When is the Best Time to Visit India?

Summer runs from March to May, when temperatures in India are on average between about 32°C and 45°C throughout the country, it’s very hot but is still one of the best times to travel to India, particularly around the Easter period before it reaches its very hottest weather. In March, head to Rajasthan for colourful cities and fabulous shopping. The state has it all, from leopard sanctuaries to literary festivals, camels and floating palaces. Don’t miss Jaipur for its architecture, cultural scene, food, and exquisite bazaars and boutiques, particularly during Holi (which is usually in March) to celebrate the end of winter with bonfires, music and colourful powder throwing.

Kerala and Karnataka are also beautiful in March and April. Cruising along the Backwaters in a houseboat in Kerala is a highlight of any holiday in India. Experience the magic of ayurvedic spa treatments and authentic yoga classes too. Northern Kerala has some of India’s nicest beaches, which are off-the-beaten-track, such as Marari Beach, while Karnataka is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, an impressive collection of giant sandstone boulders and temples surrounded by paddy fields and farmlands.

India’s monsoon season starts in June and runs up to September. Each region has its rainiest patch at a different time, the downpours usually start in the south in June and head north over the later summer months. Delhi in June will be hot and humid but not as wet as it will be in July, so if you’re restricted to travelling in these months, it’s a good place to visit, along with a day trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Visiting out of season will get you better deals on the luxury hotels and seeing the Taj Mahal without the crowds is always a coup. As long as you are prepared for rain, you won’t be disappointed.

These months are the best time to go to India for trekking in the Himalayas. Ladakh’s fresh, crisp air provides relief from the intense heat of the cities.

Post-monsoon is India’s shoulder season, and one of the best times to travel to India before the winter peak. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in India, falling between October and November to mark the victory of light over darkness. Over five days the country will celebrate with fireworks, feasts, prayers, and parties. It’s a beautiful time to visit India, particularly Calcutta, where, along with diyas and colourful rangoli designs, they worship the goddess Kali Puna with replicas of her decorating the city. Udaipur is another of the best places in India to celebrate Diwali, as spectacular fireworks and paper lanterns decorate the sky above Pichola Lake, and street parties with DJs and delicious food line the city roads.

India’s winter is from December to February, when temperatures are warm and dry in the south and central parts of the country, but gets very cold, to the point of freezing, in the far north. This is the best time of year to visit India’s national parks, track tigers and feel like you’ve gone back in time at the luxurious safari camps. Stay in a treehouse in Bandhavgarh National Park or luxury tents in Kanha National Park, both in the central part of the country. The sunny days and dry landscape make it the perfect time of year to spot these incredible animals, along with leopards, sloths, and buffalo. Tie in the safari experience with a few days in Mumbai, watching the world go by on Colaba Causeway and soaking up the cosmopolitan culture.

December, January or February are also ideal months to head south to Goa. Explore Portuguese architecture and stroll along soft, sandy beaches relaxing into the bohemian mood of the place. As a Christian region, Goa celebrates Christmas with nativity scenes, carol singing and spectacular decorations.