Best Places To Visit In September In India

The month of September in India is really a mix of too many emotions. On one side where rain gods bid adieu to this land, the winter goddess puffs her breath to get ready to chill. The interim between these two is September, the month of clearer skies and mellowed winds. While the northern and Himalayan states experience a cooler September, down south, this month is characterised by a warm but pleasant weather. Because this is still counted as rainy season, most tourist destinations in India are scarcely crowded and rates are pretty discounted. Some of the best places to visit in India in September include Srinagar, Leh, Ziro (Arunachal Pradesh), Kochi, Rishikesh and Jaipur. Some major festivals like Onam (South India), Navratri and Dussehra (North and West India) and the Ziro Festival of Music (Arunachal Pradesh) fall in this month. 

Srinagar

The summer capital of Jammu Kashmir, Srinagar or the ‘city of noble ones’ is one of the most beautiful cities of Kashmir Valley. Dominated by idyllic lakes, and houseboats on those lakes, old palaces and stain-glass havelis, Srinagar boasts of mosques in the old city as well as temples on hilltops. It is snowed-in for all of winter and experiences a long lethargic summer up until September. So this month becomes all the more special for tourists before the city goes into its winter hibernation. With temperates between 15-30°C, the almost non-existent monsoon recedes and trees start becoming ready to shed their leaves.

Things to Do:

The first half of September is generally considered as Summer for Kashmir and the days are long and warm. You can visit Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg for picturesque meadows and long drives. Rides on shikara (houseboats) in Dal as well as Nageen Lake leave you enchanted. Shalimar Bagh, Pari Mahal, Mughal Gardens and the various apple and apricot orchards are another set of delights. A visit to Hazratbal shrine is a must, as is a visit to the Shankaracharya Temple situated atop Hari Parbat. You can go fishing in the lakes, trek up in the Pir Panjal ranges, play golf and enjoy the little rain when it comes. 

How to Reach:

Srinagar has its own Airport that is central to most cities around it. The Sheikh ul-Alam Airport (12 km away from city centre) becomes your landing spot when coming to Srinagar. Major domestic aircraft carriers like Air India, Jet, Indigo and Spicejet operate frequent and regular flights to Srinagar from almost all big metros of India. You can hire cars for internal transport or take the local buses. There is auto rickshaw too. The rail network is not well developed in the hilly areas of Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar. Therefore, you will have to get down at Jammu Tawi Railway Station (270 km away) and travel to Srinagar by private cabs, taxis or bus.

Leh

The rugged terrains of Leh are softened by the cloudy skies of September. This month marks the decline of monsoon and hence a lot of budget travellers, bikers and adventure tourists visit this place. Some nights are rainy but otherwise pleasant weather prevails, leaving you to do all outdoor daytime activities in peace. Leh, known for its monasteries, palaces and lots of trekking opportunities in surrounding areas, is an ideal September holiday spot. Sometimes it may snow lightly, sometimes drizzle, but the sun shines every time. The day time high is 29°C while day time low is 11°C during September. 

Things to Do:

Visit the Leh Palace to see how the royals of Ladakh lived, take a trip to Lamayuru Monastery and stop at the Magnetic Hill on your way there. There is also the Alchi Monastery (more than a 1000 years old) as well as the great confluence of Indus and Zanskar river the is as picturesque as vintage postcards. Sit by the Pangong Tso lake, visit Khardungla Pass (highest motor-able road in the world) and trek in Nubra Valley. The famous Zanskar Valley and chadar treks can also be undertaken depending on the weather conditions. Stop by at Hemis Monastery for some stunning photography. 

How to Reach:

Flying in to the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is the easiest way to reach Leh quickly. However, the charm of travelling to Leh lies in its rugged, sometimes difficult dirt roads. Hence many adventure tourists and seasoned bikers prefer to drive up to Leh from Srinagar (418 km) or Manali (472 km). Railway lines are not well established up in Leh hence the best bet is Jammu Tawi Station in Jammu, which is 700 km away.

