Popular Monsoon Treks in Nepal:
Annapurna Base Camp Monsoon Trek
The classic Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 meters) is the best trekking route in Nepal throughout the year, the trail is more vibrant and majestic during Monsoon Season in Nepal.
You can encounter numerous waterfalls cascading down the roadsides and hillsides. The free flowing rivers and waterfalls feel more fresh and refreshing during the tiring trekking days.
Although it is monsoon season, it doesn't rain throughout the day, the morning and the part days are more clear and vibrant. It usually rains during the afternoon and evening which makes it difficult to trek through the slippery trails so it is recommended to start the trek early in the morning.
The unique tropical jungles of rhododendron and bamboo plants along with abundance of wildflowers make this trek more popular during monsoon season.
However, witnessing the breathtaking Annapurna mountain range is undoubtedly the best part of the trek. The appearance of towering peaks like Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre rising magnificently into the clouds will surely leave you speechless. When you finally reach the Annapurna Base Camp, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the mountains that surround you.
Since the monsoon season is considered off-peak season for trekking, it is comparatively budget-friendly to trek during monsoon season in Annapurna Base Camp. It is also very essential to check the weather forecasts before trekking at higher altitudes during the Monsoon Season in Nepal.
Nar Phu Valley Trek
The Nar Phu Valley (4,250 meters) is known for its unique remote landscapes that are usually less crowded even during other seasons. During the monsoon season, the number of trekkers decreases even further resulting in a more intimate and exclusive experience.
It is one of the most exciting off-the-beaten treks in Nepal, which lies in the Annapurna Region. The monsoon season brings abundant rainfall to the valley leaving a vibrant and lush vegetation. The Nar Phu Valley transforms into a breathtaking sight with blooming Rhododendrons, Alpine Asters, Blue Poppies, Himalayan Balsam, and Wild berries.
The cascading waterfalls and the terraced fields with the combination of misty clouds create amazing photographic opportunities during the trek. The waterfalls are enhanced with the numerous flow of waterfalls and water streams in the Nar Phu Valley.
The monsoon season also increases the activity for the wildlife species in the Nar Phu Region, you may encounter rare animals such as Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr, Golden Eagle, Red Panda, Blue Sheep and rare species of birds like Himalayan Monal, Tibetan Snowcock can make your trek even more exciting and memorable.
While the monsoon brings its own set of challenges with the slippery trails and occasional rainfall, it adds an adventurous element to the trek. Overcoming these trails and finally witnessing the beauty of the valley along the rain can be one of the best lifetime experiences for you.
Everest View Trek
The Everest View Trek is a captivating and unique experience where you hike to the Everest View Hotel where you can experience the best view of Mount Everest including other great peaks of the region.
This is one of the most popular short treks in the Everest Region for exploring the ancient Buddhist Monasteries, Sherpa lifestyle, and Virgin Culture. Located at the height of 3,900 meters above sea level making the hotel at the highest altitude, Everest View Hotel is the major highlight of this trek serving the amazing and clearest view of Mount Everest.
As the rain rejuvenates the landscapes, the hills and the valley come alive with blooming wildflowers like Rhododendron, Daisies, Orchids, Primorses and vibrant forests.
The trails can be challenging due to muddy trails and landslides, however, you can still catch the majestic views of the panoramic mountains around you. You can spot different wildlife thrives like rare birds, butterflies, Himalayan Pigeon, Wild Boar, Foxes, Swallowtail Butterflies, and other rare animals.
The transient waterfalls and cascades that occur during the monsoon season offer an enchanted element to the trek, making it an experience you will never forget.
Additionally, this trek allows a cultural immersion as you witness different traditional farming practices and can communicate with the locals.
Khopra Danda Trek
The Khopra Danda trek, also known as the Khopra Ridge trek is another popular trekking destination in the majestic Annapurna Region of Nepal. While this trek can be done throughout the year, the Khopra Danda Trek at the height of 3,660 meters above sea level, holds a unique appeal during the Monsoon Season in Nepal.
