Best Time to Visit

The mild, sunny dry season from October to March is considered the best time to visit India overall. December and January can get very cold in the Himalayas, so pack accordingly. The Golden Triangle can be visited at any time of the year, with December to February enjoying particularly pleasant weather.

It gets hot in March, reaching peak temperatures in May. The crowds shrink and hotel and airline deals are especially attractive during this time. In the coastal regions, the rainy season begins in June, while it may begin in July in the interiors. If you're interested in a laid-back beach vacation in Goa, avoid June to August when the seas are not safe for swimming and resorts close.  

Lasting until September, the monsoons don't come in the way of your trip if you're visiting the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, and cities up north. But several national parks and beaches remain shut. Dry weather returns in October, when it's less hot than in May. The skies remain clear and people gear up for Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali festivities. The crowds are smaller, making October a good time to explore the country's natural beauty and engage in adventure sports. Plan your visit for the end of February or the beginning of March to see and take part in the colorful festival of Holi.

A hiking trip to the Himalayan mountains is best planned for June to August when the weather is marvellous even as the rest of the country experiences rainfall. But June-September is the wet season, September-April has tough, snow-blocked roads, and the freezing temperatures between December and January attract only the boldest tourists.

When is the ideal time to visit India?

Generally, December to February is ideal as the days are pleasantly warm and the nights are cool. It's the perfect time to explore the country's wildlife reserves and engage in all kinds of outdoor adventure activities. Peak travel season begins in December, driving up flight and hotel costs.

When is India’s peak tourist season?

October through March is peak travel season in India, starting with Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrating the arrival of a new year, to Holi, the colourful festival celebrating Krishna and the arrival of spring. It’s usually worth enduring the crowds and slightly higher prices at this time to enjoy the cooler temperatures and better weather.

Which is the most affordable time to visit India?

India’s prices are at their lowest between April and June. This can be a particularly good time to explore the Himalayas, since the mountains enjoy cool, crisp days while the rest of the country approaches its hot and muggy summer.

How long should I plan to visit India?

The glib, but accurate answer is, as long as you can! India is an enormous country in terms of both its geography and diversity. Being practical, however, one week will give you enough time to see the Golden Triangle, consisting of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Add another two days for any other stops you’d like to add, such as Varanasi, Udaipur, or Ranthambore National Park. Two weeks is a good length for an introduction to either northern or southern India. You’ll need at least a month to do an overview of both, plus more time to explore Bengal or the Himalayan regions. You can truly spend months exploring India and only scratch the surface, but you may also want to pace yourself. India can often overwhelm even the most seasoned travellers, so you might want to break the adventure into several trips. No matter how long you spend in India, you’ll almost certainly want to return!