# Monsoon Treks in Nepal ## Monsoon treks in Nepal During the monsoon (June to September), most of Nepal is wet and cloudy, but the regions behind the Himalaya stay largely dry. **Upper Mustang**, **Nar Phu**, **Dolpo** and the upper **Annapurna Circuit** lie in the rain shadow and are some of the best treks of the season, alongside the **Kailash Mansarovar Yatra** in Tibet. Getting there can still involve wet roads and delayed flights, so we always build in spare days. - **Rain shadow:** dry and sunny behind the Himalaya - **Quiet:** few other trekkers - **Flexible:** spare days for weather ## Trips - [Annapurna Circuit Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/annapurna-circuit-trek.md): 14 days, Strenuous, max 5,416 m / 17,769 ft, from US$1,150. The Annapurna Circuit trek is a 14-day guided trek around the Annapurna massif, one of the great long-distance walks of the world. Climb the Marsyangdi valley t... - [Upper Mustang Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/upper-mustang-trek.md): 14 days, Moderate, max About 4,200 m / 13,780 ft, from US$2,390. The Upper Mustang trek is a 14-day guided trek to the former Kingdom of Lo, a high desert behind the Himalaya where Tibetan Buddhist culture has survived almost... - [Nar Phu Valley Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/nar-phu-valley-trek.md): 13 days, Challenging, max 5,320 m / 17,454 ft (Kang La Pass), from US$1,490. The Nar Phu Valley trek is a 13-day restricted area trek into two hidden valleys north of the Annapurna Circuit. Deep gorges lead to the medieval Tibetan villag... - [Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Kathmandu](https://himalayanhiking.com/kailash-mansarovar-yatra.md): 14 days, Challenging (high altitude), max 5,630 m / 18,471 ft (Dolma La Pass), from US$2,990. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Asia, and this 14-day tour takes you overland from Kathmandu via the Kerung border to west... - [Upper Mustang Jeep Tour to Lo Manthang](https://himalayanhiking.com/upper-mustang-jeep-tour.md): 9 days, Easy to moderate, max 3,840 m / 12,598 ft (Lo Manthang), passes up to about 4,000 m, from US$1,690. The Upper Mustang jeep tour takes you by 4WD to Lo Manthang (3,840 m), the medieval walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, known as the "Forbidden Kingdom"... - [Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/shey-phoksundo-lake-trek.md): 12 days, Moderate, max 3,800 m / 12,467 ft (ridge above Phoksundo Lake), from US$1,890. The Shey Phoksundo Lake trek is a 12-day journey into Lower Dolpo, one of the most remote regions of Nepal, to Phoksundo Lake (3,611 m), the deepest lake in Nep... ## Monsoon treks in Nepal: the complete guide From June to August, the South Asian monsoon brings rain to most of Nepal. Trails in the middle hills turn muddy, leeches appear in the forests, and the mountains often hide behind cloud. But not everywhere: north of the main Himalayan range lie **rain-shadow regions** such as Upper Mustang, Nar Phu and Dolpo, which receive little rain and are at their best in summer. With the right route, **monsoon trekking in Nepal** can be quiet, green and spectacular. This guide explains where to trek in the monsoon, what to expect, and how to prepare. ## What is the monsoon like? The monsoon usually arrives in early to mid-June and retreats by late September. Rain often falls in heavy afternoon or night-time showers rather than all day, with clearer mornings. The hills are lush and green, rivers are full, and waterfalls pour off every cliff. The main challenges are mud, leeches, landslides on roads, and flight delays, especially to Lukla. ## Rain-shadow treks: the best monsoon choice ### Upper Mustang Behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, [Upper Mustang](/places/lo-manthang-upper-mustang) is a high desert of red cliffs, sky caves and Tibetan villages. It gets little rain, and the summer months are ideal. The colourful **Tiji festival** in Lo Manthang takes place in May. See our [Upper Mustang trek](/upper-mustang-trek) and [jeep tour](/upper-mustang-jeep-tour), and the [Upper Mustang guide](/blog/upper-mustang-trek-guide). ### Nar Phu and the upper Annapurna Circuit The upper part of the [Annapurna Circuit](/annapurna-circuit-trek), beyond Manang, and the hidden [Nar Phu valley](/nar-phu-valley-trek) are partly in the rain shadow. The lower sections can be wet, but the high valleys are much drier. ### Dolpo In the far west, Dolpo is one of the driest and most remote regions of Nepal. [Shey Phoksundo Lake](/shey-phoksundo-lake-trek) is a beautiful summer trek. ### Tibet and Kailash Across the border, the Tibetan plateau has its main travel season in summer; see our [Kailash Mansarovar Yatra](/kailash-mansarovar-yatra). ## Other monsoon options Short treks near Kathmandu and Pokhara are possible in the monsoon if you don't mind rain and some leeches. The Kathmandu Valley's temples and cultural sites can be enjoyed all summer, and Chitwan is quieter, though some safari activities are limited. ## Challenges and how to manage them - **Landslides:** roads can be blocked; build spare days into your plan. - **Flight delays:** flights to Lukla and Jomsom are often cancelled in cloud; allow buffer days. - **Leeches:** common in forests between about 1,000 and 3,000 m. Wear long socks and use salt or repellent. - **Views:** mornings are often clear; start early. ## What to pack - A good waterproof jacket and trousers, plus a pack cover - Quick-dry clothing - Waterproof boots with good grip, and sandals - Leech socks or long socks, and insect repellent - Dry bags for electronics ## Advantages of trekking in the monsoon - Very quiet trails and lodges - Lush green landscapes and wildflowers - The best time for Upper Mustang and Dolpo - Off-season prices on hotels ## Book a monsoon trek with Himalayan Hiking We'll help you choose a route that suits the season. Read our [monsoon trekking guide](/blog/trekking-in-nepal-in-monsoon) and our guides to [July](/blog/nepal-in-july) and [August](/blog/nepal-in-august), and [contact us](/contact-us) to plan your trip. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I trek in Nepal during the monsoon? Yes, choose rain-shadow treks such as Upper Mustang. ### Which treks are best in the monsoon? Upper Mustang, Nar Phu, Dolpo and the upper Annapurna Circuit. ### Will flights be delayed? Often; we keep spare days. ### Are there leeches? In the lower forests, yes; rain-shadow regions have few. ### Is Kailash possible in summer? Yes, the Yatra runs in the summer months. Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/category/monsoon-treks-in-nepal