February is the winter season and is great for short treks at lower elevations. The best part of trekking in Nepal in February is experiencing the perfect solitude on the majestic landscapes of the world.
Trekking in winter has its own perks. With snow-capped mountains, you have a picturesque landscape everywhere. The trails are quiet and empty where you’ll feel like the trekking trails are personally made for your expedition.
February offers the clearest blue skies to give you the most uninterrupted view of the Himalayas and is a relatively dry month.
February experiences warmer days than December and January. But on average it will still be pretty cold in February. Also, the weather in the mountains is normally unpredictable.
Hence during February, it is advisable to do the shorter trek in the lower elevations.
However, if you plan and prepare well you can even opt for a more challenging trek. But you should be aware of the possible snowfalls because of which most high passes will remain closed.
Weather Condition of Nepal in February
Winter in Nepal is from December to February. February marks the end of the winter season and the onset of Spring. Days start to get longer and temperatures tend to rise with clear skies.
However, the nights and mornings are still cold and get to a freezing point at the higher altitude.
In February the average temperature during the day is around 8- degree Celsius whereas the night temperature can drop to 0 degrees.
During the night the temperature might range from 4 degree Celsius to -15 degrees in the high mountain regions.
Snowfall is possible in high altitude areas and as such high passes will remain closed. Also, expect high passes and base camps to have the more extreme condition than the lower and shorter treks.
Hence the day and night temperature depend on your trekking destination and altitude. In February, you will get to enjoy 5 to 7 hours of sunshine. Also, you will witness the best clear skies that make for a very good trekking time in February.
Best Trekking Trails in Nepal in February
Here is a list of trekking trails that you can consider during February:
Everest Panorama Trekking
The Everest Panorama trek is a short trek that is suitable for the month of February. Because your trek will not be much affected by the cold.
This trek is for those who are not able to make it to the Everest Base Camp but still wants to witness the glory of the majestic Everest.
This trek is literally a visual treat for the eyes. In this trek, you will walk through a beautiful pine forest, the Dudh Koshi and several local sherpa settlements.
You can also choose to visit the Sagarmatha National park at Namche. After your trek to Tengboche, you will get the striking views of Mt Lhotse, Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse etc.
This is a short and mild trek that will give you the feel of how it is like getting close to the Everest Base Camp.
Highlights of the Trek
- Visit many Chortens and the Sagarmatha National Park with various species of wild birds and animals
- Get the view of the mighty Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, Ama Dablam, and other several snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
- Tengboche monastery, a Buddhist monastery at the highest altitude in the world at 3890m
- View of the Syangboche, the airport at the highest altitude in the world
Jomsom Muktinath Trekking
Jomsom valley gets a bit chilly in February but it never gets very cold. So the short treks to Jomsom Muktinath are ideal in February.
It is suitable for the first time trekkers too. It is at the maximum elevation of 3850m above the sea level. The major highlight of the trek is the Muktinath temple.
It is one of the famous pilgrimage and spiritual sites attracting thousands of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims every year.
Once you are at Muktinath, the sacred 108 waterspouts around the temple will definitely draw all your attention. You can expect the water to be very cold.
Jomsom Muktinath trekking in February is very quiet with clear weather. During this trek, you will get a chance to visit remote villages, ancient monasteries, and various sacred monuments.
Also, the Himalayan views of Jomsom valley are spectacular in February.
Highlights of the Trek
- Muktinath temple, Jwala Mai Temple and several gompas.
- Apple orchards and Apple Brandy at Marpha
- Panoramic view of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Annapurna
- Hot spring at Tatopani
- Local settlement and local culture
Annapurna Sunrise Trekking
If you are someone who enjoys watching beautiful sunrises, Annapurna Sunrise trekking is one that you wouldn’t want to miss.
This is a short 7-day trek that starts from Tikhedhunga up till Poon Hill. You will pass through stone steps, lush meadows, and rhododendron forest. This trek will take you to an altitude of 3210m which is not very high and is great for February.
You will see snowfall and cold at the Poon Hill but it too adds to the serenity of the place. With warm fleece and down jackets, you will get to enjoy the stunning sunrise views from the Poon Hill.
In this trek, you will get to witness the typical Magar and Gurung villages and their warm hospitality.
The hike from Ghorepani to Poon Hill is the greatest essence of this entire trek. From here you will get a spectacular sunrise view over the magnificent snow-capped mountains. This will definitely leave you mesmerized.
Highlights of the Trek
- A Short and easy trek that offers a breathtaking view
- Witness Magar and Gurung village with their rich culture
- Amazing flora and fauna
- Beautiful view of the Annapurna range, Himchuli, Machhapuchhre mountains.
- Hot spring at Jhinu Danda
Mardi Himal Trek
Mardi Himal trek is a perfect choice for trekking in Nepal in February. It is an easy yet exciting trek that takes you up to the elevation of 4200m of upper viewpoint.
This trek is a new trekking trail in the Annapurna region which takes you to Mardi Himal Base Camp after passing through remote trails.
The Mardi Himal Trek lies within the Annapurna region. This is less crowded than various other well-known routes. And, in February you will have much adventurous trekking through the snow-covered trails. It gets cold with dense snow but with proper packing, you will have an amazing time in February.
While trekking you will enjoy passing through beautiful valleys and get to experience the mixed local culture. Also the amazing views of Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, and Macchapucchre. This will simply leave you spellbound.
Though the weather will be cold during this time you will get to witness excellent clear views of the stunning landscape.
Hence Mardi Himal trek is a favorable trek to take during February.
