Trekking Nepal in Winter: The January-February Shift

Why are more trekkers coming to Nepal in winter?

Winter arrivals have climbed sharply because the conditions on the right routes are excellent and the crowds are gone. A 2026 Nepal Tourism Board release put January arrivals at 92,573, up 15.7% year over year, and February 2026 was the highest February on record. Trekkers have worked out what operators long knew: winter delivers the stablest high-pressure weather of the year, so the long-range Himalayan views are the clearest of any season, and the teahouses that turn people away in October have rooms to spare.

The shift matters because most trekking advice still says "October or November," which is now out of date for the lower and mid-altitude routes. The Everest Base Camp trek runs through winter on our schedule, with clear views and near-empty lodges as the trade for the cold.

How cold does winter trekking get?

Winter cold is real but manageable with the right gear, and it varies sharply by altitude.

Below 3,000 m, winter days stay pleasant in direct sun. Between 3,000 and 4,000 m, daytime temperatures hold up reasonably well even as nights drop sharply. Above 4,500 m, the numbers turn serious in a way that shapes the whole trip: January nights at Gorak Shep on the Everest route reach the table's coldest figure.

Daytime walking is comfortable at every altitude because the winter sun is strong and the air is dry, so the cold is a morning-and-evening problem, not an all-day one. Teahouse dining rooms are heated by stove until about 9 pm; bedrooms are unheated at every altitude, which is the single hardest part of a winter trek.

Which routes stay open in winter?

Lower and mid-altitude routes stay open and shine in winter, while the high passes close. The Poon Hill trek is one of the best winter treks in Nepal, staying low enough to avoid deep snow while giving crisp dawn views. Everest Base Camp, the lower Langtang Valley, and Annapurna Base Camp all run through winter with proper gear. What closes are the high crossings: the Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit and the Larkya La on Manaslu carry avalanche risk and deep snow, and can shut for the season.

The rain-shadow treks during monsoon valleys of Upper Mustang also work in winter at their lower sections, though the highest are cold and windy. As a rule, if a route tops out below 4,000 m it is a strong winter choice; above 5,000 m it becomes a cold, committing undertaking suited to experienced trekkers.

What gear does winter trekking demand?

Winter demands a step up in insulation over the standard three-season kit, centred on the sleeping system and the extremities. A four-season down sleeping bag rated to -20 C comfort is non-negotiable on any route reaching 4,500 m, because bedrooms are unheated and the January lows are severe. A down jacket, insulated gloves with liners, a warm hat, and a buff for the face handle the morning and evening cold, and microspikes belong in the pack for any icy pass approach. Battery performance drops sharply in these temperatures too, so our guides carry spare power banks kept inside a jacket pocket overnight rather than left in an outer pocket, where lithium batteries lose charge fastest.

Beyond insulation, winter needs the same care as any high trek plus attention to hydration, since the dry cold masks fluid loss. The altitude rules do not change with the season, and our winter departures keep the same acclimatization schedule and twice-daily oxygen checks described in the altitude sickness prevention guide.