Nepal in December

Nepal has been the safest and stable destination to travel after the pandemic. Despite the Ukraine - Russia war and the Middle East crisis, Autumn 2025 had a significant increase in tourists. With warm and sunny days, December is best for tours and short treks in the Himalayan foothills.

December is the beginning of winter in Nepal. However, the weather remains fantastic with clear sky, dry and sunny days and comfortable temperature for trekking. By December, crowds of the popular trekking trails of Everest and Annapurna thin out. Minimum Temperature of high altitude drops below – 10℃. With proper preparation, the first half of December is the best time for popular treks. The month is known as shoulder season for the Nepal tour of Chitwan, Pokhara, Lumbini and Bardia. Number of Buddhist pilgrims increases in the Lumbini which remains dry and warm. December is the best time for short treks in Nepal. The movement of domestic and Asian tourists brings back the tourist season for a brief period during Christmas and New year.

Quick travel tips for December

• Prepare to walk in snow in the higher elevation of short treks.
• Christmas and New Year time sees a brief tourist season rush.

December weather in Nepal

Average weather around the major tourist area of Nepal

Place	Max Temp	Min Temp	Rainfall	Rain day
Kathmandu	20.2℃	3.7℃	13.2 mm	1
Pokhara	20.7℃	8℃	22 mm	1
Chitwan	22℃	8℃	18 mm	1
Namche	7℃	-6℃	39 mm	1
Jomsom	5℃	-12℃	21 mm	2

Nepal Tour for December 2025

Unlike Tibet and Bhutan, Nepal is open throughout December and January.

December is the best time for Nepal tours, hiking and short treks. While the trekkers in the popular trails start to decline because of increasing cold, tours of hill stations, valleys and tropical jungles become more popular. Sky in December is super clear, comfortable temperature for hiking or short treks and the chance of wildlife sighting in Chitwan and Bardia national park increases. No of Buddhist pilgrims increase in Lumbini and Buddhist sites around Kathmandu.

Here are best Nepal tours for December 2025

Nepal Trek in December 2025

Early December is best for popular treks to Everest base camp and Annapurna base camp. December is dry and sunny with comfortable temperature for a trek. The major crowd starts to head back making the trail less crowded. Only drawback is colder nights. Minimum average temperature of Everest base camp trek will be – 10℃ with the coldest -17℃ at Gorekshep in December. Similarly average minimum temperature of Annapurna base camp trek will be – 4℃ with the minimum -10℃ at base camp during December.

Here are recommended Nepal treks for December 2025.

Nepal Travel tips for December

• Pack the best for the cold. Pack warm clothes in layers for short treks. You need down jackets for trek to base camp.
• Carry hot bag / flask to warm your sleeping at night.
• While trekkers thin out in the main trails, it is still season for short treks and tropical destinations like Lumbini, Chitwan, Bardia and other Buddhist sites.
• If you are travelling around Christmas and New year, book your logistics in advance as it is a brief trekking season again.

Gentle walking holiday for December

Nepal holidays with gentle walking and luxury resorts or boutique hotels are the best for the month of December. This will allow you to be in more surreal hill station towns and walk comfortable distances to feel the nature and culture of the Himalayan foothills. Our gentle walking holiday includes series of hikes around Kathmandu and Pokhara combined with flying and driving. The moderate temperature and maximum number of sunny days in December makes it the best moth for this walking holiday.

Gentle walking Holday

December is best for Buddhist pilgrimage tour of Nepal and India

The Buddhist pilgrimage sites are mostly in the tropical regions of Nepal and India. This makes the winter months of December to January best time to go on a Buddhist tour.

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Himalayan view in December

The crisp sky, warm and sunny days guarantee the Himalayan view more during winter tour of Nepal. The moderate temperature is perfect for hiking and short treks in the Himalayan foothills and the tropical Terai regions.