Monsoon in Nepal: visa quests, failed plans, and coffee addictions

What the heck we were doing in Nepal?! Plus what it was like to travel in Nepal during monsoon.

 

Our initial plans for Nepal sounded pretty badass: we would enter through the eastern tea hills, putter about in the Kathmandu valley as we sorted out visas, strap on our packs and hike over 5,000 meter plus passes, then our way through remote and offbeat Western Nepal to cross into Northern India.

What we actually did: drink a metric shit ton of coffee, twiddle our thumbs, and bond with working wifi (my love, I needed you).

So we went to Nepal… why?

Our venture into Nepal was ill-fated from the start: July is full-on monsoon season in the country, and the month with the highest levels of precipitation.

Heavy rains are the obvious downside, but more practical problems are the regular landslides and the clouds bringing the rain; in monsoon, the Himalayas are completely obscured by clouds most of the time! Nothing says “Nepal adventure” like not seeing any mountains, eh eh?

Check out this monsoon packing list for all the gear you need when traveling in Nepal during the monsoon!

What it's like to travel in Nepal during monsoon - Some snow capped mountains visible from Patan, Nepal - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Never fear, we did see some of them… for an hour or two in total. Score! (I think?)

So why did we visit Nepal at such a wretched time? Aside from being distracted by the awesome that is Northeast India and spending longer there than intended, we came with an ulterior motive: to apply for new Pakistan visas. We needed to send our passports all the way back to the Netherlands to do so, and that was only possible from Nepal, not India (where it’s illegal to send passports in or out of the country).

If you follow us on our Facebook or Instagram, you’ll know our visa quest did not go as expected. We thought it would take several days… and it turned out to take several weeks, thanks to Dutch customs seizing our passports for a time. Fun!

Since we had to be on call while waiting for our precious passports to return, that meant no getting lost in the mountains of Nepal. It was a bummer (especially since we’d already paid for trekking permits), but such is the unexpected nature of traveling. Besides, there are far worse places to be stuck than cushy tourist hotspots filled with comfort food and kickass coffee.

Traveling in monsoon in Nepal - Coffee in a cafe in Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal - Lost With Purpose

The tip of the Nepali iceberg

Since trekking was off the table, we put our noses to the grindstone more days than not, focusing on the blog and freelance work. Once our minds turned to mush, we turned to the streets, casually wandering but not actively exploring.

We don’t have any crazy stories or truly offbeat tips for you from Nepal, but that’s okay. Nepal is a popular country; it’s been written about by thousands of people a million times over, and there’s no lack of information available about it on the internet—a change from most of the other destinations we’ve visited in recent months!

Travel in Nepal during monsoon off season - Thamel, Kathmandu - Lost With Purpose travel blog

The congested tourist neighborhood of Thamel in Kathmandu. And this is during the off season!

There’s nothing we can say that hasn’t been better said by someone else, so we’ll refrain from dishing out advice aside from one point: do come, Nepal is recovering from the earthquake, the country is safe, and the people need your tourism!

If you’re looking for tips on Nepal, we recommend the Lonely Planet Nepal guide. Its coverage of trekking routes is extensive, and it was updated after the 2015 earthquake.

Of course, it would be a shame not to share anything from our month there… and we know other people are curious as to how it is to travel during monsoon in Nepal. We sure were! Instead of trying to explain in words, why don’t we let our photos do the talking?

 

Thinking of traveling to Nepal in monsoon? Monsoon in Nepal lasts from June to September, and can make for some difficult traveling. Here are 50+ photos to give you a taste of monsoon travel in Nepal, plus monsoon season photography tips and resources for trekking during monsoon.

 

50+ photos of travel in Nepal during monsoon

The tea hills of Ilam

After crossing overland from India into Nepal, we headed up into the tea hills of Ilam. We can’t speak as to how busy it is during high season, but we were told it’s rarely visited by tourists compared to other destinations in Nepal. There’s your off the beaten track tip!

Traveling during monsoon in Nepal - The tea hills of Ilam in Eastern Nepal - Lost With Purpose travel blog

The hills surrounding Ilam are covered with tea! It’s exceptionally easy to escape the town and find a bit of peace and quiet in the greenery around, thanks to a million and one footpaths criss crossing the tea fields.

