When to visit India on vacation

As the third-largest country in Asia by total area, India has a remarkably diverse geography to complement its sheer scale. This means that its weather patterns can be extremely varied. When pondering the best time to visit India in vacation, it can be tricky to find the right answer for the kind of rich experience you want — but it’s far from impossible. Let’s get cracking.

The best time to visit India on vacation

With the help of our local experts, we’ve narrowed down the best time to visit India, including when to explore some of the most popular regions of this extraordinary country.

“Classic” India: Delhi and Rajasthan

Many visitors to India begin their experiences here, in a territory (Delhi) and state (Rajasthan) that have so much significance to the country’s past, present, and future. While travel choices are always a matter of subjective taste — hence the quotes for effect around “classical” — these parts of the country do contain some of the country’s absolute must-see cities and sites, such as New Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, the Merangarh Fort, Birla Mandir, and the Taj Mahal, to name just a few.

Strictly in terms of weather, the best time to visit Rajasthan or Delhi is between November and March. The skies are a clear blue, and you’ll enjoy pleasant daytime average temperatures between 76 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (29-32 degrees Celsius). Evenings in December and January are quite cool but never cold, with temperatures occasionally dipping down below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) but usually averaging between 54 and 51 degrees Fahrenheit (13-11 degrees Celsius).

Delhi’s temperatures in this period are fairly similar to those of Rajasthan, though the overall climate is more humid subtropical than arid. Cold winds blowing down from the Himalayas also create a notable wind chill at times.

Come April, it starts to heat up, with temperatures regularly rising to well above 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) and often hovering in the low-to-mid 90s/mid-30s. By the end of April, the heat rises into the 100s (38 degrees Celsius and up), especially in the North. While it’s a dry heat, and the skies are still clear and strikingly blue, that’s going to be a deal-breaker for many people. From late June until September, the monsoon comes, though in Rajasthan this tends to be only a few days of persistent rain during the entire season, with clear skies the rest of the time. If you can stand the heat, this time of year can be a good choice for your getaway: the sights are far less busy, and hotels often offer great rates. (In Delhi, the monsoon season is more intense than Rajasthan, so you’re less likely to find it ideal for a vacation.)

In both of these regions, the shoulder-season months of April and October in particular are not as hot as it can get, and you are unlikely to see too much rain. (Bear in mind that the national parks tend to be closed between June to September.) But you must prepare yourself for the heat with proper clothing — linen shirts work wonders in such a climate — and heat protection items like sunscreen and cooling towels.

The South: Kerala, Goa, and Tamil Nadu

Down in the southern portion of India, the weather pattern is not so different from what we described above, with a few notable exceptions. The monsoon comes in early June and lasts into September. The monsoon is quite intense in these areas, and so travel from June to September will likely be marked by spells of heavy rain. It’s also hot and sticky most of the time, with consistently gray skies. With that said, these regions all have reasons for earning your consideration as vacation destinations.

Kerala, for example, is a culturally rich state, home to musical and dance styles (such as Panchavadyam percussion and storytelling-based Kathkali, respectively) that you won’t find anywhere else in India, plus famous festivals like Chinakkathoor Pooram in Palappuram and the Thrissur Pooram in the city of the same name. Those more interested in sunbathing and nightlife will love Goa, while the ancient Portuguese architecture of the Old Goa district is a major draw for history buffs. Last but not least, Tamil Nadu is not only one of India’s major art hubs but also showcases its stunning biodiversity across nearly three dozen wildlife preserves and national parks (including its massive elephant population).

For all of these states, April and September offer the best mix of reduced hotel prices, lower visitor numbers, and acceptable weather. You can still expect it to be hot and humid, but with less chance of rain.

Kashmir and Ladakh

The travel-worthy seasons in these mountainous parts of northern India are short: May to September in the Kashmir valley; June to early September in Ladakh. Outside of these times, travel is possible, but not recommended: winters get quite cold, especially in the more elevated areas of these regions, and many roads and hotels — particularly in Ladakh — shut down.

Srinagar is a Kashmir must-visit for many reasons: the horticultural beauty displayed at the Mughal Gardens, historical sites like the Khanqah Shah-e-Hamdan and Shankaracharya Temple, and the incredible cuisine (wazwan multi-course meals and rogan josh are major highlights).

Ladakh is ideal for adventure tourists due to the many rugged mountain routes and climbing opportunities, while Buddhist shrines and preserved castles in cities and villages like Leh and Zangla offer an intriguing window into the region’s history and spiritual culture.

Himachal Pradesh (including Shimla and Dharamshala)

It’s more than understandable to be interested in seeing the attractions throughout Himachal Pradesh, such as the Kalka-Shimla railway in Shimla or the many temples in Dharamshala. But because winters are cold in these high-altitude places, May to early July and September to early November are the only ideal windows for visiting.

Uttarakhand (including Rishikesh and Haridwar)

If deciding on the best time to visit India and focusing on Uttarakhand cities like Rishikesh and Haridwar, note that these lower-altitude cities have weather similar to Delhi and Rajasthan, so October to March are the best times of year for your trip. (The monsoon tends to come in June, July and August.)

As for the Kumaon Himalayas, the best time to traverse the mountainous areas of Uttarakhand is September to November. That said, if you can stand the cold, December to March are good times to visit if you want the clearest views of the mountain. (In April and May, the view gets hazy due to intense fog, though the mountain flowers are in full bloom.)

Make it happen

If you would like to travel to the destinations described above — or any others in the country — but are still wondering about the best time to visit India on vacation, get in touch with our local experts right away. They’ll help you plan a trip that’s tailor-made for your interests and gives an impression of just how diverse India’s geography and culture can be. They’ll also offer tips on what gear or apparel may be helpful in specific areas and give advice on safety issues when appropriate.