Despite the occasional rainfall and cloudy weather, the monsoon season also offers the unique views of the Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, Himchuli, Tukuche Peak and other stunning mountains of Annapurna Region. The clear and vibrant sky after a rainfall offers the great views of the snow-capped peaks and the surrounding valley in the region.
The monsoon season can be the best time to interact with the locals along the Khopra Danda Trek due to less crowd and more opportunities to engage and learn about the unique culture of the Gurung and Magar communities.
This region boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna, especially during the monsoon season. You can encounter some rare wildlife like Langur Monkeys, Himalayan Tahr, Snow Leopards, and Musk Deer whereas vibrant flowers like Oak and Pine, Rhododendrons (National Flower of Nepal), and Alpine Meadows can be another exciting element in your journey.
Badimalika Trek (A Magical Monsoon Trek)
Located in the Bajura district of Nepal, the Badimalika is one of the best and unexplored treks in the far- western Nepal. At the height of 4,200 meters above sea level, you can experience the breathtakingly distinct landscapes of the Badimalika Trek during the monsoon season.
It is an unforgettable experience, unlike any other trek, this adventurous trek immerses you in a world of breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant vegetation, and stunning landscapes. This trek also includes the Badimalika Temple that lies during the trail at the hillock where the Api Nampa and Mount Saipal add extra excitement to the trek.
The monsoon season, especially mid-September is considered one of the best times for this trek. As you embark on your journey on the Badimalika trek during monsoon season, you will be enchanted by the gorgeous scenery that emerges in front of you. The constant rain gives life to the surrounding area, turning the entire area into a green paradise.
As far as your eyes can see, rolling hills, lush forests and meadows are all there, bringing back the explosion of color in the valley.
However, this trek is truly amazing for more reasons than only vibrant surroundings during monsoon. You will pass through various waterfalls like the Badimalika, Chamar, and Syauliwang Waterfalls, along the trip. These falling waters reflect the vibrant tones of the surroundings.
This magical monsoon trek takes you through the different rural villages inhabited by indigenous communities like Thakuri, Rokaya, and Bohora. The agricultural activities are also at their peaks during the monsoon season where you can witness the traditional farming and cultivation practices in a local way.
Kori Trek (A Paradise Trek)
Kori Trek, also known as the Crown of Tangting and Sikles Village, takes you to the inner Annapurna region of Nepal. This is also a new and popular trekking destination that serves you the amazing panoramic experiences of the Annapurna Region.
This trek offers the heavenly views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Kapuche Lamjung, and Manaslu mountains along with the green grazing land for sheep. Wildlives like Musk Deer, Himalayan Tahr, and Danfe (Himalayan Monal, National Bird of Nepal) are seen during this trek.
This is an unexplored trek in the western Nepal that serves the raw adventure. This paradise trek has been inhabited by the Gurungs and Ghale communities of Nepal. The Kori Danda with Kapuche Lake Trek is one of the easiest treks in the region, however, the trails can be slippery due to heavy rainfall during monsoon.
Leeches can be a problem during monsoon trekking in Nepal besides, the monsoon season also brings the coolest temperatures and the freshness of the vibrant green trails you wouldn't want to miss.
Lower Mustang Monsoon Trek
Located in the trans- Himalayan region of Annapurna, the Lower Mustang Trek is also a part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. This trek includes the Kaligandaki River, the deepest gorge in the world.
The Lower Mustang trek is a simple trek that is best done during monsoon season as the region gets very little rain which results in the beautiful and vibrant views of the region. This trail is well-known for being the monsoon trek in Nepal. The Mustang region is located on the Tibetan plateau's southern edge. Himalayan peaks like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri dominate the area.
Jomsom, an administrative town, is the starting point of the trek that unveils the spectacular diversity of the landscapes.
One of the best highlights of this trek, Muktinath Temple is the Hindu temple located at the highest altitude (3,800 meters) in Nepal. Red Panda, Himalayan Tahr, Pika, and Marmots are the major wildlife found during monsoon season in the Lower Mustang Region.
The crisscross trail during the trek makes it more exciting and can be easily done by first-time trekkers. However, it is always a good idea to have some level of fitness and acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness when trekking at higher altitudes.