Why visit Ilam? Aside from the convenience of being close to the Indian border, tea from Ilam is widely regarded as the best tea produced in Nepal. We’re no tea aficionados (#coffee4life) but there was no denying the allure of tea fragrances in the air, and all the tea we had was excellent.

What it's like to travel during monsoon in Nepal - Black tea in Ilam - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Travel in Nepal during monsoon - Ilam covered in clouds - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Unfortunately, most days the mountains were covered in clouds, and we were lost in fog. Here’s a more typical view of Ilam during monsoon!

[bscolumns class=”one_third one_third_first”] One of many walkways through the tea fields of Ilam, an off the beaten track town in East Nepal famous for tea production. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third”] A typical view of Ilam, Nepal during monsoon. Ilam is a town in East Nepal famous worldwide for its fragrant teas. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third_last”] Pigeons, pedestrians, and passers by on the streets of Ilam, an off the beaten track town in East Nepal famous for its teas. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

Traveling during monsoon season in Nepal - Dal bhat at a rest stop - Lost With Purpose travel blog

We whiled away the cloudy days sipping tea, reading, and trying out Nepali food! This meal, dal bhat, is found everywhere in the country, and usually includes rice, lentils, some vegetables… and whatever else is available! Most people tire of it quickly, but I fiend for rice—I could (and did) eat it all day errday.

What it's like to travel during monsoon in Nepal - Pack horses on the way to Mai Pokhari lake near Ilam - Lost With Purpose travel blog

We ran into these pack horses while trekking to Mai Pokhari lake, a holy place about 15km from Ilam. I’d share photos of the lake… but we don’t have any! It poured—and I mean poured—rain for hours right before we reached the lake. We were soaked beyond the bone, and it was way, way too wet to even think about taking a camera out. #monsoon

The dusty streets of Kathmandu

We took a bus to get from Ilam to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital… but it was not as easy as it sounds.

The bus ride from Ilam to Kathmandu is supposed to take about 14 hours. Monsoon, however, is another story.

What it's like to travel in Nepal during monsoon - Epic views of mountains on the bus ride from Ilam to Kathmandu - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Epic views on the road from Ilam to Kathmandu

During monsoon, landslides are incredibly common. Many of Nepal’s roads are already in poor condition, and when a landslide occurs, traffic can stop for hours while people wait for someone to come and clear out the rubble.

Our 14-hour bus ride ended up taking 27 hours; a long, sweaty, and generally unpleasant ordeal. (Our feet also looked like balloons by the time we emerged like sticky swamp monsters from the deep in Kathmandu, an amusing first for us!)

Luckily, despite thick clouds of dust from rampant construction, Kathmandu proved to be a fascinating city to get lost in.

Traveling in Kathmandu, Nepal during monsoon - Streets of Kathmandu at night - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Nepal’s streets can be a struggle at times, but there’s more than enough going on to keep you distracted from it!

Traveling during Nepal in monsoon - Small Buddhist shrine on the streets of Kathmandu - Lost With Purpose travel blog

… like these tiny Buddhist shrines found all throughout the city! Though clouds may make for flat photography during the monsoon days, nights in Kathmandu are certainly atmospheric enough to make up for the daytime drab.

[bscolumns class=”one_third one_third_first”] A young boy selling colorful balloons in a street market in Kathmandu, Nepal. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third”] A cycle rickshaw driver cycling through the wet streets of Kathmandu, Nepal during monsoon. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third_last”] A man selling colorful jewelry in the New Market area of Kathmandu, Nepal. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

What it's like to go traveling during monsoon in Nepal - Hindu UNESCO Pashupatinath temple in the evening - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Night falls on the massive Hindu Pashupatinath temple on the outskirts of Kathmandu. The UNESCO temple complex feels a bit like Varanasi, India—colorful pilgrims, a holy river, burning funeral pyres.

