Quick answer: December is a very good month to trek in Nepal if you pick the right route. It is dry, clear and quiet. The safest choices stay below about 4,000m: Poon Hill, Khopra Danda and Everest View. Mardi Himal, Langtang, Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp also work, best in the first half of the month. Avoid high passes such as Thorong La and Larkya La.
Trail status for December 2026
After the August 2026 floods, some routes changed. This is what was reported as of 13 November 2026:
Route | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda | Open. Treks now start from Dhunche or Thulo Syabru, because the road and bridge at Syabrubesi were damaged. | TAAN advisory, reported 23 Oct; Onlinekhabar, 29 Oct |
Manaslu Circuit | Open again from Machha Khola after partial repairs, with a short bypass near Yaru Bagar. TAAN advises care. | TAAN advisory, 23 Oct |
Tsum Valley | Closed on 23 Oct after a bridge collapse; reopening was expected within about a week. Check before booking. | TAAN advisory, 23 Oct |
Annapurna and Everest regions | No flood closures reported. | TAAN status notice, Aug 2026 |
Cyclone Arnab led the authorities to pause high-altitude trekking from 29 to 31 October; that pause has ended. Conditions change quickly in winter, so we confirm the latest status for your route when you book.
December treks compared
Trek | Highest point | Our trip | Difficulty | Night temp at highest sleep | Best in December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poon Hill | 3,210m | Poon Hill trek | Easy to moderate | Below freezing | All month |
Khopra Danda | 3,660m | 7 days | Moderate | Below freezing | All month, weather permitting |
Everest View | 3,880m | 7 days | Moderate | −4 to −6°C (Namche) | All month |
Mardi Himal | 4,500m | 7 days | Moderate | −8 to −12°C | First half |
Langtang Valley | 4,773m (Kyanjin Ri) | 9 days | Moderate | Often below −5°C | First half |
Annapurna Base Camp | 4,130m | 9 or 13 days | Moderate | About −8°C | First half |
Everest Base Camp | 5,545m (Kala Patthar) | 14 days | Hard | −10 to −18°C | First half |
Temperatures are operator estimates and vary by year.
What December weather is like in Nepal
December is one of the driest months of the year; Kathmandu averages only a little over 20mm of rain for the month, and days there reach the high teens °C, with nights just a few degrees above freezing. In the mountains, the same dry air means clear mornings and long views, with clouds sometimes building after midday.
The trade-offs are cold and short days. You get about 10.5 hours of daylight, and temperatures drop quickly once the sun leaves the trail. Snow is more likely from mid-month, especially above 3,500m.
1. Poon Hill: the safest choice
At 3,210m, Poon Hill stays low enough to be reliable all winter. You walk through forest and Gurung villages for a sunrise view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South, and you spend every night below 3,000m. The dawn hike is below freezing, but days in Ghorepani are about 5 to 10°C. Light snow is possible, and stone steps can be icy early in the day. It suits beginners and families; read our Poon Hill guide for beginners or see the Poon Hill trek.
2. Khopra Danda: the quiet alternative
The Khopra Danda trek climbs to a ridge at 3,660m with a wide view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South, and it gets far fewer trekkers than Poon Hill. Because it is a little higher and more remote, check which lodges are open before you leave. Skip the side trip to Khayer Lake if there is fresh snow.
3. Everest View: Everest without the extreme cold
Our 7-day Everest View trek flies to Lukla, walks to Namche Bazaar and climbs to the Everest View Hotel at 3,880m. Nights in Namche are about −4 to −6°C, cold but manageable, and you sleep in some of the best lodges in the region. The one risk is delayed Lukla flights, so keep a spare day. In winter, most Lukla flights leave from Kathmandu, not Ramechhap, but airlines confirm this only close to the date.
4. Mardi Himal: big views, one hard day
Mardi Himal is quiet in December, and few trekkers go after mid-month. High Camp nights are about −8 to −12°C, and the ridge to Base Camp (4,500m) can become icy or blocked by snow later in the month, so be prepared to stop at the Upper Viewpoint. Our Mardi Himal difficulty guide has the details.
