Nepal in February

Nepal in February:

Nepal is trekking paradise in the world because of high mountains and valleys that offers the best of view in south Asia. Nepal can be visited anytime in the year but for trekking in february is not a good time to trek.

By mid-to-late February in much of Nepal, winter starts giving way to the warmth of spring, yet international travelers are still not arriving in large numbers. Beyond low-altitude trekking, this is also a great month for jungle safaris, and conditions are excellent for mountain biking. 

Nepal Climate and Weather Information: Trekking in Nepal in February becomes quite challenging when you consider the weather. Despite this trekking is always fun, no matter which weather you go in.

Although, it’ll be good to know the local weather conditions before getting to that particular trekking area. You’ve to be absolutely prepared when you go in adventure trekking trip, especially if you’re traveling during the frosting winter.

Nepal experience four distinct seasons; spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Nepal usually experiences a short winter. So, if you visit Nepal in late February, you’ll likely experience mild to warm temperatures.

February is one of the dry months in Nepal, so there are little rain and snow. During February, the temperatures of Kathmandu valley might range from 4°C-19°C which is tolerable.

Likewise, the temperatures of Pokhara valley might range from 9°C-12°C. Also, the temperatures of Jomsom valley might range from 1°C-13°C.

The temperatures above 4000 m go below -5°C and people from the higher elevation migrate to the warmer lower elevations.

Despite this, you’ll witness the best skies making a very good trekking time for the Nepalese Himalayas.

Nepal weather in February

Average weather around the major tourist area of Nepal

Best Things to do in Nepal In February: The popular adventure activities that you can opt for, during this season are Trekking, Hiking, Camping, Skydiving, water touch Bungee jumping, Paragliding, Mountain biking and cycling through the trails. Of course high altitude trekking cannot be done because of extreme weather but you can always explore low altitude trekking and adventure activities as mentioned above.

Short Hike in Nepal in February: Although Jomsom valley gets a bit chilly in February, it never gets very cold. So, Jomsom Muktinath Trekking is ideal in February and it is a short trek. The major highlight of this trek is Muktinath Temple.

Water Touch Bungee Jumping: It is a second highest Bungee Jump in Nepal after Bhote Koshi. Hemja Bungee, probably the first and only tower Bungee and it is a 70 meters vertical drop which offer 3 second free fall. 

Paragliding: Paragliding in Nepal gives an opportunity for aerial view of the Himalayas. A trip will take you over some of the best scenery on earth, as you share airspace with Himalayan griffin vultures, eagles, kites and float over villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungle, with a fantastic view of the majestic Himalaya. 

Three-day introduction course is offered to beginners while tandem flights where one can fly with instructor are offered. Nepal forms a rectangle on the southern slopes of the Himalaya and is without exception, the most stunning country imaginable.

The main area for paragliding is the Pokhara valley, commanding views of 3 of the worlds 8000m peaks with friendly and constant conditions for your paragliding holiday. Located in the broad valley at an altitude of 800m, the reliable climate of this region allows consistent and friendly conditions for paragliding pilots. It is not surprising that in a few short years Pokhara has earned a reputation of being one of the best paragliding destinations in the world. Though the season for paragliding in Nepal is best from September to October but February month can also be the time you can experience paragliding.

Mountain Biking: Mountain biking in the snow is different than riding dry dirt in the summertime. It’s slower, squishier, slugger. You may cover half the mileage you would in non-snowy/icy conditions. There might be some pushing and walking where you’d normally ride. Nowadays, however, mountain biking is a serious alternative. Decent mountain bikes are available to rent in Kathmandu and Pokhara, where you’ll also find good route information and well-organized tours. Even if you’re not planning an extreme off-road Himalayan MTB adventure, renting a bike is worth considering as bikes provide a more intimate experience than a speeding jeep or bus and they get you to places at a more exciting pace than trekking. 