Things to see in Kathmandu, Nepal during monsoon - Evening Bagmati Aarti at Pashupatinath temple - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Every evening around 18:00, visitors can watch and participate in the Bagmati Aarti, a ritual where the light of oil lamps is offered up to the gods by the priests of the temple.

Coolest things to see in Kathmandu, Nepal during monsoon - Bagmati Aarti at Pashupatinath temple - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Things to do in Kathmandu, Nepal during monsoon - Swayambhunath stupa at sunset - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Hundreds of temples are scattered throughout Kathmandu… and there are even more places with the “temple” moniker. Swayambhunath is a towering Buddhist stupa overlooking Kathmandu more commonly known as…

Things to do in Kathmandu, Nepal during monsoon - Rhesus monkeys playing at Swayambhunath Stupa/Monkey temple - Lost With Purpose travel blog

… the Monkey Temple! Hundreds of cheeky rhesus monkeys live amongst the mountaintop stupas. Devious (and sometimes aggressive) as they are, you can’t deny the cuteness as they swing around on the prayer flags and scamper across the stones.

[bscolumns class=”one_third one_third_first”] Two rhesus monkeys hanging out on prayer flags at the Buddhist Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal, more commonly known as the Monkey Temple. A must-see in Kathmandu for travelers! [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third”] Sunset over the Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath, more commonly known as the Monkey temple, in Kathmandu, Nepal. A top sight in Kathmandu for travelers! [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third_last”] A baby rhesus monkey hanging out on Buddhist prayer flags at the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. A must-visit place for anyone traveling in Nepal during monsoon. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

Things to do while traveling during monsoon in Nepal - A baby monkey on the prayer flags at Swayambhunath stupa, AKA Monkey Temple in Kathmandu - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Thug.

What it's like to travel in Nepal during monsoon - Sunset over Kathmandu - Lost With Purpose travel blog

We could see the Monkey Temple from our hotel on clear days—see that tiny pointy building atop the hill? Though days were mostly cloudy, we were treated to a couple of nice sunsets while in Kathmandu.

Photos of traveling in Nepal during monsoon season - Streets of Thamel from inside Chikusa Cafe - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Watching the world go by over cheap—and delicious—coffee from Chikusa Cafe in Thamel, the backpacker area.

[bscolumns class=”one_third one_third_first”] A store filled to the brim with brass and copper knick knacks in the New Market area of Kathmandu, Nepal. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third”] Flocks of birds flying before one of many scenic small stupas found throughout Kathmandu, Nepal. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third_last”] Nighttime activity at one of many Buddhist temples on the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

Traveling during monsoon in Nepal - Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Boudhanath stupa is one of the largest stupas found in Nepal, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was one of the last sites we visited, and we were treated to a few hours of clear afternoon skies before the rain kicked in!

[bscolumns class=”one_third one_third_first”] Rushing crowds of pilgrims and travelers visiting the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third”] Top places to visit in Kathmandu, Nepal during monsoon - A man sitting still at Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu - Lost With Purpose travel blog [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third_last”] A young monk running around a Buddhist prayer wheel at Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

Traveling during monsoon in Nepal - Food donations at Boudhanath temple in Kathmandu - Lost With Purpose travel blog

We arrived on a holiday commemorating the change of the “winds of dharma”. Pilgrims were donating all kinds of food, form popcorn to biscuits to rice. Around sunset, after a bit of fanfare and music, all of the food was redistributed to needy people in the crowds.

Traveling during monsoon in Nepal - Boudhanath stupa and prayer flags in the sun - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Boudhanath stupa suffered massive damage from the 2015 earthquake, but has since been completely rebuilt—the first tourist sight to do so! It’s a powerful sign of Nepal’s ability to stand strong, come together, and rebuild after the catastrophe.

The picture-perfect lanes of Patan

Despite endless the surprises of Kathmandu, we eventually grew tired of Thamel, the backpacker area where we stayed. Strolling through streets of overpriced (and fake) trekking gear, crappy bakeries, and pizza places gets old, thrilling as it may sound.

To shake things up a bit while waiting for our passports to return, we migrated over to Patan, locally known as Lalitpur. Though it’s officially a separate city, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s just another district of Patan—it’s only 30 minutes’ driving (one hour in traffic) from the center of Kathmandu, and there’s no departure from urban landscapes during said drive.

