Weather
Nepal sees enormous climatic variation between the plains of the Terai, the mid-hills where Kathmandu and Pokhara are located, and the high Himalaya. August is the final full month of the monsoon—intermittent rain does continue into September—so temperatures remain hot and humid around the country, and conditions are wet and muddy.
Crowds & Costs
August is low season in Nepal, and this is reflected in the bargain rates available at many hotels. Most trails are empty as they become uncomfortable or completely inaccessible for trekkers.
Trekking Trails
August isn't an ideal month to go trekking in Nepal. Views are obscured by clouds, trails can be muddy and slippery, and road access to trailheads can be hindered by landslides. However, Mustang is a notable exception (see below). Read this article for more info on the best monsoon-season treks in Nepal (and check out Everest Base Camp in August for more about trekking in the Everest Region this month).
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Where to Go
Much of Nepal's mid-hills region consists of farmland. By August, the monsoon rains have nourished the rice seedlings planted earlier in the season, treating visitors to hillsides carpeted in dazzling green crops. You can see these on the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, edging the highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, and around Pokhara, too.
Mustang lies within the rain shadow of the Himalaya, meaning it doesn't experience the monsoon like the rest of the country. The weather is sunny but not too hot because of the higher altitude, and the skies normally remain clear. Landslides on the road to Mustang during monsoon make overland travel there difficult, but Jomsom is connected to Pokhara by air.
If you want to trek in Nepal and August is the only time you can visit, consider treks in Lower and Upper Mustang. Other areas fall within the rain shadow of the Himalaya—Upper Dolpo, the Nar-Phu Valley—but can become very challenging to access in August.
What to Do
Although August isn't an ideal month for many outdoor adventure activities, you can still enjoy cultural activities in the cities and towns. Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bandipur offer temples, museums, bars and restaurants, shops, and lovely accommodation options.
Events in August
Traditional Nepali festivals (whether Hindu or Buddhist) usually follow a lunar calendar. This means that some festivals that fall in August one year may be in July or September the next. Some festivals that often fall in August are:
Dancing with Shamans (Full Moon Festival), Gosaikunda. Every August, apprentice shamans and pilgrims trek to Nepal's sacred lakes for a night of prayer and dance under the full moon. This is also when the Janai Purnima festival takes place in which upper-caste Hindu men change their sacred thread. This festival is particularly lively at Lake Gosaikunda, in the Langtang area, though it takes place across the country, seeing people coming together and feasting.
Gai Jatra, Kathmandu Valley. The Festival of Cows is primarily celebrated by the Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley and commemorates family members who died in the previous year. You can expect to see processions, often led by a decorated family cow.
Krishna Janmashtami, Nationwide. A Hindu festival honoring Krishna's birthday is celebrated with special flair at Patan Durbar Square in Kathmandu.
Yarthung Horse Festival, Mustang/Manang. The annual three-day festival is celebrated in the Mustang and Manang districts of Nepal, particularly in Lo Manthang and Muktinath, during the August full moon. It's a celebration of the end of the harvest season and a display of horsemanship, featuring horse races, cultural dances, and religious ceremonies.
Traveling to Nepal in August? Check out these great itineraries
Kathmandu Valley - 6 Days. The Kathmandu Valley offers unique things to do at any time of year, and in six days, you can see many of the highlights. Check out markets, temples, and cultural sites that make this region famous.
Upper Mustang Trek - 15 Days. Complete a trek in the mysterious world of the old Buddhist kingdom of Mustang. This moderate, lesser-known trek passes through one of the driest regions of Nepal and provides spectacular mountain scenery.
Dancing with Shamans: Full Moon Trek to Nepal's Sacred Lake - 8 Days. Every August, apprentice shamans and pilgrims trek to Nepal's sacred lakes for a night of prayer and dance under the full moon. Join them on this 8-day, once-in-a-lifetime experience as you hike through breathtaking mountain scenery to reach the shores of Lake Gosainkunda, located deep in the mountains north of Kathmandu.
More Helpful Information
Nepal in July
Nepal in September
Best Time of Year to Visit Nepal
How Many Days to Spend in Nepal