Trekking is a mixture of adventure, beauty and personal experience and nothing affects this mixture like proper timing. The weather and climate of a place ensure that every moment of your vacation is an excellent, memorable experience. While most trekkers believe Spring and Autumn to be the best time to visit Nepal for the sunny days, greenery, scenic views of mountains and clear, crisp weather, there are also those who prefer Nepal in the monsoon season to have a colorful trekking experience.
Most trekkers to Nepal visit during the months of September- November or Feb- April but in recent times, the tourists arriving Nepal during the monsoon season have also increased. Monsoon in Nepal doesn’t mean too much rain all the time, but rain for a couple of hours a day that leaves a clear, sunny weather for the rest of the day. Such a weather pattern allows people to complete a trek of 4-5 hours every day and to rest when the rain begins to pour. The rain turns all the scenery into a colorful, lush garden which can be viewed from the warm balconies or rooms of the tea houses.
Monsoon also brings the agriculture season in the country when you can witness the farmers in their fields, sowing or reaping the fruits of their labor. It is a great chance to experience all the flora and fauna of the country along with the different agricultural practices and the crops. As there are fewer tourists during the season, the accommodation rates are also low which means you get to savor all the treasures of the country at lower prices.
The most famous places to travel during Monsoon are the rain shadow areas in the Himalayan region, namely Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Jomsom, Muktinath etc. While the incessant rain and high temperatures in the Terai and hilly region make trekking quite difficult, the high Himalayas block the rains so that the plains on the other side receive less or no rain. Such areas are perfect for trekking in warm days with clear weather after the morning downpours. Warm weather also indicates fewer problems of cold, low chances of altitude sickness, warmer temperatures and peace and serenity in the trails and tea houses due to less number of tourists. Monsoon Trekking in Nepal may not be as crowded as autumn trekking. Here are some of the best spots to visit during the season:
Upper Mustang Trekking
The Upper Mustang region lies in the rain shadow area of Nepal, making it perfect for monsoon treks. It is also known as the forbidden kingdom because of the strict rules to enter the area and because it was ruled by the last monarch of the country until the title was removed by the Maoist government. The area is popular for its dry arid land, mountain caves and the monasteries and stupas and culture of the ethnic Buddhist inhabitants of the region.
Though being dry and arid, the region is famous for its colorful culture of the inhabitants and the Kali Gandaki River.
Jomsom Trekking
The trek to Jomsom that covers most part of the Annapurna circuit is an important trek not just for foreigners but for Nepalese as well. The Muktinath en route is one of the most important temples for Hindus and Buddhists alike as it is believed to provide “Moksh” to the devotees. Another famous destination of the region is Kagbeni.
Upper Dolpo Trekking
This region is located in the Dolpa district in the northern part of Nepal. The region consists mostly of Tibetan people who have been residing there for centuries. The attractions of the region are the flora and fauna of the Shey Phoksundo Park and the lifestyle and culture of its ethnic people. The entire trail is safe from the rainfall due to the coverage by high mountains and hence is perfect for a monsoon trek.
This are some of the beautiful Monsoon treks in Nepal that you can still do during the rainy season.
