The Best Off- Season Treks in Nepal

Nepal is popular in the world as ‘The Trekker’s Paradise for a reason. The topography of the country not only paves the way to the base camp of some of the highest mountains of the world (including Mt. Everest) but also offers a number of trekking trails that present once in a lifetime opportunity to discover the gems hidden within the area of 1,47,181km².

To get the most out of these trails, most trekkers around the world prefer to visit Nepal during the peak trekking seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to mid-December). These seasons are very supportive in terms of the trail, weather, and visibility.

Therefore, most trekkers plan their trekking vacation in Nepal during these seasons of the year. Due to this, the most famous trekking trails in the Everest, Annapurna, and the Langtang regions are flooded with trekkers from around the world, every year.

This number, however, sharply decreases, during other seasons of the year. This happens because very few trekking enthusiasts know that trekking in Nepal is possible throughout the year. There are a number of great trekking trails that are not affected by the weather and can be planned any time of the year.  Let us guide you to some of the all-time-possible and all-time-beautiful treks in Nepal.

In the Annapurna region of Nepal…

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek: This is one of the best trekking destinations in Nepal. The destinations Ghorepani and Poon Hill are situated in the Annapurna region of Nepal, which is very near to the beautiful lake city Pokhara. Ghorepani is 2 days hike from Nayapul and Poon Hill is 45 min uphill from Ghorepani. Therefore, the trek can be completed in 5 days, if you choose to start from Pokhara, and 7 days if you choose to start from Kathmandu.

Passing through the terraced field and beautiful forest, the final destination, that is, Poon Hill provides the best views of the sunrise/sunset over the Himalayas and the magnificent Annapurna range. The maximum height attained during this trek is 3,210m; therefore, the chances of getting altitude sickness are almost nill.

After enjoying the magnificent Himalayas and the Magar settlement, this trekking in Nepal also allows trekkers to enjoy one of the largest Gurung settlements of this region, Ghandruk. It’s a very beautiful village, where trekkers can enjoy pristine Gurung hospitality, culture, tradition, lifestyle, and settlement. This trekking is perfect for both nature and culture explorers.

This trekking in Nepal is open throughout the year. The trail is friendly all around the year and hardly disturbed by the weather or any other disaster. Rest stops and water taps and traditional small villages are found all along the way. Ghorepani is one of the largest Magar villages in the area, where most people provide lodging and food service.

Therefore, lodges, guest houses, and teahouses are available throughout the year. After enjoying the services of the lodges, guesthouses, and teahouses, Ghandruk is a perfect place to enjoy the hospitality of the local people by choosing to stay on Homestays. This trekking is also perfect for family vacations and groups with children and the elderly.

Annapurna Panorama Trek:

This is another perfect off-season trek in Nepal. As suggested by the name itself, the panorama of Annapurna is the highlight of this trek and Poon Hill is the best viewpoint to enjoy this panorama.  Therefore, like Ghorepani –Poon Hill trek, this trek will take us to Poon Hill, where trekkers can enjoy the beautiful panorama of the Annapurna range.

The next beautiful destination after enjoying the Annapurna Panorama from Poon Hill is Jhinu Danda. Jhinu Danda also presents some of the best views of the Annapurna range. Moreover, here at Jhinu Danda trekkers can enjoy a natural hot spring to relax their tired muscles. Choosing this trek allows trekkers to relax both their eyes and body, which means, the Annapurna panorama relaxes your eyes and the hot spring relaxes your body.

3,210m is the maximum height attained during this trek. The trail is hardly affected by weather or any other hazards. All the night stops provide a number of guest houses, lodges, and teahouses that provide comfortable accommodations and eatery options throughout the year. This trek is perfect for family vacations and groups with children and the elderly. Therefore, this trekking is one of the best off-season treks in Nepal.

Panchase Trek: Panchase trek, also known as the Pokhara view trek is a trek beyond Phewa Lake. It’s a very interesting trek, which starts with a hike to World Peace Pagoda, after a boat ride across the Phewa Lake. From here, the trail heads down through some lovely local villages, where the trekkers can enjoy the authentic life and mid-hill culture of Brahmin, Chhetris, Magar, and Gurung people and then hike up to the top of Panchase Hill (2500m).

For those with less time on their hand, this hilltop presents the best viewpoint of the mountains like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung Himal, and Manaslu. The beauty of these mountains and the scenic diversity is the best drawcard of this trekking in Nepal. The beauty of the scenery presents the best opportunity for photographers to capture the beauty of nature.

Additionally, the terrain that varies from subtropical valleys to the high ridges covered with rhododendron forest, presents the best opportunity to enjoy untouched biodiversity, natural heritage, bird watching opportunity

It is a 4 days long trek that takes trekkers to one of the hill stations and religious sites of Hindu people. It is a great trek for beginners, groups with elderly and children, and budget travelers. The maximum altitude attained during this trekking in Nepal is 2500m; therefore, it is not affected by the weather. This trekking can be attempted by anyone with a moderate fitness level. This trek is worth your effort, time, and money. Possible throughout the year, this trekking in Nepal is, therefore, considered one of the best off-season trekking in Nepal.

