Visiting India in September
Weather and climate guide
The monsoon is finally beginning to come to an end across the country, although the weather is still very mixed this month – Mumbai and central India are still wet, and while the countryside is looking lushly green, the roads are still suffering after the months of rain. Kerala and Goa are finally emerging from the worst of the wet weather too, although you can expect rain around half the days this month. When the downpours clear, it’s pleasantly hot at close to 30C, so if you visit towards the end of the month, you could find drier days to hit the beach and cruise down the backwaters – if you’re willing to take the risk. In Tamil Nadu, the temperatures have dropped a little more to the low 30Cs while the monsoon which hits this coast hasn’t arrived yet – a good option if you fancy some sun and a chance to explore ancient temples.
North India
If you’re ready to embrace shoulder season, Rajasthan is tempting in September, with humidity levels dropping, temperatures around 30C and less rainfall here too. The monsoon rains have left the countryside looking lush and verdant, as well as filling the lakes so make the most of it by journeying through the countryside by train, enjoying a stay in rural Rajasthan – you can even imagine yourself a Maharajah at a fairytale Rajasthani Palace or check into a fort in Barli or Chandelao, before discovering ornate havelis, old merchant houses.
The sites of the Golden Triangle aren’t as crowded this month either, so if you’re looking for a quieter experience at the Taj Mahal, Delhi’s Red Fort and Jaipur, now could be when to go to India. There are plenty of other Maharajah forts to see at Jodhpur, Chittorgarh and Bikaner (to name a few) once you’ve visited Agra. The Thar Desert is unsurprisingly dry, although if you’re heading to Jaisalmer, it’s noticeably hotter here in September, at around 37C. National Parks like Ranthambore are still closed, so you’ll have to postpone your trip if you’re hoping to spot wild tigers.
The weather is a mixed bag further north too. Hill stations like Darjeeling are still wet, while the trekking season in Ladakh is coming to an end – you can still get out into the mountains this month, but it’s best to time your trip for earlier in September. The road from Manali into the peaks at Leh is still open this month, for a chance to enjoy a taste of Tibet. Although the rains are easing elsewhere in the Himalayas, the months of rain mean it’s still not a great time for hiking here, with the exception of Srinagar which is much drier.
Or perhaps you’re thinking of travelling on another month..?
View the best time to visit India by region or by month:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North East India | ● 15°C 🌤️ |
● 17°C ☀️ |
● 21°C ☀️ |
● 25°C 🌦️ |
● 28°C 🌧️ |
● 27°C 🌧️ |
● 27°C 🌧️ |
● 27°C 🌧️ |
● 26°C 🌦️ |
● 23°C 🌤️ |
● 19°C ☀️ |
● 16°C ☀️ |
| North India | ● 14°C ☀️ |
● 17°C ☀️ |
● 23°C ☀️ |
● 30°C 🌦️ |
● 35°C 🌧️ |
● 34°C 🌧️ |
● 32°C 🌧️ |
● 31°C 🌧️ |
● 30°C 🌦️ |
● 27°C ☀️ |
● 22°C ☀️ |
● 17°C ☀️ |
| North West India | ● 18°C ☀️ |
● 21°C ☀️ |
● 26°C ☀️ |
● 34°C 🌦️ |
● 39°C 🌧️ |
● 37°C 🌧️ |
● 35°C 🌧️ |
● 34°C 🌧️ |
● 32°C 🌦️ |
● 29°C ☀️ |
● 24°C ☀️ |
● 20°C ☀️ |
| South India | ● 26°C ☀️ |
● 27°C ☀️ |
● 29°C ☀️ |
● 32°C 🌦️ |
● 33°C 🌦️ |
● 30°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌦️ |
● 28°C ☀️ |
● 27°C ☀️ |
● 26°C ☀️ |
Legend:
● Good weather
● Average weather
● Poor weather
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