Tourists are back: September arrivals up 12 percent as the autumn season opens
Nepal welcomed 88,248 foreign visitors in September 2026, and 865,920 in the first nine months of the year. Visitors from China rose by more than half.
After a difficult August, the numbers are pointing up again just as Nepal’s busiest season begins.
September at a glance
Nepal received 88,248 foreign visitors in September 2026, up 12.1 percent from 78,711 a year earlier. The biggest groups came from:
- India: 17,425
- China: 11,212, up more than 58 percent
- Sri Lanka: 7,108
- Australia: 4,842
The United States was also among the top markets, though different reports give different totals for September, so we are waiting for the official breakdown before quoting it.
The year so far
From January to September, 865,920 foreign tourists arrived. March was the busiest month, with 120,516 visitors. For comparison, the whole of 2025 brought 1,158,459 visitors, a small rise on 2024.
Why autumn matters so much
September to November usually brings close to 40 percent of the year’s visitors. The skies clear after the monsoon, the mountains come out, and trails from Annapurna to Everest fill up.
This year the season had a shaky start. The flash flood in Rasuwa on 26 August hit bookings, and some hotels in Thamel reported around a fifth of reservations being cancelled. The government responded with a campaign called #NepalCalling to remind the world that most of the country is open and welcoming.
If you are planning a trip
- Most trekking regions are open, but some routes in Langtang, Gosainkunda and Helambu have been closed or restricted since the flood. Check Nepal Live before you book.
- Nepal’s new e-Visa went fully live on 17 August, so you can now apply online before you fly.
- Book guides, lodges and domestic flights early for October and November.
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