Best Time to Visit India
Every month is a good month somewhere in India.
India is big enough that its seasons never all line up. Here is the short answer, then a month-by-month view of the plains and Rajasthan, the Himalaya, Kerala and Goa, the monsoon and the festivals — with official dates and temperatures in °C and °F. Written by a travel company based in the Himalaya.
- Oct–Mar plains, Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa
- Dec–Feb snow in the Himachal hills
- Jun–Oct monsoon season (UK FCDO)
- Checked 22 Oct 2026
When is the best time to visit India?
For most first trips, the best time to visit India is October to March: dry, mild days in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Rajasthan, and the peak season in Kerala and Goa. The Himalayan hill towns are best in spring and autumn (snow from December to February), Ladakh is a summer trip, and the monsoon usually runs June to October. Tell us your dates and we match the region.
India month by month: where the weather works
Find your travel month and read across: where the weather is at its best, and what to plan around. If your month isn’t ideal for the place you want, ask us — there is usually a good alternative.
| Month | Best regions | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| January | Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala, Goa; snow in Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala | Cold nights in the north (Jodhpur about 5 °C / 41 °F at night) and fog — we avoid driving at night |
| February | Same as January; Kerala and Goa still in peak season | Rishikesh’s International Yoga Festival falls in February–March |
| March | Plains, Rajasthan, Rishikesh, Kerala, Goa; hill towns start to open up | Holi 2027 is Tuesday 23 March — see our Holi guide |
| April | Himachal hill towns (Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala), Rishikesh | The plains heat up fast; Kerala is hot and humid March–May |
| May | Himachal hill towns: Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala | Rajasthan is very hot — Jaisalmer averages up to 46 °C (115 °F) |
| June | Himachal hill towns early in the month; Ladakh | Monsoon reaches Kerala around 1 June and Delhi around 27 June (IMD normals) |
| July–August | Ladakh (confirm roads); Kerala for the green monsoon and the Nehru Trophy boat race in August | Heavy rain in most of India; Rishikesh rafting stops; central India’s tiger-reserve core zones close |
| September | Late in the month: Rajasthan (Udaipur’s season starts), Himachal hills | The monsoon withdraws from Delhi around 25 September (IMD normal) |
| October | Plains, Rajasthan, Himachal hills, Varanasi; tiger parks reopen | Kerala gets north-east monsoon rains in October–November |
| November | Plains, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala, Goa | Rohtang Pass above Manali closes with snow from late November |
| December | Plains, Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa; snow in the Himachal hills | Busy Christmas–New Year weeks — book early; cold nights and fog in the north |
Built from IMD, Incredible India, Kerala Tourism, Himachal Tourism and Goa government sources, plus our own planning experience in Himachal. Weather varies year to year — confirm before travel. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
The best time for each region
If you already know where you want to go, start here.
Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Rajasthan
October to March. Incredible India gives Jaisalmer’s best time as November to March and Udaipur’s as September to March. Nights in December–January can be cold: Jodhpur averages 5–30 °C (41–86 °F) in January. Remember the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. See our 12-day Rajasthan tour.
Himachal hill towns: Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala
Our home region. In our planning experience March–June and September–November are the easiest months; December–February brings snow, which many guests come for. Rohtang Pass closes from late November until about May, but the Atal Tunnel keeps Manali–Lahaul open all year.
Ladakh (Leh)
A summer trip. The roads in from Manali and Srinagar are seasonal, so we confirm them when we quote. Leh is at high altitude — consult your doctor before you go.
Kerala
Kerala Tourism names November–February as peak season and October–February as the best time for houseboat cruises. The south-west monsoon arrives around 1 June; June–August is the wettest time. See our 8-day Kerala tour.
Goa
Winter is the season for foreign visitors — roughly November to March, with Palolem at its best November–February. In the monsoon, swimming in the sea and water sports stop. See our Goa holiday guide.
