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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.

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Month-by-month guide for traveling in India

Cruise on the backwaters, Kerala

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.

Taj Mahal, Agra

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.

Holi festival

Visiting India in March

A very popular month to travel for both great weather and the popular Holi festival. The colorful 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 colorful, noisy and good fun; just remember to take clothes which you don't mind being covered in paint. Read more about festivals in India.
Bengal Tiger

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.

Life along the road, Karnataka

Visiting India in May

Hotels offer great value during May, but we do warn of the very high temperatures of up to 113°F 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.

Stakna Monastery, Tiger Nose

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.

Hampi, India

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.

Varanasi Ghats

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.

Garden and rock terraces, Mandore, Rajasthan, India

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.

Diwali festival

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.
Pushkar Camel Fair, India

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.
Cochin fishing nets

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 accommodations. 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 72°F 1" 79°F 0" 90°F 0" 100°F 0" 108°F 1" 106°F 2" 95°F 8" 91°F 11" 91°F 5" 91°F 1" 84°F 0" 75°F 0"
Amritsar 66°F 1" 73°F 1" 81°F 1" 93°F 1" 102°F 1" 104°F 2" 97°F 8" 93°F 7" 95°F 4" 90°F 1" 81°F 0" 70°F 1"
Calcutta 81°F 1" 84°F 1" 93°F 1" 97°F 2" 95°F 5" 91°F 12" 90°F 15" 90°F 13" 90°F 12" 90°F 6" 84°F 1" 79°F 0"
Chennai 84°F 1" 88°F 0" 91°F 0" 95°F 0" 100°F 1" 100°F 2" 97°F 4" 95°F 6" 93°F 5" 90°F 9" 84°F 13" 84°F 5"
Cochin 90°F 1" 90°F 1" 91°F 2" 91°F 6" 90°F 15" 84°F 29" 84°F 28" 84°F 15" 84°F 12" 86°F 12" 88°F 6" 90°F 2"
Darjeeling 52°F 1" 55°F 1" 63°F 2" 68°F 3" 70°F 7" 70°F 19" 70°F 29" 70°F 22" 70°F 16" 68°F 4" 63°F 1" 57°F 0"
Delhi 70°F 1" 75°F 0" 86°F 0" 97°F 0" 104°F 0" 104°F 1" 95°F 8" 93°F 9" 93°F 4" 91°F 1" 84°F 0" 73°F 0"
Goa 90°F 0" 90°F 0" 91°F 0" 93°F 0" 93°F 3" 88°F 31" 86°F 38" 84°F 21" 86°F 10" 90°F 5" 90°F 1" 90°F 0"
Jaipur 73°F 0" 77°F 0" 88°F 0" 99°F 0" 104°F 1" 102°F 2" 93°F 8" 90°F 8" 93°F 3" 93°F 0" 84°F 0" 75°F 0"
Jodhpur 77°F 0" 82°F 0" 91°F 0" 100°F 0" 108°F 0" 104°F 1" 97°F 5" 91°F 5" 95°F 2" 97°F 0" 88°F 0" 81°F 0"
Ladakh 27°F 0" 28°F 0" 39°F 1" 50°F 0" 55°F 1" 63°F 1" 72°F 1" 70°F 1" 64°F 1" 54°F 0" 43°F 0" 32°F 0"
Mumbai 82°F 0" 84°F 0" 88°F 0" 90°F 0" 91°F 0" 90°F 22" 86°F 35" 84°F 24" 86°F 14" 90°F 3" 90°F 0" 86°F 0"
Shimla 50°F 3" 54°F 3" 61°F 3" 70°F 2" 77°F 2" 79°F 6" 72°F 16" 70°F 12" 70°F 7" 66°F 2" 61°F 1" 54°F 1"
Varanasi 75°F 1" 81°F 0" 93°F 0" 102°F 0" 108°F 0" 102°F 3" 91°F 11" 90°F 11" 91°F 8" 91°F 1" 84°F 0" 77°F 0"

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Travel advice

Practical tips for traveling to India, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest US State Department travel advice.

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