Is January a good time to visit Nepal?

It is a good month for most of the country. Kathmandu Valley heritage, Pokhara, Chitwan and Bardiya safaris, short low treks like Poon Hill and Ghandruk, and snow in Kalinchowk.

What is the weather like in Nepal in January?

The coldest month: clear, sunny days and frosty nights in the hills; morning fog in the Terai. Kathmandu averages 19°C by day and 2°C at night, Pokhara 20/7°C and Chitwan 23/8°C.

What festivals are in Nepal in January?

Maghe Sankranti (mid-January); Sonam Losar, Tamang new year (January–February); Basanta Panchami (January–February).

Where should I go in Nepal in January?

Halesi–Maratika Caves, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Janaki Mandir, Janakpur, Chitwan National Park, Phewa Lake and Tal Barahi, Pokhara.

Nepal in January: Weather, Festivals & Where to Go

What Nepal is like in January (Poush–Magh): the weather in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, festivals, crowds and the places at their best.

Weather: The coldest month: clear, sunny days and frosty nights in the hills; morning fog in the Terai.
Good for: Kathmandu Valley heritage, Pokhara, Chitwan and Bardiya safaris, short low treks like Poon Hill and Ghandruk, and snow in Kalinchowk.
Watch out for: High passes (Thorong La, Larkya La) are often closed by snow; Terai fog can delay flights and buses.
Crowds: Winter · Quiet
Festivals: Maghe Sankranti (mid-January)
Sonam Losar, Tamang new year (January–February)
Basanta Panchami (January–February)

Average climate

	High	Low	Rain
Kathmandu	19°C	2°C	15 mm
Pokhara	20°C	7°C	25 mm
Chitwan	23°C	8°C	15 mm

Best places to visit in January

Cave

Halesi–Maratika Caves

Khotang, Koshi Province

Limestone caves sacred to Hindus as Halesi Mahadev, to Buddhists as Maratika, and to the Kirat people.

Park & wildlife

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Sunsari, Koshi Province

Grassland and river islands on the Sapta Koshi, home of Nepal's last wild water buffalo and a paradise for birds.

Temple & shrine

Janaki Mandir, Janakpur

Dhanusha, Madhesh Province

A white marble palace-temple of 1910 dedicated to Sita, built where her image is said to have been found.

Park & wildlife

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan, Bagmati Province

Nepal's first national park and a World Heritage Site: one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, gharials and elephants in sal forest and grassland.

Lake & pond

Phewa Lake and Tal Barahi

Kaski, Gandaki Province

Pokhara's lake, with Machhapuchhre reflected in still water and a pagoda temple on an island.

City & bazaar

Pokhara

Kaski, Gandaki Province

Nepal's adventure capital and tourism capital, where the Annapurnas rise just 30 km from the lakeshore.

Heritage & palace

Bandipur

Tanahun, Gandaki Province

A car-free Newar hill bazaar of the 19th century, perfectly preserved on a ridge with a Himalayan skyline.

Heritage & palace

Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha

Rupandehi, Lumbini Province

The sacred garden where Siddhartha Gautama was born, marked by the Maya Devi temple and Emperor Ashoka's pillar of 249 BCE.

Heritage & palace

Tilaurakot (Kapilavastu)

Kapilvastu, Lumbini Province

Ruins of the Shakya capital where Prince Siddhartha lived for 29 years before leaving through its eastern gate.

City & bazaar

Tansen

Palpa, Lumbini Province

A hill-town of cobbled streets, Newar houses and dhaka weavers, capital of the old Palpa kingdom.

Park & wildlife

Bardiya National Park

Bardiya, Lumbini Province

The largest national park in the Terai and the best place in Nepal to see a wild tiger, on the banks of the Karnali.

Park & wildlife

Shuklaphanta National Park

Kanchanpur, Sudurpashchim Province

Vast open grasslands in the far south-west, home to the world's largest herd of swamp deer, tigers and wild elephants.

Also good in January

Pathibhara Devi Chainpur Bazaar Khumjung and Khunde Salleri, Phaplu and Chiwong Phidim Antu Danda Mai Pokhari Basantapur and Tehrathum Dhaka Dhankuta Bhojpur Salpa Pokhari Okhaldhunga and Rumjatar Chaudandigadhi Rauta Pokhari Arjundhara Dham Kankai Mai Biratnagar Betana Wetland Dharan Bhedetar Baraha Kshetra Ganga Sagar and the ponds of Janakpur Dhanushadham Mithila Art Centre, Janakpur Janakpur–Jaynagar Railway Jaleshwar Mahadev Rajbiraj Chhinnamasta Bhagawati Koshi Barrage Malangwa and the Sarlahi plains Gaur Gadhimai Temple Simraungadh Parsa National Park Birgunj Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Chobhar Gorge and Jal Binayak Chandragiri Hills Tokha Sankhu and Vajrayogini Bungamati and Khokana Nagarkot Madhyapur Thimi Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti Balthali Nuwakot Durbar Kakani Gosaikunda Rasuwagadhi Fort Helambu Trek Panch Pokhari Bhote Koshi Kalinchowk Bhagawati Dolakha Bhimsen Jiri Manthali and the Sunkoshi valley Sindhuligadhi Daman Chitlang Kulekhani (Indrasarowar)Makwanpur Gadhi Sauraha and Tharu culture Bis Hajar Tal Upardang Gadhi Siraichuli Sarangkot Begnas and Rupa lakes Machhapuchhre (Fishtail)Ghandruk Dhampus and Australian Camp Panchase Sikles Gorkha Durbar Barpak and Laprak Ghalegaun and Bhujung Besisahar and Lamjung Durbar Siddha Gufa Byas Gufa, Damauli Devghat Chhangchhangdi Kushma bridges and bungee Baglung Kalika Tatopani hot springs Amaltari Tharu homestay Lumbini Monastic Zone Devdaha Niglihawa, Gotihawa and Kudan Ramagrama Stupa Triveni Dham and Valmiki Ashram Rani Mahal Ruru Kshetra (Ridi)Resunga Supa Deurali Swargadwari Dang valley and Ambikeshwari Nepalgunj and Bageshwari Banke National Park Dullu and the eternal flames Jajarkot Durbar Syarpu Lake Kupinde Lake Birendranagar and Bulbule Lake Kakrebihar Deuti Bajai Bhimdatta and the Mahakali Ghodaghodi Lake Karnali Bridge, Chisapani Tikapur Park Dhangadhi Shaileshwari and Silgadhi Mangalsen Durbar Ajaymerukot Amargadhi and Ugratara Tripurasundari and Melauli Badimalika Surma Sarovar Timbung Pokhari Satasi Dham Sirubari Jhilmila Lake

Quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Nepal?: It is a good month for most of the country. Kathmandu Valley heritage, Pokhara, Chitwan and Bardiya safaris, short low treks like Poon Hill and Ghandruk, and snow in Kalinchowk.
What is the weather like in Nepal in January?: The coldest month: clear, sunny days and frosty nights in the hills; morning fog in the Terai. Kathmandu averages 19°C by day and 2°C at night, Pokhara 20/7°C and Chitwan 23/8°C.
What festivals are in Nepal in January?: Maghe Sankranti (mid-January); Sonam Losar, Tamang new year (January–February); Basanta Panchami (January–February).
Where should I go in Nepal in January?: Halesi–Maratika Caves, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Janaki Mandir, Janakpur, Chitwan National Park, Phewa Lake and Tal Barahi, Pokhara.

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Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and move by a few weeks each year. Temperatures are long-term averages.