Nepal is a country full of endless destinations to fascinate oneself. August in Nepal is the final month of monsoon season with heavy rainfalls and cloudy skies. But even in this month, there are numerous unique and wonderful things to do in Nepal in August.
The August rainfall sprinkles life into the forestry trails. With lush green vegetation, this is the best time to witness wildlife in their natural habitats. This is a plus for both hiking and trekking adventures.
Trekking trails that fall in the rain shadow regions receive very low rainfall even in the monsoon season. This is because the high mountain peaks block the clouds to reach the leeward side of the mountain.
And guess what: Nepal has many trails that are sunny and dry even in the wettest seasons. Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, and Nar Phu are favorable for trekking Nepal in August.
Tour of Kathmandu Valley, experience the joyous festivals of August and indulge in the artistic Nepali cultures and lifestyles will also fascinate you.
Quick Tip: Pack some bug repellents and ointments. The wet forest trails attract leeches and bugs that might ruin your trip.
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Tours and Sightseeing Sites in Nepal in August
Nepal has a total of 10 UNESCO world heritage sites. These are the best locations for touring in Nepal regardless of the seasons. However, there are a few ones which are more appealing than others in August.
Among them, here are a selective few best ones for tours and sightseeing in August.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three royal palaces, in the Kathmandu Valley.
Durbar means Royal Palace in Nepali. Hanuman Dhoka was the former Royal Palace where Malla Kings reigned. During the sightseeing of Kathmandu Durbar Square you will get to open the archives of Nepali History.
Hanuman Dhoka, Kal Bhairav Mandir, Taleju Mandir, Kumari House are some main sightseeing places to enjoy here.
In August, you can also indulge in the celebrations of festivals like Gai Jatra, Teej, and Krishna Janmashtami.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a mixture of pagodas and shikhara style temples assembled around the periphery of the fifty-five window palace.
This square holds some significant art and architecture of bricks and wood. Golden Gate, Nyatapola, Bhairav Nath Mandir, Vatsala Temple, Lions Gate are best displays of the Bhaktapur’s rich woodcrafts.
The ancient architectural designs in the structures of these places display stories of the old times and their significance in today’s world.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square, also known as Lalitpur, is another architecturally rich city. A large number of famous temples including Mahaboudha temple, Golden temple, and Krishna Mandir are major highlights of this city.
Patan Museum, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, and Golden Window are also some other enjoyable places to visit around Patan Durbar Square.
You can enjoy these architectural masterpieces throughout the year and in August as well.
Swayambhunath
Swayambhunath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in South-Asia. It lies at the top of the hill with mesmerizing views of the Kathmandu Valley.
Swayambhunath stupa is in the shape of a hemisphere of brick and clay which supports a conical spire base with four sides decorated with Buddha’s eyes.
In August, this place offers a great opportunity to experience Buddhist culture and the significance of the 365 stairs that lead to the stupa.
Boudhanath
Boudhanath is one of the cornerstones of Buddhism in Nepal. Built around the 5th century, it lies in the beautiful three-level mandala style.
Also one of the largest stupas in Nepal, this stupa shares its resemblance with the Swayambhunath stupa.
Further, this stupa is beautifully surrounded with many monasteries, shops, and cafes. In August, this place will offer you a glimpse of Buddhist Culture in Nepal.
Pashupatinath
Pashupatinath is one of the most famous and sacred Hindu temples in Nepal. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this religious site draws thousands of visitors every year from all over the world.
Pashupati temple, Bagmati river, and cremation center are the central spots in this holy place. An extensive collection of images and inscriptions depicting the Hindu cultures and rituals overwhelm this place.
Short Hikes Around Kathmandu Valley
There are several fantastic locations for one-day hikes in Nepal. With a large number of them quite close to the capital city, you can do these hikes in August without worrying about the weather or distance.
Sankhu to Nagarkot Hike
Nagarkot lies at an elevation of 2,195 meters around 32 km east of Kathmandu. From the top, you will get mesmerizing views of the sunrise and sunsets over the Himalayan horizon.
There are many routes that you can choose for Nagarkot Hike. We recommend to take a drive to Sakhu, a quiet and beautiful Newari town and start your hike. This hike takes you through thick pine forests and ends in around four hours.
If possible, spend the night at the hotels atop the Nagarkot hill to witness the beautiful sunrise views over the Himalayas.
Sundarijal to Chisapani Hike
This Chisapani hike takes you through the deep forests of Shivapuri National Park filled with diverse flora and fauna. You can witness animals like Himalayan Black Bear, Jungle Cat, Golden Jackal, and many species of birds.
This hike takes you through Sundarijal, the primary water source of Kathmandu to the beautiful rural village of Chisapani. This village is a small settlement of Brahmins, Gurungs, and Sherpas. Enroute, you will also get splendid views of Langtang, Jugal, and Gaurishankar mountain ranges.
This is a very welcoming hike in August which lies at a maximum elevation of 2,215 meters and will take around 4 to 5 hours.
Matatirtha to Chandragiri Hike
This is a new hiking route but nonetheless a fascinating one. This hike starts from the religious Hindu temple Matatirtha. Following the forest trail, the trek leads you to the top of Chandragiri Hills at an elevation of 2,551 meters.
From the top of the Chandragiri, you will get excellent views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Manaslu and other Himalayan ranges. This location also provides a wide and beautiful view of Kathmandu Valley. You could enjoy the cable car ride which offers beautiful views of the hiking trail.
Trekking in Nepal in August
Trekking is one of the most famous adventurous activities to do in Nepal. Even in the midst of Monsoon, Nepal offers beautiful trekking destinations like Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo and Nar Phu. All these treks lie at rain shadow areas which are not just doable but very rewarding at the same time.
