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Best Time to Visit India

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Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Taj Mahal in Agra, India

From white-sand beaches to sumptuous spices, spotting tigers to witnessing Bollywood films, you can discover the essential spirit of India by finding the best time to visit.

With high-altitude peaks to tropical canals, ancient cities and hidden temples, India is a whirlwind of texture, with powerful colors and endless natural beauty. Whether eager to visit the famous Golden Triangle, step into the Old Fort in Delhi, or step off the beaten path in Southern India, the right time to visit can make all the difference in your trip.

India is an enticing mixture of tradition and spirituality, history and modernity, with enriching geographical diversity that you can experience no matter the time of year.

Overview
  1. Best Time for Sightseeing
  2. Best Time for a Trekking
  3. Best Time for Northern India
  4. Best Time for Southern India
  5. Best Time for Wine Tasting
  6. Best Time for Wildlife Safari
  7. Best Time for Kayaking
  8. Best Time for Rajasthan
  9. Best Time with Family Travel
  10. Best Time for Couples
  11. Spring and Summer Activities
  12. Fall and Winter Activities
  13. More Travel Information & Tips

Best Time for Sightseeing

Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, India

Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, India

Best months:  November | December | January | February | March

November through March is the best time to experience all of India, which makes sightseeing easy, fun, and accessible. November to March offer the best weather throughout the year across the entire country, showcasing the diversity of the stunning scenery that stretches from the pristine shores of the south to the snowy peaks of the Himalayas in the north. Temperatures are comfortable, the culture is lively, and you can experience India’s spirit from its booming heart to the unforgettable hidden corners.

Best Time for a Trekking

Trekking Markha Valley in the Indian Himalayas

Markha Valley, India

Best months: March | April | May | October | November

Trekking is a distinctive adventure in India that can take you across the Himalayas in search of temples or along plains in search of secluded villages, best experienced from March to April and October to November. The early spring and late fall generally give you the best weather for trekking around the entire country. Whether looking for snow leopards or a monastery circuit, trekking in India is undeniably remarkable.

Best Time for Northern India

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi, India

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi, India

Best months: December | January | February | March

India is practically two countries in size, making December to March the best time for visiting the north. The mountains can get chilly, but the cool days offer a refreshing perspective of the cities along the Himalayan foothills and snowcapped mountain peaks, while also offering the most comfortable experiences in the desert and plains. With Mughal tombs and famous fortresses, as well as stunning wildlife, northern India from December to March immerses you in a different side of expansive beauty.

Best Time for Southern India

Bibi-ka-Makbara, Aurangabad, India

Bibi-ka-Makbara, Aurangabad, India

Best Months: November | December | January | February

The tropical landscape of southern India makes November to February the best months for visiting lush scenery and distinctive cultures. By avoiding the monsoon season, you can embrace the vibrant daily life of locals, while discovering the specific customs that separate the regions alongside serene canals or the Indian Ocean. From gorgeous ancient temples to preserved imperial architecture, southern India from November to February makes the often-overlooked wonders of the country accessible.

Best Time for Wine Tasting

Vineyards of Nashik region, India

Nashik,India

Best months:  February | March | April

Wine in India is a fascinating and surprising delight best experienced from February to April during the harvest season. Instead of the typical experiences, India has some of the finest wines in gorgeous regions that act like oases away from the most popular corners of the country. With grapes chosen specifically for the climate in each area, wine pairs exceptionally well with local cuisine and can reveal a completely new perspective of the local culinary and cultural scene.

Best Time for Wildlife Safari

Crouching tiger in Bandhavgarh National Park, India

Bandhavgarh National Park, India

Best months: January | February | March | April | May

Witnessing wildlife in India is a memorable experience unlike few you could ever have, with the months from January to May offering your best possibilities. The weather is cool and inviting in the winter, while the warmer spring can help draw the wildlife closer to the waterholes. No matter the season, your heart will race with excitement if you spot one of India’s Big Five - the Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, snow leopard, clouded leopard, or Indian leopard.

Best Time for Kayaking

Palolem Beach, Goa, India

Palolem Beach, Goa, India

Best Months: August | September | October | November

Canals lined with rice paddies and winding riverbanks, secluded lakes and serene coastline offer fantastic places to kayak in India from August to November. The adventure quickly comes to life across the country, whether you prefer a relaxing scenic excursion or an exuberant whitewater thrill-ride. India brims with fantastic spots for every type of kayaking experience you could ever dream of.

Best Time for Rajasthan

Camel caravan in Thar desert, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India

Thar desert, Jaisalmer, India

Best months: November | December | January | February

Rajasthan shines brightest from November to February, when the winter weather helps cool the desert landscape. Whether taking a camel ride beneath the endless sea of stars or eager to explore forts and palaces, Rajasthan in winter is an immersive look into preserved history that informs the daily life of contemporary, colorful cities, both famous and offbeat.

Best Time with Family Travel

Family watching elephants, Udawalawe National Park, India

Udawalawe National Park, India

Best Months: November | December | January | February

India is exhilarating and energizing for the entire family, and best experienced from November to February. The cooler winter season makes it much easier for the family to enjoy the famous monuments, secluded temples, and stunning scenery. With the entire majesty of the north and south accessible from November to February, your family can see more, do more, and embrace the unique experience.

Best Time for Couples

Couple in Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Best Months: November | December | January | February

The diversity, heritage, and incredible beauty are most prominent across India from November to February, the perfect time for a romantic exploration. The scenery and historical charms will turn myth into reality, offering secluded romance and passionate atmospheres that stretch from the Himalayas to Kerala’s canals, the Rajasthan desert to the eastern one-horned rhino.

Spring and Summer Activities

White Desert Run Kutch, India

White Desert Run Kutch, India

Best Months: April | May | June

Spring and summer are fabulous months to indulge in India’s dynamic possibilities, with April to June giving you the best opportunities for most activities. As the weather quickly warms, you can trek through the wilderness or search for pristine wildlife, embrace the spiritual traditions or lounge on the tropical coastline. India is practically two separate countries in terms of its weather differences between north and south, but April to June gives you similar accessibility across the country.

Wildlife | Yoga | Trek | Meditation | Beach | Wine

Fall and Winter Activities

Mandvi Beach, Kutch, India

Mandvi Beach, Kutch, India

Best Months: November | December | January

Fall and winter are fantastic times to travel across India, with November to January providing remarkable access to snowy mountain peaks and relaxing tropical warmth. Ice and snow are not the first things people think of when visiting India, but the possibilities of skiing or snowboarding only enhance the more familiar images of sunbathing or trekking for a more well-rounded experience.

Ski | Snowboard | Ice Climb | Trek | Kayak | Beach

More Travel Information & Tips

Outer Walls of Amber Fort, Jaipur, India

Amber Fort, Jaipur, India

India is famous for its history, spirituality, colors, and cuisine. The cultural heritage and diverse landscapes create unique conditions that support an unforgettable experience during any time of year. Whether trekking the Himalayas or boating down tropical canals, knowing what you want to experience will help you understand the best time for your visit to India. For more information, you can speak with an India travel specialist free by filling out a Trip Request  or by calling our team at 1-888-265-9707.

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