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Monsoon Treks in Nepal

By Glorious Himalaya on October 4, 2024 in Trekking

There are several Monsoon Treks in Nepal. But, the monsoon season in Nepal is harsh, with heavy rain and clouds covering the hills and Himalayas. This makes trekking a little complicated. Monsoon season in Nepal typically lasts from June to August. However, it can sometimes last into the first half of September. The last week of June and the first weeks of July are challenging. Although the Himalayas do not generally receive rainfall, the lower altitude below the Himalayas does, and the trail becomes slippery. The bushes cover the pathways along with leeches, insects, and reptiles. 

Trekkers have numerous choices to experience the Himalayas, even during the monsoon season. The best and shortest destination will be the Annapurna region. This region contains a wide range of regions, and the best part is that the trails are various and may be chosen from. During the monsoon, popular and straightforward trekking trails include the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Upper Mustang Trek, Lower Mustang Trek, and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. This trail is the closest, safest, and most accessible trekking route during the monsoon season.

Monsoon Treks in Nepal Challenges 

You will face many challenges in monsoon season as this is an off-season. The main challenge is that the rough trails become muddy and slippery from the constant rain. This, along with poor visibility from rain and fog, increases the chances of slipping, falling, and getting hurt, especially for beginners who may struggle with tired legs and balance on these slippery paths. 

Another difficulty is that many trails in Nepal are filled with sponges that can attach to your skin without you noticing. Heavy rainfall can also cause blockages and landslides on the trails. You may also face unpredictable weather, like sudden rain, thunderstorms, or hailstorms. Plus, since it’s the off-season, fewer teahouses and lodges are available, as most are closed.

10 Monsoon Treks

Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the popular monsoon treks in Nepal. The trek starts with a scenic flight to Lukla Airport and lasts 10 to 12 days. Everest Base Camp Trek takes you to the foot of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. You must be cautious, as the trail can get slippery during the monsoon, increasing the risk of injuries. Visibility of the mountains may be low, and rain can come unexpectedly. However, if you have the right gear, the benefits of trekking during the monsoon overpower the challenges. The landscapes around Sherpa villages are filled with beautiful rhododendrons and junipers.

Everest Base Camp Trek

You’ll see many waterfalls on your journey through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche. As you go higher, rain may turn to snow, making the trail even more beautiful. Once you pass Namche, the rain decreases. The mornings are usually clear, allowing you to glimpse the mountains without large crowds. However, be aware that flights to and from Lukla can often be delayed or canceled due to the airport’s challenging conditions, especially during the monsoon. 

Nyingba Heritage Homestay Trek

Nyingba Heritage Homestay Trek is one of the famous monsoon treks in West Nepal. Allow two days for travel and air travel in and out of Nepalgunj. You’ll have a great time and grow to appreciate the people and way of life there. You can also visit Bardia National Park along with this trek because the monsoon season, particularly June, is an excellent time to observe tigers. It would be best to leave extra time for airline delays since this trip involves multiple flights to get to your destination. 

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek 

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is a great option for beginners and a monsoon trek in Nepal. If you’re trekking during the monsoon season, the mornings are usually clear with great views, with rain mostly in the afternoon and evening. Starting from Birethanti, the trek takes 4 to 5 days and reaches 3,210 meters at Poon Hill. Poon Hill is the Vantage point for watching the sunrise, where you can see the first rays of the sun turning the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains golden.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

You’ll also experience the warm culture of the Gurung, Magar, and Thakali people who live in the area. The trail during monsoon is lush, with lots of wildlife and wildflowers, especially between Ghorepani and Poon Hill. However, trekking in the monsoon is a bit harder because the path can be slippery, and you might encounter leeches. Clouds can sometimes block the mountain views. But it’s still manageable with the right gear.

Langtang Valley Trek

Monsoon season is an excellent time to trek the Langtang Valley since the trails are less crowded, and you can see the breathtaking rainwashed green valleys. The trail becomes muddy and slippery, but the effort is worth it. Fog and clouds may occasionally obscure the views, but the monsoon rains clear the pristine landscapes and valleys. The major highlight of the Langtang Valley trek is Kyanjin Gompa. From Tseri Ri’s viewpoint, you can see stunning views of peaks, valleys, and glaciers. 

Phoksundo Lake Trek

Shey Phoksundo Lake in Dolpo, Nepal, is regarded as one of the most stunning and unique trekking destinations. The landscape resembles the Tibetan Plateau and is located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, the landscapes. The Phoksundo Lake trek begins with a flight to Nepalgunj, which takes you along a trekking path that passes through various ethnic villages like Juphal and Dunai. Juphal is the starting point of Shey Phoksundo Lake, which offers breathtaking views of Kanjirowa Himal. Furthermore, Shey Phoksundo National Park protects the Dolpo region. While trekking in this park, you can spot rare and exotic wildlife like blue sheep and snow leopards. 

Nar Phu Valley Trek

Nar Phu Valley trek is one of the best options for monsoon treks. This remote trek takes you to the quiet villages of Nar and Phu in the Annapurna region of Nepal. In monsoon, the valleys of Nar and Phu come alive with colorful plants, and parts of the usually dry trail become a bit greener. 