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Top Trekking to explore in Nepal in February: Nepal is trekking paradise for those who love adventure. It’s a dream for many to climb the Everest but February is not good to go but you can always camp around the base camp or witness the mighty Everest Mountains. Some of the popular trekking you can do in February are:

Chepang Hill Trekking: Chepang Hill Trek  is one of the most unique and recent trekking routes around the mid-hills of Nepal leading to the esteemed Chitwan National Park. Chepang hill trek was opened since 2005 introducing the Chepang ethnic group and promoting tourism in this area. It is one of the easiest short day treks introducing us to the local culture of Chepang which is one of the indigenous groups of Nepal along with the beautiful views of green mid hills and rivers on our way. It also serves the trekkers with the panoramic views of Himalayan peaks such as Gauri Shankar, Langtang (7227m), Manaslu (8163m), Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri (8167m) and many others.

Royal trekking: The Royal Trek is one of the shortest treks that follow a shrub like path along the foothills of Annapurna, north of the Pokhara valley. The Royal Trek is so-named because Prince Charles and his 90-person entourage had explored this route in the early eighties. This trek provides the opportunities for meaningful cultural experiences with the diverse mix of people and cultures that inhabit this region.

During the trek, we are able to enjoy stunning views of the eloquently built hillside rice terraces, the magnificent Annapurna range, Machapuchhre [fishtail] and the Langtang Mountain views. The trip finally ends at the scenic Begnas Lake which is about 30 km west of Pokhara City.

The Royal trekking trip is basically recommended for beginners who are restricted by time to trek longer. Compared to other trekking areas in Annapurna region, Royal trekking route is less crowded, so you can get more close to nature, culture and lifestyle. 

Chisopani Nagarkot trekking: Among the various trekking routes in Nepal, 3 Days Chisapani Trek is the most demanding short and an adventurous easy trek. This is one of the most beautiful and classic treks which begins 1 hrs drive to east from the Kathmandu valley called Sundarijal and ends up to Changu Narayan. The trek is the best suit for those who have limited time, less budget, beginner and still prefer to experience the adventure in Nepal and it’s unspoiled beauties. It is the perfect way of exploring blended cultural and natural attraction. The dense jungle walk, terrace, farming, local lifestyle, world heritage sites and massive chain of the Himalayas surrounding are the major attribution of the trek. The trek is equally popular for internal and external tourists. This best done if you visit Nepal in February.

Panchase trekking: The Panchase trek is an off the beaten path 3-day hike through the rural areas and lush green forest in the Annapurna region. It is a moderately difficult trek with the highest point at 2500m  which means no prior acclimatization is needed. The Panchase trek offers beautiful scenery and an authentic experience of staying with locals. This hike is a great option to do as acclimatization hike before doing more challenging treks in the region like the Annapurna Circuit trek or Annapurna Base Camp

10 Best Places to Visit in Nepal in February:

Kalinchowk of Dolakha: Kalinchowk is known as the snowy paradise of Nepal and is located 3842m above sea level in Dolakha district. Kalinchowk is a rural municipality, home to amazing scenery, cozy resorts on snowy hills, and the famous Kalinchowk Bhagwati Shrine.

Pokhara: Pokhara’s spellbinding beauty has been the subject of many travel writers. Its pristine air, the spectacular backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna Range and the serene Phewa, Begnas and Rupa Lakes, makes this destination ‘the Jewel of the Himalaya’

Nagarkot: It is known for a sunrise view of the Himalayas including Mount Everest as well as other peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. The scenic beauty of the place makes it a very popular hiking route for tourists.

Bandipur: Bandipur National Park is a national park covering 868.63 km2 (335.38 sq mi) in Chamarajnagar district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Best period to visit this place in monsoon season is between July and September. Summers in this part of the country usually remain normal and less warm hence the temperature fluctuations vary in range from 32°C-38°C. February is favorable to visit Bandipur. Bandipur National Park harbours Indian elephant, gaur, Bengal tiger, sloth bear, mugger crocodile, Indian rock python, four-horned antelope, golden jackal and dhole.

Poon Hills: This is a relatively short trek of a 45 kilometre circuit in a clockwise direction climaxing at an altitude of 3250m at Poon Hill. The trek offers spectacular views of deep valleys and magnificent mountains and the perfect taster of what it’s like to trek in Nepal. Find more

Kakani: Kakani is a beautiful and one of the most popular place nearby Kathmandu for the best mountain view. Kakani is located over 2000m above the sea level. This hill station hosts a British Gorkhas welfare and number of standard hotels and Luxury Tent Camps. The village is also home to a memorial park to the victims of Thai Airways International flight 311, some of Buddhist temples and the best mountain view including Kathmandu Valley.