Char Dham

Char Dham or ‘four pilgrims’ is a coveted spiritual trip, renowned especially among Hindus for its sacred and religious significance. This yatra or pilgrimage is said to grant moksh or liberation to one from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Char Dham is a tedious, long trek from Yamunotri (the originating point of River Yamuna), Gangotri (Ganga’s origination), Kedarnath and Badrinath. A prior medical certificate and lots of mental and physical endurance is needed to fulfil this trek on foot. However, there are helicopters as well to make it easy. The temples are closed through winter and open from Akshay Tritiya (April-May) to Diwali (October-November). Since June to August is heavy monsoon, September provides a gateway into a drier, better weather to take this trip. The temperature range during September is 10-20°C with infrequent rainfall.

Things to Do:

Undertaken in the state of Uttarakhand, Char Dham Yatra travels through many a religious and adventurous areas of the Garhwal region, up into the Himalayas. The four main destinations on this trip are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarath temples. In addition, some must-visit spots are the Surya Kund near Yamunotri, which is a hot water spring that forms a pool, named after River Yamuna’s mythological father Surya Dev (the sun). Visit Uttarkashi near Gangotri, literally called the ‘Kashi of North.’ A number of ashrams and hermitages abound this area and it is also home to Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Further in Kedarnath, don’t forget to pay your respects at Rudraprayag, which is a town settled at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. 

How to Reach:

Haridwar can become your base for Char Dham Yatra. It is is well connected by road and rail to the rest of the country. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun (55 km away). You can catch flights to Dehradun from Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow etc, operated by Air India, Jet as well as Indigo. Buses, private cabs and vans are available on hire at all times, especially during the Char Dham tourist season of September. From Haridwar onwards, tour buses, cars and matadors take you through the rest of the journey. Where vehicles can’t go, you will have to trek on foot or hire horses/palanquins. If you are not up for the tedious bus journeys and treks up the four dhams, then Pawan Hans also operates special helicopter services that drop you directly at every spot.

Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a spiritual retreat doubled as a great adventure city in the state of Uttarakhand. Poised by the mighty Ganges, this city is known for its ashrams and bridges, river banks and statues of Lord Shiva by those banks. Rishikesh has also been the centre of Yoga, Meditation, and spiritual studies attracting tourists from all over the world. In the month of September, this town experiences a receding monsoon, with rains subsiding and clear, sunny days shining over Ganga. The temperature is anywhere between 23-33°C , with 15 days of rainfall. For those looking at river rafting and other water sports as well as a piece of spiritual awakening, Rishikesh is your ideal September getaway. 

Things to Do:

Touted as the ‘Yoga capital of the world,’ Rishikesh offers many things for one and sundry. You can visit Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Triveni Ghat and Trayambakeshwar. For adventure junkies there is river rafting in the Ganges from Kaudiyala to Lakshman Jhula (36 km). There is also Bungee Jumping for everyone above the age of 12, bonfire and camps, rock climbing, Para gliding, rappelling and Kayaking. Ayurvedic massages and spas along with yoga sessions is a must when here. For fans of Beatles (yes, the English pop band), a visit to the Beatles Ashram is a must. 

How to Reach:

Jolly Grant airport, Dehradun is the nearest airport to Rishikesh, only 35 km away. Lucknow, Delhi and Mumbai operate regular flights by Air India, Jet and Indigo to Dehradun. Rishikesh is also well connected to the rest of the country by roads and can be reached by driving up or hiring a taxi /bus /van from Delhi. The city does have a railway station of its own but it doesn’t cater to many trains. Hence the best option is to take a train to Haridwar and then book a car or bus to Rishikesh.

Ziro (Arunachal Pradesh)

Ziro is one of the best places to visit in India in September. A haven for peace, this idyllic, quaint paradise is little known and not hounded by tourists. A town in Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro has cool balmy climate in September, with an average temperate of 20°C. There are a few rainy days but sun smiles in all its glory for the most part. Home to the Apa Tani tribes, Ziro is carpeted in rich greens of Pine trees and paddy fields. September marks the transition between South-West Monsoon season and Winter in Ziro, and also the celebration of the Ziro Music Festival. 