Walking through a desert-like landscape, you’ll see places like Tashi Lha Khang monastery. Depending on your route, you’ll cross high mountain passes like Kang La Pass (5,306 meters) and maybe Thorong La Pass (5,416). The Nar Phu Valley trek takes you through areas that have stayed for centuries, with traditional houses, rich cultures, and the Tibetan way of life, especially among the Gurung and Bhotia people.

Upper Mustang Trek

The Upper Mustang trek is the best for trekking during the monsoon season. The Upper Mustang region in Nepal is located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, which means it doesn’t get much rain and is not affected by the monsoon. Because of this, it is often called the desert of Nepal. The trek starts from Kagbeni and ends at Lo Manthang. Along the way, you will pass through several villages like Samar, Ghami, and Charang. These villages are rich in ancient Tibetan culture, featuring old monasteries, caves, traditional mud houses, chortens, and many prayer flags.

Upper Mustang Trek

Lo Manthang, known as the “Lost Kingdom,” is an important stop on the trek. Other important monasteries along the way include Ghar Gumba and Luri Gumba. The colorful Tiji festival also takes place during the monsoon season. You can enjoy the breathtaking views of Annapurna, Thorung Peak, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, Lamjung Himal, and many more.

Simikot-Hilsa-Limi Circuit Camping Trek

Limi is a high, narrow mountain valley that runs from the northeast to the southwest and is linked to Tibet geographically. The Simikot-Hilsa-Limi Circuit Camping Trek is one of Nepal’s less-traveled routes. The Limi Valley has very low rainfall and vegetation, making it similar to the Trans-Himalayan region. With its passes and dry, rugged terrain, it offers a distinct landscape compared to most of the country’s forested areas.

The Simikot-Hilsa-Limi Circuit Camping Trek begins with a flight to Nepalgunj and then continues to Simikot, the trek’s starting point. The Limi Valley trekking trail runs alongside the Karnali River, leading to various Humla destinations. The monsoon season is ideal for this strenuous trekking journey.

Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit Trek 

The Tsum Valley is a holy place for pilgrims in the Himalayas. It is in the northern part of Gorkha. The Tsum Valley trek trails are filled with beautiful Chortens and surrounded by Mani walls. These walls are made of countless stone slabs, each one filled with drawings of deities and covered in prayers. The valley has some unique and historic monasteries. Rachen Gumba and Mu Gumba, are located on a plateau nestled in the valley, while Gumba Lungdang sits at the base of the conical hill along the main slope of the Ganesh Himal. 

The Tsum Valley and Manaslu Circuit trek begins through charming villages next to the Soti Khola, following the scenic route alongside the Budi Gandaki River. The path links with the Manaslu circuit and ascends through various ethnic villages. One of the main highlights of the trek is crossing the Larkya Glacier and the Larkya La Pass (5,160 meters).

Lower Dolpo Trek 

The Lower Dolpo trek is one of the most difficult treks, and it takes you to the western hill of Nepal. However, it is one of the monsoon treks in Nepal. The Lower Dolpo Trek’s main highlights are the stunning Phoksundo Lake and the rich Bon Po culture. The trek starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Jhupal via Nepalgunj, then continues through remote ethnic villages such as Laina Odar and Nawarpani. The trek is difficult because it passes through two high passes: the Numa La (5,360 meters), the trek’s highest point, and the Baga La (5,070 meters). Both passes provide breathtaking views of Mt Dhaulagiri and the Tibetan ranges of the Kugung La and the Khyung La.

Conclusion

The best times to trek in Nepal are spring and autumn. Monsoon season is the off-season for high-altitude treks in Nepal. This is mainly due to the wet and slippery trails, reduced visibility, and the chances of flight cancellations. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t trek in Nepal during the monsoon. Some specific trekking adventures in Nepal remain unaffected by the monsoon, making them ideal for exploration during the rainy season. Generally, trekking during the monsoon season in Nepal is quite manageable.

FAQs

Is it safe to travel to Nepal during the monsoon?

Heavy rainfall and landslides make travel challenging, and many places are closed, so it’s best to avoid monsoon travel in Nepal. Nepal has festivals happening throughout the year, which means a festival or pilgrimage usually takes place. 

Which is the most scenic trek in Nepal?

The most scenic trek in Nepal are the Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Langtang Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Manang Valley Trek, Gokyo Lake Trek, Pikey Peak Trek, Phoksundo Lake Trek, The Upper Mustang Trek, and Tilicho Lake Trek.

Is July good for trekking in Nepal?

July is not the best time for trekking in Nepal, as it’s a monsoon season. During this month, there is heavy rainfall, making the trails wet, slippery, and harder to hike on. There is a higher chance of leeches and limited views of the mountains due to clouds. 

Which are the best places to visit in Nepal during monsoon?

The best places to visit in Nepal during the monsoon season are the Hindu God/Goddess temple, parks, Patan Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. All the temples, shrines, and historic monuments are open.

Which is the hardest trekking peak in Nepal?

The hardest trekking peak in Nepal is Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. It is known as the challenging trek in the Nepal Himalayas but offers stunning views of the mountains. For this trek, you must have physical fitness and endurance. 

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