Trekking in Nepal in November and December: Where to Go After the Crowds

October gets all the attention, but November and early December are some of the best weeks of the year to trek in Nepal. The skies are usually at their clearest, the trails are quieter once October’s crowds leave, and teahouses are easier to book. The trade-off is cold: nights get properly freezing up high, and the big passes start to see snow.

Here’s where to go, what to expect and how to find company when fewer people are on the trail.

Weather alert for the end of October: Cyclone Arnab is expected to bring heavy rain in the hills and snow in the high Himalaya from 28 to 31 October, clearing from 1 November. Pause pass crossings and high treks until it clears. Read the full Cyclone Arnab trekking forecast from Discover Parbat.

What November and December are like

• November: dry, stable and very clear. Daytime is pleasant in the sun; nights above 4,000 m drop well below freezing. Still busy in the Everest and Annapurna regions, but quieter than October.
• December: colder, quieter and still mostly dry. Short days mean earlier starts and earlier finishes. High passes can be snowbound after any storm, so check before you commit.

Best treks for November

High classics, while the passes are still open

• Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes: crisp views and fewer people than October.
• Annapurna Circuit: Thorong La is usually crossable in November, but go with a partner or guide and an early start.
• Manaslu Circuit: a restricted area, so you need a guide and an agency permit. Larkya La gets colder and icier as the month goes on.

Quieter alternatives

• Mardi Himal: short, steep and spectacular, close to Pokhara.
• Khopra Danda: a ridge-top route with big Dhaulagiri views and far fewer trekkers than Poon Hill.
• Langtang Valley: close to Kathmandu, clear and calm in November.

Best treks for December

When it gets colder, lower and mid-height treks shine. Clear skies, warm sunny days and no snow on the trail.

• Poon Hill: easy, short, with sunrise over the Annapurnas.
• Kokhe Danda: a short, uncrowded trek in Parbat with village homestays and close views of Dhaulagiri. Top point 3,309 m.
• Panchase: low, forested and quiet, near Pokhara.
• Everest View Trek: Everest views without going above about 3,900 m.
• Annapurna Base Camp: doable in December with warm gear, but watch for avalanche warnings in the gorge after snowfall.

Gear for the cold season

• A sleeping bag rated to at least −10 °C for anything above 3,500 m
• Down jacket, warm hat and gloves
• Microspikes if you’re crossing a pass
• Sunglasses and strong sunscreen, since the sun is fierce on snow
• A power bank, as cold drains batteries fast

Finding a partner after the crowds leave

This is where it gets harder. In late November and December there are simply fewer people on the trail, so meeting someone at a teahouse is less likely, especially on quieter routes. That’s also when a partner matters most: colder nights, quieter trails, fewer people to help if something goes wrong.

• Post early. Add your route and dates on Trekking Partners Nepal a few weeks before you fly.
• Be flexible with dates. “Any start between 20 and 28 Nov” gets more replies than one fixed day.
• Check posts for your region. Browse partner posts by region and month.
• Ask in the Community about conditions on your route, from people who’ve just been there.

Or join a group

If you’d rather not search at all, our fixed departures with Discover Parbat run through the season with a licensed local guide, and solo travellers are welcome. The Kokhe Danda Trek is a great short option for November and December.

FAQ

Is November a good time to trek in Nepal? Yes. It’s one of the clearest, most stable months of the year, and quieter than October.

Can you trek in Nepal in December? Yes. Lower and mid-height treks are excellent. High passes are possible but colder and can close after snow.

Is Thorong La open in November and December? Usually in November. In December it depends on snowfall, and it can close for days after a storm. Check locally before you go.

Do I need a guide in winter? Not legally on the main trails, except in restricted areas. But on high passes in cold, snowy conditions a guide or at least a partner is strongly recommended. See Do You Need a Guide to Trek in Nepal?