Rainy Season in Kathmandu: The 11 Best Things to Do
Wondering what rainy season in Kathmandu is like?
You’ve come to the right place! I live in Kathmandu and even if it’s raining, there are so many things you can do in Kathmandu.
Although the rainy season in Nepal constitutes as the low season and only a few travellers visit Nepal during this time, there are still plenty of activities to do in Kathmandu and around Nepal.
Some of the best things to do during monsoon in Kathmandu is to visit the world heritage sites, museums, learn to cook Nepali dishes, go on a day trip, take a thangka painting or Vipassana meditation course and many more!
When is Monsoon Season in Nepal
The monsoon season in Nepal (also referred to as the rainy season), runs from June to mid-September. However, the weather patterns can be unexpected and the monsoon can start and finish earlier or later.
The weather patterns are slightly unpredictable each year, thus, the monsoon can start earlier or be delayed.
Recently, the monsoon lasted even until the end of September, so it is good to check the current weather news.
Kathmandu Weather in Rainy Season
Despite the bad reputation the rainy season gets, it is actually not so bad in Kathmandu or overall in Nepal. Nepal tends to be very dusty but when the rainy season starts, the rain keeps the dust at minimal levels and the air quality becomes much better.
Kathmandu usually does not get that much rain, just around 1-3 hours rain in the afternoon or evenings.
Is it Worth Visiting Kathmandu in Monsoon?
Yes, it is definitely worth visiting. Even though it is rainy season, everything is still open and operational.
There are many activities that you can still do during this time, from sightseeing, day trips, food tours and cooking classes to museums, pub quizzes, movies, handicrafts and meditation courses.
The other good thing during the rainy season is that due to the low number of tourists, many hotels also offer discounted rates.
So if you are travelling in Kathmandu or across Nepal during this time, you will be able to do things on a lower budget.
Does it Rain All Day in Kathmandu in Monsoon?
No, it doesn’t. It is rare for it to rain in Kathmandu all day long. Usually, it rains for 1-2 hours in the afternoon or evening.
The temperature during monsoon gets very hot and humid though, so make sure to wear sunscreen.
What to Pack for Travelling in Kathmandu in Monsoon
- Umbrella
- Waterproof shoes
- Lights clothes
- Light rain jacket
Best Things to Do in Kathmandu in Monsoon
1. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley
The Kathmandu Valley has 7 World Heritage Sites, including Buddhist stupas, Hindu temples and ancient pagoda-style buildings that used to belong to former kings.
Some of the heritage sites are located far from the city centre of Kathmandu so it may take around 3 days to visit all of them if you don’t want to rush it.
The 7 World Heritage Sites are: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Swoyambhu Stupa (also referred to as the Money Temple), Pashupatinath Temple and Changu Narayan Temple.
2. Go to a Museum Exhibition
There are many great museums in Kathmandu that give a glimpse into the history and culture of Nepal. Going to a museum exhibition is also one of the best activities for a rainy day.
Some of the best museums include the Taragaon Museum, Museum of Nepali Art (MONA), Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Music Museum of Nepal, Aviation Museum and the Patan Museum.
3. Go on Day Trips
Although it might be rainy season in Nepal, it never rains continuously for the whole day (maybe just a few odd times during the whole 3 months’ of monsoon period).
There are many options for day trips from Kathmandu that you should not miss:
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is also called as a “living museum” as many of the temples and former palace buildings have been turned into part of everyday life, such as cafes and restaurants.
Bhaktapur is a very unique place and is only about 1 hour away from Kathmandu by public bus (you can also take a taxi which is faster). As it is close to Kathmandu, it makes a great day trip.
Apart from the temples and museums, it is also a nice place to try Newari Food. Newari people were the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley, and Bhaktapur has still preserved typical Newari architecture and restaurants.
Patan
Patan is located in the Lalitpur district, south of Kathmandu, and is most famous for the Patan Durbar Square. Patan may be most famous for the Patan Durbar Square (and it is a must to see!), but there are also other places you should not miss!
Some of the best places to visit in Patan include the Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum, Mahaboudha Temple, Golden Temple, Ashoka Stupa, Kumbeshwar Temple, Pimbahal Pond, Mangal Bazaar and checking out museum exhibitions.
Lalitpur and Patan are known for their many great western-like restaurants and cafes. If you visit Patan, make sure to walk over to Jhamsikhel (10 minutes walk) where there are many nice restaurants.
Chandragiri Cable Car
The Chandragiri Cable Car is nearby Kathmandu and takes you up to the Chandragiri Hills. Chandragiri can be reached easily from Kathmandu either by taxi or public bus.
The cable car takes about 10 minutes to reach the top. The cable car goes through some pretty steep parts, so if you are scared of heights, it can be a little bit scary at times.
It is popular to come here to see the mountain views, although, during the monsoon season, you will not get clear views. The cable car ride is still fun and once you are at the top, there are some other activities that you can do.
Godawari Botanical Garden
The Godawari Botanical Garden offers some peace, quiet and fresh air away from the air pollution in Kathmandu.
