Nepal in June: Monsoon Weather Greenery

Nepal’s weather in June varies from region to region, but it is predominantly wet and humid. Monsoon season in Nepal means that the capital Kathmandu has highs of 29°C and on average 17 days of rain, meaning that umbrellas and indoor plans are needed.

Pokhara, on the other hand, is slightly warmer with average highs of 31°C. The city also experiences less rainy days with an average of 11 days, mostly toward the end of the month. Further up north in the Mustang region of Nepal, you can experience a completely different climate with highs of 17°C and lows of 4°C. Although it rains an average of 14 days, it is just 69mm for the whole month—a fraction of the amount that falls in Kathmandu or Pokhara—making it one of the best places to visit in Nepal in June.

If you’re not sure when to visit Nepal, check out our seasonal overview - it’s our guide to the best time to visit Nepal.

Despite the rainy weather, there are still plenty of great reasons to visit Nepal in June. Here are some:

• Rice Planting Festival: While not everyone loves rain, farmers sure do. The start of the monsoons marks the start of the rice planting season in Nepal. Celebrated at the end of June, head to rice paddies all around the country and take part in the inaugural paddy plantation ceremony celebrated with traditional music.
• Better rates: Hotel and flight prices tend to be a lot cheaper in June, as not many people travel to the country owing to the rainy weather and trekking routes are limited. Plan your trip at the start of the month when the prices have dropped and the bulk of the monsoon has not yet hit the country.
• Low crowd: For the same reason why Nepal in June is cheaper, there are also way fewer tourists around during this time. As rains keep most visitors away from Nepal, you will find the country’s attraction sites free of crowds.

With the monsoon rains bearing down in most parts of Nepal in June, there are certain areas where it is simply too wet to hike or trek. But there are plenty of rain shadow areas, where it does not rain as much and the risk of landslides is less. One of such areas is Manaslu, which is often connected up to the Annapurna trek routes. You can check out some of the best Manaslu treks here.

Usually humid at other times of the year, June is also a great time to visit Chitwan National Park. The rainfall will provide some respite from the hot weather conditions in the south of Nepal. Plus monsoon means the area will be covered in greens which can make wildlife watching in their natural habitat even more exhilarating.

If you are heading to the Mustang region, you can also visit the Nepali Grand Canyon. A short day hike from Chele, which is easy to schedule around the daily rains, should take you to the Kali Gandaki Gorge, which is said to be one of the world’s deepest gorges. Cross over the bridge with the rushing river below it. There are also several other hiking routes in the area, including to the Upper Mustang.

In addition to the regular wet weather gear, remember to pack long-length trousers and shirts, as the humidity and dampness of the season can bring out the leeches. Carry some analgesic with you because it will come in handy if you are bitten.

There is no getting around the fact that the monsoon rains make June a less than ideal time to visit Nepal. While some treks are possible, the combination of the heavy rains and humidity makes for a soggy trip. But if you are heading to the Mustang region of the country, June is a great time to explore its mountain landscape, where the rainfall is less frequent and tourist crowds are few around this time.

Need a hand planning your next trip to Nepal? Take advantage of our customizable trips to Nepal. Our local travel experts will do all the hard work for you, while you just need to focus on what to pack.

Other related article:
Summer in Nepal