to explore this snow-covered beauty in the winter.

4. Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek is a recently discovered off-the-beaten-path trek in Nepal. The journey takes you to the lap of the Mardi Himal that lies beneath the Machhapuchhre (fishtail) Mountain.

To the east of the Annapurna Base Camp, the Mardi Himal Trail is a hidden gem in the Annapurna region that offers great pictures of the giants like Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli.

While being an off-the-beaten-path trek, the Mardi Himal Trek is a relatively moderate-level trekking journey that can be completed at any time of the year, even by beginners.

The trek is beautiful throughout the year, but in winter, it looks extra stunning due to fresh snow at the pinnacles and in the oak and rhododendron woodlands.

Also, seeing swiftly moving rivers, iron or even bamboo-clad bridges, and a simple way of life will make your heart leap with excitement. With less to no crowd, the region covered in the color of white snow will be only yours. Thus, it is one of the best treks to do in winter in Nepal.

5. Pikey Peak Trek

Pikey Peak is the choice of the first Everest climber, Sir Edmund Hillary, for the best Everest view. The Pikey Peak Trail is one of the lesser-known treks in Nepal that has recently been rediscovered. Given the lower elevation, the Pikey Peak Trek is considered one of the best winter trekking routes in Nepal, which is located in the lower Everest Region. This journey allows you to experience the Rolwaling and lower Everest Regions.

The trekkers to the Pikey Peak track can get a closer look at Sherpa culture because it is a less-traveled path. You can see some of the highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest (8,848 meters), Makalu (8,463 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), and many others. Although there is a lot of snow during the winter, the trek is worth it for the panoramic views of the Nepal Himalayas. Not only the stunning mountain scenery,

But you will also get to witness the gorgeous golden sunrise and sunset vistas during the journey. Over the top, it is rare to find a journey that is that simple to experience in the Everest Khumbu.

6. Tamang Heritage Trail

One of the easily accessible from Kathmandu, the Tamang Heritage Trail trek is ideal for cultural buffs. The welcoming and unadulterated Tamang culture is the highlight of this trek that lies in the famous Langtang Valley. You can observe the Tamang community's customary way of life, culture, and friendliness while traveling through picturesque Tamang villages.

Along with learning about the local Tamang communities, the Tamang Heritage trek takes you right to the center of the Langtang region and is all about discovering the varied landscapes and the thick woods.

Though considered a part of the Himalayan region, the low elevation makes this trail a wonderful winter trek. And, wintertime views of the Langtang range, Gosainkunda range, Ganesh Himal, and other mountains along the trail are spectacular.

7. Khopra Danda Trek

Khopra Danda Trek is another Annapurna Region trail that makes it to the list of the best winter treks in Nepal. It is one of the most well-liked, less well-known, and thrilling treks that lies to the south of the Annapurna. This journey takes you to off-the-beaten-path locations where you may experience the best of Nepal’s rural life and distinctive landscapes.

The Khopra Ridge Trail is less popular even in the seasons, so you can have the trails to yourself in the winter. You will get to enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree views of the Himalayas, including the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, and many other peaks.

The terraced farms, traditional villages, swift rivers, lush forests, and the locals and their distinct culture are all parts of this Khopra Trek. Beautiful throughout the year, it is much more unique to experience in the winter.

8. Jomsom Muktinath Trek

Jomsom Muktinath Trek lies in the Annapurna Region but has a different landscape from the trails listed in this list. It is a trek over the desert that provides a unique perspective on the prehistoric and meditative landscape of the lower part of the popular Mustang Region.

This journey is also possible year-round, but winter offers a different perspective as the area transforms into a surreal setting. Snow will blanket the entire valley between Muktinath, Jomsom, and Kagbeni, and the mountain range that surrounds these villages is more visible than ever.

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek lets you enjoy a beautiful up-close view of Mount Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri, as well as other Himalayan peaks. It also includes a stop at the Muktinath temple, which is a holy site for both Buddhists and Hindus. The Kali Gandaki gorge, the biggest gorge in the world, is one of the noteworthy locations you will travel through on this adventure.

9. Dhaulagiri Annapurna Balcony Trek

The Dhaulagiri Annapurna Balcony Trek is a fantastic walk to the well-known Annapurna region that offers trekkers a balcony-like 270-degree panoramic vista of the snow-covered Himalayan peaks. This trip combines the trails to Ghorepani Poonhill and the Mohare Danda, two of the most well-known and stunning hiking routes in Nepal.

This beautiful trekking trail is short and simple and offers the chance to obtain a trekking experience in the Annapurna region without regard to age. Throughout the course of this trip, you will be treated to a stunning panorama with amazing views of the Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna (8091m) ranges. Other peaks like Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Gangapurna, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, etc., will also keep you occupied.

Your soul will be energized as you pass through waterfalls, villages, farms, and rhododendron forests. Being an easy and low-elevation trek with fantastic views of the Himalayan crowns covered in fresh snow, this is one of the top winter treks in Nepal.

10. Chisapani Nagarkot Trek

For the shorter option, we have the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek on the list. It is the nearest trekking trail from Kathmandu, which can be customized as a 2 or 3-day trip as per the trekker’s convenience.

The ultimate destinations during this walk are the two famous hill stations, Chisapani and Nagarkot. Both vantage points are famous for the stunning Himalayan views, along with the sunrise and sunset vistas.

The walk also includes a trip across the Shivapuri National Park and Shivapuri top, which also offers great mountain views as well as the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding landscapes. The trek is considered to be best done in spring and autumn, but the winter months are also a great period. You do not have to travel far to admire nature.

In the end

The list above concludes that Nepal is a wonderful place to visit, where trekking is possible in winter too. So, get ready to see the pristine Himalayas, including the world’s tallest frozen waterfalls, scalding hot springs, and ice caverns this winter holiday. You will get to see some of the natural wonders that come to life when the temperature dips.