Asia

Nepal in December

Still very clear and noticeably quieter. Great for lower and mid-altitude treks; pack serious warm layers for anything above 13,000 ft (4,000m).

GoodKathmandu highs near 66F (19C), dry, bitterly cold at high camps

Annapurna, Nepal — NepalPhoto: Bijay Chaurasia, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Nepal. Still very clear and noticeably quieter. Great for lower and mid-altitude treks; pack serious warm layers for anything above 13,000 ft (4,000m).

Weather: Kathmandu highs near 66F (19C), dry, bitterly cold at high camps
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in Nepal

December is still very clear and noticeably quieter. Kathmandu highs near 66F (19C), dry days and bitterly cold nights at high camps. It is great for lower and mid-altitude treks. Crowds and prices drop after the fall peak, and teahouses have room. High passes can close after heavy snow later in the month.

It suits trekkers who like quiet trails and do not mind cold, and families on shorter foothill routes. Pack serious warm layers for anything above 13,000 ft (4,000m). For warmer high treks, choose October or November instead.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Nepal this month.

Quiet trails

Poon Hill and the Annapurna foothills are peaceful and still clear.

Clear views

Dry air keeps mountain views sharp, especially at sunrise.

Lumbini visit

Winter mornings are foggy but comfortable at the Buddha's birthplace.

What to pack for December

A heavy down jacket
Thermal layers and a warm hat
A warm sleeping bag
Sunscreen and lip balm

Our timing tip

Stick to lower treks like Poon Hill in December, and check pass conditions before any high route.

Book Nepal for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Nepal
Opens a hotel search for Nepal in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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Vacation rentals in Nepal
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in Nepal
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Nepal for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Nepal

Full guide

Everest Base Camp trek

Usually 12 to 14 days round trip from Lukla. October, November, April, and May are the windows; build in spare days for flight delays.

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Annapurna region treks

Poon Hill is a short, family-friendly option with a famous sunrise view; the full Annapurna Circuit crosses Thorong La, which can close in heavy snow.

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Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares

Three royal cities within an hour of each other. Bhaktapur is the best preserved; go early before the day-tour groups.

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Boudhanath and Swayambhunath

Boudhanath's great stupa is the center of Tibetan Buddhist life in the valley; walk the clockwise kora at dusk with the pilgrims.

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Chitwan National Park

Best from October through March; February to April, after the tall grass is cut, gives the best wildlife visibility, though heat builds by April.

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Pokhara and Phewa Lake

The relaxed lakeside base for the Annapurnas, with paragliding off Sarangkot in the dry season.

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Beat the crowds

Trek in November rather than October: the weather is just as clear, the trails thin out after the Dashain holiday rush, and lodges are easier to book.
On the Everest trail, start early each morning. Most groups leave after breakfast; walking by 7am gets you quiet trails and the clearest views before afternoon cloud.
Consider Langtang, Manaslu, or the Mardi Himal route instead of the two headline treks; they are less crowded in the same seasons.
December and February are excellent for lower treks like Poon Hill and Ghorepani with a fraction of the October traffic.

Know before you go

Monsoon (June to September): many teahouses on the main trekking routes reduce service or close, and road landslides can cut off trailheads for days.
High passes, especially Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit, can close after heavy snowfall from December through February. Check conditions before committing.
During Dashain, many shops and offices in Kathmandu close for several days and transport is overwhelmed as people head home. Book buses and flights early.
Mountain flights to Lukla are weather dependent all year. In peak seasons, many Lukla flights have recently departed from Ramechhap, a long drive from Kathmandu, rather than Kathmandu itself. Budget two buffer days.

Nepal in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Nepal?

December is a good month to visit Nepal. Still very clear and noticeably quieter. Great for lower and mid-altitude treks; pack serious warm layers for anything above 13,000 ft (4,000m).

What is the weather like in Nepal in December?

Kathmandu highs near 66F (19C), dry, bitterly cold at high camps.

Is Nepal crowded in December?

December is one of the quieter months in Nepal; most sights can be done without long waits.