5 Best Treks for February

12th January 2020

Nepal is popular as a paradise for trekkers and adventure lovers across the world. With the astonishing amount of treks and tours to choose from, it can be overwhelming. You may be wondering, ‘which trek is the right one for me?’ Or have concerns like ‘Is trekking in the Himalayas possible during winter?’Worry not, as we are here to resolve these queries for you with our recommended 5 Best Treks for February. Trekking in Nepal in February is an excellent choice for a variety of reasons. February in Nepal is the transition period from winter to spring, meaning you get to enjoy some of the best parts of both seasons at the same time. The days are usually clear and sunny, giving you some spectacular views of the snowcapped peaks. The snow on the trails are in the process of melting, giving rise to new life in plants and wildlife all around you. Another prime reason to trek in Nepal in February is its prime setting, right before the peak season starts. This means you get to trek on quiet and peaceful trails while enjoying the superb mountain vistas and natural beauty that pulls the peak season crowds to Nepal. But wait, there’s more. February being the off season means that not only the trails, but also the hotels and lodges are relatively empty, so you can get better deals and discounts. The lingering cold of winter is one concern that most people have about Trekking in Nepal in February. However, take our word for it! As long as you properly plan your trek and make use of appropriate clothing and equipment, the cold will be non-existent. Remember, warm clothing and spare days on the trek are your best friends during this time. Below is our list of the 5 Best Treks in Nepal for February.

Best Treks in Nepal for February

Chisapani Nagarkot Trek

Starting off our list with a fairly easy trek, the Chisapani Nagarkot trek is the perfect trek to witness stunning Himalayan vistas and charming countryside scenery near the capital. It is one of the best treks for February as the cold of the winter will have minimal effect on your trekking but it will certainly boost the quality of mountain views you get to enjoy thanks to the extra snowfall. The Chisapani Nagarkot trek begins right in the capital, starting with a short drive to the north side of the valley at Sundarijal. The trail passes through the Shivapuri National Park, and leads all the way to Chisapani. You should have no issues as the trail is quite well marked. Even though Chisapani isn’t the main viewpoint of the trek, the mountain views are still quite amazing. The second day of trekking is a bit longer, and can take anywhere between 6 to 7 hours to reach Nagarkot from Chisapani. The sunset view from Nagarkot is one of the best around Kathmandu, but the real treat comes the next morning. Make sure to wake up early to witness the mesmerizing sunrise panorama from Nagarkot. The 180 degree view stretching from Mahalangur range (Everest) in the east to Langtang range and Manaslu range and as far as Annapurna range in west Nepal is truly breathtaking. The standard route to follow after this is to hike to Changunarayan and catch a bus to Kathmandu from there, although direct buses to Kathmandu are also available from Nagarkot. The ChisapaniNagarkot trek involves hiking past well-trodden hilly trails for no more than 5-6 hours a day. It can be performed without any prior trekking/hiking experience and there is no risk of altitude sickness either.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is one of the most popular short treks in Nepal. It is an ideal trek to perform in February thanks to its accessible and easy yet highly rewarding nature. The trek can be performed in as less as 3 days or can be extended to a week-long by including Ghandruk and other interesting locations. The appeal for the Ghorepani Poon hill Trek is quite straightforward; it is one of the best viewpoints in all of Nepal. The clear weather and sparkling mountains of February further amplify this experience. The Ghorepani Poon hill Trek can be started from Pokhara or Kathmandu, but either way, the trailhead is at Nayapul. A short trek leads us to our first overnight location at Tikhedhunga. On the second day, we will reach Ghorepani around the afternoon. Although it is possible to make the short hike up to Poon Hill, it is recommended to save the experience for the following morning. Finally, we will hike up the ridge to the view point before sunrise. On a clear day, the view point offers unrivaled sights of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli and more! Take all the time you need to fully enjoy the magnificent scenery before heading back down to your lodge. The return journey via pleasant rhododendron forests takes you through the Gurung village of Ghandruk where you have an interesting cultural exchange opportunity. You can also head to Tadapani and catch a direct ride to Nayapul if you wish. The Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a beginner friendly trek that can be a perfect introduction to trekking for people of all age groups. There is no need to worry about altitude sickness and the winter cold won’t really be an issue either. Therefore, Ghorepani Poon Hill is one of the best treks for February.