Rishikesh and Varanasi
Rishikesh suits October to April; the yoga festival is in February–March and rafting stops in July–August. Varanasi is best October to March — Dev Deepavali, 15 days after Diwali, lights the ghats with thousands of lamps.
The monsoon: when it comes and what it means for your trip
The UK FCDO says the monsoon season in India usually runs from June to October, with flash floods and landslides that can come with little warning. It does not arrive everywhere at once — these are the India Meteorological Department’s normal dates:
Normal dates, not forecasts — each year’s monsoon is early or late by days or weeks. In our experience, July and August are the hardest months on mountain roads in Himachal and Uttarakhand, so we build spare days into monsoon itineraries.
Heat, cold and snow: what the thermometer says
Official monthly averages from Incredible India and Kerala Tourism (minimum–maximum):
| Place | Coolest month | Hottest month |
|---|---|---|
| Jodhpur, Rajasthan | January 5–30 °C (41–86 °F) | May 22–45 °C (72–113 °F) |
| Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | January 5–29 °C (40–84 °F) | May 22–46 °C (71–115 °F) |
| Udaipur, Rajasthan | January 3–30 °C (38–86 °F) | May 21–43 °C (69–110 °F) |
| Barsana (near Mathura) | January 4–25 °C (39–77 °F) | — |
| Thekkady, Kerala | December–January down to 13 °C (55 °F) | April–May up to 30 °C (86 °F) |
In April–June the plains regularly pass 40 °C (104 °F) — that is when we move guests up to the Himachal hills. Heat and altitude both affect health: consult your doctor, and see CDC or NHS Fit for Travel.
Festivals and wildlife seasons worth planning around
Some trips are built around a date rather than the weather:
Holi — 23 March 2027
The festival of colours, Tuesday 23 March 2027, with Holika Dahan bonfires the evening before (Government of India holiday list). UP Tourism’s Rangotsav in Mathura and Vrindavan runs 16–30 March 2027. Read our Holi festival guide.
Tiger safaris — October to June
Corbett’s zones open from 15 October or 15 November (Dhikala) until June; Madhya Pradesh’s reserves are best October–June, with core zones closed July–September. See our tiger safari guide.
Kerala's snake-boat races — August
The Nehru Trophy race is held every August on Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha — a monsoon-season reason to visit Kerala.
Dev Deepavali in Varanasi — November
Fifteen days after Diwali, thousands of lamps line the ghats on the Ganga. Dates move each year — we confirm when we quote.
Your dates are fixed? Pick the region that suits them
Most international guests can’t choose their month — school holidays, work, a wedding. That’s fine: India always has a region in season.
- October to MarchStart with the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur), then add Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala or Goa — or snow in Shimla and Manali in December–February.
- April to JuneKeep the plains short (early mornings at the Taj), then go up to Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala; Ladakh in summer, roads confirmed.
- July to SeptemberLadakh, or Kerala’s green monsoon season with flexible days; Rajasthan and the plains work with rain breaks and spare time built in.
- Tell us your datesWe reply with a route that fits your month, a day-by-day plan and a US-dollar quote. A 20% deposit locks it.
Practical basics for any season
Visa
Apply yourself only at the official site indianvisaonline.gov.in — beware look-alike sites that charge extra. We are not a visa agency. Our e-Visa guide walks through it.
Road safety by season
The UK FCDO advises avoiding travel at night and in fog, as accidents are common due to low visibility. In winter fog and monsoon rain we plan daytime drives only.
Kashmir
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Jammu and Kashmir except Jammu city, and the US State Department says ‘Do not travel’ to J&K except eastern Ladakh and Leh (advice checked 22 Oct 2026). Check the latest before you book.
Your driver
With a private car, your driver’s name, photo and car number are shared with you before the trip, and our Himachal office is a phone call away. See our private car with driver.
