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.
DelhiCity life, culture and food |
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Oct-Mar Holiday season Apr-June Extremely hot Jun-Sep Cooler with occasional showers Nov-Feb High season, chilly at night |
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RajasthanDeserts, safaris and culture |
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Apr-June: Very hot (45°C+) Jul-Sep: Cooler with a chance of showers Oct-Mar: Peak season, can be chilly at night |
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Uttar PradeshWorld Heritage Sites (Taj Mahal) |
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Oct-Mar Holiday season Apr-June Extremely hot Jun-Sep Cooler with occasional showers Nov-Feb High season, 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 |
Himachal PradeshSnowy Mountains, Monasteries and Temples |
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Jan – Feb: Cold and snowy Feb – May: A little warmer May – Sept: The best time to visit Sept – Nov: Also a good time |
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Leh & Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir)Culture and Stunning Scenery |
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Jan – Feb: Cold and snowy Feb – May: A little warmer May – Sept: The best time to visit Sept – Nov: Cold and roads are shut |
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UttarakhandAdventure, Tigers and Trekking |
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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 |
North EastCulture, Mountains and Tea Plantations |
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Mar – June: Sunny with occasional showers June – Oct: Beautiful in the mist and rain Nov – Feb: Clear skies but can get chilly |
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KolkataCity style, Sightseeing |
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Mar – June: Hot and humid with occasional rain June – Oct: Very rainy Nov – Feb: Best time to go, cool weather |
Tamil Nadu & PuducherryArchitecture & Culture |
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Mar – June: Hot and humid June – Sep: Heavy rain Oct – Mar: Milder weather Nov – Feb: Best time to go |
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BengaluruCity life, sightseeing |
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Oct – Mar: Best weather Apr - May: Start of the off-season, hot and humid, not the best June – Sep: Heavy rain |
KeralaBackwaters, beaches and culture |
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Apr – May: Hot and humid June – Sept: Monsoon season Oct – Mar: Holiday season Nov – Feb: Best time to go |
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: 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 |
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Madhya PradeshWildlife, Forts, History |
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Oct – Mar: Best time to visit Apr – Jun: Very hot during the day time July – Sep: Monsoon season |
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MumbaiCity life, culture and food |
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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 (Port Blair & Havelock)History, Beaches, Scuba Diving |
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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) |