And Guess what: once you reach the rain shadow areas, the weather will be sunny and dry, favorable for thrilling trekking adventures.
With proper preparation, you can obtain the best trekking experiences of your life in Nepal in August. Take a look at some of the best treks in Nepal in August.
Upper Mustang Trek
The Upper Mustang Region is the best choice for a Monsoon season trek in Nepal. This trek takes you to the rain shadow area of the Annapurna mountain ranges.
This trek starts from Kali Gandaki, the deepest Gorge in Nepal. Further, the trail leads you through the remote trans- Himalayan mountain areas up to the old kingdom of Lo.
Lo Manthang is the highest point in the trek at an elevation of 3,840 meters. This is the Capital of the Forbidden Kingdom of Lo. You will get to experience the unique and secluded Tibetan cultures. Lastly, untouched and beautifully rugged landscapes will take your breath away.
With moderate temperature, clear skies, and picturesque views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Nilgiri, Mt. Annapurna, August is one of the best seasons for this trek.
Nar Phu Valley Trek
The Nar Phu Valley Trek is another thrilling trek in the northeastern side of the Annapurna Region. This trek takes you to the beautiful villages of Nar and Phu. These villages remain uninfluenced by the modernization and still follow the ancient Tibetan culture.
Nar Phu Valley Trek is a recently opened trek route. Thus, the trekking trail is still untouched and quiet, which makes this an even excellent trekking adventure.
With little to no rain, the Nar Phu Valley Trek in the rain shadow area is a very strenuous but rewarding trek in the Autumn. The lower regions might receive rain, but this will only leave the forests sparkly clean for you to witness the green vegetation.
At an elevation of 5,240 meters, Kang La Pass is the highest point of the trek. From this pass, you get panoramic views of Gangapurna, Tilicho, and Annapurna peaks. You will get to enjoy different activities in the Phedi Monastery and other monasteries in the route.
Upper Dolpo Trek
Upper Dolpo Trek is a quite long and strenuous trek that takes you to a maximum elevation of 4,350 meters. This trek lies in the rain shadow region, which makes the favorable trek to do in August.
Phoksundo Lake, the deepest oligotrophic freshwater lake is the main highlight of this trek. You will also pass through Rara Lake, the biggest and deepest lake in Nepal.
Shey Gompa is an 11th-century monastery located at the base of the famous crystal mountain.
In August, after the rain showers, you might witness many endangered species like the Red Panda, Musk Deer, and Himalayan Black Bear in the deep forests.
Festivals to Partake in August
Nepal is rich in cultural diversity with numerous festivals celebrated throughout the year. August also sees a few significant festivals that you can take part in. This will give you a taste of Nepal’s diverse cultures and traditions.
Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra is a wonderful street festival celebrated only in the Kathmandu Valley. Celebrated by the Newar societies, this festival sees the streets with a rally of cows.
In Gai Jatra, people remember the deceased ones and celebrate this festival to decrease the sorrow of losing a member of their family.
Teej
Teej is a festival celebrated mostly by the women in Nepal. Women celebrate this festival by dressing up in red saree, wearing colorful bangles and singing and dancing to folk songs.
This festival has its own significance. The married women celebrate Teej for the long life of their husbands, the unmarried ones, celebrate hoping to get a wise husband in the future.
Janai Purnima
Janai Purnima, the sacred thread festival commemorates the union of purity and security.
On this day, Hindus tie a sacred thread on their wrists. While the Brahmins and Chettris change their Janai once that isn’t changed for an entirety of a year.
Shree Krishna Janmashtami
This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Sri Krishna. Falling in August or September, the Hindu community celebrates this festival.
Tips for Visiting Nepal in August
August is still Monsoon in Nepal. The skies will be mostly cloudy with frequent rainfalls in the lower regions. But as mentioned above, there are entertaining things to do in Nepal in August.
With these few tips, you will have a unique adventure traveling in Nepal in August.
- Pack raincoats, umbrellas or rain equipment to avoid getting wet from the Monsoon rain
- Wear waterproof and fast drying shoes
- Pack a few bug repellents and ointments to scare off the bugs and insects
- Start your tours early, the mornings are usually clear, and the rain befalls in the evenings
- Carry water purification tablets and bottles
- Equip a trekking pole if you choose for a trekking adventure
- Take extra care while walking on wet and mushy trails
Conclusion
Although there is high chances of rainfall in August, there are numerous things that you can do in Nepal avoiding or accepting the rain.
To avoid, you can choose the treks to rain shadow areas that do not receive much rainfall throughout the year.
Though trekking might sound a little harsh in August, trails mentioned in this guide fall in the rain shadow regions that are favorable to trek. These rain shadow areas do not receive much rainfall because they lie in the backdrop of the mountains. Here you’ll find dry, sunny, and pleasant weather conditions suitable for a wonderful trekking experience.
As for the ones who can happily embrace the rain, you will enjoy the short hikes and the city tours as well. You might also enjoy the countryside filled with green paddy fields.
FAQs
Is Trekking in Nepal in August possible?
Yes, numerous trekking trails that lie in the rain shadow regions are favorable to trek in Nepal in August. These rain shadow areas don’t receive much rainfall even in the Monsoon. That is because the high mountains block the rain clouds from passing through to these areas.
Upper Mustang Trek, Nar Phu Valley Trek, and Upper Dolpo Trek are best for trekking in Nepal in August.
What is the best time to visit Nepal?
Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to visit Nepal. These seasons include months from March to May and September to November. Even though August lies in the Monsoon season, there are many things to do in Nepal in August.
You can take city tours in the Kathmandu Valley and visit the UNESCO world heritage sites like Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan.
You can also enjoy trekking in the rain shadow areas like Upper Mustang, Nar Phu, and Upper Dolpo.
