14 Best Winter Treks in Nepal

Nepal is the home of the mountains and over 125 ethnic communities. The country is diverse in terms of both natural and cultural aspects. Therefore, trekking is the major holiday activity to do in Nepal. However, there are certain limitations in terms of trekking season. For better experiences, people prefer the months of spring season (March – May) and autumn season (September – November). However, there are many trekking routes in this tiny country which are equally scenic and possible during winter season. Yes, winter season along with the monsoon season is the off season trekking time but there are trails which are enticing even during these times. Today’s blog is about 14 Best Winter Treks in Nepal. Know about these trek routes in brief and plan the mesmerizing winter trekking in Nepal.

People always ask about the possibilities of traveling inside Nepal during winter season or monsoon season. On this regard, today’s blog is the best answer if you are searching for the best trekking trails to trek in Nepal during winter season. As for the monsoon season, there are few rain shadow areas and very short trekking routes. Trails like the Upper Mustang Trek and Nar Phu Valley Trek are best during the monsoon season. These trails experience less rainfall as they are beyond mountains and therefore they are ideal to trek during monsoon season. However, many trekking routes of Nepal are not safe during monsoon season due to diverse geographical terrain and presence of rivers & waterfalls in the trail.

Now, let’s know in brief about the 14 Best Winter Treks in Nepal. These amazing trails are ideal even during the peak winter season. Relish the chance to walk in the trail where you get to enjoy the majestic mountain vista and cultural encounters.

14 Best Winter Treks in Nepal

Winter season in Nepal has 3 months. They are December, January, and February. Snowfall and extreme cold temperature especially in the higher elevation places make it hard for trekkers. However, there are many trekking trails which are possible to do even in winter season after doing meticulous planning. We present you the 14 Best Winter Treks in Nepal. These trekking routes will definitely help you plan for mesmerizing trekking journey. Choose according to your preferences. This blog about the 14 Best Winter Treks in Nepal will surely be helpful for you to make trek decisions.

Here is the list of the 14 Best Winter Treks in Nepal:

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

The most commercial short trekking route of Nepal situated in the Annapurna region is the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. The trail is about 44 kilometers long in terms of trekking distance including the round trip and reaches up to 3210 m from sea level. It is an ideal trekking trail to do in winter that allows trekkers to relish mountain vistas ranging from Dhaulagiri Himalayan range to the Annapurna Himalayan range. In addition, the trail is also equally popular among travelers from across the globe and Nepalese trekkers for its ethnic diversity. Trekkers get chance to witness magnificent sunrise from the famous Poon Hill (3210 m) and explore Gurung – Magar Villages.

Mardi Himal Trek

Opened as an alternative to the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek route, the Mardi Himal Trek is the latest sensation and trending trail among the Nepal Trekking routes. The major feature of this trek is that the trail traverses through green lush forests and enter the higher elevation open vantage points. The best vantage point to see Mt. Machhapuchhre and Mt. Annapurna South is from the Mardi Himal Trek route. Please note that the Mardi Himal Trek is one of the iconic routes among the 14 Best Winter Treks in Nepal.

Mohare Danda Trek

The Mohare Danda Trek is relatively new trekking route located in the vicinity of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek route and Mardi Himal Trek route. If you are searching for the community trekking trail, then the Mohare Danda Trek is the best choice. The journey of the Mohare Danda Trek in Nepal traverses through various authentic Magar Villages like Banskharka, Nangi, and Mohare. You will have to stay overnight in the community lodge operated by the locals. The maximum altitude in this journey is 3300 m from sea level which is safer in terms of altitude sickness.

