When Does the Monsoon Start and End in Nepal? (2026 Dates)
Nepal's monsoon usually runs mid-June to late September — but 2026 is forecast to arrive late and weak. Here are the likely dates, what they mean for trekking, and where you can still go.
If you're planning a Nepal trip around the rains, timing is everything. The monsoon reshapes where and when you can trek — but it doesn't shut the country down. Here's when Nepal's 2026 monsoon is expected to start and end, and what it means for your plans.
Nepal monsoon 2026 — the dates
- Typical onset: around mid-June, from the east
- Typical withdrawal: late September into early October
- 2026 forecast: a later, weaker monsoon than usual
- Heaviest rain: July–August
What it means for trekking
The monsoon brings rain mostly in the afternoons and evenings, lush green hills, leeches in the forest, cloud that hides the peaks, and landslide-prone roads. The classic trails — Everest, Annapurna, Langtang — are best avoided at the height of it. But here's the key point most people miss: a big chunk of Nepal sits in the rain shadow north of the Himalaya and stays dry and trekkable all summer.
| Period | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Mid-June | Monsoon arrives from the east |
| July–August | Heaviest rain; trek the rain shadow only |
| September | Tapering; trails clearing late month |
| Oct onward | Peak autumn season — clearest skies |
Trek through the monsoon
Don't write off summer. The rain-shadow treks — Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Jomsom–Muktinath — stay dry. See our full monsoon rain-shadow guide.
Source: Travel Himalaya Nepal; Nepal monsoon climatology.
Source: Travel Himalaya Nepal
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