However, Patan overall felt much more relaxed than Kathmandu. Illogical yet charming alleys wind their way around the old buildings of the city, and there’s a hair less traffic than hectic Kathmandu.

Traveling in Patan, Nepal during monsoon - Sunlight on the streets of Patan - Lost With Purpose travel blog

A bit of peace and some good afternoon lighting made us happy campers in Patan! Generally, the days were sunny until the mid to late afternoon, at which the clouds would start rolling in.

Best place to stay in Patan, Nepal - Sarita of Sanu's House homestay - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Our stay in Patan was made infinitely better by our lovely homestay host, Sarita. Her blinding smile, endearing personality, and dee-licious vegetarian cooking won’t soon be forgotten! If you’re heading to Nepal, do allot a couple of days to stay at Sanu’s House, her homestay.

Scenes from Patan, Nepal - Sarita walking through rice fields inside Patan city - Lost With Purpose travel blog

I got to tag along with Sarita one cloudy morning as she went out to pick weeds from her family’s nearby rice fields. Yes, you read that right—there are rice paddies to be found within Patan city!

A wild marijuana plant in Patan, Nepal - Lost With Purpose travel blog

And just for funsies: there’s a massive weed plant growing outside Sarita’s house. A truck driver who often parks near the house proudly proclaimed it was his plant. A work of love!

Things to do in Patan, Nepal - A man walking in the Patan Durbar Square - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Aside from Sarita’s charm, another big plus point from Patan is its Durbar Square. Unlike Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, which was horrendously affected by the 2015 earthquake, Patan’s square is relatively intact, and far more atmospheric than its Kathmandu counterpart.

[bscolumns class=”one_third one_third_first”] Warm colors during sunset at the famous Durbar Square in Patan, Nepal. Only half an hour's drive from the Thamel area of Kathmandu, Patan is a top destination for anyone traveling to the Kathmandu Valley. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third”] Dramatic lighting during sunset at the famous Durbar Square in Patan, Nepal. Only half an hour from central Kathmandu, Patan's old city is a must visit sight near Kathmandu. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third_last”] Warm colors during sunset at the famous Durbar Square in Patan, Nepal. Only half an hour's drive from the Thamel area of Kathmandu, Patan is a top destination for anyone traveling to the Kathmandu Valley. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

Traveling in Patan, Nepal during monsoon - Men chilling on the streets of Patan - Lost With Purpose travel blog

#PatanAndChill

Traveling in Nepal during monsoon rainy season - Splashes of color on the streets of Patan - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Another photography tip: if the skies above are gray, look to the streets and the people to find splashes of color! Get creative enough, and you won’t find yourself missing blue skies… too much.

[bscolumns class=”one_third one_third_first”] Intricate, painted wooden detail work on a red brick Buddhist stupa in the center of Patan, Nepal. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third”] Devious young boy having an ice cream snack in the historic Durbar Square in Patan, Nepal. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_third_last”] A local Nepali woman in a bright red sari before a small shrine on the busy streets of Patan, Nepal during twilight. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

Traveling during monsoon season in Nepal - Hiranyavarna Mahavihara, AKA Golden Temple, in Patan - Lost With Purpose travel blog

Though Durbar Square gets all the attention, the Hiranyavarna Mahavihara (AKA Golden Temple) was my favorite building in Patan. Virtually unscathed by the earthquake, the Buddhist monastery is hidden in a peaceful little block of Patan, well away from impatient honking and floating dust clouds.

Traveling in Nepal during monsoon - Golden Temple in Patan - Lost With Purpose travel blog

No rush, no hassle—only the sound of quiet chanting and whispering in the background, the perfect soundtrack for taking some time to explore the million and one bedazzled decorations all throughout the monastery.

Still waters and heavy heat in Pokhara

Time passed, the number of days until our Nepal visa expired grew ever smaller, and still our passports were stuck in customs. Wah!

