Are you planning a trip to Nepal in January? Read on to learn more about January weather in Nepal, clothes to wear for the weather, and best places to visit in Nepal in January.
Nepal Weather in January: Overview
- Temperature range: 1–18°C (33–64°F)
- Rainfall: 14 mm (½ inch)
- Rainy days: 2
- Sunny days: 25
As the coldest month of the year in Nepal, the weather in January is cold to mild, dry, and sunny with comfortable average daytime temperatures ranging from 9 to 18°C (48–64°F). The temperature in mountainous regions can drop to -10°C (14°F) at night, while the daily high temperature typically reaches 20°C (68°F) in Pokhara. Rainfall is rare in January. It is a good time to explore Nepal's numerous ancient temples and historical sites.
Nepal's Major Cities' Weather in January
| City | Min. Temp. (ºC) | Max. Temp. (ºC) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | 3 | 18 | 14 |
| Pokhara | 7 | 20 | 23 |
| Bharatpur (Chitwan) | 7 | 23 | 11 |
Kathmandu: The weather in Kathmandu is dry and sunny in January. The night temperature falls to around 3°C (37°F), and the highest temperature during daytime reaches 18°C (64°F) on average. Rainfall is rare in January with 1–2 days of precipitation totaling 14 mm (½ an inch).
Pokhara: It is mild during the daytime and cool at night in Pokhara in January. The temperature in Pokhara is ranges from 7°C (44°F) at night to 20°C (68°F) in daytime on average. Rainfall in this month is about 23 mm (1 inch), which comes on about 2 days.
Bharatpur (Chitwan): The weather in Bharatpur is warm during the daytime in January. The low temperature at night is around 7°C (44°F), and the high temperature can reach 23°C (74°F). There will be about 2 days of raining with precipitation at about 11mm.
The Best Places to Visit in Nepal in January
January is in the winter dry season in Nepal. With its clear skies and dry weather, As it's too cold in the mountains, January is a good time to explore Nepal's low-altitude areas and its numerous nature parks. Here are some of the recommended places to visit if you are going to Nepal in April.
1. Durbar Square, Kathmandu
As the capital and the major entry city of Nepal, Kathmandu is the must-visit city for your first trip to Nepal. The numerous exquisite monuments, sculptures, medieval temples, and magnificent artworks attract millions of travelers coming to this historical city. To explore this ancient city, Durbar Square is a perfect place to start. From its name Durbar ('palace' in Nepali), you can easily know it is the place where the king was crowned. Many temples clustered around the square are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
2. Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu
If you have limited time to visit temples in Kathmandu, then Pashupatinath Temple would usually be your best choice. Located on the banks of the Baramati River, Pashupatinath Temple was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. The attractive artwork on the architecture and its pagoda styles and beautiful natural river sights makes this temple the top most-visited attraction in Kathmandu. Remember that only believers of the Hindu religion can enter the temple. Other visitors are only allowed to visit from outside. You can see a Hindu cremation ceremony on a bank of the Bagmati river if you like.
3. Phewa Tal (Phewa Lake), Pokhara
As one of the most visited destinations in Nepal, Pokhara is well-known for its spectacular scenery and adventure activities, including the best paragliding venue on the globe. Among the highlights of Pokhara, Phewa Lake is a must-see attraction. To explore the second largest lake in Nepal, you can rent a brightly painted boat to get to the middle of the lake, where you can have an amazing view of Machapuchare and its surrounding peaks. You can also walk up to the World Peace Pagoda, which is located on the lake side, to get a spectacular panoramic view of the whole lake.
4. Old Pokhara Town, Pokhara
If you are interested in the history of Pokhara, then its Old Town is a good place for you to see. The best way to explore the houses with decorative bricks and carved wooden windows is on foot. There are some small sacred temples around the town, where you can spend some time to appreciate the intricate carvings on the shrines. There are many shops selling baskets and ceramics around the square.
5. The Chitwan National Park
As one of the best national parks for viewing wildlife in Asia, Chitwan National Park is a must-visit place if you are visiting Nepal for the first time. Covering more than 932 sq km (360 sq mi), the national park is a good place to spot one-horned rhinos, deer, monkeys, leopards, wild elephants, sloth bears, and even the royal Bengal tiger if you are lucky enough. The park is so big that you have to spend more than 2 days for a basic exploration.
Crowding and Costs in January
January is in the second-best travel season in Nepal. With the increasing temperature and dry weather, the number of tourists begins to rise in this month. But the big crowds don't come until March and April.
You can still enjoy some discounts on your hotel prices and tour costs in January. If you are planning a trip to Nepal for this month, contact us — we can do all the research and booking for your ideal trip.
What to Bring/Wear in January
It is cold at night and mild during the daytime in January in Nepal. It's better to pack some warm clothes — sweaters, trousers, jeans, warm comfortable shoes, and a light jacket or coat to put on according to the temperature.
Rainfall is rare in January in most parts of Nepal, so you don't need to take waterproof clothes. Snow happens only 2–3 times in the whole winter season in some high-altitude areas (in the Himalayas). The mountains are not recommended in January due to the cold and roads being blocked by snow.
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