Monsoon Treks in Nepal
by Jayaram Thapaliya · Updated May 11, 2022
Apart from Spring/Fall, Monsoon Season (summer) is one of the charming times to explore Nepal’s Himalayas. Warm temperature, Greenery landscape, very less crowded, and clear skies are the main highlights of monsoon and summer treks. In this article, we are going to highlight the best monsoon treks in Nepal.
Which month is the monsoon in Nepal?
Time of Mid-June to Early September is the main monsoon in Nepal. During this season, days are warm up to 32 degrees celsius, wet, and with high humidity. Nepal has different topography. Due to its topography, rains often happen at night time. Hence, we can expect clear morning scenery.
Why Monsoon Trekking in Nepal?
Even though Fall and Spring are the best seasons for a trek in Nepal, some treks are perfect for even monsoon time. There are many pros to visiting Nepal during this time than the spring and fall. First and most, you will get an opportunity to visit without a crowd as well as you will get more hospitality during this time because of a few trekkers. If you love to walk even in rain, then why not trek in summer in Nepal. Rainy(monsoon) has its own rewards that can’t provide by other seasons. Visiting this time you will get green scenery whereas the spring season offers dry and grey scenery.
You will meet very few trekkers during the time of Mid June to Mid September. Hence you can enjoy quite more than the busy seasons. You will get a chance to interact with local people and teahouse owners during this time because of the off-season. You will see many waterfalls and Greenery scenes at that time. Trekking and Hiking during monsoon in Nepal can be best for botanical keens. All in all, you will have the best experience.
Pro of Monsoon Trek
- Less crowded trail
- You will get best offers from hotels and trekking agencies
- You’ll get the best service in teahouses(Lodge) on the trekking trail
Cons of Monsoon Trek
- Obscure mountain views
- Muddy Trekking trials
Where to hike/trek during the rainy season(monsoon) in Nepal?
The monsoon season is considered the best season for some of the treks in the Himalayas. Under the rain shadow area such as Upper Mustang, Lower Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Nar Phu Valley, and Above Manang to Muktinath(Upper part of Annapurna Circuit) trekking can be done during the Monsoon. However, if you are bounded with limited time and budget, Annapurna Panorama Trek and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek are suitable.
During rainy seasons, most of the territory of Nepal gets heavy rainfall. These heavy rainfalls part can be risky in terms of landslides and floods. landslides can block roadways as well as trekking trails. Often trail will be wet, muddy and some parts even slippery.
Please read the following 5 best monsoon treks that you can do in June, July, August, and Mid of September.
1) Upper Mustang Trek
Trekking in the Upper Mustang areas is among the best choice(#1) for monsoon trekking in Nepal.
Being Upper Mustang is located in the rain-shadow zone of the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri Mountain Ranges, very little rainfall occurs in Upper Mustang. It provides chances for tourists to get to Lo Manthang ( the forbidden kingdom of Lo Manthang). For details, Upper Mustang Trek Nepal.
2) Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
In monsoon, it will be relatively free of leeches on the way to Poon Hill. Most trails of Poon Hill are wide well carved out stone steps. And we will have limited visibility but we will see a fanatic view when weather becomes clear.
For those who want to do easy treks during summer in Nepal, Annapurna Panorama Trekking is ideal. Though there will be heavy rainfall at that time(summer) , we can participate in Annapurna Panorama Trek.
Since Poon Hill Trek is most crowded during the summer season, it will be the best early and late monsoon.
3) Upper Dolpo Trek
The Upper Dolpo trek can be the best summer/monsoon trek for those who have mountain experiences. It is an adventure trek and also needs quite more budget than other treks in Nepal.
To see a unique culture, awesome landscapes, beautiful mountain views, and Tibetan Buddhism, one should try to go to Upper Dolpo once in life.
4) Rara Lake Trek
Though Rara Lake is not as dry as Mustang and Upper Dolpo, the crystal clear waters of the Rara Lake and the alpine meadows surrounding the water truly look to come alive in the summertime.
The Rara Lake Trek is a good choice for monsoon treks in Nepal because you will get amazing natural beauty through summer/monsoon can best observe.
5) Annapurna Circuit Trek
More than half parts of the Annapurna Circuit lie in the monsoon-free area, that’s why the Annapurna circuit trek can be done in monsoon and summer. During summer, the upper parts of ACT trek, Manang, Yakkharka, Thorang Phedi, and Thorong La are dry and arid with strong winds. We can drive Kathmandu to Chame and start our Annapurna Circuit Trek for Monsoon. And upon reaching Jomsom, you can flight out to Pokhara or drive to Pokhara.
6) Nar Phu Valley
Since Nar Phu Valley lies in the upper parts of Annapurna, it is suitable like Annapurna Circuit Trek for summer treks. It is suitable for those who have previous mountain experiences as well as those who want to get an isolated trekking experience. For details: Nar Phu Valley Trek
Conclusion
Those thinking do make 1 week or 2 weeks holidays mid-June to Mid September, the above-mentioned trekking trails are for them. But, if you don’t want to do trekking, there are dozens of tour which is also suitable even in monsoon as an alternative to trekking. Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini-Palpa-Chitwan is also possible for the rainy season. If you want to know more, please contact us or comment below.
