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What is the best time to visit India?

This is such an overarching question that I would need to ask you what your priorities for your trip are in order to answer it. I have been traveling in India for over 10 years now and I have traveled in every season possible. The common misconception that you can only visit India during winter applies only to those that are doing the famous Golden Triangle tour of Agra, Delhi and Jaipur. If this is you then the best time to visit India is between October and March and there’s your answer.

But if you are interested in traveling more of the country you need a deeper understanding of which parts of the country to visit during each season. You don’t want to go to the Himalayas during the winter and get stuck because of heavy snowfall or sit in your hotel all day in Kerala because damn why the hell is it raining cats and dogs again?

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What is the best time to visit each of the 6 regions?

• North India – This is the part of the country which comprises the Golden Triangle and the northern and central states. This is the itinerary that most first time travelers to India choose to follow. The best time to visit North India is between October and March. The north experiences winter during this time which keeps the average temperature between 10-20 degree celsius. This is pleasantly cool during the day in the sun and cold at night. The weather is dry and it’s ideal to travel to all the different sites all day and still feel energized. I would advise you to carry sweaters for the nights since central heating doesn’t exist in India and I got very cold at night. Especially in cities in Rajasthan it was very cold because of the surrounding Thar Desert. Summer in the north is very hot. The average temperature is between 30-40 degree celsius which would be unbearable for travelers coming from cooler countries. I straight up do not step outside during summer so definitely not a good time to travel.
  
• South India – South India travelers usually visit Kerala for its lush backwater and beaches spread along the southern coast. November to February is the best time to visit the south with clear skies and cool temperatures. These are great for exploring nature and relaxing on the beach. I have also visited the south during the monsoon season from June to November. It rains intermittently everyday but the upside is that the nature is unbeatable and I would definitely sit through the rain for it. The waterfalls are full of gushing water and the countryside is blooming. The guest houses were also much cheaper because it was off season. The downside to this is that houseboats which are unique to the region are not rented out for stays at this time.
  
• Himalayas – The Himalayas are the perfect destination to escape during the summer. You have popular hill stations like Shimla and Darjeeling but I prefer the private estates to them. Mary Budden Estate in the Kumaon region in the middle Himalayan Mountains is one of my favorite places to spend the summer. The Himalayas should be avoided during the winter season when many high altitude roads are closed due to snowfall. Similarly during monsoon there is a danger of landslide and flash floods. Most estates also shut down during this time. The best time to go to the Himalayas is between March and June and September to November. 
  
• Western Ghats – Western India’s most frequented cities have to be Mumbai and Goa. Both of these are famous international destinations. Goa is known for its sunshine and beaches and Mumbai for the food and Bollywood of course. These are two cities that you should never ever visit during the summer or monsoon. They get the worst of both of these seasons and you are either dripping sweat like a Pamela Reif workout or swimming through thigh high water on the road. I have done both and it’s a disaster. The best time to visit the west is during winter between November and March when the weather is hot and dry during the day and chilly at night. It’s the perfect temperature to enjoy the beaches in Goa and explore the on foot.
  
• Eastern Ghats – Eastern India has my favorite beach town of Puri and other historical towns such as Bhubaneswar and Konark which are famous for their temples and architecture. This region experiences the same seasons as the west. The monsoon and summer are very hot and humid. The best time to visit the region is between November and March with cooler weather. Puri is gorgeous if you come at the right time and its a little known secret that this has one of the best beaches on mainland India.
  
• North East India – North East India has some of the most complex geography in India. The northern Himalayan mountain range in Arunachal which borders Bhutan is very cold during the winter months and inaccessible due to the snow. The hilly areas of Assam stay relatively ok around 18 degree celsius from November until May. The summer temperatures in the plains get hot but most tourists come here for the hilly tea estates and the higher altitudes of the region which are great in the summer. You can pretty much travel to this region at any time except monsoon if you plan accordingly. 

Where to go during each month?

• January – Rajasthan is the top choice for sightseeing in January. The weather is chilly and dry making it a great time to explore the cities like Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jaipur. There is a lot of fog that hangs around Delhi and Jaipur during this time which frequently causes delays in flights and trains. You should keep checking up on the latest updates for you transport periodically. The nights also get very cold and there is no central heating so be sure to pack warm clothes. A lot of people also go to the hotter regions in the south to escape the cold. 
  
