Nepal
6 places worth going in December · hill towns & valleys.
Nepal · Tanahun, Gandaki
Bandipur
1,100 m
A preserved Newari hill town on a ridge above the Marsyangdi, between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Easy3 daysBest Oct Nov Dec Feb Mar Apr
Nepal · Kathmandu Valley, Bagmati
Bhaktapur & Patan
1,400 m
The two best-preserved Newari cities in the valley — Durbar Squares, courtyards and metalwork alleys.
Easy3 daysBest Oct Nov Dec Feb Mar Apr
Nepal · Ilam, Koshi
Ilam
2,400 m
Nepal's tea capital — emerald garden slopes, Antu Danda sunrises and Sandakphu views into India.
Easy4 daysBest Oct Nov Dec Feb Mar Apr
Nepal · Kaski, Gandaki
Pokhara
1,600 m
Lakeside town under the Annapurnas — boating, paragliding, cafes and sunrise at Sarangkot.
Easy4 daysBest Oct Nov Dec Feb Mar Apr
Nepal · Mugu, Karnali
Rara Lake
2,990 m
Nepal's largest lake at 2,990 m, in the remote Karnali region inside Rara National Park.
Easy–moderate7 daysBest Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov
Nepal · Palpa, Lumbini
Tansen (Palpa)
1,500 m
A historic hill town of Newari traders between Pokhara and Lumbini, with a durbar and metalwork bazaar.
Easy3 daysBest Oct Nov Dec Feb Mar Apr