Prices
Season changes hotel rates and availability, so most trips are quoted on request for your exact dates. The Golden Triangle, which suits October to March, has published prices:
| Option | From | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Your India trip, matched to your month | on request | Route, private car and driver, hotels with breakfast and guides as you choose — a day-by-day plan and US-dollar total before you pay |
| Golden Triangle — 4 days (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) | from US$299 | Per person, two sharing: private air-conditioned car and driver, hotels with breakfast, airport pick-up and drop, local guides at the main monuments |
| Golden Triangle — classic 6 days | from US$449 | Per person, two sharing: private air-conditioned car and driver, hotels with breakfast, airport pick-up and drop, local guides at the main monuments |
Prices are per person in US dollars, indicative for the season shown, and confirmed on your quote. Taxes included; international flights excluded.
Booking terms (20% deposit, 48-hour refund window) are stated once, under Plan it with a local.
Questions travellers ask
What is the best month to visit India?
For a first trip covering Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Rajasthan, November to February are the most comfortable months, with October and March close behind. Kerala and Goa peak from November to February. For the Himalayan hill towns, choose spring or autumn — or December to February if you want snow.
Which months should I avoid in India?
It depends on the region. The plains and Rajasthan are very hot in May and June (Jaisalmer averages up to 46 °C / 115 °F in May), and the monsoon usually runs June to October, with the heaviest rain in July and August. Even then, Ladakh and the Himachal hills can work — tell us your dates.
When is monsoon season in India?
The UK FCDO says it usually runs from June to October. The India Meteorological Department’s normal onset dates are 1 June in Kerala, 11 June in Mumbai and 27 June in New Delhi; it withdraws from Delhi around 25 September and from the south by mid-October.
Is December a good time to visit India?
Yes, for most of the country: the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala and Goa are all in season, and the Himachal hills get snow. Nights in the north are cold and fog can delay early starts, and Christmas–New Year is busy, so book early.
When is the best time to visit the Himalayas and Ladakh?
For Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala, March–June and September–November are easiest in our experience; December–February is the snow season. Ladakh is a summer trip because the roads in are seasonal — we confirm them when we quote. Both are at altitude: consult your doctor.
When is the best time to visit Kerala and Goa?
Kerala Tourism names November–February as peak season and October–February as the best time for houseboats. Goa’s season for foreign visitors is winter, roughly November to March; swimming in the sea stops during the monsoon.
When is the best time to see tigers in India?
Most parks are open from October to June. Corbett’s zones open from 15 October or 15 November until June, and Madhya Pradesh’s tiger reserves close their core zones from July to September. Sightings are never guaranteed.
How do I book a trip for my dates?
Send your dates, how many of you and what you’d like to see. We reply with a route that suits the season, a day-by-day plan and a US-dollar quote. A 20% deposit locks your dates and price.
Tell us your dates — we'll match the region
Your month, how many days and what you’d love to see. We reply within two hours (9 am–9 pm IST) with a route that suits the season and a US-dollar quote.
We usually reply within 2 hours, 9 am–9 pm IST (UTC+5:30). Email info@suzutravels.com if you don’t use WhatsApp.
Booking: A 20% deposit locks your dates and price. Full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of paying. Pay by card (Razorpay, international cards accepted) or PayPal; the balance is due before the trip.
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Keep exploring
Sources
- India Meteorological Department — normal monsoon onset and withdrawal dates (press release, 15 May 2020)
- UK FCDO — India travel advice: safety and security (updated 7 Oct 2026)
- US State Department — India travel advisory
- Incredible India — Jodhpur
- Incredible India — Jaisalmer
- Incredible India — Udaipur
- Kerala Tourism — climate of Kerala
- Kerala Tourism — 20 things to know before you visit Kerala
- Himachal Pradesh Tourism — Manali
- Government of Goa — Department of Information & Publicity
- Corbett Tiger Reserve — official safari booking
- Madhya Pradesh Tourism — tiger reserves
- Indian e-Visa — official site
Written by the Suzu Travels team in Himachal Pradesh, India. Facts checked 22 Oct 2026. Prices, visa rules and road conditions change — we re-check this page regularly; ask us before you book.
