Top 6 Monsoon Treks in Nepal

Monsoon treks in Nepal are possible in dry regions like Dolpo, Manang, and Mustang. Monsoon in Nepal generally occurs during Mid May to mid-September. Frequent monsoon rainfall occurs during June, July, and August. Late May and Early September remain favorable for trekking the Himalayas of Nepal with a low chance of rainfall. It is always difficult to trek Nepal Himalayas during Monsoon but there are some particular treks we can do easily in Moonsoon. We are going to talk about the Top 6 Monsoon Treks in Nepal.

Ghorepani Poonhill trek

Ghorepani Poonhill is a short trek in Nepal leading to Ghorepani Poonhill height of 3210m/10531.496 ft in 4 days. 9 days Ghorepani Poonhill trekking itinerary includes a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Nayapul. The Poonhill trekking route begins from Nayapul and continues to Hille village, Ghorepani, Poonhill, Tadapani, and Ghandruk. The forest trail, local life, Amazing landscape, and Annapurna range make you close to nature.

Ghorepani Poonhill trek is one of the best tea house trekking in Annapurna trekking route included in Monsoon treks in Nepal. It is the shortest trek near Pokhara offering an amazing view of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Machhapuchre, and Dhaulagiri from Poonhill. You can enjoy local life, forest trails, uphills, and downhills on the way to Poonhill from Nayapul.

The best time for Poonhill trekking is spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September, October, November). Even though we can do Poonhill trekking throughout the year because of its lower elevation (3210m) and less chance of altitude sickness. Most of the tea houses remain open in all months of the year. We can do Poonhill trek as one of the best monsoon treks in Nepal.

Who can do Ghorepani Poonhill trekking?

Ghorepani Poonhill trekking can be done by physically and mentally active people of all ages capable of walking. Even 6- 7-year-old children can do Poonhill trekking under the supervision of their parents or guardians.

Annapurna circuit trek

Annapurna circuit trek is included in the Monsoon treks in Nepal as we will trek to the driest part, Manang and Mustang in this trek. Starting the trek from Syange, we will continue to Dharapani, Chame, Pisang, Manang, Shree Kharkha, Tilicho base camp, and Tilicho Lake. Descending from Tilicho Lake you will pass Yak Kharka, High Camp, Thorong La Pass, Muktinath, Marpha, and return back to Kathmandu.

Annapurna Circuit is a moderate trekking route around the Annapurna range. Enjoy the amazing view of the terraced landscape, Mt. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Thorong La Pass, and the highest lake in the world - Tilicho Lake. The itinerary of Annapurna circuit is 16 days including arrival and departure day. You will spend 13 days on trekking sites and 3 days in Kathmandu.

Best time for Annapurna circuit trek

Spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September, October November) are considered as the best season for ACT. Even though the Annapurna circuit trek is possible to do in monsoon as well. You can enjoy the major trekking destinations like Manang and Mustang without the rain cover. Before reaching Manang you may experience rain, rising river volume, and rainy days in Nepal.

Annapurna base camp trek

Annapurna base camp trek is an evergreen trek that can be done throughout the year. It is included in the monsoon treks in Nepal as we can reach our destination without difficulties in June, July, and August. Rainfall in monsoon is predictable, we can use rain cover and continue the trekking every day.

Annapurna Circuit is suitable for beginners to experienced trekkers. Starting the trek from Nayapul you will enjoy the uphills and downhills to Hille village, Ghorepani, and Poonhill, the photographer’s paradise. Amazing views of Annapurna range, Annapurna conservation area, and local villages are major attractions of ABC trek. After returning from Poonhill, Annapurna trekking route continues to Tadapani, Sinuwa, Deurali, Anaapurna base camp, Bamboo, Jhinu Danda, and Nayapul. 14 days ABC trek package is suitable for mentally and physically fit people of any age having stamina to walk 6 hours every day.

How to prepare for the Annapurna base camp trek?

Annapurna base camp trek can be prepared by doing regular running/jogging/walking for 3 hours around 2 hours every day before 3 months of trek. Packing all the required gear, booking the trek from the trekking company, and Choosing the Annapurna base camp trek guide come under preparation for ABC trekking. It is always better to choose the best time for trekking.

The best time for the ABC trek is spring (March, April, and May) and autumn (September, October, and November). ABC trek in Monsoon is quite challenging regarding to clear view and dry route.

Upper Mustang trek

Upper Mustang is a desert of Nepal. Explore the sandy hills, old monasteries, historical caves, and amazing landscape of Lomanthan. The upper Mustang trek is the most popular monsoon treks in Nepal because no rainfall occurs in Mustang. You can enjoy every moment in the Upper Mustang trekking route without rain cover.

Advantage of Upper Mustang Trek in Monsoon

1. No rainfall occurs in Upper Mustang due to being dry land behind the mountains of Nepal
2. Good accommodation
3. Monsoon (June, July, and August) is the best time for the Upper Mustang trek
4. Clear view, moderate temperature, and pleasant weather

The Upper Mustang trek itinerary includes your arrival day, Kathmandu day tour, Kathmandu to Pokhara drive, Pokhara to Jomsom flight, and 18 days of accommodation. Upper Mustang trekking begins from Jomsom and day by you will reach new destinations and gain amazing experiences. Kagbeni, Chele, Ghami, Tsarang, Lo-Manthan, Yara, Tannge, Chuksang, and Muktinath are the major destinations in the trekking route to Upper Mustang.

