Winter is considered to a very low trekking season in Nepal. However, some short treks like one week treks nearby the cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu still can be done.
Some people really love trekking in Nepal in winter as they love the cold climate to trek in the mountains. Though Autumn ( Sep-Nov) and Spring( Mar-May) are the best trekking seasons for trekking in Nepal, Winter ( Dec-Feb) equally rewards trekkers with astonishing mountain panoramas and thrills of adventure during the trek. If you are planning doing trekking in Nepal in winter check weather condition Nepal.
Some trekking trips in Nepal are very popular among the domestic and international trekkers. These top 5 winter treks in Nepal are:
1. Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek
2. Dhampus- Australian Camp Trek
3. Chisapani- Nagarkot Trek
4. Everest View/Short Trek
5. Mardi Himal Trek
Ghorepani –Poonhill Trek is one of the best winter treks in Nepal to see Annapurna Mountain Rnage. It takes 6-7 days to complete this trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. If the trekkers begin this trek from Pokhara, then, the duration tends to be shorter and more economical.
You can begin this trek either from Kathmandu or from Pokhara. If you are already in Pokhara after some activities like Trishuli River Rafting, Chitwan Jungle Safari and Lumbini Tour and you like to do Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, you still can do from here. It will 3 days Poonhill Trek from Pokhara to Pokhara.
Ghorepani-Poonhill trek is an easy trek in Annapurna region of Nepal which even can be done by the beginners and will be more fascinating during winter ( Dec-Feb). The highest elevation we get during this trek is 3200m that is Poonhill. Even in the peak of winter, there is no heavy snowfall on the trail; you may encounter some fresh snow on the trail which you will love to play with. So, Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek is still doable in winter.
Ghorepani-Ponhill Trek begins from Kathmandu or Pokhara. If you are already in Pokhara, then, you can begin it from Pokhara as well. Otherwise, trekkers have to begin it from Kahtmandu. The trekkers who are doing Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek either go with short flight to Pokhara or a bus/car, jeep drive. If you choose to go with flight, it takes only 25-30 minutes and if you wanna go with drive, then, it may take more than 7 hours due to the poor condition of the roadways.
After you reach in Pokhara, you can explore it by spending a day there or you can directly begin the trip to Poonhill from Pokhara.
Initially, you drive to Nayapool/Birethanti and begin hiking through picturesque landscapes and local towns. Gradually, you get the ascent and walk through Tikhedhunga and Ulleri village. The ascent to Ulleri village is a bit tough for the beginners. However, the triumph over it will reward you tremendously with alluring landscapes.
If you want to extend your Poonhill Trek to Annapurna in pre or post winter , you can do it and go with ABC Trek with Poonhill.
Next, you begin to walk through deep woods of Annapurna Conservation Area, the largest protected area of the world enjoying a diverse species of flora and faunas along with natural waterfalls and prayer flags.
finally, ascending up to Ghorepani village will stun you because you can believe your eyes that you can witness such majestic mountain panoramas. Moreover, climbing top of Poonhill from Ghorepani will absolutely mesmerize you with stunning sunrise and sunset along with mountain panoramas including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna Massif, Machhapuchhre, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal and many other alluring mountain summits.
Looking for more comprehwnsive article about Nepal Poonhill Trek in Annapurna region? if so, go through our another article Poonhill Trek-A Complete Trekkers' Guide. You will hugely be benefitted after going through this article before you go for Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek Package.
After conquering Poonhill, the final destination of this trek, you will switch your venture to Tadapani village and then to Ghandruk.
Ghandruk is another important attraction of this trek. It is a classical Gurung people’s settlements with more than 500 houses in traditional styles. Everyone will adore this village and tend to stay a couple of days or sometimes even a week for refreshment with Himalayas.
The village has historical and cultural museums, traditional houses, cafes and bakeries, grocery shops, souvenirs shops, governmental offices, security force, schools and lodges and hotels. Nowadays, Ghandruk village has banks and ATMS facility as well.
After exploring Ghandruk Village, you can either depart to Landruk and make an exit through Pothana or can walk down to Nayapool and take a drive to Pokhara. It depends on you which path you like to choose for the wrapping up your trip. We recommend you go go Landruk and make an exit through Pothana and Dhampur or Phedi or Kande through Australian Camp becaue this route will provide you a distinct experience.
