When is the best time to visit India
Two of our most frequently asked questions are “When is the best time to visit India” and “Where should I visit in India”. One of the most wonderful things about India is the diversity you’ll find in each state with each region offering different cultures, scenery and cuisine, along with some very varied weather.
While the intense heat from the glowing sun is lovely if you’re heading to a beach, it isn’t so favourable when sightseeing at busy attractions that might not offer much shade. And instead of the bright sunny days you find in many countries during summer, June to September is monsoon season in South India, so it isn’t the best time to visit.
And what sort of holiday would you choose? Do you want to discover iconic temples and buildings, see wonderful wildlife, or enjoy amazing scenery?
Luckily many of India’s states offer you the chance to experience all of these, but it’s definitely worth thinking about what you’d like to see and do before planning your Indian tour. So hopefully our guide to the best time to visit India will help!
The best time to visit India
It may seem like a daunting task to work out the best time to visit India, but we’re here to help with our seasonal chart.
The Best Time to visit India – by season
Winter
India is predominantly considered a winter destination with a good climate from September until April. These months offer the best weather, although some of the higher temperatures are not for everyone. Bear in mind that Christmas is a very popular travel time and the December and January months are the most expensive as it is peak season.
During these warm months, wildlife are more visible as they venture out of hiding for water.
The lofty Himalayas are to be avoided during winter as many of the roads and resorts are closed.
Spring
March can be a lovely time to visit India as you can tie your trip in with a wonderful festival such as Holi or take advantage of the beauty of the green hills and wandering wildlife.
Summer
The months of May to September are best avoided for most destinations, but they are the perfect time to visit Kashmir, Ladakh and the Himalayan foothills. This is because it’s the only time of year that many of these destinations are accessible by road. May and June are also good times to visit North East India.
Autumn
October and November are great times to visit most regions (except Kashmir and the Himalayan Foothills). The monsoons have passed by in the south leaving vibrant greenery and new beginnings. However, if you’re looking to spot tigers and wildlife, this is a more difficult time as grass and leaves are long, providing plenty of cover.
When to visit India – by region
Our short overview shows you the highlights of each region, along with the best (and worst) times to visit.
North India and the Golden Triangle
Sunset Camel Ride ,Thar Desert, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
DelhiCity life, culture and food |
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| Oct-Mar Holiday season Apr-June Extremely hot Jul-Sep Cooler with occasional showers Nov-Feb High season, chilly at night |
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RajasthanDeserts, safaris and culture |
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| Oct-Mar: Holiday season Apr-Jun: Extremely hot Jul-Sep: Warm, with occasional showers Oct-Mar: Holiday season, can be chilly at night |
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Uttar PradeshWorld Heritage Sites (Taj Mahal) |
 Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh |
| Apr-Jun: Extremely hot Jul-Sep: Cooler with a chance of showers Oct-Mar: Peak season, can be chilly at night |
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VaranasiGanges river, spirituality & temples |
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| Apr-June: Very hot (45°C+) Jul-Sep: Cooler with showers Oct-Mar: Best time, chilly at night |
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India Himalayas
Himachal PradeshSnowy Mountains, Monasteries and Temples |
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| Oct-Nov: A good time to visit just before winter sets in. Dec-Feb: Cold & Snowy Mar-May: Summer. Best time to visit. Jun-Sep: Monsoon season |
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Leh & Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir)Culture and Stunning Scenery |
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| Oct-Mar: Cold and snowy Feb–May: Nice warm days Jun–Sep: Summer. Best time to visit and the entire region is accessible by road. |
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UttarakhandAdventure, Tigers and Trekking |
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| Nov-Feb: Cold and snowy Feb-May: A little warmer May-Jun: Best time to visit Jul-Sept: Possibility of heavy rain Sep-Oct: Warm and vibrant after the rain |
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Kolkata and North East India
Sikkim and Eastern HimalayasCulture, Mountains and Tea Plantations |
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| Mar-May: Best time to visit Oct-Nov: Sunny, a good time to visit Nov-Feb: Heavy snowfalls – best avoided |
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KolkataCity style, Sightseeing |
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| Mar-Jun: Hot and humid with occasional rain Jun-Oct: Very rainy Nov-Feb: Best time to visit, cool weather |
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Karnataka & Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu & PuducherryArchitecture & Culture |
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| Mar-Jun: Hot and humid Jun-Sep: Heavy rain Oct-Mar: Milder weather Nov-Feb: Best time to go |
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KarnatakaWildlife, ancient ruins, palaces, hill stations, beaches |
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| Oct-Mar: Best time to visit Apr-Jun: Hot and humid Jul-Sep: Monsoon season |
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Kerala
KeralaBackwaters, beaches and culture |
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| Apr-May: Hot and humid Jun-Sept: Monsoon season Oct-Mar: Holiday season Nov-Feb: Best time to go |
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West India, Gujarat & Mumbai
GoaBeaches, yoga, nightlife |
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| Nov-Apr: Main tourist season Dec-Feb: Busy with great weather Jun-Sep: Chance of rain but still a nice time to visit |
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GujaratHistory, Culture, Tribal Villages, Wildlife |
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| Nov-Feb: Best time to visit Mar-Jun: Very hot, dry and also humid Jul-Sep: Monsoon |
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Madhya PradeshWildlife, Forts, History |
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| Oct-Mar: Best time to visit Apr-Jun: Very hot during the daytime Jul-Sep: Monsoon season |
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MumbaiCity life, culture and food |
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| Jan-Feb: Best weather, not too hot Mar-Jun: Very hot and humid Jul-Oct: Rainy Oct-Dec: Warm and still humid |
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Andaman & Nicobar IslandsHistory, Beaches, Scuba Diving |
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| Oct-Nov: Start of the tourist season, may rain often Dec-Mar: The best time to visit, mostly warm and dry Apr-May: Can get hot in the afternoon Jun-Sep: Monsoon (to be strictly avoided |
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We hope we’ve shown you the best time to visit India! If you have any questions or a tour in mind, we’d be happy to help you start planning. Please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.