The 6 Best Summer (Monsoon) Treks in Nepal

The 6 Best Summer (Monsoon) Treks in Nepal

Nepal's tourist season runs March-May (spring) and September-November (autumn). June-August is monsoon - dramatic afternoon downpours, leech-infested forests, persistent cloud, and unreliable flights. Most trekkers stay away.

But the geography of the Himalaya creates rain shadows. North of the main Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, the monsoon clouds break against the southern slopes and the northern valleys stay dry. These rain-shadow regions become Nepal's best summer treks - quieter than ever, clear weather almost daily, and accessible when nothing else is.

Here are the 6 best summer treks in Nepal.

1. Upper Mustang Trek

Why it works: Upper Mustang sits behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs in Nepal's trans-Himalayan zone. Average July rainfall in Lo Manthang is 30-50mm (compared to 300mm in Pokhara). The trek is almost completely dry.

What you see: The walled city of Lo Manthang (former capital of the Kingdom of Lo), 15th-century cave monasteries, ochre-and-grey cliff landscapes that look more like Tibet than Nepal, intact Tibetan Buddhist culture from before Chinese annexation.

Duration: 16-19 days
Difficulty: Moderate - lodge-based, moderate altitudes
Permit: USD 500 restricted-area for first 10 days

The Tiji Festival (May - early June) is the cultural highlight of the year. June is the perfect time to combine the festival tail with the early summer trek.

2. Upper Dolpo Trek

Why it works: Even deeper in the rain shadow than Upper Mustang. Average July rainfall in Dolpo is 50-80mm. The high passes are dry and crossable.

What you see: The turquoise Phoksundo Lake, Shey Gompa (800-year-old monastery), Crystal Mountain pilgrimage site, Tibetan-speaking salt-trade villages like Saldang and Tinje. The most isolated Tibetan-Buddhist culture in Nepal.

Duration: 20-25 days
Difficulty: Strenuous - camping expedition, four 5,000m+ passes
Permit: USD 500 restricted-area + park fees

Our flagship summer trek for experienced mountaineers and trekkers seeking the most committing wilderness experience available.

3. Lower Dolpo Circuit

Why it works: Same rain-shadow geography as Upper Dolpo, shorter timeframe.

What you see: Phoksundo Lake, Dho Tarap valley (highest permanent Tibetan-speaking settlement in the world), two 5,000m+ passes (Numa La, Baga La).

Duration: 18 days
Difficulty: Strenuous - camping, high passes
Permit: USD 20/week restricted-area + park fees

The accessible introduction to Dolpo. Perfect if Upper Dolpo seems too long but you want the wild Tibetan-shadow experience.

4. Jomsom Muktinath Trek

Why it works: Lower Mustang and the Kali Gandaki valley sit in the rain shadow. The walk from Jomsom to the Muktinath temple at 3,700m is dry even in July.

What you see: The sacred Muktinath Temple (108 water spouts, Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site), the Bon village of Lupra, Marpha (apple-growing village), the deepest gorge in the world between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

Duration: 7-10 days
Difficulty: Easy to moderate - lodge-based, max altitude 3,750m
Permit: ACAP + TIMS card

Excellent first-time Himalayan trek for summer travellers.

5. Nar Phu Valley Trek

Why it works: The Nar and Phu valleys are hidden behind the Annapurna massif - so deeply in the rain shadow that they have almost desert characteristics. The 18-day combined trek with Mesokanto Pass and Tilicho Lake is excellent in summer.

What you see: The fortified villages of Nar and Phu (untouched until restricted-area permits opened them in 2002), Tibetan-Buddhist monasteries, prayer-flag-marked Mani walls, Kangla Pass (5,322m), Tilicho Lake (4,919m - the world's highest altitude lake).

Duration: 17-19 days
Difficulty: Strenuous - high passes, restricted-area permits
Permit: USD 75-100 restricted-area + ACAP

The connoisseur's restricted-area trek.

6. Limi Valley Trek

Why it works: Humla district, in Nepal's far north-west, sits in the deep rain shadow with views into Tibet. Summer is when the high passes are easiest.

What you see: Three Tibetan-speaking villages of the Limi Valley (Halji, Til, Jang), the 1,000-year-old Rinchenling Gompa, Mount Kailash visible from Hilsa on the Tibet border.

Duration: 22 days
Difficulty: Strenuous - camping expedition, very remote
Permit: USD 50 first week + USD 7/day restricted-area

The most committing summer trek in our catalogue.

What about the around-Kathmandu hikes?

The Kathmandu Valley itself is heavily monsoon-affected. Day hikes (Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarkot) are doable in summer but the trails are muddy, leeches are common, and the views are usually cloud-obscured. We do not recommend them as the primary purpose of a trip - but they are fine as Kathmandu fillers.

What you cannot do in summer

These treks are usually impossible or very difficult during monsoon:

• Everest Base Camp - Lukla flights cancel constantly
• Annapurna Base Camp - landslide-prone, leeches
• Manaslu Circuit - Larkya La pass weather, lower-section road washouts
• Langtang Valley - rain-prone, muddy
• Kanchenjunga - Bhadrapur flights cancel, lodges close
• Most peak climbs - unstable snow conditions

Practical summer trekking tips

• Pack waterproof: Even rain-shadow regions get occasional showers. Always bring a quality hard-shell jacket and pack cover.
• Buffer flight days: Domestic flights to Juphal, Pokhara and Nepalgunj can still cancel.
• Leech socks: Required for any forest walking below 3,000m.
• Quick-dry clothing: Synthetic everything. Cotton stays wet for days.
• Insect repellent: Mosquitoes in the lowlands. Less of an issue at altitude.
• Buffer days at the start and end: Domestic flight cancellation rates are higher in summer.

Why summer trekking is underrated

The advantages most trekkers do not realise:

1. Almost no other trekkers. You will share lodges with 1-2 other groups, not 50.
2. Cheaper. Operators offer 10-20% discounts in low season.
3. Wildflowers. High alpine meadows bloom spectacularly in July-August.
4. Wildlife. Animals are more active and more visible.
5. Cultural events. Yartung horse festival (Upper Mustang, August) and various local rituals.
6. Bookable last-minute. No need to plan 6 months ahead.

In summary

Nepal has six excellent treks for the monsoon season - all in rain-shadow regions where the Himalaya blocks summer rain. Upper Mustang, Dolpo (Upper and Lower), Jomsom-Muktinath, Nar Phu Valley and Limi Valley.

If you can only travel in June, July or August, do not abandon the idea of trekking in Nepal. The rain-shadow treks are some of the most rewarding in the country, and you will have them almost to yourself.