Arrive in Pokhara and enjoy your time exploring the city and the popular sites like Phewa Lake, Talbarahi Temple, Gupteswor Mahadev Cave, Bidhebashani Temple and Davi’s Fall. From Pokhara, you will either fly or drive back to Kathmandu to end the Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek.
Ghorepani village is 2800m and Poonhill is 3200m. The difference altitude between Ghorepani and Poonhill is 400m. The trekkers who are climbing Poonhill from Ghorepani have to gain more 400m. For getting this 400m from Ghorepani for Poonhill, trekkers have to spend around 1.30 hours and they have to buy an entrance for going up to the top of the Poonhill. Both Ghorepani and Poonhill offer an astonishing mountain views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurnas and alluring Machhapuchhre ( Fishtail).
Some people may say ‘Yes, You can see Everest from Poonhill’, but it is not true. One cannot see Everest from Poonhill. Poonhill trek route is completely different and located in far distance from Everest Base Camp Trek. Actually, if you want to see Everest, then, you have to go with Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Short Trek or Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.
It is mandatory hiring guide or a porter for Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek. No solo or individual traveler is allowed to do this trek independently by the ministry of tourism of Nepal. You have to hire either a guide or a porter; better hire a licensed guide so that you won’t have any problem on the trail and all arrangement regarding foods and accommodation will be arranged by the guide.
You are going to spend the nights in local guesthouses except in Pokhara. You are going to have the foods offered by the local guesthouses as mentioned in the menu. But, you enjoy a luxury accommodation in Pokhara.
The accommodation will normally be on the twin sharing basis and you have to pay for the foods and accommodation extra if it is not included in your packages. One item of food costs between $2-6 and one accommodation on the trail costs between $5-10.
It takes two days to get Ghorepani-Ponhill from Pokhara but it takes 3 days from Kathmandu. The first day, you will fly/ drive to Pokhara and then go for two days trek through Tikhdhunga/ Ulleri and Ghorepani. From Ghorepani, you will ascend up to Poonhill next morning. If you want to take Poonhill Jeep Ride from Pokhara up to Ulleri or Banthanti, you can ascend up to Poonhill or Ghorepani in the same day and you can do the same the next day to go back to Pokhara.
If you begin Ghorepani-Poonhill Trek from Kathmandu, the cost ranges between 700-800 USD but if you begin it from Pokhara, then, the cost ranges between 500-600 USD. The transportation from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu will be extra cost if you begin it from Kathmandu. This cost includes all required transportation, bed and breakfast, guide and porter, required permits, official expenses and the medical expenses of guide and porter.
The best way to see Everest within a couple of days walk in
Everest region is Everest Short Trek or Everest View Trek.
Everest Short Trek or Everest View Trek takes you to Namche
bazaar and you will ascend up to Hotel Everest View which offers you an incredible
opportunity to capture Mt. Everest and all other mighty mountain summits in
Everest region.
At the same time, you will experience
Sherpa culture, their civilization and their lifestyle while traversing through
local towns like Lukla, Phakding and Namche Bazaar.
Sagarmatha National Park will be another primary attraction
during this Everest Short Trek/ Everest View Trek. A cool and serene walk
through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the national park located at the highest elevation of the world makes this Everest Short Trek or Everest View trek more special.
Do you know some very interesting and exciting things that you are doing in your Everest Short Trek/ Everest View Trek? You are traversing through the national park located at the highest elevation of the world and ascending up to the hotel located at the highest elevation of the world and witnessing Mt. Everest, the world highest mountain peak while you are making this trekking trip in Nepal in winter. Most importantly, if you love snowfall and love playing with it, ten, definitely, you will enjoy the live snowfall from the lodge/hotel you stay for overnight. Won’t it be interesting and exciting for you doing these things in your Everest Short Trek? Yes, definitely.
Though you will encounter with snowfall on the trail and
outside of the lodge and hotel you stay, it is till doable trek in winter with
magnificent nature and its astonishments.
- Traverse through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO W0rld
Heritage Site and the national park located at the highest elevation of the
world
- Ascending up to the hotel located at the highest elevation
of the world, Hotel Everest View and witnessing Mt. Everest, the world highest
mountain peak
- experience Sherpa culture, their civilization and their
lifestyle while traversing through local towns like Lukla, Phakding and Namche
Bazaar.
- enjoy the live snowfall from the lodge/hotel you stay for
overnight
- Go to explore Thame monastery, Khujung Village and
Tengboche if you have some spare time/days
- Spend some quality of time with local people and nature
Everest Short Trek/ Everest View Trek is also known as
Everest Panorama trek either begins from Manthali after 7 hours of walk from
Kathmandu or after a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.
