Where to go in India in September

Top picks for September

Costs are for two people sharing a room — stay, food, local transport and entry — and exclude travel to the destination.

#1

Sonmarg

Jammu & Kashmir

Fit 93/100

Meadow of Gold

September: comfortable 19°C days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹6,100 for two, 2 days · excl. travel, September rates

Sonmarg in SepPlan it

#2

Pahalgam

Jammu & Kashmir

Fit 93/100

Valley of Shepherds

September: comfortable 22°C days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹6,360 for two, 2 days · excl. travel, September rates

Pahalgam in SepPlan it

#3

Leh

Ladakh

Fit 93/100

Capital of the Trans-Himalaya

September: comfortable 18°C days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹6,100 for two, 2 days · excl. travel, September rates

Leh in SepPlan it

#4

Nubra Valley

Ladakh

Fit 93/100

Valley of Sand Dunes & Camels

September: comfortable 20°C days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹6,460 for two, 2 days · excl. travel, September rates

Nubra Valley in SepPlan it

#5

Hemis Monastery

Ladakh

Fit 90/100

Largest Monastery in Ladakh

September: 16°C days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹5,150 for two, 2 days · excl. travel, September rates

Hemis Monastery in SepPlan it

#6

Srinagar

Jammu & Kashmir

Fit 89/100

Venice of the East

September: comfortable 27°C days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹5,840 for two, 2 days · excl. travel, September rates

Srinagar in SepPlan it

#7

Gulmarg

Jammu & Kashmir

Fit 89/100

India's Premier Ski Destination

September: comfortable 18°C days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹7,640 for two, 2 days · excl. travel, September rates

Gulmarg in SepPlan it

#8

Pangong Lake

Ladakh

Fit 85/100

4,350m High-Altitude Lake

September: 13°C days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹7,640 for two, 2 days · excl. travel, September rates

Pangong Lake in SepPlan it

#9

Badrinath

Uttarakhand

Fit 79/100

Abode of Lord Vishnu — Char Dham

September: 8 rainy days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹3,770 for two, 2 days · excl. travel, September rates

Badrinath in SepPlan it

#10

Dwarka

Gujarat

Fit 79/100

Krishna's Kingdom — Char Dham Pilgrimage

September: 7 rainy days — and outside the recommended window.

From ₹3,000 for two, 2 days · excl. travel

Dwarka in SepPlan it

#11

Rameswaram

Tamil Nadu

Fit 79/100

Sacred Island & Corridor to Sri Lanka

September: 7 rainy days — and outside the recommended window.

From ₹3,000 for two, 2 days · excl. travel

Rameswaram in SepPlan it

#12

Kinnaur Valley

Himachal Pradesh

Fit 76/100

Apple Country Beyond the Mountain Gate

September: 11 rainy days — and inside the recommended window.

From ₹8,310 for two, 4 days · excl. travel, September rates

Kinnaur Valley in SepPlan it

By kind of trip

The best-placed September options in each category — only categories with at least three in season are shown.

Festivals that can fall in September

Many follow lunar calendars and move every year — confirm the dates before booking anything non-refundable.

Skip in September

Shut this month, or at their weakest — with the nearest similar place that is in season.

• Gir National ParkClosed

  Gir National Park closes mid-June to mid-October for the monsoon. Safari permits must be booked online via gujaratforest.org 60 days in advance — peak season (Nov–Mar) sells out weeks ahead.

• Rann of KutchClosed

  The White Rann floods completely during monsoon (June–September) and remains marshy through October. The salt desert is only fully accessible November–March, with the Rann Utsav festival running November–February.

  Try Lansdowne

• Namdapha National ParkClosed

  Namdapha closes June–September as monsoon rains render all jungle trails impassable. Best November–March. Inner Line Permit mandatory — obtain at the Miao checkpoint. Very limited accommodation: book the Deban forest rest house months ahead.

• Yumthang ValleyClosed

  Road closed October for post-monsoon repairs. Inner Line Permit mandatory for North Sikkim.

  Try Moreh & Shirui Peak

• AuliClosed

  Auli is best for skiing January–March. Heavy snow makes cable car access difficult July–August. The ski season officially runs January to March.

  Try Nainital

• Baratang IslandClosed

  Baratang boat services are frequently suspended June–September due to rough seas and Jarawa Tribal Reserve restrictions. Cave access requires a forest permit and government convoy escort — verify availability in advance.

  Try Moreh & Shirui Peak

• DawkiClosed

  The Umngot River turns completely murky brown June–September as monsoon sediment washes in — the signature crystal-clear floating-boat illusion disappears entirely. Boats may be suspended during peak rainfall. Visit October–May only.

  Try Moreh & Shirui Peak

• Kaziranga National ParkClosed

  Kaziranga National Park closes mid-April to mid-October due to Brahmaputra flooding. The park is open November–April only. Book jeep safari slots ahead in peak season.

• Manas National ParkClosed

  Manas National Park closes June–October for the monsoon. Best visited November–April when tiger, elephant, and golden langur sightings are highest and jungle tracks are accessible.

• Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)Closed

  Monsoon (June–September) brings rough seas, frequent ferry cancellations, and suspended water activities. Most dive operators and beach shacks close. Inter-island ferries are irregular. Best October–May for diving, snorkelling, and beach weather.

• Jim Corbett National ParkClosed

  The Dhikala core zone (best for tigers) closes July to mid-November. Bijrani and Jhirna peripheral zones stay open longer but have fewer sightings during monsoon. Verify zone status before booking.

• KavarattiClosed

  Lakshadweep requires a permit. June–September monsoon halts most tourism.