The best time to visit India is between October and March, when the weather is more likely to be warm, sunny, and dry.
During this time, the north offers clear blue skies. However, December and January are much cooler, with potential fog, while the higher Himalaya can be very cold, but with clearer mountain views. Increasing temperatures in April and May can result in excellent value trips, but you can expect high humidity and thunderstorms.
Ladakh, located in the far north, is most accessible between June and September, when the rest of the country experiences monsoon season.
The best time to visit India’s southern states is from November onward, once the monsoon has ended.
Month-by-month guide for travelling in India
Visiting India in January
Cold nights in Rajasthan and the north clear for warm, dry days, making January a great option for sightseeing; although fog can linger in the mornings. Southern states are popular as a warm, sunny escape; properties in Kerala do fill up quickly though. Some of the best mountain views can be experienced in the Himalaya, but you need to wrap up warm.
Visiting India in February
As fog and mist clears in the northern states, this is one of the best months to travel as nearly the whole country is warm and sunny. Hotels do get booked up well in advance, so it's important to plan ahead.
Visiting India in March
A very popular month to travel for both great weather and the popular Holi festival. The colourful paint-throwing event is great fun as everyone celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festival's date changes each year.
Events & Festivals
- Holi Festival (early March): The well known paint-throwing festival is colourful, noisy and good fun; just remember to take clothes which you don't mind being covered in paint. Read more about festivals in India.
Visiting India in April
Temperatures increase country-wide, making April one of the best months for seeing wildlife in the central parks. Water is limited, so sightings at watering holes are frequent. As daytime temperatures are very high, we'd recommend excursions in the morning and evenings only. Hotels are very busy over Easter, so plan well in advance if your travel dates aren’t flexible.
Visiting India in May
Hotels offer great value during May, but we do warn of the very high temperatures of up to 45°C and the humidity, which can be very uncomfortable. Some camps close, as does desert accommodation. Wildlife sightings continue to be at their best early in the morning and early evening.
Visiting India in June
The stunning region of Ladakh is accessible from June and offers a complete contrast to the rest of the country. Days are sunny and clear, but you will need layers for warmth. The rest of the country is awaiting the monsoon; humidity is high and thunderstorms frequent, especially in the Himalaya and southern states.
Visiting India in July
July and August offer ideal weather and incredible views across Ladakh, whilst elsewhere in India, celebrations are underway due to the arrival of the much-needed monsoon rains.
Visiting India in August
The continuing rains and higher water levels mean that August and September are the best months for cruising along the Ganges, between the holy city of Varanasi and Patna. Departures get booked well in advance so plan ahead.
Visiting India in September
September can offer fantastic value in Rajasthan as it marks the end of the monsoon, although weather is still mixed in the surrounding regions. Ladakh’s season comes to a close but travel is still possible. Trips to the southern states and Himalaya is not advised until the rains clear.
Visiting India in October
Marking the start of the peak travel season, October sees the rains end in the north and the warm, sunny days return. Unpredictable showers can remain in the south, but these help create the beautiful verdant scenery. Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday is celebrated on the 2nd October and is a national holiday.
Events & Festivals
- Diwali (October or November): The ancient Hindu festival of lights is India's largest festival. Candles are lit and dazzling firework displays illuminate the sky to celebrate, making this a magical time to visit the country. Find out more about India's festivals.
Visiting India in November
One of the best months to travel anywhere in India, November offers wonderful weather as well as multiple festivals. The Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan is a unique event to witness, while Diwali, the festival of light (which sometimes takes place in October), encourages beautiful candle displays, buildings covered in lights and celebratory fireworks across much of the country
Events & Festivals
- Camel fair (November): Around 50,000 camels and goats, along with their owners and thousands of spectators, descend on Pushkar, Rajasthan each November for the Camel Fair — a truly incredible sight.
- Diwali (October or November): The ancient Hindu festival of lights is India's largest festival. Candles are lit and dazzling firework displays illuminate the sky to celebrate, making this a magical time to visit the country. Find out more about India's festivals.
Visiting India in December
December is ideal for a trip to the south of India — it is beautifully sunny and warm, making it a very popular option for Christmas, but it's important to plan well in advance to secure the best accommodation. The north has lovely daytime temperatures, but mornings and evenings are much cooler and sometimes foggy. Flight prices are among their highest in December so book early if you can.
