Trekking in Nepal in December - Is it good to visit Nepal in December? 2022-23-24
December is one of the coldest months of the winter season. Is it good to visit Nepal in December? In December, there is even an off trekking season in Nepal and most of the trekking companies close the booking in this month. Read carefully if you want to feel free and trek in the month you dream.
Autumn and spring are believed to be the best trekking season, so the number of trekkers during the time reaches maximum resulting in the busy and suffocated trails. These days, the trend of trekking in the off-season is mounting comparatively than in the past; therefore trekking in Nepal in December may also be melodious, exciting, blissful and memorable.
Namche Bazzar, the gateway to Everest Base Camp
December marks the end of the autumn and beginning of the winter season. The first half of December is still autumn season in Nepal and it is also considered a suitable month to trek. In December, the weather is pleasant; days are warm and sunny; whereas nights and morning are chill and cold. In the higher region, the temperature drops drastically in the morning and at night; so the experts suggest not to trek above 4000m in mid-December.
Everest Base Camp Trekking in December
Trekking in Nepal in December offers the elegant vibes of trekking as the trekkers can witness the sparkling mountains, aesthetic scenery, cerulean sky, and heavenly horizon. If you trek in this month then you may get a chance to celebrate the merry festivals like Christmas and Lhosar. Celebration in Nepal is always grand and delicate; guests are treated like gods and served delicious cuisine. All in all, trekking in December is as appealing and enticing as in peak trekking seasons in Nepal.
Highest village of Everest Region, Gorakshep
What are the pros and cons of Trekking in Nepal in December?
Everything has a bright and dark aspect of itself. Likewise, trekking in December can be fruitful and blessing for some trekkers; while for some, it may become a curse too.
Pros of trekking in Nepal in December:
Quiet and hassle-free trails: In the winter, the number of trekkers is comparatively less than in peak season trekking. One of the blessings of trekking in December is peaceful trails. This month is also suitable for professional mountain photography to explore the trail leisurely.
Sparkling snow-clad mountains: In December, there will be heavy snowfall in higher altitude at night time; whereas the days are warm, bright and clear. It is the estimated time to witness the gigantic massif covered with gleaming snow.
Trekkers nearing Everest Base Camp
Exclusive accommodation: As trekkers are very few in numbers in the trekking trails, it becomes easy to book the lodges and dorms in December. In the off-season, the trekkers easily get amiable hospitality and elite accommodation. The lodges and hotels serve the delicious cuisine and warm rooms for the trekkers in the winter season.
Less precipitation: Climate of the Himalayas is always unpredictable and fluctuating. During the daytime, the temperate is warm; yet the night gets colder. But trekking in December is a pleasure as there are fewer chances of rainfall in the lower and higher region which makes the trek easy and convenient.
Comfortable booking: Winter is the passive month for most of the trekkers and trekking trails. In this season, the travel companies and ticketing companies lower the ticket and package price due to offseason. It becomes easy to book the tickets inconvenient way.
Hillary Bridge; Highest in Everest Region
Cons of Trekking in Nepal in December:
Closed trekking route: Winter is the off-season trekking in Nepal. The extreme cold climate and heavy snowfall in the higher region may increase the risk in trekking; so most of the trekking routes are closed during this season.
Limited tea-houses, lodges, and hotels: As there will be frequent snowfall in the higher region, most of the villagers close their hotels and drop down to the lower region. In December, there will be limited tea houses in trekking trails to serve them with warm accommodation. If you don’t book the hotels earlier then you may not be able to find the hotel in trails and you need to rush to the next destination or spend the night inside cold tents.
Flight delay or cancellation: The climate never remains static in the Himalayas. Especially in the winter season, the cold climate, chill breeze and poor visibility may result in flight delay and cancellation. Most of the trekkers face trouble due to fluctuation in climate.
No clear view: There will be poor visibility in the morning and sometimes even in the daytime due to continuous snowfall. Trekking in higher altitude in winter is a gamble; most of the time there will be no clear sky. It is not a surprise if trekkers don’t get a pristine view of coruscating mountains and pristine surroundings.
Everest Trekking
Some Trekking tips to accomplish the trek:
Weather update: Trekking in off-season is always challenging due to unpredictable climate. In winter, heavy snowfall and cold climate can cause difficulty in walking and may affect the flight schedules. Day to day weather report helps for easy, cozy and safe trekking.
Warm clothes and extra duvet: Trekking in winter is not as easy and safe as trekking in autumn or spring. While trekking in December, trekkers must add extra warm clothes, jackets, and duvet to keep oneself warm; otherwise, the unbearable cold climate in the morning and night can affect health.
Get well hydrated: Trekking for 7-8 hours per day at the same continuous pace makes the trekkers fragile due to the loss of water from the body. Most of the trekkers forget to drink water and they suffer from dehydration along with altitude sickness. Trekkers must drink plenty of water or ORS water to keep themselves active and rehydrated.
Nepal Trekking
Counseling and AMS training: Counseling refers to boosting and encouraging by acquiring detail information about the trek. AMS is a common problem in higher region trekking; so trekkers must know about its symptoms, effects, and precautions. The trekkers must spend some good time with the expertise or the experienced guides and gain some knowledge about AMS before the trek begins.
Teamwork: Trekking in the Himalayas in winter is always a challenge. In December, there may be a high risk of AMS due to low oxygen intake and severe cold; the trails also remain wet due to continuous snowfall. Supportive teamwork and help mark the success of the trek.
Genuine gears: Trekking gears make the trek easy and cozy. The gears are needed to protect as well as to aid the trekkers while trekking in the bumpy, icy, or boulder trails. Always pack the gear bags as suggested by the experts.
Authentic company and guides: Contact the authorized trekking company and hire the experienced guides to savor the trek successfully. There are many fraud companies and quack guides who can ruin your trek and make you pay a high price.
Add buffer days in your schedule: Climate in the Himalayan region is always unpredictable. It is always advised to add 1-2 more extra days in your holiday so that there will be no worries when some unforeseen circumstances obstruct the trek.
Small-Group Trekking in Nepal
Final say:
Trekking in Nepal in December is always exciting and challenging. In the first half of the month, the climate remains moderate and clear. There will be a perfect view of serene nature and dazzling mountains. In the second half, the weather drops down haphazardly in the morning and at night which makes the trekking challenge.
While trekking in Nepal in December, trekkers shouldn’t trek in the higher region; rather they need to prefer low region trek below 4000m like Poon-Hill Trek, Everest Panorama Trek, and Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. If any trekker wants to experience the higher region trek then for them Everest Helicopter trek will be the perfect package to experience the stupendous mountain flight over the Himalayas.
Trekking in Nepal is favorable in any season with certain precautions, advice, gears and expert guides.
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