Things to Do: 

Take part in the celebration of the famous Ziro Festival of Music that showcases the indie music and artists of the North East. The Apa Tani people host this festival and it takes place in the last week of September. You can also visit Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghna Cave Temple, Pine Grove, and the Shivling at Siddeshwarnath Temple. Some famous sights here include Dolo Mando, Kile Pakho ridge and Ziro Puto. You can go trekking to Midey and other hills, and camp there for the night too. 

How to Reach:

Jorhat in Assam is the nearest airport to Ziro, situated 98 km away. You can hire a cab or van from there. The closest railway station to Ziro lies 100 km away at Naharalagun. Regular intercity trains stop here, including the ones from Guwahati. And one train runs from New Delhi once a week. You can also choose to travel by road, by the state run Arunachal Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses or hire a car.

Kochi

Kerala, known for its humid heat, cools down through the monsoon months. Kochi, being a major city of Kerala sees high rainfall through June, July and August but come September and the weather becomes relatively dry. The greenery is still lush and festive spirit floats in the air like the very essence of Ayurvedic oils. Onam, one of the biggest festivals of South India is celebrated in this month with huge fanfare, elaborate processions and boat races. 

Things to Do:

Attend Onam. That is a thing to do, with every new day bringing a new parade or activity to attend. Don’t miss the Attachamayam procession in Thrippunithara near Kochi. This bright procession with lots of colours is a testament of the rich cultural heritage of Kerala. There are elephants dressed in colourful clothes, floats and tableaus on wheels displaying the various Hindu Puranic stories and epics along with contemporary social messages. There is also the Snake Boat Race, better known as Aranmula Boat Race, held in mid-September at Aranmula Parthasarathi temple. The fervour and speed of oarsmen as they drive their adorned boats is something you cannot miss. In addition, you can also enjoy sights like Fort Kochi, Cherai Beach, Mattancherry Palace etc. 

How to Reach:

Cochin International Airport situated 20 km away from the city centre is the nearest airport destination when travelling to Kochi. In addition to many Indian cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore etc, this airport also connects to many International cities like Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok etc. For rail journeys, the Kochi Railway Junction and Kochi Harbour Terminus are the two stations in this city. You can always hire cars, taxis, vans etc or take the state run/ private buses to commute inter as well as inside the city.

Spiti Valley

Spiti Valley is an isolated little stretch of cold mountain desert, almost a piece of Tibet settled in India. It is also one of the least populated places in India. With rains receding and clearer skies persisting, September becomes one of the best months to visit Spiti Valley. An undisturbed Buddhist valley in Himachal, Spiti hosts solo travellers, idyllic wanderers and peace seekers. Lately it has been featured on a lot of snapchat and Instagram stories of cool travellers. 

Things to Do:

Visit Ki Monastery, Bara-Shigri glacier and Tabo monastery for breath-taking sights. Ride atop the back of yaks and go trekking. You are also welcome to indulge in River rafting in the Spiti River, as well as explore the rich flora and fauna of Pin Valley National Park. They also have jeep safaris there. Nights can be spent star-gazing in camps, with old ghazals for company at Chandratal. Shop for cute Buddha-inspired souvenirs at Kaza Market. 

How to Reach:

Kullu Airport is the nearest landing spot to Spiti, located 247 km away. Major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Dehradun etc are well connected to Kullu. Joginder Nagar (360 km) and Shimla Railway Station (415 km) are two of the closest train stations to Spiti Valley. Local state transport buses, as well as private taxis/vans are ready on hire. If you want to travel by road, there are two main routes that lead to Spiti Valley: 

1. Manali via Rohtang Pass, Chattru, Kunzum Pass to Kaza (Spiti Valley)
2. Shimla via Kinnaur, Nako, Sumdo (Spiti Valley), Tabo to Kaza.

Jaipur

The Pink City, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. Embracing the rich cultural heritage of Rajput Maharajas, old forts and beautiful palaces, Jaipur becomes one of the best places to visit in the month of September. Rains are almost non-existent and a balmy air prevails all over the city. The skies are clear, leaving sunny days for you to explore this city to your heart’s content. With temperature range of 24-34°C and all of 4 rainy days, this is the ideal time to revel in a pleasant Rajasthani weather.