India Climate Guide
Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agra | 22°C 14mm | 26°C 10mm | 32°C 10mm | 38°C 4mm | 42°C 13mm | 41°C 51mm | 35°C 207mm | 33°C 272mm | 33°C 127mm | 33°C 30mm | 29°C 4mm | 24°C 5mm |
Amritsar | 19°C 27mm | 23°C 28mm | 27°C 38mm | 34°C 19mm | 39°C 17mm | 40°C 53mm | 36°C 207mm | 34°C 182mm | 35°C 94mm | 32°C 14mm | 27°C 6mm | 21°C 15mm |
Calcutta | 27°C 14mm | 29°C 22mm | 34°C 29mm | 36°C 51mm | 35°C 125mm | 33°C 299mm | 32°C 375mm | 32°C 338mm | 32°C 303mm | 32°C 141mm | 29°C 26mm | 26°C 8mm |
Chennai | 29°C 16mm | 31°C 3mm | 33°C 2mm | 35°C 11mm | 38°C 36mm | 38°C 56mm | 36°C 108mm | 35°C 149mm | 34°C 118mm | 32°C 239mm | 29°C 325mm | 29°C 122mm |
Cochin | 32°C 20mm | 32°C 34mm | 33°C 50mm | 33°C 141mm | 32°C 387mm | 29°C 727mm | 29°C 706mm | 29°C 375mm | 29°C 305mm | 30°C 306mm | 31°C 165mm | 32°C 49mm |
Darjeeling | 11°C 17mm | 13°C 16mm | 17°C 44mm | 20°C 86mm | 21°C 170mm | 21°C 492mm | 21°C 731mm | 21°C 568mm | 21°C 397mm | 20°C 112mm | 17°C 15mm | 14°C 4mm |
Delhi | 21°C 15mm | 24°C 9mm | 30°C 12mm | 36°C 4mm | 40°C 11mm | 40°C 38mm | 35°C 200mm | 34°C 233mm | 34°C 108mm | 33°C 25mm | 29°C 3mm | 23°C 5mm |
Goa | 32°C 0mm | 32°C 0mm | 33°C 0mm | 34°C 12mm | 34°C 79mm | 31°C 792mm | 30°C 959mm | 29°C 536mm | 30°C 261mm | 32°C 133mm | 32°C 32mm | 32°C 11mm |
Jaipur | 23°C 9mm | 25°C 8mm | 31°C 7mm | 37°C 3mm | 40°C 14mm | 39°C 50mm | 34°C 196mm | 32°C 211mm | 34°C 84mm | 34°C 11mm | 29°C 3mm | 24°C 5mm |
Jodhpur | 25°C 3mm | 28°C 3mm | 33°C 3mm | 38°C 2mm | 42°C 7mm | 40°C 31mm | 36°C 123mm | 33°C 126mm | 35°C 57mm | 36°C 4mm | 31°C 3mm | 27°C 2mm |
Ladakh | -3°C 12mm | -2°C 12mm | 4°C 15mm | 10°C 12mm | 13°C 13mm | 17°C 16mm | 22°C 30mm | 21°C 31mm | 18°C 13mm | 12°C 3mm | 6°C 5mm | 0°C 8mm |
Mumbai | 28°C 0mm | 29°C 1mm | 31°C 0mm | 32°C 0mm | 33°C 11mm | 32°C 551mm | 30°C 885mm | 29°C 620mm | 30°C 366mm | 32°C 66mm | 32°C 5mm | 30°C 1mm |
Shimla | 10°C 69mm | 12°C 65mm | 16°C 73mm | 21°C 44mm | 25°C 59mm | 26°C 150mm | 22°C 394mm | 21°C 314mm | 21°C 168mm | 19°C 44mm | 16°C 13mm | 12°C 30mm |
Varanasi | 24°C 22mm | 27°C 9mm | 34°C 11mm | 39°C 3mm | 42°C 9mm | 39°C 86mm | 33°C 281mm | 32°C 281mm | 33°C 192mm | 33°C 36mm | 29°C 7mm | 25°C 5mm |
Why travel with Audley?
- 100% tailor-made tours
- Fully protected travel
- Established for over 25 years
- 98% of our clients would recommend us
Travel advice
Practical tips for travelling to India, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest FCDO travel advice.
Request our brochure
Covering all seven continents, The World Your Way shows you how you can see the world with us. It features trip ideas from our specialists alongside hand-picked stays and experiences, and introduces our approach to creating meaningful travel experiences.
Trip ideas and travel guides for exploring India
-
-
-
What to do in India: our highlights guide What to do in India: our highlights guide
What to do in India: our highlights guide
Read this guide -
An expert guide to experiencing festivals in India An expert guide to experiencing festivals in India
An expert guide to experiencing festivals in India
Read this guide