When to visit India and where

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 between each state. Every 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 Jul-Sep    Cooler with occasional showers Nov-Feb   High season, chilly at night
Rajasthan Deserts, safaris and culture
Oct-Mar:   Holiday season Apr-Jun:   Extremely hot Jul-Sep:   Warm, with occasional showers Oct-Mar:  Holiday season, can be chilly at night
Uttar Pradesh World Heritage Sites (Taj Mahal)
Apr-Jun: Extremely hot Jul-Sep:  Cooler with a chance of showers Oct-Mar: Peak season, can be 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
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
Leh & Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir) Culture and Stunning Scenery
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.
Uttarakhand Adventure, Tigers and Trekking
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

Kolkata and North East India

Sikkim and Eastern Himalayas Culture, Mountains and Tea Plantations
Mar-May: Best time to visit Oct-Nov:  Sunny, a good time to visit Nov-Feb:  Heavy snowfalls - best avoided
Kolkata City style, Sightseeing
Mar-Jun:   Hot and humid with occasional rain Jun-Oct:   Very rainy Nov-Feb:   Best time to visit, cool weather

Karnataka & Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Architecture & Culture
Mar-Jun:   Hot and humid Jun-Sep:   Heavy rain Oct-Mar:   Milder weather Nov-Feb:   Best time to go
Karnataka Wildlife, ancient ruins, palaces, hill stations, beaches
Oct-Mar:   Best time to visit Apr-Jun:   Hot and humid Jul-Sep:   Monsoon season

Kerala

Kerala Backwaters, beaches and culture
Apr-May:   Hot and humid Jun-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:  Best time to visit Mar-Jun:  Very hot, dry and also humid Jul-Sep:   Monsoon
Madhya Pradesh Wildlife, Forts, History
Oct-Mar:   Best time to visit Apr-Jun:   Very hot during the daytime Jul-Sep:   Monsoon season
Mumbai City life, culture and food
Jan-Feb:   Best weather, not too hot Mar-Jun:   Very hot and humid Jul-Oct:    Rainy Oct-Dec:   Warm and still humid

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Port Blair & Havelock) History, Beaches, Scuba Diving
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)

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.