Every June, riders ask us the same question: can we still ride Nepal in monsoon? For most of the country, the answer is no , trails are waterlogged, leechy, and dangerous. But Mustang is different. It always has been.
Lying north of the main Himalayan range, Mustang sits in a geographic rain shadow. While Pokhara receives 3,000mm of rain between June and September, Lo Manthang receives fewer than 300mm. The trails stay dry. The skies stay blue. And they're entirely yours.
July and August are our favourite months in Mustang. The light is extraordinary, wildflowers are out, and there are no other riders. It's the best-kept secret in Himalayan MTB.
Why Monsoon is the Best Time
Conventional wisdom holds that Nepal's October–November and March–April windows are the prime MTB seasons. For most destinations that's true. Mustang inverts this logic entirely.
In peak seasons, the Kali Gandaki trail north of Jomsom sees jeep traffic, large trekking groups, and occasionally other MTB operators. In July and August, you'll encounter almost no one. Teahouse owners have time to sit with you. The landscape, already extraordinary, carries a softness from the moisture that makes it this far north, with wildflowers covering the high passes between settlements.
Monsoon Conditions at a Glance
- Jomsom to Lo Manthang: average <5mm rainfall June–September
- Trail surface: hardpack and loose-over-rock, same as dry season
- Temperature: 15–25°C at riding altitude (3,000–3,800m)
- Jeep traffic: significantly reduced compared to spring/autumn
- Teahouse availability: excellent, advance booking not required
Permits Don't Change
One common misconception: that monsoon permits are cheaper or easier. They're not. The Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit costs USD $50 per person per day and ACAP is still required. HST handles all permits you arrive with everything in order.
What Does Change
The Jomsom–Pokhara flight schedule runs differently in monsoon. Mountain Aviation operates fewer daily departures and conditions in Pokhara, where the monsoon arrives in full force, can cause delays on the return. We build a buffer day into all monsoon itineraries at both ends. Budget an extra night in Pokhara; you'll likely need it, and Pokhara in monsoon green is genuinely beautiful and it’s not always as hot as you think.
Sometimes the best idea is to forgo the flight and just drive from Pokhara to Kalopani and start your journey from there.
HST Monsoon Itinerary Adjustments
- Buffer day at Pokhara both ends of the trip
- Morning riding preferred, Mustang wind builds every afternoon year-round
- Jeep support carries extra gear given slightly longer stages
Gear for Monsoon Mustang
Monsoon Mustang is warmer than spring riding at the same altitude. You won't need the heavy insulation required in March. A light mid layer and waterproof shell cover the cold evenings at Lo Manthang where nights still drop to 5–8°C in summer but riding during the day at 3,000–3,500m is often t-shirt weather.
Monsoon Mustang is one of our favorite tours at HST, not despite the season, but because of it. If you're flexible on dates and willing to trust the rain shadow, July and August offer something genuinely rare: one of the world's great MTB destinations with the trails entirely to yourself.