Mardi Himal Trek
The Mardi Himal trek is a short and easy trek in the Annapurna Region that offers gorgeous views of the Annapurna Mountain Range. Comparatively, it is a lesser-known trek than other treks in Nepal.
At the maximum height of 4,500 meters, this trek gives you the closeup and best views of Machhapuchhre, and Annapurna. This trek can be easily done during monsoon season despite the slippery and rugged trails. It is one of the short monsoon treks in Nepal that can be completed in 4-5 days.
Australian Base Camp Waterfall, Jhinu Danda, and Landruk Waterfalls are the best highlights of this trek. You can feel the freshness from the free-flowing water that takes away all your tiredness. The hills are fully covered in greenery and the mountains feel alive with the clouds surrounding the landscapes during monsoon. The trek serves the best sub-tropical forests and alpine vegetation.
Blue Poppies, Rhododendron, and Wild Orchids are some gorgeous wildflowers you might encounter during this short monsoon trek. This is a moderate trek that doesn't require any skills or expertise. Trekking in July can be challenging due to heavy rainfall, however, the unique flowers and vibrant terrain make the trek unforgettable.
Shey Phoksundo Lake Trek
Shey Phoksundo Lake is an alpine freshwater lake surrounded by rugged mountains and dense forests located in the Dolpa district of Nepal. This Y-shaped lake lies in the Himalayas of Nepal at an altitude of 3,589 meters.
The ambiance of these lakes changes a little as compared to other seasons, The heavy rainfall brings out a refreshing lushness in the area, transforming it into a vibrant green landscape, The valleys and hills are covered in thick vegetation including shrubs, grasses, and trees, The rainwater cascades down the slopes and creating waterfalls adding a unique beauty of the region.
The water level increases in the lakes during the monsoon season. The lakes appear to be more pristine, and expansive, reflecting the mountains and clouds in the crystal-clear water. Also, the watercolor of the Shey Phoksundo Lake can vary from deep blue to turquoise depending on the weather conditions of the sunlight. While the monsoon season brings rainfall, it also brings cloudy skies and misty conditions to the region.
Rhododendron, Caragana Shrubs, salix, juniper, and white Himalayan birch, are the common faunas whereas Snow leopard, Himalayan wolf, Himalayan brown bear, white-bellied musk deer, and Bharal are essential habitats for some endangered mammals found in this region. It is essential to know the pre-weather conditions before planning a trek to the Shey Phoksundo Lake due to heavy rainfall, landslides, and challenging trails.
Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
Ghorepani Ponnhill is the easiest and beginner-friendly trek in the Annapurna Region that offers majestic views of the Annapurna Range. Mid-monsoon is considered the best season for Ghorepani Poonhill Trek.
This short monsoon trek in Nepal can be extremely rewarding for the raw adventure of the region. The monsoon brings the extra freshness and earthy feel to the free-flowing waterfalls like Tikhedhunga, Nayapul, and Banthali waterfalls, on the trails.
At a height of 3,210 meters, the Ghorepani Poonhill viewpoint is one of the most popular and the best spots for amazing sunrises and sunsets that shine in the glorious Machhapuchhre Himal.
To encounter the clouds and mists moving on the top of the mountains makes it feel more alive during monsoon season where the trails and teahouses are less crowded.
Conclusion
Lastly, it is very important to choose a good trekking destination according to your physical ability, weather considerations, and preferences. Trekking in the Monsoon season is rewarding as well as an equally challenging journey due to the potential risks of slippery trails, heavy rainfall, landslides, and mudslides. You must be very careful with water-borne diseases, and leeches, during trekking in monsoon season. You can also check out the other blog on the Ultimate Guide to the Most Popular Monsoon Treks in Nepal.
However, the monsoon season trek can still be done with the help of good planning, physical fitness, and good trekking gear like sturdy trekking boots, Raincoast and back covers, and your medications.
Footprint Adventure is a leading travel agency that has been in the trekking field since 2015 with extremely good reviews, you can always contact us for any queries about trekking in the Monsoon season or others. We can help you with all the necessary permits and special guidance for Monsoon Treks in Nepal.