Highlights of the trek
- Trek through Off-the-beaten-track
- Natural and culture diversity
- Closer view of exquisite Annapurna Himalayas
- Traditional villages and sophisticated hospitality
Benefits of Trekking in Nepal in February
Clear and Sunny Days
Despite the cold temperature, the views are the best during February. Don’t take Nepal’s winter too seriously. As in Nepal only at the higher altitude, you will experience snow.
In the lower altitude, there is no snowfall and you will be able to experience great sunshine during the day. And later you will have a cool evening and night.
Less Crowd
During the peak season, the popular destinations like the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp are full of trekkers.
Hence trekking in Nepal in February serve a much better time. Places like the Annapurna region becomes calm and quiet during February. This allows you to have a peaceful trekking experience.
This is a great time to trek for those people who enjoy solitude and do not like being among the crowd.
Affordability
If you want to be able to spend a little less and still travel to Nepal, then February is a good time.
Because it’s offseason, the prices on everything goes down. During this time it will be more easy to negotiate for a reasonable price on trekking gears too.
Domestic flights from Kathmandu to Lukla may also be cheaper. Hence you can save money by traveling in February.
Tips of Trekking in Nepal in February
Like trekking in February has various benefits, it also has its own set of challenges. Hence before heading out on the trail, make sure you prepare well for any kind of situation.
Down below are some tips that can be helpful to stay safe during the trek:
Check the Weather Report
The mountain weather is generally unpredictable. Especially in winter time, it doesn’t take time for the weather to change.
Hence before leaving for the trek, it is wise to know about the weather. This way if the weather is bad you can postpone the hike. And if you still want to proceed you can prepare yourselves according to the weather.
Stay Hydrated
During the cold weather, most people ignore drinking water. But while trekking it is very important that you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Doing so will reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Since the month of February is cold, you can use insulated water bottles or hot water flask or thermos to keep your water warm and keep out from freezing.
Dress in Layers
Dressing in layers is the best way to go while you are trekking. Though it is cold in February some trail may get hot. So it is wise to dress in layers so that you can easily remove or add clothes according to your needs and be comfortable.
While dressing in layer start with a base layer of moisture-wicking fabric. Then wear a warm and insulating layer like a fleece or an insulating jacket. And lastly, the outer layer should protect you from water, wind, and snow.
Hire an Experienced Guide
Having an experienced guide will not only serve as a good company along the trail but it is safer as well.
The biggest problem in the Himalayan trails is that they can be tricky and if you are traveling alone you might get lost in the trail.
Moreover during winter, due to snowfall, the trails can get blocked and in such a situation, you might not know how to re-route. Also if you hire a guide they will give you useful information.
And of course, it is certain that you will enjoy the trek more if you know exactly which mountain peak you are looking at.
Overall hiring a guide will make your trip safe, adventurous and a fruitful experience.
Train Yourself Before the Trek
Training doesn’t require heavy squats, deadlifts or high-intensity cardio sessions. Rather you can do some general exercises like climbing stairs, skipping, jogging, swimming etc.
And while trekking it is always important to go at your own pace. Since it is not a race, do not rush and take your time.
As you climb higher it is very important to acclimatize so that you don’t get altitude sickness.
Keep Buffer Days
Keeping extra days is important regardless of any season. Unpredictable weather and unexpected injuries may happen any time and cause delays.
Hence extra days will always come in handy in case of any unplanned situation.
Packing List for Trekking in Nepal in February
Trekking in Nepal in February wouldn’t really be a problem with the right preparation. Planning and preparing are necessary for any seasons and it is especially more important during winter trekking.
Though during the day it will be warm, the temperature drops to freezing at higher elevation as the sun sets.
You can rent almost all winter equipment at the shops in Thamel. So unless you are picky about the quality you don’t have to necessarily bring them from your country.
So here’s a checklist of essential winter gear that you will need for trekking in Nepal in February. However, this is just a guideline and you can add or remove items according to your preference.
Clothing
- Moisture Wicking Tops
- Convertible Hiking Pants
- Hiking Undergarments
- Thermal wear
- Fleece Jacket/ Windproof Jacket
- Down Jacket
Footwear
- Gaiters for hiking in winter
- Hiking boots
- Hiking Socks
- Hiking Sandals
Jackets
- Insulating Jacket
- Windstopper Jacket
- Waterproof Shell Jacket
Head
- Sun hat
- Polarized UV Sunglasses
- Warm headgear or a hat
- Bandana or scarf
Toiletries and Personal Hygiene
- Sunscreen
- Tissue/Toilet paper
- Mini Personal bathroom set (shampoo, body wash, cream, conditioner, etc)
- Moisturizer
- Antibacterial Sanitizer
- Wet Wipes
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Quick drying towel
- Feminine Hygiene products
Accessories
- Daypack
- Trekking Poles
- Sleeping bag
- Headlamps
- Personal Water bottle
- First Aid Kit
- Extra plastic bags (to store your garbage on your way and to keep your things dry)
Other Items
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Pillowcase
- Trail Map
- Sleeping Bags
Last Say,
Each trekking season is beautiful in its own way. Trekking in Nepal in February is definitely challenging due to the cold weather yet, the most adventurous.
If you love winter and are comfortable with the cold, February is rather a peaceful and calming time.
Moreover, trekking during this time offers you more adventure. And upon completing you will feel a deep sense of satisfaction.
Also with proper equipment and gear, nothing can stop you from embarking this amazing journey into the mountains in February.
With this, we hope you got some knowledge of trekking in Nepal in February. And for further question and queries, please feel free to contact us.
