When and where to visit in India

India – when and where to go

 “When is the best time to visit India” and “Where should I visit in India” are two of our most frequently asked questions. One of the most wonderful things about India is the diversity you’ll find between each state. Each region of India offers a different culture, 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 you’re 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.

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 it is you’d like to see and do before planning your Indian tour.

It may seem like a daunting task to work out the best time to go on holiday to India, but we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a short overview to show you the highlights of each region, along with the best (and worst) times to visit.

North India and the Golden Triangle

Delhi  City life, culture and food
Oct-Mar   Holiday season Apr-June  Extremely hot Jun-Sep   Cooler with occasional showers Nov-Feb   High season, chilly at night
Rajasthan Deserts, safaris and culture
Apr-June:   Very hot (45°C+) Jul-Sep:     Cooler with a chance of showers Oct-Mar:    Peak season, can be chilly at night
Uttar Pradesh World Heritage Sites (Taj Mahal)
Oct-Mar    Holiday season Apr-June  Extremely hot Jun-Sep   Cooler with occasional showers Nov-Feb   High season, chilly at night
Varanasi Ganges river, spirituality & temples
Apr-June:   Very hot (45°C+) Jul-Sep:     Cooler with showers Oct-Mar:    Best time, chilly at night

India Himalayas

Himachal Pradesh Snowy Mountains, Monasteries and Temples
Jan – Feb: Cold and snowy Feb – May: A little warmer May – Sept: The best time to visit Sept – Nov: Also a good time
Leh & Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir) Culture and Stunning Scenery
Jan – Feb: Cold and snowy Feb – May: A little warmer May – Sept: The best time to visit Sept – Nov: Cold and roads are shut
Uttarakhand Adventure, Tigers and Trekking
Nov – Feb: Cold and snowy Feb – May: A little warmer May – June: Best time to visit Jul – Sept: Possibility of heavy rain Sep – Oct: Warm and vibrant after the rain

Kolkata and North East India

North East Culture, Mountains and Tea Plantations
Mar – June: Sunny with occasional showers June – Oct: Beautiful in the mist and rain Nov – Feb: Clear skies but can get chilly
Kolkata City style, Sightseeing
Mar – June: Hot and humid with occasional rain June – Oct: Very rainy Nov – Feb: Best time to go, cool weather

Karnataka & Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Architecture & Culture
Mar – June: Hot and humid June – Sep: Heavy rain Oct – Mar: Milder weather Nov – Feb: Best time to go
Bengaluru City life, sightseeing
Oct – Mar: Best weather Apr - May: Start of the off-season, hot and humid, not the best June – Sep: Heavy rain

Kerala

Kerala Backwaters, beaches and culture
Apr – May: Hot and humid June – Sept: Monsoon season Oct – Mar: Holiday season Nov – Feb: Best time to go

West India, Gujarat & Mumbai

Goa Beaches, yoga, nightlife
Nov – Apr: Main tourist season Dec - Feb: Busy with great weather Jun – Sep: Chance of rain but still a nice time to visit
Gujarat History, Culture, Tribal Villages, Wildlife
Nov – Feb: Winter (best time to visit) Mar – Jun: Summer (From April it’s the peak of summer and the weather is hot, dry and also humid, making daytime extremely uncomfortable) Jul – Sep: Monsoon
Madhya Pradesh Wildlife, Forts, History
Oct – Mar: Best time to visit Apr – Jun: Very hot during the day time July – Sep: Monsoon season
Mumbai City life, culture and food
Dec - Feb: Best weather, not too hot Mar - Jun: Very hot and humid Jun - Oct: Rainy Oct – Dec: Warm and still humid

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Port Blair & Havelock) History, Beaches, Scuba Diving
Oct – Nov: Beginning of the tourist season after the heavy southwest monsoon showers, may rain often Dec – Mar: The best time to visit, mostly warm and dry Apr – May: Summer June – Sep: Monsoon (to be strictly avoided)