How to prepare Upper Mustang trek?

You should be mentally and physically fit with a strong determination of completing the trek

before planning the Upper Mustang trek. Walking/ running/cycling/jogging for at least 2 hours a day before 3 months of trek should be done. You should do a medical checkup to know about your body condition. Always remember to pack all essential gear, gadgets, chargers, and power banks before leaving for the trek. It is important to book a good trekking company and have the best trekking guide for making your trek successful.

Upper Dolpo Trek

Upper Dolpo trek is a paradise of far western Nepal famous for the deepest lake in the world, Shey Phoksundo Lake. Enjoy the amazing landscapes with the drought texture of Dolpo dominated by dry mountains during your monsoon treks in Nepal. 27 days Upper Dolpo trek itinerary includes your arrival day, departure day, Kathmandu day tour, Kathmandu to and from Nepalgunj flight, and Nepalgunj to and from Juphal flight. It takes 22 days to complete the Upper Dolpo trekking route.

Trek to Upper Dolpo leads from Juphal to Dunai, Ankhe, Sulighat, Phoksundo Lake, Phoksundo Bhanjyang, Shey Gompa, Namduna Gaun, Saldang, Yangze Gompa, Sibu, Jeng – la Phedi, Tokyu Gaon, Dho Tarap, Khanigaon as major destinations.

Since Upper Dolpo is a dry land with the least rainfall occurs, you can choose either monsoon, summer, or spring for Upper Dolpo trekking. The Best month for the Upper Dolpo trek is March April, May, Jun, July, August, September, October, November, and December.

How to prepare for the upper Dolpo trek?

The upper Dolpo trek is a long and moderately difficult trek. It is important for proper preparation to spend 22 days in this remote region. Proper physical exercise to increase your stamina is required for trekking. You can do walking, running, jogging, cycling, and swimming for 2 hours a day before 3 months of trekking to prepare Upper Dolpo trek.

You should have a restricted area permit, and book the trip with a trekking company in Nepal. Also, you should have a trekking guide and group (at least two people) for the Upper Dolpo trek.

Along with the upper Dolpo trek you can do the Lower Dolpo trek, Shey Phoksundo trek, and the Dolpo circuit trek.

Nar Phu Valley trek

Nar Phu Valley is a hidden valley in the Annapurna region followed by off off-beaten trial. We can do Nar Phu Valley trek in monsoon as minimum rainfall occurs in this region. Nar Phu Valley trekking route remains safe and less slippery in June, July, and August. Even though we can have the best trekking to Nar Phu Valley in spring (March, April, May) and August (Sep, October, November). Because of being a drier place Nar Phu valley is the best destination for Monsoon treks in Nepal.

Trek to Nar Phu Valley starts from Jagat and continues to Dharapani, Koto, Meta, Phu Gaon, Nar Valley, Ngwal, Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi, Thorong La, Muktinath, and Jomsom. You will take a flight to Pokhara from Jomsom. Transportation in the Nar Phu Valley trek package includes driving from Kathmandu to Jagat, a flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu, and a Kathmandu day tour.

You can enjoy the unique and remote valley of the Annapurna region where the population is less and offers off-beaten trekking routes. Nar and Phu are different valleys in a single trip.

Is it possible to do the Everest base camp trek in June/ July/ August? 

If you check Monsoon treks in Nepal in other blogs they suggest Everest Base Camp Trek in June /July / August ( monsoon). But it is always difficult to do an EBC trek in monsoon because of the poor visibility. Due to monsoon rainfall, flights used to be canceled most of the time so we don’t suggest the Everest region Trek in the monsoon. In case you have many days in Nepal, you can try it as a challenging trek. The EBC Trek route is safe in monsoon after crossing Namche and Tangboche. Because rainfall will be less from Dingboche cause of the High Elevation.

Depending on your desire you can explore Everest Base Camp (EBC) Gokyo Lake or do the Everest panorama Trek but please make your vacation longer than the Normal EBC trek Duration for monsoon treks in Nepal. The advantage of Monsoon treks is no crowd in monsoon. There will be only you and Nature without any disturbance. Some tea houses offer you a discount if you stay and eat at their place and use their service.

Conclusion: Monsoon Treks in Nepal

Monsoon treks in Nepal are possible in the Annapurna and Dolpo regions. You can choose any of the above treks to enjoy the Himalayan beauty, green hills, and local life on remote corners of the Mountains. Selected monsoon treks as mentioned in this article are safe and moderate trekking on which you will not face problems with landslides, floods, and heavy rain cover during the trek. Here is the list of Monsoon treks or off-season treks in Nepal which is possible without any issue. Who doesn't like to walk in crowed then we suggest you to come Nepal in the low season ( Moonsoon / off-season) for the trek. we also talk a little bit about the possibilities of the Everest Base Camp Trek in June/ July /August. Here is the list of the Top 6 Monsoon Treks in Nepal.