June is the month the monsoon arrives in Nepal. The first week often feels like a hot, hazy extension of May, with afternoon storms building over the hills. Then, usually around the middle of the month in the east and a little later in the west, the rains set in: heavy downpours, low cloud and lush green hillsides. For most visitors June is the start of the off-season, but it is not a reason to stay away. You just need to choose where you go.
This guide explains how the weather changes through June, which treks still work well, and how to travel comfortably in the early monsoon.
Quick answer: the monsoon usually reaches eastern Nepal around mid-June and spreads west over the following weeks. Expect heat, humidity and increasing rain, with mountain views often hidden by cloud. The best treks are in the rain shadow: Upper Mustang, Nar Phu, the upper Annapurna Circuit around Manang, and Dolpo. Early June can still be good for Everest. Expect leeches, landslides and flight delays, and travel with spare days. Kathmandu is about 28–30°C by day.
June at a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Weather | Hot and humid; monsoon rain from around mid-June |
| Views | Often cloudy; clear spells early in the morning |
| Kathmandu | About 28–30°C by day, 19–20°C at night |
| Pokhara | Hot, very wet once the monsoon arrives |
| Chitwan | Very hot (often above 35°C); park activities winding down |
| Rain shadow (Mustang, Dolpo) | Dry, sunny, pleasant |
| Crowds | Very low |
| Festivals | National Paddy Day (Asar 15), around 29–30 June |
How the monsoon arrives
The South Asian monsoon reaches Nepal from the Bay of Bengal, so it arrives first in the east, usually around the middle of June, and spreads westward over the following days and weeks. Before it arrives, early June is hot and humid, with towering afternoon clouds and short, heavy thunderstorms. After it arrives, the pattern changes to long periods of rain, often at night and in the afternoon, separated by humid, misty mornings.
The first weeks of the monsoon are usually less intense than July and August, and there are often clear mornings when the mountains appear briefly. But the trails become muddy, the rivers rise, landslides start to block mountain roads, and flights to mountain airstrips such as Lukla and Jomsom become unreliable.
Best treks in June
Rain-shadow treks
Some regions of Nepal lie north of the main Himalayan range, where the mountains block most of the monsoon clouds. These are the stars of the June trekking calendar:
- Upper Mustang: dry, sunny and spectacular, with green barley fields around the villages. The jeep tour is also a good option.
- Nar Phu: a restricted valley north of the Annapurna Circuit, mostly in the rain shadow.
- Upper Annapurna Circuit: from Chame onwards, the valley gets much less rain, and Manang and Thorong La are usually dry. The lower sections and the drive to Besisahar are wet.
- Dolpo and Phoksundo Lake: dry once you are in, though flights to Juphal are often delayed by cloud.
Everest in early June
The first half of June can still be good for the Everest Base Camp trek, with fewer people, warm days and occasional clear mornings. The main risk is Lukla flights, which are frequently cancelled once the monsoon arrives. Keep at least two spare days, or consider walking in on the classic Jiri route.
What to avoid
Lower-altitude treks such as Poon Hill and Ghandruk are hot, wet and leechy in June, with few views. Long camping treks in the east and anything relying on remote airstrips are best saved for autumn. Langtang routes from Syabrubesi were put on hold after the August 2026 flood; check with us for the latest.
Festivals and events
- National Paddy Day (Asar 15), around 29–30 June, marks the rice-planting season. Families plant rice together in flooded fields, sing, eat beaten rice with yoghurt and splash each other with mud. It is a wonderful thing to see in the villages around Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Early summer festivals in the Kathmandu Valley, such as the long Rato Machhindranath chariot procession in Patan, sometimes run into June.
Other things to do in June
- Kathmandu Valley: temples and squares are quieter, and the hills around the valley turn green. Visit in the morning before the afternoon rain.
- Pokhara: green and peaceful, though paragliding is limited and mountain views are rare.
- Chitwan: very hot, and park activities reduce as the monsoon arrives. Best avoided unless you love heat.
- Rafting: rivers rise quickly with the monsoon; only go with experienced operators who know which rivers are safe.
Practical tips
- Keep spare days: at least one for road travel, two for Lukla or Jomsom flights.
- Waterproof everything: a good rain jacket, pack cover and dry bags.
- Leeches are common below about 3,000 m. Wear leech socks and carry salt.
- Start early: mornings are clearest and drier.
- Check your insurance covers delays and helicopter evacuation.
- Book flexible: choose a company that can reroute or change your plan if a road or trail is blocked.
Our monsoon trekking guide has more detail.
What to pack for June
- Waterproof jacket and trousers, pack cover and dry bags.
- Quick-dry clothes; cotton never dries in the monsoon.
- Leech socks and sandals for wet evenings.
- Sun protection: in the rain shadow, the sun is strong.
- A warm layer and a sleeping bag rated to about −5°C for high treks like Upper Mustang and Thorong La.
June vs May
| May | June | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Warm, afternoon storms | Monsoon arrives around mid-month |
| Views | Hazy afternoons | Often cloudy |
| Everest | Climbing season | Early June only |
| Rain-shadow treks | Good | Excellent |
| Crowds | Moderate | Very low |
More in our Nepal in May guide.
Should you visit Nepal in June?
Yes, if you choose a rain-shadow trek or go to Everest early in the month, and stay flexible. You'll find quiet trails, green landscapes and, in Mustang, some of the best trekking weather in Nepal. Contact us and we'll help you choose the right route for June.