Langtang Valley Trek

The Langtang Valley Trek is another fantastic option that we recommend if you are trekking in Nepal in February. The trek typically lasts a little over a week which is plenty of time to admire the stunning mountain views and experience the fascinating culture and lifestyle of the locals. Furthermore, it is located fairly close to Kathmandu making it an easily accessible trek as well. The Langtang Valley is truly blessed in terms of natural beauty and diversity of wildlife. Trekking here can actually be hard if you do so during the monsoon or peak winter season. However, February is an ideal time as the season is transitioning from winter to spring. You can reap the benefits of both seasons by enjoying the stunning mountain vistas as well as witnessing the wildflowers and plants that bloom with the onset of spring. To reach the Langtang Valley, we first have to drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. You will pass through Lama Hotel before finally reaching Langtang Village. Typically, trekkers return after a day of exploration around Kyanjin Gompa. The return journey won’t be bland or anything though as you can follow the higher route and enjoy more of the beautiful Langtang Valley. After a week of trekking past the quaint villages, terraced fields, tranquil forests and enjoying the stunning mountain vistas, the journey finally ends as you head out of the Langtang National Park and return back to the capital. The Langtang Valley Trek is a moderate difficulty trek. Combining this ‘valley of glaciers’ trek with the Gosainkunda Trek, Helambu Trek or both is a popular option among trekkers.

Mardi Himal Trek

Mardi Himal Trek is an excellent trek to choose if you are trekking in Nepal in February. It is a newly opened trail that is gaining popularity thanks to its easy yet exciting nature. You can get to the Upper Viewpoint at 4,200m elevation with just a few days of trekking or reach even higher at the Mardi Base Camp (4,450m)if you wish. As the name suggests, the Upper Viewpoint offers superb views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhare and more while trekking all the way to the Mardi Base Camp introduces that extra bit of adventure to the trek. The Mardi Himal Trek begins with the drive to Kande, followed by a short trek to the ridge known as Australian Camp. The next few days, the trail passes through remote areas with major stops being Forest Camp, Low Camp, High Camp and possibly Mardi Base Camp. Typically, the return journey is more or less the same as it involves descending to Sidhing and heading back to Pokhara. Although the maximum elevation reached is fairly high at over 4,000m, the trek is still suitable for newbies as well as experienced trekkers alike. Altitude sickness is possible, but not something but we need to worry about as we will be descending after only a day or two at high altitude. If anything, the snow covered trails and snowfall during February will only serve to make the Mardi Himal Trek even more exciting.

Everest Base Camp Trek

For the best treks in February, we generally recommend easy – moderate difficulty treks. But that’s not the preferred choice for everyone. If there is no challenge involved, then there is just no appeal for some people. If you are such an adventure seeker, fret not as we have a suitable trek for you as well. The Everest Base Camp Trek is without a doubt the most popular trek in Nepal. Thousands upon thousands of trekkers come to Nepal, just to fulfill their dream of trekking to the foothills of the world’s highest peak at least once. While this kind of popularity is generally a good thing, it has its downsides as well. The trails can get quite crowded, which can be a big turn-off for people who value their peace and quiet. While trekking in February, you can enjoy the snowy trails and sparkling peaks while remaining relatively unaffected by the peak season crowds as well. The Everest Base Camp Trek can last anywhere between 12-16 days depending on the route taken, rest days included and so on. The trek typically begins with a flight to Lukla, followed by a couple days of trekking to Namche Bazaar. Thereon, you will trek through the Sagarmatha National Park and pass various Sherpa villages to finally reach the Everest Base Camp. The hike to Kala Pattar is also a part of any standard EBC Trek itinerary, meaning you get to enjoy some of the best views available in the Everest region on this trek. All in all, the Everest Base Camp Trek is certainly one of the best treks in Nepal for February.