Good month · Nepal
Nepal in January
January is cold, dry and clear. The Kathmandu valley is at its sharpest for sightseeing, with frosty mornings and warm afternoons, though winter smog can blur the mountain view by midday. Pokhara is mild at 7–20 °C. High treks are possible but cold; many lodges above 4,000 m close and Upper Mustang largely empties as residents winter in the south. Low prices and few crowds make this a good month for the valley cities and Nagarkot sunrises.
Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsWhere to go
Our picks for January
Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Kathmandu
Stupas, a living goddess and the start of every trek
Photo: Saroj Pandey · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Bhaktapur
Potters, pagodas and the king of curds
Photo: Utsab Raj Giri · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Pokhara
A lake town under the Fishtail and the Annapurnas
Trips
Trips at their best in January
Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Comfort
Kathmandu, Bandipur and Pokhara by private car
Private car with driver
Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Saver
Kathmandu valley heritage on a saver budget
Local buses, microbuses and shared taxis
Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Signature
Dwarika's, Bandipur and Tiger Mountain
Private car with driver; domestic flight Pokhara–Kathmandu
Elsewhere in January
Other hives this month
Questions
Nepal in January, answered
Is January a good time to visit Nepal?
January is cold, dry and clear. The Kathmandu valley is at its sharpest for sightseeing, with frosty mornings and warm afternoons, though winter smog can blur the mountain view by midday. Pokhara is mild at 7–20 °C. High treks are possible but cold; many lodges above 4,000 m close and Upper Mustang largely empties as residents winter in the south. Low prices and few crowds make this a good month for the valley cities and Nagarkot sunrises.
What is the weather like in Nepal in January?
Kathmandu 2 to 19 °C, clear; Namche −10 to 5 °C. Conditions differ by altitude and coast, so check the forecast for each stop a week before you travel.
Where should we go in Nepal in January?
We suggest Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Pokhara. Pack a down jacket for Kathmandu evenings; many guesthouses have no central heating.