December, January, and early February are very cold at the higher altitudes in Nepal, a nation replete with the world’s most majestic mountains. Winter temperatures ranges between 9 and 12 °C(48-54 °F) in Kathmandu, the nation’s capital steeped in legend. There much snow at this time and treks to the Mount Everest Base Camp can become more arduous for all but the most hardy and intrepid of climbers. The season is a fine time to make a trip to the Chitwan National Park, one of the jewels of the country and a place to see royal Bengal tigers, leopards, Asiatic elephants, wild boars, sloth bears, and the endangered gharial crocodiles. Although winter is cold at higher altitudes, Chitwan, Pokhara and even Kathmandu are relatively mild, particularly in February.