Jomsom Family Trek: Jomsom Family Trek, also known as the Jomsom Muktinath Trek, north of Pokhara, is another short, year-round trek in Nepal. This windy valley in Nepal also provides a home to one of the major pilgrim sites “Muktinath” of Hindus and Buddhists in around the world. Therefore, this site is flooded with pilgrims from Nepal and India, throughout the year.

This trekking in Nepal allows trekkers to enjoy high mountains, mainly Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri, terrain from sub-tropical jungle to high, dry, desert-like landscape, deep valleys, deepest gorge, apple orchards, Tibetan-influenced villages, and the culture of mainly Thakali people. Muktinath 3800m is the highest point of this trek.

The presence of excellent lodges on the main route, flying options to and from Jomsom, and the motorable road all the way up to the temple of Muktinath make this trek perfect for family vacations and groups with the elderly and children.

This part of the Annapurna region lies in the trans-Himalayan area; therefore, the trail is not affected by the monsoon rain. Therefore, this trekking in Nepal is considered one of the best off-season treks in Nepal.

In the Everest region …

Everest View Trek: The Everest View Trek in Nepal is a very famous short trek in the Everest region of Nepal. This trek is designed to help trekkers enjoy the beautiful view of Mt. Everest with other peaks in the Khumbu region, from the Khumbu region itself, without attaining much altitude.

This trekking starts with a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. From Lukla, the trekkers will have to trek all the way up to the Everest viewpoint at Syangboche, past Phakding, Monju, and Namche. Syangboche presents one of the best viewpoints to view Everest with other peaks in the Khumbu region for trekkers who want to enjoy the best and the closest view of Mount Everest without attaining much altitude and in the shortest possible time. Along the way, trekkers can also enjoy the settlement, hospitality, lifestyle, culture, and tradition of the legendary Sherpas.

Moreover, Namche Bazaar the last night stop of this trek is the biggest village in this area and is open 365 days to serve the trekkers flocking to Mt. Everest. Along with good accommodation, trekkers can enjoy restaurants that serve western meals; bakeries and cafes to relax, internet service to get connected to the world, hospitals for emergencies, and museums for information and recreation.

Although weather sometimes affects the flight schedule causing a few hours or days of delay, the trekking trail up to the viewpoint is not affected by the weather. Starting in Kathmandu, this trekking can be completed in 5 days. Considering all of the above-mentioned points, this short trekking is also considered perfect for family vacations with children and the elderly. This trekking in Nepal is best, both during the peak season and off-season.

Everest Panorama Trek: Like the Everest View Trek, Everest Panorama Trek is another best off-season trek in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The Everest Panorama Trek will follow the Everest view trek trail till Namche Bazaar and then take you further up to the altitude of 3,876m, ‘Tengboche’, a famous Buddhist monastery above the Sherpa capital Namche Bazaar.

You will get a good chance to enjoy the enthralling panorama of Twache, Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. Although the major attraction of this trekking is the view of this panorama from Tengboche, trekkers can equally enjoy the famous Sherpa town Namche Bazaar, the very famous Tengboche monastery, a part of the Sagarmatha National Park, Sherpa settlement, culture, lifestyle, and their hospitality.

3,876m meters is the maximum height attained during this trek in Nepal. The lodges and teahouses are available and operate throughout the year to provide service to the trekkers. Since the area is surrounded by a high Himalayan range and becomes partially a rain shadow area, it is to some extent is protected from the worst extreme climatic condition with less monsoon precipitation and cold winds. Also, during winter the low altitudes receive less snowfall. Therefore, trekking in this area is possible all around the year.

Inside the Kathmandu Valley…

Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trek: The Kathmandu Valley cultural trek is a perfect trek for those who are on a short visit to Nepal, and do not have time to venture further into the Himalayas, but looking to experience the fun of trekking in Nepal.

The trekking starts with a hike to Chisapani from Sundarijal, continues to Nagarkot, and ends at Changu Narayan. These are also very popular hiking destinations in the Kathmandu Valley. Along with the beautiful view of the mountains, during this short trek, trekkers can enjoy the pristine wilderness, untouched rural areas, and diverse ethnic groups.

This trekking in Nepal is a low-altitude trek; therefore, suitable for people who are unable to trek in the alpine mountain, especially children and the elderly. This trekking can be completed in 3 days and is safe and economic as well. The trail is not affected by the weather and the availability of lodges and guesthouses along the trail makes this trail suitable for trekking throughout the year.

Therefore, if you are thinking of planning the trip during the off-season, then you can go for any of the above-mentioned treks without a second thought. These treks in Nepal will surely give you value for your money, even during the off–season.