Kakani has been best known for internal and external tourist destination which is only one and half an hour drive away from Capital city. At morning and evening it is the best location for sunrise and sunset view. With marvelous view of mountains and valley Kakani holds varieties of diverse vegetation and wildlife. As the place is covered with dense forest it has flora and fauna. The fauna incorporates tress like Pine, Apple, Kafal and chilaune.

Chitwan: The Chitwan National Park (CNP) is a world heritage property, and it also contains a Ramsar Site – Beeshazari Tal in its buffer zone. The CNP has a history of over 3 decades in park management and a rich experience in resolving conflicts between the park and the people. 

It is a rich natural area in the Terai, the subtropical southern part of Nepal. A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile.

Mustang: Upper Mustang (formerly Kingdom of Lo) is an upper part (Northern area) of Mustang District, which is located in Nepal. The Upper Mustang was a restricted kingdom and demilitarized area until 1992 which makes it one of the most preserved regions in the world, with a majority of the population still speaking traditional Tibetan Language. Tibetan language has been preserved by the relative isolation of the region from the outside world. Life in Mustang revolves around tourism,animal husbandry and trade.

The Upper Mustang comprise the northern two-thirds of Mustang District of Gandaki Province, Nepal. It consists of three rural municipalities namely Lo Manthang, Dalome, and Baragung Muktichhetra.

The southern third (lower Mustang) of the district is called Thak and is the homeland of the Thakali, who speak the Thakali language, and whose culture combines Tibetan and Nepalese elements.

Mardi Himal: Mardi Himal is a 5,587-metre (18,330 ft peak beneath the much more prominent Machaphuchare in the Annapurna region of Nepal, from which it is separated by a 5,200 metres (17,060 ft) col. It was first summited in 1961 by Basil Goodfellow. 

In 2012, the Mardi Himal Trek was opened, following a ridge towards the summit, with lodges and teahouses open to an elevation of 3,550m, with a further climb to “Base Camp” at 4,500m. The peak itself is classified by the Nepalese government as a “trekking peak” and is offered by many expedition companies.

Illam: Ilam is the most famous District of Nepal for the production of tea. It is widely famous for 6 major cash crops all – initiating from the same vowel sound in Nepali, so it is also known as the district of ‘6’ as Potato, Cardamom, Ginger, Red Round Chilly, Milk and broom grass. An excellent getaway from city life, Ilam is famous for its tea. It is a district largely covered in tea bushes with a hill town right beside a plantation enjoying views of pristine landscapes made up of sloping tea gardens, mountain streams, dense natural forests, holy sites and unique culture.

Advantages of Nepal tour during February

Clear blue sky

Warm and sunny days comfortable for short treks and day hiking

Snow peaks appear more picturesque with fresh snow from winter.

The trekking trails and sightseeing places will be less crowded and quieter.

Accommodations and services become easily available.

Disadvantages of Nepal tour during February

Cold temperature

Cannot do high altitude trek.

How to get to Nepal in February?

FAQ

Is February a good time to Visit Nepal?

February is still considered the off-season in Nepal, and some hotels still offer a discount rate. Crowds have not yet returned to the trekking trails or the tourist hubs of Thamel in Kathmandu or Lakeside in Pokhara, making it an ideal month for cultural sightseeing.

How cold is Nepal in February?

February Weather in Kathmandu Nepal. Daily high temperatures increase by 5°F, from 66°F to 72°F, rarely falling below 61°F or exceeding 78°F. Daily low temperatures increase by 5°F, from 39°F to 44°F, rarely falling below 35°F or exceeding 49°F.

Is February a good time to Visit Kathmandu?

The best time to visit Kathmandu is from Late September to December because of the views of pristine glaciers and local festivals. During these months, the place remains dry and suitable for exploration and trekking. The temperature in October in Nepal ranges from 26 degrees Celsius to 14 degrees Celsius. February is not so suitable if you plan to trek but to explore the Kathmandu City it’s the best time to visitduring this month.