The trail after reaching Lukla airport and the Lukla town,
descends down to Phakding and then ascends up to Namche Bazaar.
Namche Bazaar(3400m) is one of the major attractions of this
trek and even of Everest Base Camp trek and all trekking trips based in Everest
region of Nepal. Actually, the Namche Bazaar astonishes you with some marvelous
highlights like advanced and luxurious markets, banks, ATMS, Money Exchanges, restaurants,
hotels, museums and most importantly the mountain views including Thamserkhu and
Amadablam.
Next, after exploring Namche Bazaar, you will ascend up to
Hotel Everest View (3880m), you will celebrate astonishing Mt. Everest and the
sunrise with other mighty mountain peaks sitting at the lap of Hotel Everest
View, the hotel located at the highest elevation of the world.
Next, it’s your choice to go up to Tengboche or not. If you
want to spare one more day for getting up to Tengboche( 3860m), you can go to
explore the holy Tengboche monastery and the serene Tengboche Town.
Yes, definitely, you can witness Mt. Everest in your Everest
Short Trek whenever you undertake it and you can do it even in winter. You can
ascend up to Hotel Everest View and can capture mesmerizing Mt. Everest with a
good taste of coffee and snacks at Hotel Everest view.
If you are interested then you can take helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp from Namche and land there to have closer view of Everest. This helicopter ride from Namche to Everest Base Camp and witnessing Mt. Everest and Khumbu glacier will be another thrilling part of this trip.
2. How will be the Everest Short Trek in winter?
The weather will be very fair in winter though the fog
covers the Kathmandu valley. The weather in Lukla and Namche will be
exceptionally fair and the trekkers can enjoy the walks and the explorations
there during their Everest short Trek.
You may have snowfall if you are doing this trek in winter,
but not heavy. If you love the snowfall, then, you will find this trek a mesmerizing
in winter. You may need crampons while ascending up to Namche and Hotel Everest
View Hotel in winter. Sometimes, the temperature gets lower to -10 too and you
have to prepare for this very well. If you have got some problems related to cold
and heart, you’d better not to do this trek in winter.
Overall, the trek will be very exciting and adventurous if
you chose to do Everest short Trek in winter.
Yes, you can fly directly to Nacmhe Bazaar and also can fly
back to Kathmandu with helicopter. Even, you can fly to Everest Base Camp
directly from Kathmandu and fly back to Kathmandu in 3 hours with Everest Base
Camp helicopter Tour. However, we don’t suggest you to fly directly to either
Namche and Everest Base Camp due to high elevation. It means, you are not
suggested to go higher elevation directly and you may have altitude sickness
problem and that may bring any kind of unexpected consequences.
However, if you prefer, you can take a direct flight to Namche bazaar or Everest View Hotel or Everest Base Camp by helicopter and can fly back to Kathmandu.
Yes, Everest Short Trek is one of the best beginners’ treks in Nepal. It is in the list of Best Beginners Treks in Nepal. Beginners can do this trek since the treks takes you to the moderate height that is Hotel Everest View (3880m) without any challenges on the trail. Moreover, the trekkers won’t have to face any kinds of challenges during the trek like climbing the steep rocky hills and the traversing through the snowy slippery trail.
Though people claim that Nepal is not good for winter travels, we still can enjoy shorts treks and hike even in the peak of Winter (Jan). the treks and hikes will be based on near Pokhara and Kathmandu. If you are planning or thinking of travelling in Nep[al in Winter( Dec-Feb), you can enjoy short hikes and treks like Poonhill Trek, Chisapani Nagakot Hike, Dhampus-Australian Camp Hike, Everest View Trek and Mardi Himal Trek. Apart from these short hikes and treks in Nepal, you can experience other city activities like Kathmandu World Heritage Site Tour, UNESO World Heritage Site Tour, Hindu Pilgrimage Site Tour and Chitwan Jungle Safari. You can celebrate these activities with beautiful snowfall and hot drinks you like. And most importantly, you can completely be yourself while travelling in Nepal in winter because there is not crowd like in Spring(Mar-May) and Autumn (Sep-Nov). If you love cold weather, snowfall, hot drinks and you are solitary lover, you will find travelling in Nepal in winter and doing trekking trips near Kathmandu and Pokhara city will be mesmerizing experiences.
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