Season guide · Kathmandu · Nepal
Kathmandu in the monsoon
June–September: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Irina Gelbukh, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Frequent heavy rain, cloud-covered mountains and landslide-prone roads, but green landscapes and few tourists. Expect highs up to 29°C (84°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F), with about 80 rainy days across June–September.
Key facts
- Months
- June–September
- Temperatures
- 18°C (64°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 80
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in the monsoon
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 29°C (84°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 18 | 13.9 h | 2/5 |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 24 | 13.7 h | 1/5 |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 22 | 13.1 h | 2/5 |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 16 | 12.3 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 28°C (82°F) against a yearly 25°C (77°F), and 80 of the year's roughly 109 rainy days fall in these 4 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in the monsoon
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- August: Gai Jatra — procession honouring the recently deceased (August or September)
- August: Krishna Janmashtami at Patan's Krishna Mandir (August or September)
- September: Indra Jatra — the Kumari's chariot procession (usually September)
- September: Dashain (late September or October)
Good choices for the monsoon
Museum · Patan (Lalitpur)
Patan Museum
Visit before exploring Patan Durbar Square; the displays will help you read the temples outside.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Durbar Marg
Narayanhiti Palace Museum
The royal palace at the top of Durbar Marg became a museum after Nepal abolished its monarchy in 2008.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Day trips in the monsoon
- Dhulikhel and Namobuddha (About 1.5–2 hours by road) — Dhulikhel is an old Newar trading town with mountain views, and a road or day hike leads to Namobuddha, a hilltop stupa and large Tibetan monastery tied to a legend of the Buddha's compassion.
- Bungamati and Khokana (About 45 minutes by road from Thamel) — Two traditional Newar villages south of Patan, where woodcarvers work in Bungamati and Khokana is known for pressing mustard oil.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the monsoon a good time to visit Kathmandu?
It is a trade-off: Frequent heavy rain, cloud-covered mountains and landslide-prone roads, but green landscapes and few tourists. The best months overall are March–April and October–December.
+What is the weather like in Kathmandu in the monsoon?
Highs of up to 29°C (84°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F), with about 80 rainy days over the season.