India is the size of a continent, so there is no single "best" month for the whole country. As a rule of thumb, October to March is the ideal period for most of the plains – Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Goa and Kerala – while the high Himalaya of Ladakh is best from June to September.
The three seasons of India
- Cool season (October – March): sunny, dry and pleasant days of 20–30°C. Peak tourist season with festivals such as Diwali and Holi. Nights in Delhi and Rajasthan can drop to 5–8°C in December and January.
- Hot season (April – June): temperatures often exceed 40°C in the north. A good time for hill stations, Ladakh and tiger safaris, when animals gather at waterholes.
- Monsoon (June – September): heavy rain in most regions, lush green landscapes and lower prices. Kerala is beautiful and great for Ayurveda, but beaches in Goa are rough.
Festivals worth planning around
- Diwali (October/November) – the festival of lights, with lamps and fireworks across the country.
- Holi (March) – the colourful spring festival, best experienced in Mathura, Vrindavan or Jaipur.
- Pushkar Camel Fair (November) – thousands of camels, traders and pilgrims in the Rajasthani desert.
- Hemis Festival (June/July) – masked dances in Ladakh's largest monastery.
Our recommendation
For a first trip, choose November, February or early March: the weather is perfect, the skies are clear for Taj Mahal photos and the crowds are smaller than around Christmas and New Year. Book 3–4 months ahead for the peak weeks.
Quick Overview Table
| Region | Best months | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi, Agra, Jaipur | Oct – Mar | May – Jun (heat) |
| Kerala | Sep – Mar | Jun – Jul (heavy rain) |
| Goa | Nov – Mar | Jun – Sep (monsoon) |
| Varanasi | Oct – Mar | May – Jun |
| Ladakh | Jun – Sep | Nov – Apr (roads closed) |
| Ranthambore | Oct – Jun | Jul – Sep (park closed) |
