Discover the best time to visit India
General information
From spiritual temples and emerald backwaters to cool tea hills and snowy peaks, India is home to an exciting mix of sights. Due to its large size, India is a country with several climates, meaning that some regions are best visited at certain times of the year. So it’s important to have a good idea of the best time of year to travel to get the most out of your trip. Take a look at our summary below to get a better idea of where to go when…
Taj Mahal & The North
With its green hills, meandering rivers, thick forests and rolling tea plantations, North East India is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. Due to its mild climate, this part of India can be visited throughout the year, however the rains begin in June and end in October, so we’d recommend heading there between October and March. The only months to avoid are the monsoon months from June to September.
Rajasthan
From desert forts and camels to ornate palaces and a Wonder of the World, there are so many places to explore in North India. In Rajasthan, Agra and or Varanasi, the best time to travel is between October and the end of April. In May and June, temperatures in Delhi can often reach 40ºC and even soar as high as 45ºC in the Thar desert of Rajasthan, so you may find the heat uncomfortable during these months. In July and August there are regular showers which clear the stuffy air, and in September, the weather is even better as the rain clears and the temperatures drop a little.
Himalayas & North West
Parts of the North West region can get much colder during the winter, due to its high altitudes. You can visit the foothills of the Himalayas (Dharamsala, Manali and Shimla) all year round, however from mid-December to mid-February it can be pretty chilly and there may be snow fall which makes the travelling time considerably longer. The best time for visiting Ladakh is from the end of June to mid-September. The rest of the year you cannot travel overland to Leh as passes are closed due to snow fall.
Kerala & The South
The climate in South India is tropical. In Kerala, the temperature ranges from 25- 30ºC all year round. The monsoon hits Kerala in June and lasts until September, and the area is best visited between November and May. Tamil Nadu, in the South East, is the hottest area of the country (and the curries are hottest here too). Temperatures here hover at around 35ºC, increasing even further in May and June. The short but aggressive rainy season in Tamil Nadu runs from early October until early December.
