Eastern Nepal · – · –
Eastern Nepal in January
Cold, dry and clear in the hills, with some of the sharpest mountain views of the year from Antu Danda and the ridges above Ilam and Hile. Tea bushes rest, so the gardens are quiet. Oranges are still on sale in Dhankuta. Sandakpur is very cold with possible snow, and the high Kanchenjunga and Makalu treks are effectively closed. A good month for warm, sunny days in Tumlingtar and the Arun valley.
Local tip for January
Pack a down jacket for evenings in Ilam and Hile even if days feel mild.
Where to go in January
Eastern Nepal1,300 mIlam
Nepal's oldest tea hills, rolled green to the Indian border
Eastern Nepal1,192 mDhankuta
A tidy ridge town of oranges, tea and Athpahariya Rai villages
Eastern Nepal518 mTumlingtar
A broad river terrace above the Arun, gateway to Makalu
Trips at their best in January
Eastern Nepalmax 1,850 mArun Valley and Chainpur Crafts
Seven nights from the Arun valley to the plains. Fly to Tumlingtar on its broad river terrace, spend two days with the …
Eastern Nepalmax 2,100 mEastern Hills Overland: Ilam to the Arun
Nine nights across the eastern hills by private car, from the tea gardens of Kanyam and Ilam to the Arun valley at …
Eastern Nepalmax 1,850 mKirat Culture Trail: Bhedetar, Dhankuta, Hile
Four nights in the Kirat heartland of the eastern hills, where Rai and Limbu culture is part of daily life. Visit Budha …
Eastern Nepalmax 2,100 mKoshi Tappu Birds and Ilam Tea
Six nights from the wetlands of Koshi Tappu, home to Nepal's last wild water buffalo and a great gathering of winter water …
Elsewhere in Nepal in January
Questions
Is January a good time to visit Eastern Nepal?
Cold, dry and clear in the hills, with some of the sharpest mountain views of the year from Antu Danda and the ridges above Ilam and Hile. Tea bushes rest, so the gardens are quiet. Oranges are still on sale in Dhankuta. Sandakpur is very cold with possible snow, and the high Kanchenjunga and Makalu treks are effectively closed. A good month for warm, sunny days in Tumlingtar and the Arun valley.
What is the weather like in Eastern Nepal in January?
Ilam about 3–16 °C, dry, clear, frosty mornings. Conditions change fast with altitude, so check the forecast for each stop a week before you travel.
Where should we go in Eastern Nepal in January?
We suggest Ilam, Dhankuta, Tumlingtar. Pack a down jacket for evenings in Ilam and Hile even if days feel mild.