It is located south of Kathmandu, about 1 hour away. The botanical garden is across a large area and it is a perfect trip to spend some time in the nature.
The best time to visit the Godawari Botanical Garden is in the spring (March-April) when the flower bloom, but it is still a nice place to wonder around during the monsoon season.
4. Go to a Pub Quiz
Do you like pub quizzes even if the questions are super hard? Sal’s Pizza runs a weekly quiz night in Lazimpat (near Thamel) on Monday evenings.
The entry is free and even if you arrive alone, you will be able to join a group with other people.
Sometimes they take a break from the quiz night, so best to check the Facebook of Sal’s Pizza to make sure the quiz night is on.
5. Relax in the Garden of Dreams
The Garden of Dreams is right next to Thamel and is a little oasis of peace. The traffic and pollution can get bad in Kathmandu but the Garden of Dreams offer a little bit of a peace.
It is a popular place when the weather is good, especially on Saturdays which is the day off in Nepal. It also has some seats that are covered, so even if it is raining, you can enjoy the garden from a safe place.
6. Join a Free Walking Tour of Kathmandu
There is a tour guide in Kathmandu who runs daily walking tours of Kathamndu. The best part is that it is free and at the end you can give a donation as much as you feel comfortable with.
The walking tour starts from Thamel and takes you through some of the historic places of Kathmandu.
There two walking tours organized per day: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Contact Free Walking Tour Kathmandu to book your place for one of the tours.
7. Learn to Cook Nepali Dishes
Learning to cook Nepali dishes is a fun experience and once you return home from Nepal, you can even use the recipes to cook a meal for your friends and family.
There are a couple of cooking classes in Kathmandu and the one I recommend is a cooking class on AirBnB Experience.
During the cooking class, you learn to cook the dish of your choice (dal bhat, momo or thupka) and at the end you also get to eat the dishes you cooked.
It is a great experience whether you’ve eaten dal bhat a hundred times or it’s your first time in Nepal. My brother came to visit me a few months ago and I sent him on the cooking class. He enjoyed it a lot!
8. Zen Out at a Singing Bowl Session or Vipassana Meditation Course
Vipassana Meditation:
Vipassana meditation is a form of Buddhist meditation. The Dhamma Shringa Vipassana Meditation Centres can be found all around the world and they hold free 10-day vipassana courses.
If you are interested to learn more about meditation, Nepal is a good place to give it a go. Check out my experience of what it’s like to take a Vipassana Meditation Course in Kathmandu.
Tibetan Singing Bowls:
Tibetan singing bowls are a big thing in Nepal. There are many shops selling singing bowls and places where you can sign up for a session.
If you are interested to try a singing bowl session, there are 2 places in Kathmandu that offer free singing bowl sessions for those that are interested:
- FREE: Nepal Singing Bowls and Healing Centre: every day: 9:45 am, 4:30 pm
- DONATION-BASED: Nirvana Singing Bowl: every day: 10 am, 5 pm
9. Watch a Nepali or Bollywood Movie at the Cinema
Movies and cinema is always a good option on a rainy day. The cinemas in Nepal don’t play that many English language movies – at best there is one English language movie showing at any given time.
If you are interested, you can still check out some of the Nepali or Hindi movies which is fun even if you don’t fully understand it.
For movies and prices, check out QFX Cinema, it has a couple of branches in Kathmandu including Thamel and Durbar Marg (near Thamel).
The QFX branch in Durbar Marg is a bit pricier but it has comfy sofa seats that’s worth to treat yourself to.
10. Chill by a Swimming Pool
What’s better than chilling by the pool on a hot day? There are many hotels in and around Thamel that have swimming pools.
Even if you don’t stay at the hotel, you can buy a day ticket to get access to the pool for the day. The day ticket prices are around Rs. 2,000 -2,500.
For hotels with a swimming pool in and around Thamel check out: Mulberry Hotel, Hotel Shanker and Aloft Hotel.
11. Attend Handicrafts Workshops
Signing up for a handicrafts workshop is also a great way to spend a rainy day.
Bhaktapur and Patan are well-known for preserving architecture of wooden carved windows and sculptures.
Both Bhaktapur and Patan are good places to sign up for a woodcarving session or to learn to make a Thangka Painting.
- Thangka Painting: Lama Thanka Painting Centre (Bhaktapur)
- Woodcarving
- Stone Carving
Festivals in Kathmandu During the Rainy Season
There are not many holidays in Nepal during the monsoon season. One of the festivals in August, Gai Jatra, is celebrated specifically in the Kathmandu Valley.
Gai Jatra is especially observed by people who have lost a loved one in the year leading up to the festival. On this day, people also dress up with masks and go around the city for fun.
🎆 Check the festival and holiday calendar for Nepal here!
Where To Stay In Kathmandu
Looking for a place to stay in Kathmandu? Check out my top recommendations for every budget:
Nepal: Month-by-Month
Not sure about when to visit Nepal? Check out my month-by-month guide for Nepal:
- Nepal in January
- Nepal in February
- Nepal in March
- Nepal in April
- Nepal in May
- Nepal in June
- Nepal in July
- Nepal in August
- Nepal in September
- Nepal in October
- Nepal in November
- Nepal in December
Nepal: Seasons
Want to know more about visiting Nepal during different seasons? Check out my seasonal guides to Nepal:
FAQs: Rainy Season in Kathmandu
When is Monsoon Season in Nepal?
