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

Kathmandu usually has pleasant afternoons but chilly mornings and nights.

You can expect:

• Mild daytime temperatures
• Cold mornings
• Colder nights
• Mostly dry conditions
• Good conditions for sightseeing
• Clear views on many days

The Kathmandu Valley can become surprisingly cold after sunset, especially in rooms without good heating.

This means you do not need extreme winter gear for normal city travel, but you should bring a warm jacket and layers.

Pokhara

Pokhara is slightly milder than Kathmandu in winter.

December is a good month for enjoying:

• Phewa Lake
• Sarangkot sunrise
• World Peace Pagoda
• Lakeside walks
• Mountain viewpoints
• Short hikes around the valley

Pokhara is also a popular starting point for Annapurna treks, so it can be a useful base before or after your trek.

Mid-Hills and Lower Trekking Areas

The temperature drops as you climb higher.