Don’t let the Rain ruin your fun: Best Places to Visit in Monsoon in Nepal
17 May 2024 Chandra Gurung
The monsoon in Nepal brings colors and greenery and paints the landscapes with green, grey, and yellow hues, with the iconic sun and rainbow after the water just stops. The pleasing smell of wet mud, enchanting rivers, luscious landscapes, and incredible waterfalls offer a unique experience.
Though the path can be slippery, the demand for monsoon adventure in nature strolling is beyond explanation. Love blossoms in the monsoon and when you can have a cozy night with lush greenery on the balcony of your favorite resort, that’s a vacation time to stay with your beau in mild rain during the monsoon. With cocktails and our favorite wine, fine dining can also be couples’ best experience in the monsoon in Nepal.
What are the best places to visit in the monsoon in Nepal?
If you are looking for the monsoon rain to set off, here are some top visit-worthy places. Even though leeches could be present, by simply avoiding them, you can make the most of the greenery in the nearby hill station, like Nagarkot, located 32 km east of Nagarkot.
We have prepared a list of top Monsoon-friendly tour places in Nepal. Let’s see why the after-rain time makes these the best places to visit in the monsoon in Nepal.
1. Nagarkot
Nagarkot is the nearby hill station from Kathmandu, which offers panoramic views of mountains like Mount Annapurna, Ganesh Himal, and Mount Everest. Visitors can relax in the ambiance of a cozy resort, such as Hotel Mystic Himalaya or Club Himalaya Nagarkot Resort, and make the most of their visit during the monsoon in Nepal.
With its closer proximity to Kathmandu, just 32 km from the heart of the city, you can enjoy hiking, short treks, and outdoor adventures in a serene environment after rain with slight precipitation in Nagarkot. Chisapani Nagarkot hiking takes you to the traditional villages, ancient temples, and beautiful sunrise and sunset destinations in Nepal.
What will be alluring is the earthy scent of damp soil and vibrant green life. It is an interesting combination of raindrops on the blades of grass that just helps you celebrate the aftermath of the rain. Nagarkot Geodetic Survey Tower is the highest point where you can sightsee the whole Kathmandu valley.
The winter season can bring snow to Nagarkot and people come here to see the snow and spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas. The top choice for Nagarkot is its beautiful location, making it suitable to trek, explore the waterfalls, and take you to the greener side of city life, with views of Langtang, Rolwaling, Everest, Numbur, and Jugal Himalayas.
2. Ilam
Ilam is located in the Mahabharata hilly range in the eastern region of Nepal. This hill district lies at an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) to 3,636 meters (11,929 feet) above sea level. Ilam was one of the ten self-ruling states of Limbuwan before Nepal’s reunification. The tea cultivation in Ilam was initiated in 1863 as the Ilam Tea Estate.
It was only in 1982 that the five districts of Ilam, Jhapa, Dhankuta, Panchthar, and Terhathum were combined, known as the tea zones of Nepal. Ilam is best known for its sightseeing and attractions like Mai Pokhari Lake, sites like Gajur Mukhi ( Bhagwati temple), and Antu Danda, an outstanding vantage point in Ilam.
From the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, the regular bus also operates to Ilam. You can also hire a private vehicle, while an air ticket can take you to the nearest airport to Ilam, Bhadrapur Airport, which is 92 kilometers away from Kanyam, Ilam Tea Garden.
Take a day tour of the tea garden and enjoy the rain while reading a book at your hotel on a rainy evening—a perfect monsoon activity served with a hot cup of tea. It’s up to you to make your day fruitful when the weather forecast shows minimalistic rain predictions in the monsoon in Nepal.
3. Pokhara
The monsoon rain does pose a challenge to outdoor activities in Pokhara but one can find a peaceful retreat in a less-crowded season in Pokhara. Visitors can savor traditional Nepali dishes, explore the Pokhara Regional Museum and Gurkha Memorial Park, and enjoy the backdrop of greenery in Pokhara. The Seti River George is one of the city’s natural beauties. It is among the best places to visit in the monsoon when the temples have risen in water level with extra green and extra magic in this lakeside city.
Mountain Glory Forest Resort and Spa, Waterfront Resort, Temple Tree Resort, and Pokhara Lodge are some of the top places to visit during the monsoon in Pokhara, Nepal. You can choose to stay at a lakeside location with a terrace, lounge, room service, and even a spa on the hotel premises when the outside is running.
These resorts are suitable for families with children and dining options also include multinational cuisines, still inspired by Nepali taste buds. The prices in high-rated resorts can range from $105 per night. But you can also have a deal at mid-range stay places in Monsoon in Nepal, starting at $10 (Nepali rupees 1300 to 1500) per night.
4. Suburb area in Monsoon
If you are still confused about the monsoon attractions in Nepal, the Lumbini, Upper Mustang, and Annapurna circuit regions can bring the colors you knew never existed. Farmers are more than happy to welcome monsoon rain in Nepal. Planning a trip to the monsoon means being prepared for mild to huge rainfall in Nepal during this season.
The visitors can be part of the harvest season of the year and watch the traditional methods of ploughing, farming, and rice planting on their trip. Wander around the suburbs region where the wet streets have an earthy scent for you to lose your senses( obviously in a good way) as you feel this smell dear and “home”! Olfactophilia is when you love the smell of something that your emotions arouse.
Why monsoon can be a unique time to explore Nepal?
The monsoon season can be a unique time when vibrant colors paint the landscapes with coats of green. You can see the waterfall and rivers dancing out and coming alive, making it a cleaner and more refreshing time of the year.
There are fewer crowds, spectacular sunrises, and rainbows in the clouds, with the play of light and colors in the surroundings. Temples, shrines, and historic monuments remain open and are even safer to visit during the monsoon in Nepal. So, the best places to visit in the monsoon in Nepal are the Hindu God/Goddess temple, parks, Patan Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Tips to consider when visiting places in Monsoon
When visiting the shortlisted places during monsoon season in Nepal, you need to be cautious about them to have a hassle-free experience. The first thing is to check the weather forecast, as heavy rain conditions are not ideal for you to plan a destination trip in Nepal. Choosing a four-wheeler is better than taking your bike, as potential risks arise during the monsoon season.
Pack light and include rain gear. Even have insect repellent, and medications against fever, flu, and indigestion during this season. Monsoon can bring waterborne disease so be mindful about what you eat and drink to prevent food poisoning and check hygienic local restaurants to stay safe. Avoid drinking water from unreliable sources and carry water purification tablets to mitigate the risk that monsoons invite.
Conclusion
Monsoon travel can be confusing; you want to sit in bed and even have soothing views of greenery far away from you. That’s when a resort serves a purpose. You can also have budget travel with your better half and family, with pre-planning, and make the most of the offers during less-crowded monsoon season (getting wet and wild).
Embrace spontaneity, prepare to be safe, and even participate in vibrant celebrations of the local community during the monsoon. There are prospects that this will become a more popular time to connect with nature ( with ounces of love oozing from the sky), except for the part where the unprecedented rain might trigger safety concerns. Inquire with Manaslu guide for more such interesting adventures, treks, and tourism throughout the season in Nepal.