Tourism In Winter

Tourism forms about 6.7 per cent of Nepal's GDP and creates a multitude of employment opportunities throughout the country. With such a strong significance, it has become one of the central pillars of Nepal’s identity and economy. However, the winter season poses a number of challenges in regard to tourism in Nepal. In the first place, tourism during the winter season has been significantly lower compared to other seasons, as tourists tend to prefer sunny weather and clear skies for their stay. 

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, in 2025, a total of 324,393 tourists visited in the spring season (March, April, and May), 235,298 tourists in the summer season (June, July, and August), and 323,707 tourists in the autumn season (September, October, and November). The winter season of tourism is just starting with the end of December 2025 and the advent of the New Year. The latest data from the Nepal Tourism Board shows that a total of 98,190 tourists visited the country in December 2025. Last winter tourism season (December 2023, January, and February 2024) received a total of 273,098 tourists, which is significantly lower compared to the 2024 spring season data (329,763) for the influx of tourists. 

The opportunity for the growth of tourism in the winter season is as vast as ever and presents an exciting opportunity for all professionals involved in tourism. The chief reasons for winter tourism include trekking, cultural immersion, and national park visits. The winter season coincides with some of the most iconic festivities for the communities like Magar, Tamang, and Sherpa, who reside particularly in the Himalayan region of Nepal. Festivals like Tamu Losar, Sonam Losar, Gyalpo Losar, and Maghi are some of the chief attractions for tourists who get to observe the traditional manner of celebration of these festivals and can also join in on the festivities. 

While Christmas and the English New Year are not majorly celebrated throughout the country, their buzz is still prominent in the city hubs like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other major cities. Tourists also get the chance to join in on these celebrations. While it is contradictory to the case, the low volume of tourists in this season does influence a percentage of those who choose the winter season to visit Nepal, as it means lower rates and more space for exploration.  

As the skies tend to be clearer in the hilly regions of Nepal during the winter seasons, tourists have more opportunities to observe the mountain ranges. Such weather also gives a cold yet pleasant hiking and trekking experience across multiple destinations such as Mardi, Khumbhu, Langtang, Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Dolpo, and Kanchenjunga, etc. Tourists prefer the clear view of the Himalayas when hiking, and a lot of international tourists also liken their hiking experience to one of spiritual awakening. Furthermore, snow-topped mountain ranges are another major highlight during such hikes. 

As such is the case, the declining rate of snow, especially during the winter season, is a concerning factor, as it has impacts that extend far beyond tourism. Rising temperatures mean a shorter winter season, further limiting the window for services catered to winter tourists. Beyond the natural barriers, there is also an evident lack of infrastructure, events, or itineraries targeting the winter demographic when compared to the summer attractions present in Nepal for tourists. A gap is also a space for opportunity, which keen-eyed stakeholders can grab to their benefit.