We continued to work during the days, and venture out to explore in the cooler evenings. But, after almost two weeks in Patan, we began to grow restless. Needing yet another change of scenery, we headed to a destination many had raved about: Pokhara, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal.

What it's like to travel in Nepal during monsoon - Blue boats on Phewa lake in Pokhara - Lost With Purpose travel blog

The quintessential blue boats of Pokhara.

Travel in Nepal during monsoon - A boy fishing at Phewa Lake in Pokhara - Lost With Purpose travel blog

A boy fishing on Phewa Lake, Pokhara’s most famous attraction.

It was a classic case of expectations not meeting reality. People made Pokhara out to seem like a quaint little lakeside town, filled with colorful houses and chill vibes. In reality, the tourist district Pokhara is not much better than Thamel in Kathmandu… perhaps even worse because tourist prices in Pokhara are at least 20% higher than in Kathmandu! (And the wifi is much worse. How is a digital nomad to survive?)

However, most people will visit Pokhara in Nepal, so it’s a great place to make friends and meet trekking buddies.

Travel during monsoon in Nepal - A cloudy view of the Annapurna mountain range from Pokhara - Lost With Purpose travel blog

But on the bright side, we finally got a clear view of snowy mountains! The mountains were usually visible in the early morning, but would be covered with clouds by about 9:00.

The first few days were a letdown. Monsoon in Pokhara means high temperatures (around 35°C) and humidity during the day, and heavy cloud coverage in the evening. It didn’t actually rain particularly hard during the days, but I assure you, there was enough moisture to go around in the air itself.

Travel in Nepal during monsoon - Clouds over Phewa Lake in Pokhara - Lost With Purpose

Eventually, though, we made it to the outskirts of Pokhara, where we were treated to fresh(er) air, gorgeous views, and a significant reduction in signs advertising happy hours and German pastries.

What's it like to travel during monsoon in Nepal? - Rice paddies around Pokhara - Lost With Purpose travel blog

An entirely different world.

Travel in Nepal during monsoon season - World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara during rain - Lost With Purpose travel blog

The World Peace Pagoda sits atop a small mountain overlooking Pokhara. Clear skies and sunshine warmed us as we began the climb, but at the end of the two hour trek, the entire sky was totally obscured by heavy clouds and rain! Such is monsoon travel in Nepal. (But on the bright side: ominous clouds are sexy.)

 

So… should I travel in Nepal during monsoon?

If you have the luxury of traveling at a different time, we strongly recommend you try to plan your trip outside of monsoon season. Unless you have a serious cloud or rain fetish, that is.

But, if there’s no other option, you might as well! On the bright side, prices are much lower in the off season, and tourist numbers are cut in half. No need to worry about finding a bed anywhere!

Trekking in Nepal during monsoon

If you’re looking for more information about trekking in Nepal during monsoon, we found these posts helpful (despite not being able to actually apply their advice):

Whatever you choose, the best of luck to you, and safe travels!

 

Thinking of traveling to Nepal in monsoon? Monsoon in Nepal lasts from June to September, and can make for some difficult traveling. Here are 50+ photos to give you a taste of monsoon travel in Nepal, plus monsoon season photography tips and resources for trekking during monsoon.

 

Yay transparency! There are affiliate links in this post. If you buy or book something using our links, we’ll make a wee bit of change at no extra cost to you. Think of it as supporting our blog!

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Alex Reynolds

American by birth, British by passport, Filipina by appearance. Addicted to ice cream. Enjoys climbing trees, dislikes falling out. Has great fondness for goats which is usually not reciprocated.

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20 thoughts on “Monsoon in Nepal: visa quests, failed plans, and coffee addictions

    Lauren says:

    Where did you go to get out of the tourist areas in Pokhara? The photo is beautiful

    Ankita says:

    Thanks for visiting in Nepal, we hope other people also inspire to visit Nepal after seeing your this photo blog. Nice blog. Great information. Nepal is one of the best place to travel with your family. It gives you a lifetime experience.

    happyfeet14 says:

    Will be traveling too during monsoon season argh???? Not a good season, but we’ll try to make the most of it???????????? Thanks for sharing your photos and experiences; I enjoyed reading your article.

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