5. Langtang Valley: close to Kathmandu
Two trekkers in down jackets above the Langtang ValleyThe Langtang Valley trek starts with a road journey from Kathmandu, with no flight to worry about. Since the August 2026 flood, the drive ends at Dhunche or Thulo Syabru instead of Syabrubesi, and the trail joins the usual route at Bamboo and Lama Hotel. TAAN declared the valley open again in late October. Trails are quiet and sunny, with light snow around Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m), where nights are often below −5°C. Some lodges higher up close for winter, so check first. Climbing Kyanjin Ri (4,773m) depends on conditions. Our beginner's guide to Langtang covers the route.
6. Annapurna Base Camp: best in early December
Early December can be excellent at Annapurna Base Camp, with clear skies and few people. Later in the month, snow builds up, and the section around Deurali is avalanche-prone after heavy storms. Our guide to ABC in winter explains the risk and how to manage it.
7. Everest Base Camp: for fit, well-equipped trekkers
The Everest Base Camp trek stays open in December, and the first two weeks are often superb. Nights at Gorak Shep drop to about −10 to −18°C, so you need four-season gear. Read Everest Base Camp in December for temperatures by stop.
Treks to avoid in December
Trekkers at snow-covered Larke Pass (5,106m) on the Manaslu CircuitPasses are the problem. Heavy snow can block them, and rescue is harder in winter.
- Annapurna Circuit over Thorong La (5,416m): sometimes crossed in winter if there is little snow, but risky from December to February. Do not plan a trip that depends on it.
- Manaslu Circuit over Larkya La (5,106m): very cold, with temperatures reported below −16°C at the pass, and harder still at the end of the month. Parts of the approach were also still under repair after the floods in late October.
- Cho La and the Everest Three Passes: heavy snow can make the passes impassable without mountaineering equipment.
- Gosaikunda via Laurebina Pass: early to mid-December is fine; snow arrives later in the month.
If you have your heart set on the Gokyo Lakes, read our Gokyo best-time guide first.
What to pack for December trekking
The higher you go, the more this matters. For any December trek, bring a warm down jacket, thermal layers, a warm hat and gloves, and a sleeping bag rated for the altitude: about −10°C for Poon Hill or Khopra, and about −20°C for EBC. Add microspikes for icy steps and sunglasses for snow glare. Our packing list has the rest.
Planning tips for December
- Go early in the month for high routes.
- Keep spare days, especially if you fly to Lukla.
- Confirm lodges before you leave. Some owners go down for the winter, particularly late in the month.
- Start later and finish earlier. Walk when the sun is on the trail.
- Check your insurance covers trekking at your maximum altitude and helicopter evacuation. See our travel insurance guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you trek in Nepal in December?
Yes. December is dry and clear, and most popular trails and lodges stay open. It is colder, so choose a route that matches your experience and gear.
What is the best trek in Nepal in December?
For most people, Poon Hill: it is low, reliable and has outstanding views. For a bigger challenge, Everest Base Camp in the first half of the month.
Is it too cold to trek in Nepal in December?
Not below about 4,000m, with the right clothes. Nights above that can be −10°C or colder, and you need proper winter gear.
Is there snow on Nepal's trekking routes in December?
Usually only higher up, and mostly from mid-month onward. Lower trails such as Poon Hill may get light snow.
Are trails crowded in December?
No. Numbers drop sharply after November, which is one of the main reasons to go.
Can beginners trek in December?
Yes, on lower routes such as Poon Hill. High routes in winter are better left until you have some experience.
Can I trek over Christmas or New Year in Nepal?
Yes. Poon Hill, Khopra Danda and Everest View are the easiest to plan for those dates. Book early for flights and hotels in Kathmandu.
Written by Krishna Ghimire, Senior Himalayan Specialist at Nature Heaven Treks & Expedition. Last updated November 2026.
Tell us your dates, and we will suggest the right route: plan your trip.
