Because of the great Himalayan beauty of Nepal, it is the primary destination for amazing trekking adventures for people from all over the world. While treks in Nepal tend to occur all the year round- the autumn and the spring seasons are usually considered the best seasons for treks, especially in the higher altitudes in the Himalayas. It is because the spring and the autumn seasons present clear views of the mountains and ideal weather for treks. Besides that, one can also do winter and summer treks in Nepal. The spring season in Nepal lasts from March to May, while the autumn season lasts from September to December. The summer season in Nepal tends to last from June to August, and is notoriously known for frequent rain showers. It is because of the rain that the summer season isn't generally considered ideal for high altitude treks, as obscure mountain views, muddy trekking trails and flight delays are common. Fortunately, Nepal has many trekking destinations that are good for monsoon treks as well. There are certain rain-shadowed zones in Nepal that experience less rainfall during the monsoon, making them the best choices for monsoon treks in Nepal. The rain-shadowed zones in Nepal have little precipitation due to their topographic barrier of mountain ranges. The Himalayan Peaks cause the prevailing winds to lose their moisture on the windward side, causing the leeward side to be dry. It makes these certain destinations ideal for monsoon treks. Here are Top 5 Treks in Nepal During Monsoon Season-
[highlight]UPPER MUSTANG TREK- THE BEST AMONG THE MONSOON TREKS IN NEPAL[/highlight]
Trekking in Upper Mustang is among the best choice for monsoon treks in Nepal. Upper Mustang is situated on the rain-shadow zone of the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri Mountain Ranges. It receives very little rainfall and is ideal for summer trekking. Because of its topography, Upper Mustang presents a very distinct and unique environment compared to the rest of Nepal. While most of the trekking destinations in Nepal present a verdant environment, Mustang flaunts corroded hills and amazing rock formations unlike anything else in the country! The region is located on the peripheries of the Kali Gandaki Gorge- one of the deepest gorges on the planet. With much of the region’s land being high steppes, the terrain of Mustang is that of sparse vegetation and snow with strong winds and unique rock erosions. Furthermore, one of the highlights on this trek is getting to the forbidden kingdom of Lo Manthang, one of the last places where ethnic people still practice the Tibetan culture in its finest form.
[highlight]UPPER DOLPO TREK- ONE OF OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH MONSOON TREKS IN NEPAL [/highlight]
A high altitude culturally Tibetan region, Dolpo lies in the upper catchments of the Dolpa district of western Nepal. Despite situated within the district of Dolpa- the largest district of Nepal covering about 5.36% of the total landmass of the country- it is still pretty much isolated and shrouded in seclusion because of its topography. Albeit being the largest region, it is still the least densely populated region of the country. As a result, the culture and tradition of the ethnic people of Dolpo is still preserved in its refined form. Geologically a part of the sedimentary Tibetan-Tethys Zone, Dolpo is surrounded by the Himalayan mountain chain that includes prominent peaks like the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna. Much like Mustang, the Himalayas cause a cloud barrier and result in the semi-arid climate of the valley, making it a good option for monsoon treks in Nepal. There is very little rainfall in Dolpo, resulting in a landscape that resembles the Tibetan plateau. Trekking in Dolpo is often filled with wide open summer pastures, brown rudimentary hills and lots of yak caravans.
[highlight]Rara Lake Trek [/highlight]
The gorgeous Rara Lake is the largest Lake of Nepal, and also the highest-located lake. It is situated in the Rara National Park in the remote western region of the country. While it is not as dry as Mustang and Upper Dolpo, the crystal clear waters of the Rara Lake and the alpine meadows surrounding the water truly seem to come alive in the summertime. Likewise, the exotic Himalayan flora also makes it a worthwhile trip albeit occasional summer showers. The Rara Lake Trek is a good choice for monsoon treks in Nepal because of its amazing natural beauty that you can best observe in the summer.
[highlight]The Annapurna Circuit Trek [/highlight]
The Annapurna Conservation Area is one of the most popular places for trekking in Nepal. As a matter of fact- the Annapurna region is on par with the Everest region itself in terms of popularity for treks. It is easily accessible by road or air via Pokhara. As for the Annapurna Circuit Trek, it is also considered one of the classic trekking adventures. Significant parts of the Annapurna Circuit lie in the monsoon curtain, making it suitable for monsoons treks in Nepal. During summer, the upper parts of the trek, like Manang and the Thorong La Mountain Pass are dry and arid with strong winds.
[highlight]Nar Phu Valley Trek[/highlight]
The Nar Phu Valley Trek is a rugged and wild trek on the north of Annapurna. This exotic land offers medieval Tibetan culture, dramatic mountain views of the Annapurna and great alpine scenery. It is a rather newly opened trek that does not see a lot of trekkers. In fact, it is a seldom travelled trek. With high plateaus and remote Tibetan villages built of stone, the Nar Phu Valley Trek is ideal for monsoon treks in Nepal. Similarly, it is also good for travelers who are looking for an isolated trekking experience. Ancient Buddhist monasteries and grand views of the Annapurna Range are the major attractions of this trek.
Correspondingly, the Nar Phu Valley Trek is a restricted trekking trail. A special trekking permit through government registered Nepal Trekking Agency and minimum two people are required to obtain the Nar Phu valley trekking permit.