The monsoon season is between June-August in Nepal. However, it can start earlier or later. The weather patterns can be unexpected so it can be that it is still raining until mid-September.
Is there monsoon season in Kathmandu?
Yes, just like everywhere in Nepal, Kathmandu is no exception. However, the rainy season in Kathmandu is very moderate. It never rains all day long (or it is very very rare). It usually rains for 1-2 hours in the afternoon or evening.
Is it worth visiting Kathmandu and Nepal during Monsoon Season?
It is definitely worth visiting Kathmandu and Nepal during monsoon season.
Although, it is not recommended to go trekking during monsoon due to landslides, there are still many things to do including sightseeing, museums, day trips, cooking classes, meditation courses, cable cars.
What activities can I do in Kathmandu during Monsoon?
If you are visiting Kathmandu during the rainy season, you can do many things that you could do any other season.
There will not be clear views to the mountains and due to the leeches on the trails, it is better not to go hiking, but overall you can do every other activity.
Conclusion
The monsoon season in Nepal usually runs from June to mid-September. The good news is that it usually does not rain all day, only for 1-2 hours in the afternoon or evening.
With that in mind, there are still so many things you can do in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and there are lots of activities all throughout the year.
Some of the best things to do include visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, going on day trips, museums, taking Nepali cooking or thangka painting classes.
Nepal Trip Planning
Book your flight to Nepal: Check out Skyscanner or Kiwi.com to find the best flights deals!
Book Your Accommodation for Nepal: Are you looking for accommodation? Booking.com has everything from budget to luxury accommodation. For the cheapest places, check out Hostelworld.com.
Book Tours and Activities for Nepal: GetYourGuide and Viator have a vast number of tours and day trip activities all around the world. Check out their website and book your activity!
Get Travel Insurance for Nepal: It is always good to be on the safe side when travelling. SafetyWing is one of the most affordable international travel insurance and you can book it even after you have already started your trip.
Get Your Travel Cards: Whenever I am abroad, I always use travel cards Wise and Revolut. They have multiple currencies available, you can use it in shops and restaurants. The great thing is that they have the best exchange rates!
Looking for other tips to make travel easier? Check out my complete list of travel resources that have been my go-to companies when abroad or planning a trip.
Nepal Quick Guide
Can I get a Visa on Arrival for Nepal?
Yes! Almost all nationalities can get a ‘Visa on Arrival’ once landing at the Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu (check eligibility here). Getting a Visa-on-Arrival for Nepal is quick and easy. Read here my full guide on getting a Visa on Arrival for Nepal.
Should I get a Nepali SIM card?
Yes! Once you arrive in Nepal, it is recommended to get a Nepali SIM card.
SIM cards in Nepal are cheap and easy to get. There are daily, weekly or monthly data plans – all at an affordable cost. For more information, check how to get a SIM card in Nepal here.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Nepal?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Nepal, including taxi apps, offline maps for trekking, booking accommodation and travel cards.
Check out my list of the most useful mobile apps to have in Nepal.
Can I exchange money in Nepal? What about ATMs?
Yes! Thamel (where most tourists stay) has many money exchange shops as well as ATMs.
There is also a currency exchange shop at the airport but the rates are better in Thamel. Read here all about currency exchange and ATMs in Nepal.
Is it safe to travel by bus in Nepal?
The roads are dangerous but generally yes (best to travel by a tourist bus)!
I would say road travel in Nepal is generally dangerous due to the road conditions. The roads are narrow and go through mountainous areas. The tourist buses in Nepal have the best safety, so if possible, make sure to book tourist buses when travelling in Nepal.
Overall, the roads might look dangerous but the drivers are used to the road conditions in Nepal so the tourist buses are a safe choice. Here is everything you need to know about bus travel in Nepal.
Can I drink the tap water in Nepal?
No, you cannot drink the tap water in Nepal.
The tap water is unsafe for drinking in Nepal. It is not only foreign tourists that should not drink the tap water in Nepal, even Nepali people who were born and raised in Nepal do not drink the tap water.
Can I book bus tickets online in Nepal?
Yes! It is possible to book bus tickets online in Nepal however, I recommend it for those staying in Nepal for 3+ months.
It is not possible to book bus tickets online using an international bank card but only through registering on a Nepali digital payment app eSewa. If you are staying long-term in Nepal, read here my step-by-step guide on how to book bus tickets online using eSewa.
Do they speak English in Nepal?
You might wonder “Do they speak English in Nepal?” It depends on where in Nepal you are. In big cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sauraha/Chitwan) or trekking routes (Annapurna, Everest) that have many tourists, you will easily get by speaking English.
If you are in remote Nepal where not many tourists go, people usually will have little or no English. Here is a quick list of useful Nepali phrases to know while travelling in Nepal.