Best Routes for Trekking in the Monsoon

With the monsoon striking the country, some trekking routes become very dangerous to take due to puddling, leeches, and whatnot. Most trials come back to life for fellow trekkers right around the edge of summer or autumn. But there are a number of such trials feasible during the rainy season as well. These routes bloom their best with the frequent rain, and the pathways are also safe to travel. Some of these beauties you will only get to witness when the monsoon comes to say hi, the hills are lush green and less crowded than usual. 

Here are three such trekking routes for the rainy season: 

Nar Phu Valley Trek

Residing amongst the Annapurna and Manaslu regions lies some of the most serene hidden valleys. The route to Nar and Phu valleys breaks from the Annapurna circuit trek and you will be guided to the northeast. This trekking route is ideal and at its most captivating state during the monsoon season in the months of June, July, and August. It gives a perfect blend of lush green terrace farms and rocky trails of the mountains. 

The valleys nestle surrounded by mountains on three sides and Mustang on the west. The comparatively higher elevation and long distances can make it a challenging one. To experience this trek, a permit is required from the Government of Nepal. While every village you encounter, the culture and lifestyle of Tibetan Buddhists, Gurungs, and the Bön culture will be a cherry on top of your trip. After trekking through the bright green terrace farms of the Phu Valley, an entirely contrasting landscape of the rocky Himalayas in the Nar Valley will baffle you. Your trek might last up to 10 to 17 days depending on the weather and the pace.  Either a flight to Pokhara and a drive to Besisahar or a direct drive there from Kathmandu would be ideal for you to follow the Annapurna Circuit route and branch out towards the northeast to look for these wondrous Nar Phu Valleys. 

Phoksundo Lake Trek 

The magical Phoksundo Lake shimmers with the monsoon air. It is a short and easy trek in the Dolpo region. This largest and deepest lake in Nepal stands as a major pilgrimage site for the Hindus, Buddhists, and Bon Po religions.

Ideally, it is an 11-day trek, but you might have to take a couple more days in hand in case the monsoon weather goes wild with rainfall. The trail passes through the dense oak forest in its cleanest atmosphere that is cleared out with rainwater. If your luck is aligned, you might even spot wildlife in the forest. Salient and hidden waterfalls flow at their wildest during this season, which might just be the highlight of the pathway for you. Peaceful villages like Chhepka, Dunai, Shyanta and many more will be stopping points, giving a blend of the pristine nature and the alluring lives of the people. The Phoksundo lake rests in the foothills of the breathtaking view of Mt Kanjirowa. Your trip starts with a flight to Nepalgunj and a drive to Juphal. 

Limi Valley Trek 

The Limi valley rests in the far west in the region of Humla. It gets near to no rainfall at all even during the monsoon, a plus point to take the route to experience this diamond in the rough of a valley.

It is almost like you’ve traveled through time as you enter the valley since it is the last remaining home for the authentic Tibetan lifestyle and culture. It resides amongst the rocky terrain of Humla. While the rainfall doesn't directly hit this valley, your route will be blessed with the rain throughout. It starts with a flight to Nepalgunj, and then another flight to Simikot, the starting point of the trek. It will last from 15 to 18 days, and the high altitude might make the trek a little challenging. The route also passes through the Nepal-China Border, the Nara La pass, and the Nyalu La pass, giving you a serene view of the Himalayas like no other place.