Nepal tour in September

September is the beginning of the biggest tourist season of Nepal. The monsoon rain retreats back and the hot and humid temperature of summer starts to cool down with the advent of autumn. The snow peaks appear dazzling against the blue sky, atop verdant layers of mountains cleared by the monsoon rain. Average temperature will be from 25 degree centigrade to 12 degree centigrade. September is the best time to come to Nepal if you want to avoid the crowd. By mid September, even the trails of remote treks are open. 

Nepal is open and safe to travel in September 2023

Nepal was listed as the Happiest country in South Asia by the UN's World Happiness Report, based on response to Covid 19. The mountainous country indeed remained relatively peaceful and happy during the Covid 19 crises. Tourism quickly bounced as it was the safest destination to travel in the world.

With on-arrival visas and no PCR test required, Nepal is now fully open. With fewer tourists, lower prices and good weather, September 2023 is the best time to visit Nepal.

September weather

Average weather around the major tourist area of Nepal

Trip for early September

The rainy season is supposed to end by the end of August. However it rained throughout September in the last few years. The rain relents by the beginning of September. It may rain in a few days or in the late afternoon or night making it possible to travel through places and enjoy the view.

If you are travelling in early September, the best tour to take would be the 16 days Bhutan Nepal Tibet Tour.

Cultural tours visiting the scenic hill towns like Nagarkot and Bandipur is also the best thing to do in early September. Since the cultural tours include mostly driving and sightseeing or cultural immersion activities with locals, it is less affected by weather. Spending night at hilltop towns like Nagarkot and Bandipur gives you ample opportunities of Himalayan sightseeing as it normally clears up in the morning and evening. Here are some of the recommended Nepal tours for September.

Everest Trek in September

Trekking in the Everest region is more preferable in early September as it rains less in the east than in western Nepal (Annapurna and Dhaulagiri). The high altitude trail escapes the hot and humid temperature of foothills. Temperature is pleasant ranging from about 9 ℃ to 18 ℃ at Lukla (2,800 m) and - 3 ℃ to 8 ℃ at Everest base camp (5,380 m).

Trips for Mid September

By mid September, monsoon rain subsides and the main tour season for Nepal begins. All trekking trails are open after the monsoon flooding and landslide. It is the best time to go on any treks in Nepal. The best Himalayan tour starting in mid September would be the 21 days Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour. The trip starts with an 8 days tour of Tibet and then finally visits Nepal and Bhutan by the end of September when it is the best weather in the southern flank of the Himalayas. To avoid the crowd of popular routes, we recommend some new trails with more cultural insight.

Nepal Travel tips for September

• Choose the well established popular treks as the trails in remote treks may be still closed by landslide ad flood in September
• Prepare for the rain. Good quality, breathable rain gears are recommended.
• Make your luggage / backpack waterproof and bring cover.
• Footwear must be waterproof or easy dry.
• Keep your itinerary flexible considering delays and cancellation of transportation and domestic flights.
• Plan your trip with enough time between your trip and international flight.
• Avoid driving on off roads as much as possible.
• Normally it rains in the afternoon or evening. So it is better to start your activities early.
• Plan a morning Himalayan sightseeing on the morning if it rains a night before.

Festivals in September

With the advent of autumn and the break from agricultural rush, Speptember is also the beginning of festival season

Indra Jatra - 9 September

Indra Jatra is the most colorful and longest street festival in Old Kathmandu. The 8 days long festival is marked by mystic mask dancing, feasting and chariot pulling activities. The festival mainly consist two events, Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra. While Indra is King of heaven revered for rain and happiness, Kumari is embodiment of feminine energy against evil and wickedness. Local people from the different neighborhoods of old Kathmandu, take out mask dancing and display sacred images. The chariot of living goddess, Kumari is pull around the alleyways of Old Kathmandu. This is one of the most thrilling spiritual festivals in Nepal in respect of nature and feminine energy.

Thimphu Tshechu Festival - 16 - 18 September

Thimphu Tshechu festival is one of the biggest festivals of Bhutan. The festival is celebrated with monastic rituals and prayers, mask dancing, feast and merry making. The three days long festival is an annual social gathering and a break from farm life. People dress up in their finest traditional dresses, perform folk dances, get blessings and prey for health and happiness.