• February – This is one of the top tourist seasons in the country because pretty much the entire country has perfect weather for travel. Hotels tend to get booked in advance during this time. The weather remains dry and chilly with clear skies. Warm clothes are still recommended as the nights can still get pretty cold. 
  
• March – The weather starts getting warmer and gets hot by the end of March. The festival of Holi falls during this time which is great fun for travelers. You don’t need warm clothes by this month anymore. If you are planning on adding a Himalaya trip at the end of your India itinerary then you should do that in March when the mountains start opening up widely again.
  
• April – The temperature suddenly gets very hot in April, averaging above 30 degree celsius each day in north India. This is a great time for seeing wildlife across the country and most hotels at tiger sanctuaries tend to get booked. The region gets very dry and watering holes are the only source of water for the animals which makes seeing Tigers very probable during this month. 
  
• May – The hottest month of the year is the best time to visit some of the estates in the Himalayas which are in full swing. Mary Budden Estate in the Kumaon region is one of my favorite places to spend the summer. The North Eastern parts of India higher in altitude, like Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh are also a great place to visit at this time.
  
• June – Monsoon starts in the south and nature is pretty glorious as it comes alive. If you don’t mind the rain then I love visiting the south at this time for their waterfalls and lush nature. You could also go up to the Ladakh region which has clearer skies and is shielded from the monsoon by the Himalayan range. It’s a great time to explore the higher altitude above the mountain range.
  
• July – The monsoon hits the north in full force. Rajasthan is the best place to escape the rain and humidity. Prices drop outside of the tourist season so you get some pretty good deals. It’s best for a staycation like at the fabulous Bambora Palace which has been converted into a boutique hotel where I spent two awesome weeks chilling in the sun and occasional rain. The Munnar, Thekkady and Wayanad regions in the south also have some beautiful estates in the plateau region in Karnataka that I love for staycations during the monsoons.
  
• August – This is a sticky and hot month in almost all of the country but it’s the best for cheaper stays. It’s off season so hotels offer great deals. The rains are still strong but Rajasthan, Kerala and the higher regions of Leh and Ladakh have amazing sightseeing at this time. Some gorgeous treks through the lower Himalayas start again at this time and we have had a lot of fun hiking during August on a one week trek at 16,000 feet.
  
• September – This month marks the end of the monsoon and you have a great time visiting the Himalayas before it gets too cold. Be careful to check that the rains have completely cleared before you decide to go. Rajasthan and Kerala also still offer discounted prices before they really jump in October so take the chance to visit some high end hotels now.
  
• October – The tourist season is back this month and the entire country springs into action. Every region of the country is perfect to visit at this time and you should take advantage of adding a short Himalayan trip at the start of your itinerary in October before it gets too cold and the roads start shutting down. Diwali is also celebrated at the end of October or start of November. Also consider visiting the higher regions in the North East before the snow sets in.
  
• November – This is the best month to travel in India. The cold of the winter in the north hasn’t set and the days are cool, dry and clear of fog. If you can, try to plan your entire trip inside the month. The regions of Leh and Ladakh are shut down now and most estates in the Himalayas start packing up. In Kerala, houseboats can be seen everywhere and a lot of local tourists make their way to Goa to escape the colder weather.
  
• December – The weather in the north starts to get colder, though this won’t bother anyone from colder countries. The south has really nice weather with warm sunshine that locals prefer to the north. Rajasthan is also a great place to visit without dying from the heat. This is the second best month to visit India after November. 

FAQs

When are tiger sanctuaries open for safaris?

Tiger sanctuaries are open from the start of October until July. They are closed for the monsoon. The best time to see tigers is from February to April which are the driest months and wildlife is attracted to the waterholes.

What is the best time to visit India?

The best time to visit India is during November when the entire country has dry, good weather. The Himalayan mountains are unpredictable because of snowfall but a lot of other hill stations offer amazing skiing and winter sports as well.

What is the best month to visit North India?

The best month to visit North India is November when the weather is good and dry with clear skies. The average temperature is between 10-20 degree celsius with warm temperatures in the sun and colder nights.

Which month is Holi?

Holi, the festival of colors is celebrated in the middle of March. The weather starts becoming hotter and summer arrives by the end of the month with very hot temperatures.

Which month is Diwali?

Diwali is celebrated either at the end of October or start of November which is peak season in the country. The best place to celebrate Diwali is either in Jaipur or Goa down south.

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