Trekking in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal gives you a unique experience of dry desert landscape, rich himalayan culture, and stunning views of nearby peaks. Visiting Upper Mustang in monsoon season from June to August further enhances your experience with bright green fields, rushing waterfalls, and views of vibrant red and yellow cliffs.
While most trekking destinations in Nepal experience heavy rain from June to August, Upper Mustang remains dry, peaceful, and less crowded. The region is dry even in the monsoon due to its location entirely within the Himalayan rain shadow region. This makes the Upper Mustang ideal for trekking to experience peaceful trails, vibrant culture, and dramatic landscapes even during monsoon season.
In this blog, we explain why trekking in the Upper Mustang is worthwhile during the monsoon season from June to August. The weather in the region during June, July, and August and the experience these months provide to trekkers are explained. Also, the information about challenges, essential permit requirements, and safety tips for visiting Upper Mustang in monsoon is provided.
What Makes Upper Mustang Unique in Monsoon Season
The lesser rain even during the peak monsoon season makes the Upper Mustang region unique. As the Upper Mustang is a rain shadow region located north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, the area acts as a buffer zone between the wet tropical southern region and the dry Tibetan plateau.
As winds carrying moisture from the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean travel to northern Nepal, they hit the massive Himalayas. This phenomenon forces air to rise, expand, and cool over the high mountain peaks like Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. As the moisture condenses and falls as heavy snow and rain on the southern side, the northern side experiences a low annual rainfall of less than 300 mm.
Upper Mustang Weather in June, July & August
| Month | Daytime Temperature | Nighttime Temperature | Weather Conditions and Highlights |
| June | 18°C to 25°C(64°F to 77°F) | 8°C to 10°C (46°F to 50°F) | The weather in Upper Mustang during the month of June is warm, dry, and clear. The chance of rainfall is minimal as the region is not affected by monsoon climate. However, during the afternoon, there is a high chance of strong winds. |
| July | 18°C to 28°C(64°F to 82°F) | 10°C to 11°C (50°F to 52°F) | July experiences clean weather with a crystal-clear view of the Himalayan landscape and colorful deserts. In the afternoon, there is a high chance of strong wind in the region. |
| August | 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F) | 8°C to 11°C (46°F to 52°F) | The weather in Upper Mustang in August is usually mild, dry, and pleasant. Days are warm and sunny for hiking. Meanwhile, nights are cooler and require warm layers. August is also ideal for cultural experiences, where you can witness the vibrant Yartung festival in Lo Manthang. |
Why Monsoon Is Actually a Good Time for Upper Mustang Trek
Monsoon is good for the Upper Mustang trek, as the weather in June, July, and August is warm and dry during the day. While strong winds are experienced during mid and late afternoon, nights are cooler and require warm layers. During the late monsoon in the month of August, the region celebrates the vibrant Yartung Festival, which translates as “End of Summer,” marking the completion of the harvesting season and farewell to the monsoon. The combination of vibrant festivals, rich culture, and unique landscape scenery makes the Upper Mustang trek best during the monsoon season of Nepal.
Fewer Crowds and Peaceful Trails
Being the off-season, you experience fewer crowds during the months of June to August. As crowds are low, you can explore the region in peace while maintaining your pace.
Clear Mountain Views
As the weather is clear with high visibility, you can spot clear mountain views. You trek with the backdrop of massive peaks like Annapurna (8,091 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), and Nilgiri (7,061 m).
Unique landscape
Unlike other trekking routes like Everest Base camp and Annapurna Base Camp, the Upper Mustang trek presents a unique landscape. You trek to Land Beyond the Himalayas, or the Last Forbidden Kingdom of Nepal, Lo Manthang (3,840 m), crossing dry valleys, seasonal greenery, and red cliffs.
Cultural Experiences and Festivals
The months of monsoon also surprise visitors with warm and vibrant cultural experiences and celebrations of festivals like Yartung. Yartung is the grand festival spanning three to five days in the month of August. This festival is celebrated according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition marking farewell to the monsoon. Throughout the period, you can witness horse racing events where participants and visitors come with beautiful and colorful traditional wear. You can witness the Syabro and Ghawa dance performed by locals while also singing folk songs.
Challenges of Trekking Upper Mustang in Monsoon
Trekking to the Upper Mustang is extremely viable during the monsoon. However, the lower region, or pathway to the lower mustang region is prone to heavy rainfall and landslides. Some key challenges trekkers faces during upper mustang trek in Monsoon includes:
- Delay or high chance of cancellation of flight to Jomsom due to poor weather
- Muddy and slipper road or trail in lower mustang region
- High chance of landslide and flood in lower sections
- Strong wind in upper mustang during mid and late afternoon
- Chance of altitude sickness
- Limited house and menu variety as monsoon is not peak tourist season.
Safety Tips for Monsoon Trekking in Upper Mustang
Although Upper Mustang challenges trekkers with various problems, you can follow the safety tips below to make your journey comfortable and safe:
- Monitor the weather and flight schedule, and keep buffer days for travelling to Jomsom
- Trek with licensed guide with local knowledge for maximum safety
- Choose a well-planned itinerary with enough rest and acclimatization days
- Drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration
- Trek with proper permits and documentation
Essential Permits Requirements
The following are the essential permits required for Upper Mustang of Nepal:
| Permit | Cost |
| Restricted Area Permit | USD 50 or equivalent per person/day |
| Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) | NPR 3,000 for foreignersNPR 1,000 for SAARC citizens |
| Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card | NPR 2,000 for foreignersNPR 1,000 for SAARC citizens |
Conclusion
Upper Mustang Trek in monsoon 2026 is Nepal’s most underrated adventure. While other parts of the country deal with heavy rainfall, Upper Mustang stays mostly dry. From the opportunity to trek on dry trails with strong vibes and a jaw-dropping Himalayan desert feel to enjoying and experiencing rich culture and enjoying vibrant festivals, you collect memorable moments from the trek.
If you want a unique geographical experience with fewer crowds and more cultural immersion in Nepal, the monsoon is also the season to choose. If you are planning to trek in Upper Mustang during the monsoon, contact Trekkers Nepal and step into the hidden kingdom of Mustang in its calmer, quieter time.
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