Key Takeaways

• Weather: December is generally dry, sunny, and cold, with cold mornings and nights.
• Best for: Sightseeing, cultural tours, wildlife safaris, and lower-altitude treks.
• Trekking: Lower and mid-altitude routes are more comfortable than high mountain passes.
• High altitude: Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp can be attempted, but winter conditions make them harder.
• Crowds: Trails and tourist areas are usually quieter than during October and November.
• Mountain views: Clear winter days can offer excellent Himalayan views.
• Best advantage: You can enjoy Nepal without the heavy crowds of the main autumn season.

Yes, December is a good time to visit Nepal if you enjoy clear skies, dry weather, quieter trails, and winter scenery. It is especially good for Kathmandu sightseeing, Pokhara, wildlife safaris, cultural tours, and short or lower-altitude treks.

The main trade-off is cold weather. December is much colder than October and November, especially at higher elevations. If your main goal is a high-altitude trek such as Everest Base Camp, December is possible, but you need proper winter clothing, good planning, and a flexible mindset.

Nepal Weather in December

December marks the beginning of winter in Nepal. The weather changes quickly as you move from the lowlands to the Himalayan mountains.

The good news is that December is usually much drier than the monsoon months. The Nepal Tourism Board notes that even during the coldest winter months, Nepal can still offer bright sunshine and excellent mountain views. It also reports average winter temperatures of about 19.3°C during the day and 3°C at night in Kathmandu, while Pokhara averages around 20.3°C and 7.7°C.

One important point: Nepal does not have one single December climate. Temperature depends heavily on altitude.

Kathmandu and Pokhara

Kathmandu and Pokhara are comfortable during sunny December days, but mornings and evenings can feel cold.

Kathmandu