The short answer
- Best overall
- October to March
- Peak months
- November to February
- Ladakh and the high Himalaya
- June to September
- Tigers
- March to June
India is so large that there is no single best month. For the classic first trip, the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with Rajasthan, the best time is October to March, when days are warm and dry and nights are cool.
That window is also good for Kerala, Goa and Varanasi. The two big exceptions are the high Himalaya, which is snowbound in winter and best in summer, and tiger reserves, where sightings peak in the hot months before the monsoon.
India's three seasons
| Season | Months | What it is like | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool and dry | October to March | Warm days, cool nights, little rain across most of the country. Foggy mornings in the north in December and January | Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala, Goa |
| Hot | April to June | Very hot on the northern plains, often over 40°C. Pleasant in the hills | Tiger safaris, hill stations, Ladakh from late May |
| Monsoon | June to September | Heavy rain, arriving in Kerala in early June and covering most of India by July | Ladakh and Spiti, Ayurveda in Kerala, green landscapes |
The south east coast, around Chennai and Pondicherry, has a second wet season from October to December.
Average temperatures and rainfall
Numbers make the seasons easier to compare. The table shows average daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall for six places that cover most tour routes. Notice how Delhi and Jaipur swing from cool winters to scorching May and June, while Kochi and Goa stay warm all year and are defined by their rain instead.
Two patterns stand out. First, December and January nights in the north are genuinely cold, often below 10°C, so pack a warm layer for early starts at the Taj Mahal and on safari. Second, Leh is the mirror image of the plains: freezing in winter and at its best in July and August, when monsoon rain soaks the rest of the country.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | DelhiAgra is similar | Jaipurmost of Rajasthan | Varanasi | KochiKerala coast | Goa | LehLadakh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20° / 8°19 mm | 22° / 8°8 mm | 23° / 9°18 mm | 32° / 23°20 mm | 32° / 20°1 mm | -2° / -14°10 mm |
| Feb | 24° / 11°21 mm | 26° / 11°7 mm | 27° / 12°18 mm | 32° / 24°25 mm | 32° / 21°0 mm | 1° / -12°8 mm |
| Mar | 30° / 15°17 mm | 32° / 16°4 mm | 33° / 17°9 mm | 33° / 25°40 mm | 32° / 23°1 mm | 6° / -6°10 mm |
| Apr | 36° / 21°16 mm | 37° / 22°5 mm | 39° / 22°6 mm | 33° / 26°130 mm | 33° / 25°10 mm | 12° / -1°7 mm |
| May | 40° / 26°30 mm | 40° / 26°15 mm | 40° / 26°15 mm | 32° / 26°330 mm | 33° / 27°100 mm | 17° / 3°7 mm |
| Jun | 39° / 28°74 mm | 39° / 27°60 mm | 38° / 28°105 mm | 29° / 24°750 mm | 30° / 25°900 mm | 22° / 7°4 mm |
| Jul | 35° / 28°210 mm | 34° / 26°190 mm | 33° / 27°290 mm | 29° / 24°600 mm | 29° / 24°1000 mm | 25° / 11°15 mm |
| Aug | 34° / 27°225 mm | 32° / 25°200 mm | 32° / 26°300 mm | 29° / 24°380 mm | 29° / 24°600 mm | 24° / 10°15 mm |
| Sep | 34° / 25°125 mm | 33° / 24°80 mm | 32° / 25°230 mm | 30° / 24°300 mm | 30° / 24°270 mm | 21° / 6°9 mm |
| Oct | 33° / 19°15 mm | 33° / 19°15 mm | 32° / 21°40 mm | 30° / 24°340 mm | 32° / 24°120 mm | 14° / -1°4 mm |
| Nov | 28° / 13°6 mm | 29° / 13°4 mm | 29° / 14°10 mm | 31° / 24°170 mm | 33° / 23°30 mm | 7° / -7°3 mm |
| Dec | 22° / 9°8 mm | 24° / 9°3 mm | 25° / 10°5 mm | 32° / 23°40 mm | 33° / 21°5 mm | 1° / -11°5 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
Best time by region
| Region | Best months | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi, Agra and Jaipur | October to March | May and June (extreme heat) |
| Rajasthan desert (Jodhpur, Jaisalmer) | October to February | April to June |
| Varanasi | October to March | May and June |
| Kerala | September to March | June and July, unless you want monsoon Ayurveda |
| Goa | November to March | June to September (most beach shacks close) |
| Ladakh | June to September | November to April (very cold, roads closed) |
| Himachal and Uttarakhand hills | March to June, September to November | July and August (landslides) |
| Tiger reserves | March to June for sightings, October to February for comfort | July to September (core zones closed) |
| North east (Assam, Meghalaya) | October to April | June to August |
Best time for what you want to do
If one experience matters most to you, plan around it and fit the rest of the trip to the season.
| Experience | Best months | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Mahal at sunrise | October to March | Agra (closed Fridays) |
| Forts, palaces and desert camps | October to February | Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur |
| Tiger safaris | March to June for sightings, November to February for comfort | Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Tadoba |
| Houseboats and backwaters | September to March | Alleppey and Kumarakom, Kerala |
| Beaches | November to March | Goa, Kerala, the Andaman Islands |
| High mountain road trips | June to September | Ladakh and Spiti |
| Himalayan treks | April to June, September to November | Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim |
| Birdwatching | November to February | Keoladeo (Bharatpur), Chambal, Kerala |
| Ayurveda retreats | June to August (traditional season) | Kerala |
| Festivals | October to March | Diwali, Pushkar fair, Holi and many more |
When not to go
- Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle in May and June: Daytime highs of 40°C and more make sightseeing exhausting. If these are your only dates, start very early and rest in the afternoon.
- Goa and the Kerala coast in July: Rough seas close most beaches to swimming and many beach shacks shut until October.
- Ladakh from November to April: Roads over the high passes close and temperatures fall well below freezing.
- Tiger reserves from July to September: Core zones of most reserves close for the monsoon breeding season.
- Christmas week on a tight budget: Prices peak and the best hotels sell out months ahead.
Peak, shoulder and low season
- Peak (mid December to mid January): Christmas and New Year bring the highest hotel prices and the biggest crowds at the Taj Mahal. Book tours early.
- Shoulder (October, November, February, March): The sweet spot for most visitors, with good weather and better availability. Diwali and Holi fall in these months.
- Low (April to September): Lower prices and empty monuments, but heat on the plains and monsoon rain. Fine for the hills, Ladakh and wildlife.
Tip: Northern India's winter fog can delay early morning trains and flights in December and January. Leave a little slack in your plans, especially before an international flight home.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit India?
November and February are the best months for most first trips: dry, sunny and comfortable, with fewer crowds than the Christmas peak. October and March are almost as good.
Is it worth visiting India in summer?
Yes, if you choose the right region. Ladakh, Spiti and the hill stations are at their best, and tiger sightings peak before the monsoon. Avoid the plains of Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan from April to June.
When is monsoon in India?
The south west monsoon reaches Kerala in early June, covers most of the country by July and withdraws during September and October. The south east coast gets more rain from October to December.
Is October a good time to visit India?
Yes. The monsoon has ended across most of the country, skies are clear and festivals such as Durga Puja and often Diwali fall in October. Prices are lower than in December.
Is India too hot in April?
On the northern plains it is very hot, often over 35°C by midday. April suits tiger reserves, the hill stations of the Himalaya and Darjeeling better than Rajasthan.
When is the best time to see the Taj Mahal?
October to March, at sunrise. Remember it is closed every Friday. December and January mornings can be foggy, so the Taj may appear slowly out of the mist.
Sources we checked
India month by month
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