Trekking in Nepal on August

Hi all,

I want to go to Nepal to do a trekking. I would like to see the big Himalaya, so I was thinking about doing the Annapurna or Everest camp base trekking. Nevertheless, I can do it only on August, but I am a little bit affraid of the monsoon. Specially because I don't want to miss the best views. Anyone has done those trekkings on August and can tell me if it is too bad? Or if anyone knows about other trekkings with less rain but still with amazing mountain views, it would be wonderfull!

Thank you very much.

Edited by: cabreta

Hello

I trekked Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu last August and, although it was wetter than I expected and wetter than usual accordint to the locals, it was still an enjoyable trek. I think the trick is to expect and prepare for some rain both mentally and with the right gear.

Of the two areas you mention, the Annapurna Circuit is probably the best option: Most of the trek is in the Himalayan rain shadow where precipitation falls on the southern slopes leaving the area to the north relatively dry. After the first few days trekking you enter this area and remain there until south of Marpha (say). In contrast, the Everest Base Camp does not benefit from this and nor does Annapurna Base Camp.

Being summer it is warm even when raining at the altitudes where it rains (on the AC trek) and the typical weather pattern is clear mornings with cloud building up towards noon with rain spells in the afternoon and evening. Mountain views do get obscured by cloud but there is usually enough to satisfy and take photos in the mornings.

Some links:

Weather info for Pokara (close to the Annapurnas).

Annapurna map

Monsoon trekking blog where the weather was favourable (unlike my experience in the same area).

There are advantages too - it's out of season so the trails and lodges are quieter and guides and porters (if you will be using them) might be a little cheaper - as are hotels in KTM and Pokara.

Don;t be put off by the rain and I hope you enjoy the trek.

scoodly

Hi Scoodly!

Thank you very much for your advice and for all information. It is really good news for us that it is not so bad to trek on August! :-)

Best

Friends of mine did the Everest Base Camp trek in August a few years back, they didn't see the summit of any mountain within the 2 weeks of the trek... And the Jiri to Namche part was very very very wet and muddy. They still had a good time, but if your goal is to "see" the mountains, you'd better choose another season or another place in the Himalayas (in August, there are some great treks in Ladakh, Tajikistan or Northern Pakistan).