Khopra Ridge Trek

The most tranquil and off the beaten trekking trail of the Annapurna region of Nepal is the Khopra Ridge Trek. The trail is so enticing that you get to experience the best Himalayan experiences without much risk of altitude sickness. Major places in the Khopra Ridge Trek are Khayer Lake (4600 m), and Khopra Hill (3660 m). Similarly, the trek is so scenic if you take the route of the Mulde View Point from Dobato. There are many trailheads for this trek. Swanta Village, Tadapani, and Ghandruk can be the trailheads of the Khopra Ridge Trek.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The commercial trekking route possible to do winter trekking is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. If you have holidays in winter season, then do the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. You need to prepare for this trek immensely in order to gather the moments in the foothill of the world’s 10^th tallest mountain Mt. Annapurna (8091 m). While doing the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, you can also include the itinerary of the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.

Langtang Valley Trek

Besides the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the Langtang Valley Trek which is also the commercial trekking route of Nepal is possible even during the winter season. Therefore, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Langtang Valley Trek are the major trekking routes among the 14 Best Winter Treks in Nepal. Explore mystical and mythical places of the Langtang region by walking in the trails full of ancient monasteries, typical Tamang Villages, and diverse vegetation to landscapes.

Chisapani Nagarkot Trek

The popular short trekking route nearby Kathmandu Valley is the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek. In fact, the trail is known popularly as the weekend honeymoon trekking route. Enjoy the scenery of mountains from Everest to Langtang Himalayan range during this trekking journey. It is possible to do the trek in just 2 nights and 3 days.

Dhampus Sarangkot Trek

The famous low altitude trekking route in the outskirts of the Pokhara Valley is the Dhampus Sarangkot Trek. You can get the best scenery of mountains as well as the chance to immerse into the culture of the Brahmins, Chhetris, and Dalits living in the low altitude places of the Pokhara Valley. The significant places on this trekking trail are Dhampus Village (Gurung Village), Sarangkot, and terraced farmlands in between these two places.

Annapurna Royal Trek

Trek through the villages mainly habituated by the Gurung and Magar People who are mainly the retired Gurkha Soldiers. The popularity of the Annapurna Royal Trek is due to the visit of the King Charles when he was just a prince. Therefore, the Annapurna Royal Trek route is the trail once walked by the royal family of the Great Britain.

Helambu Circuit Trek

Explore the Hyolmo People’s village inside the Langtang region of Nepal. Trekkers can walk through various villages and vantage points in this trail from where you get to know about people and the majestic mountains. The Himalayan range view of the Langtang and Ganesh Himal make this trekking journey enticing. Similarly, the cultural attractions make it more fruitful for trekkers and the lower elevation means that people can trek without tensions of the altitude sickness.

Everest View Trek

Reach the abode of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest in winter. Among the list of the Best Winter Treks in Nepal, the Everest View Trek is an ideal trekking route inside the Everest region. Note down that you can also do the Everest Base Camp Trek in winter but with immense planning. However, the Everest View Trek is possible throughout the year provided that you have the smooth Lukla flights. Be at the world’s highest situated hotel the Everest View Hotel and the famous Tengboche Monastery during the Everest View Trek in winter.

Guerilla Trek

Experience the trail where once Maoists rebels trekked through the authentic Magar Villages. The Guerilla Trek route is the experience of our history where a decade long civil war started. There are lots of bunkers and places where you get to know about the trail once walked by rebels. Besides the political significances, the trail is famous for mountain vistas and cultural immersion especially the Magar Community.

Pikey Peak Trek

Walk on the trail once loved by Sir Edmund Hillary as the best place to see Mt. Everest. The journey of the Pikey Peak Trek is so enticing and mesmerizing when you do the trek in winter season. If you are searching for the trekking trail from where you get to see the Everest, then the Pikey Peak Trek is the best. Moreover, the Pikey Peak Trek is the best trail to trek in the lower elevation places of the Everest Khumbu region.

Tamang Heritage Trail Trek

Visit authentic Tamang Villages like Briddim, Thuman, Gatlang, Nagathali, etc. inside the Langtang region of Nepal by doing the Tamang Heritage Trail Trek. The Mohare Danda Trek, the Khopra Ridge Trek, and the Tamang Heritage Trail Trek are the cultural trekking routes in the Best Winter Treks in Nepal. Know about the culture and traditions of Tamang People while walking in the hilly terrain of the Langtang region of Nepal.