When is the best time to visit India?

Visiting India in February

As fog and mist clears in the northern states, this is one of the best months to travel as nearly the whole country is warm and sunny. Hotels do get booked up well in advance, so it's important to plan ahead.

Visiting India in March

A very popular month to travel for both great weather and the popular Holi festival. The colourful paint-throwing event is great fun as everyone celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festival's date changes each year.

Events & Festivals

• Holi Festival (early March): The well known paint-throwing festival is colourful, noisy and good fun; just remember to take clothes which you don't mind being covered in paint. Read more about festivals in India.

Visiting India in April

Temperatures increase country-wide, making April one of the best months for seeing wildlife in the central parks. Water is limited, so sightings at watering holes are frequent. As daytime temperatures are very high, we'd recommend excursions in the morning and evenings only. Hotels are very busy over Easter, so plan well in advance if your travel dates aren’t flexible.

Visiting India in May

Hotels offer great value during May, but we do warn of the very high temperatures of up to 45°C and the humidity, which can be very uncomfortable. Some camps close, as does desert accommodation. Wildlife sightings continue to be at their best early in the morning and early evening.

Visiting India in June

The stunning region of Ladakh is accessible from June and offers a complete contrast to the rest of the country. Days are sunny and clear, but you will need layers for warmth. The rest of the country is awaiting the monsoon; humidity is high and thunderstorms frequent, especially in the Himalaya and southern states.

Visiting India in July

July and August offer ideal weather and incredible views across Ladakh, whilst elsewhere in India, celebrations are underway due to the arrival of the much-needed monsoon rains.

Visiting India in August

The continuing rains and higher water levels mean that August and September are the best months for cruising along the Ganges, between the holy city of Varanasi and Patna. Departures get booked well in advance so plan ahead.

Visiting India in September

September can offer fantastic value in Rajasthan as it marks the end of the monsoon, although weather is still mixed in the surrounding regions. Ladakh’s season comes to a close but travel is still possible. Trips to the southern states and Himalaya is not advised until the rains clear.

Visiting India in October

Marking the start of the peak travel season, October sees the rains end in the north and the warm, sunny days return. Unpredictable showers can remain in the south, but these help create the beautiful verdant scenery. Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday is celebrated on the 2nd October and is a national holiday.

Events & Festivals

• Diwali (October or November): The ancient Hindu festival of lights is India's largest festival. Candles are lit and dazzling firework displays illuminate the sky to celebrate, making this a magical time to visit the country. Find out more about India's festivals.

Visiting India in November

One of the best months to travel anywhere in India, November offers wonderful weather as well as multiple festivals. The Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan is a unique event to witness, while Diwali, the festival of light (which sometimes takes place in October), encourages beautiful candle displays, buildings covered in lights and celebratory fireworks across much of the country

Events & Festivals

• Camel fair (November): Around 50,000 camels and goats, along with their owners and thousands of spectators, descend on Pushkar, Rajasthan each November for the Camel Fair — a truly incredible sight.
• Diwali (October or November): The ancient Hindu festival of lights is India's largest festival. Candles are lit and dazzling firework displays illuminate the sky to celebrate, making this a magical time to visit the country. Find out more about India's festivals.

Visiting India in December

December is ideal for a trip to the south of India — it is beautifully sunny and warm, making it a very popular option for Christmas, but it's important to plan well in advance to secure the best accommodation. The north has lovely daytime temperatures, but mornings and evenings are much cooler and sometimes foggy. Flight prices are among their highest in December so book early if you can.