Nepal’s September visitors rose 12%, but the trekking markets stayed home

Industry & Tourism Nepal had 88,248 visitors in September 2026, up 12.1%. Asia drove it; arrivals from the US, UK and Australia fell 14% to 29%. The year is up 6.2%. By Anjali Shrestha · Oct 2, 2026 Read the full story

Nepal received 88,248 international visitors in September 2026, 12.1% more than in September 2025, but the growth came almost entirely from Asia. Arrivals from the United States fell 14.3%, from the United Kingdom 25.2% and from Australia 29%, according to… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Who drove the rise

Asia, led by China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Chinese arrivals reached 11,212, up 114.1%, which continues the recovery we reported when Chinese visitors passed their pre-pandemic level in July. Sri Lanka sent 7,108 people (up 54%) and Bangladesh 3,964 (up… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Who stayed away

The long-haul markets, all of them. Europe as a whole sent 15,148 visitors, down 8.7%, and the Americas 10,107, down 12.3%. Within those totals, the United States fell 14.3%, the United Kingdom 25.2% and Australia 29%. In August the Americas and Oceania had… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Was it the flood?

It is the obvious suspect, but one month of figures cannot prove it. The Nepal Tourism Board gives no reason for the fall. The Bhote Koshi flood of 26 August was reported worldwide, and many travellers who saw the coverage would not know it was confined to… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

What this means if you are planning a trek

What this means for you Fewer Western trekkers in September changes very little on the trail, and it may mean more space at teahouses early in the season. The Everest and Annapurna regions were not touched by the flood. The disruption that matters is on the… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Is Nepal still getting more visitors in 2026 than in 2025?

Yes. From January to September 2026 Nepal received 865,920 international visitors, against 815,273 in the same months of 2025, an increase of 6.21%. The tourism board says the country is "well on track to break previous tourist records in 2026". The record is… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

Which country sent Nepal the most visitors in September?

India, with 17,425 of the 88,248, or just under a fifth. China was second with 11,212 and the United States third with 8,299. For the month before, see how August's arrivals fell 3.6% . Sources: Nepal Tourism Board figures as reported by The Himalayan Times… Travel Himalaya Nepal · News Read the full story

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