Things to Do:

Jaipur forms a major portion of India’s Golden Triangle tour (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur). Keeping in mind its palaces and forts, this Pink City is always ready to amaze its visitors. You can visit the Amer Fort, a symbol of ancient stronghold of Rajputs and home to Akbar’s chief queen consort Jodha bai. While there, do not forget to explore the Jai Mahal. Other attractions include Jantar Mantar, City Palace and shopping for gems and precious stones at Johri Bazar. The most important tourist locale, almost a symbol of Jaipur itself, is the Hawa Mahal, with its 900+ windows. You can also go on a cycling tour of the Nahargarh Fort. Navratri is one major festival here that falls in September. 

How to Reach:

Take a flight to Jaipur International Airport from any of the major metros or cities of India including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Udaipur etc. Air India, Indigo, Spicejet and Jet Airways are some major aircraft carriers. Jaipur is also a major railway junction and many trains on Western as well as Western-Central routes stop here. The state run RSRTC buses as well as private ones operate all over Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. You can also hire private cars or vans.

Shimla

Shimla is the first hill station that pops into your head when you think of a summer getaway. But this hill city in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh is also a great holiday destination for the monsoon-end month of September. There are great discounts for accommodation, food, shopping and much more. The place is less crowded and very, very quiet, so much so that you can sometimes hear the pitter patter of raindrops. For those who wish to visit other nearby places like Kufri, September is a great opportunity because the traffic is minimal. 

Things to Do:

Take the Kalka-Shimla toy train ride the first thing in Shimla. Shop pocket friendly at Lakkar Bazar, visit Jakhoo for the famous Hindu Temple, the Christ Church for its awesome architecture and some tranquil air, and the Ridge to be at the centre of all activity in this hill station. Go river rafting at Tattapani if you are one of the adventurous lot. There are also many hikes in and around Shimla. Some gorgeous hiking trails include Glen, Summer Hill, Prospect Hill and the Kamna Devi Temple, all of which bloom in the month of September with lush green and happy sunshine. If you want a slice of history and bravery then take a round of the Military Museum at Annadale.

How to Reach:

The nearest airport is Shimla Airport located in the Jubbarhatti area, 22 km away from the city centre. Air India and Alliance Air are two aircraft carriers to operate here, with daily flights to Delhi. Kalka is the closest railway station to Shimla, 87 km away. Most major Indian cities are connected to Kalka, including Delhi. There is a UNESCO World Heritage narrow gauge toy train that connects Kalka to Shimla. If you wish to travel by road, you can hire a car or drive up to Shimla from New Delhi (350 km) or Chandigarh (118 km).

Amritsar

Amritsar is the city of the Golden Temple, also known as the jewel of Punjab. This capital city of Punjab state is also a major attraction during the month of September.  With its plethora of religious as well as historical sights, Amritsar is a great place for this end of monsoon getaway. The sun shines bright and sky beams clear of clouds, bringing you long beautiful days to explore. With 23-34°C and only 3 rainy days, Amritsar welcomes you by opening up the tourist season. The rates at most places are also quite reasonable for beginning of the season. 

Things to Do:

Pay your respects at Jalianwala Bagh, the place of brutal massacre of Indians by the British soldier troops led by Colonel Dyer. Visit Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum and go for the opening or closing parade at Wagah Border (Indo-Pak border). Take a tour of Chand Baori. You can also visit the many temples in Amritsar, including ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda Temple, Khair Ud-Din Masjid and Akal Takht. The best and most important visit though must be reserved for the Golden Temple, the foremost sikh temple that is a symbol of Punjab’s spirited character. 

How to Reach: 

Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar is an International Airport that brings you to this beautiful city from anywhere in the world. Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and many more Indian cities ply regular flights to Amritsar as well. Amritsar Railway Station is also a major railway junction and serves a lot of different lines, including Ambala-Atari, Ambala-Pathankot and Ambala-Khemkaran. Delhi-Amritsar is one of the most regular routes. If travelling by road, you can drive to Amritsar from Delhi (450 km). The Punjab state-run buses are also available.