The best time to visit India is the months between November and February , as this is after the monsoon rains but before the increase in heat, which builds steadily from March onwards. However, this is also India’s peak tourist season. A country as vast in size and scale as India experiences huge variations in climate, with weather conditions in the northern areas contrasting hugely to those in the south.
Broadly speaking, India is governed by the classic monsoon cycle and the rains fall between May to October, which is wet and very humid.
Regional differences should be considered when planning your trip, as the months between January and September are on the whole the more comfortable months to visit the south, whilst the North is better between March and August. Delhi can be stiflingly hot and best visited in spring and autumn, whilst the best months to visit Bombay are between November and February. If you are visiting the Himalayas in the far north of India, then the summer months can be a wonderful time to travel, before the snows come and summer brings a warm, bright climate which is much more pleasant than the stifling heat of the plains.
January in India is a peak month for exploring, however busy it gets. Therefore, planning in advance is a must! Lower temperatures mark great tiger tracking opportunities, with the expectancy of sunny beach expeditions in Kerala down south.
The culture and the beach exploration with such pleasant weather in January is a great alternative in case tiger tracking is not possible.
The weather is colder in the Himalayas with stunning clear skies, a great substitute for snow leopard sightings; as they will be hidden high up in the mountains. While Rajasthan provides a great wildlife opportunity, with clear days and nights that are milder in temperature. Goa is nice and warm this time of year, with a whopping 25°C on average. January brings the probability of foggy mornings, with warmer days paired with low humidity the further you travel south. Expect Kerala to be bustling with fellow travellers and new adventures.
February brings great opportunities for snow leopard sightings up north in the Himalayas, as they descend from the mountains searching for prey. This month is the start of the season for Asiatic lion spotting, due to the start of the dry season.
Tiger tracking is a highlight for travellers exploring the National Parks while hiding from the heat. Exploring the beach will promote some needed relaxation at the end of a wonderful adventure.
As January’s foggy weather subsides, the natural beauty of the previously uncovered cities and can be explored to their maximum potential. The warm days turn cold during the night, where cosy sleepwear is a must due to the chill- averaging between 5-10°C.
Down south, low humidity levels bring warm weather even during the night, with a comfortable temperature range lying between 15-20°C.
As the dry season is in full gear, India’s wildlife is exposed to our traveller’s eyes; tigers, Asiatic lions and snow leopards can be enjoyed in abundance. Usually, smaller animals that hid in the shadows now appear for sightings. The dwindling water sources mean conglomeration of wildlife, and a feast for inquisitive eyes. While the lower slopes of the Himalayas are where snow leopards can still be found as they search for prey.
The prime time for wild tiger spotting in India is March to April as long as you enjoy the hot weather. Sightings of the one horned rhino in Kaziranga National Park are also at their best.
You can enjoy the rest of India at this time too, though the temperature can get quite high in the middle of the day. Around the southern, Kerala, you might find it a bit sticky, as the humidity in the afternoons and evenings can be quite high; take light clothing with you to stay comfortable.
April sees temperatures getting stiflingly high at times. Exploration of the Himalayas is possible, but not if you are searching for the elusive snow leopards, who stick to the higher reaches of the mountains at this time.
As we come to the end of the dry season, there are dry brown grasses, and fewer water sources for the wildlife to drink, making this a great time to see India’s wildlife and the best time to see tigers – if you can handle the heat.
The dried out brown landscape is perhaps not the best time for photography, though. Combine culture with your safari or if you’re considering adding some beach relaxation, head to Goa or Kerala and be sure to plaster on the suncream. .
May is known to be the hottest month of the year in India, and it can indeed get swelteringly hot. With the heat comes rain and humidity, and you could encounter temperatures over 42 degrees Celsius, often those who live there arrange their holidays out of the country to miss as much of May as possible.
May is not the best month for wildlife, largely due to the heat as even the animals struggle to cool off.
The parks are open, however, and it is possible to do wildlife safaris, but we would not recommend due to the heat.
Southern India, such as Kerala, can, although hot, can be quite nice to see at this time, and you can escape to the Hill Stations such as Munnar where the temperatures are lower.
You could also head to the extreme north, to the Himalayan Hill Stations, where temperatures are lovely and the views are incredible, but you won’t be spotting a snow leopard on the horizon at this time of year.
Similar to May, June is a hot month in India, especially in the more central areas away from the coast, as it awaits the monsoon.
June is not the best time to travel as temperatures can exceed 42 degrees celsius at times, humidity is pretty high, thunderstorms can be frequent and the wildlife is hiding from the heat.
Midday is best spent relaxing at a pool or in an air conditioned room and activities are based around the early morning and late afternoon, when the animals are most active. You can visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, explore the sites of Old and New Delhi, or head to the temples of Khajuraho, but we recommend this in the morning and afternoons to avoid the heat. The southern hill stations, and the far north, Ladakh and the Himalayas give you a slight respite from the heat, and some absolutely astounding views.
July is a time for celebration as the long awaited monsoon rains should arrive, cooling the air down. You can expect rain throughout the country, but not constantly, and thunderstorms can be spectacular, especially in the evenings.
July is not the best time to see wildlife as a majority of the wildlife parks are now closed for the monsoon season.
If you’re not going for the wildlife, then most of India can be explored. Cultural attractions throughout the country are still there and open, but note the weather will often be hot and rainy, so be prepared. Between the holy city of Varanasi and Patna, the water levels in the Ganges is rising, meaning it can be a good time to cruise along the water. Head to Ladakh for some stunning landscapes, and a different cultural experience.
If you want to see a different side of India, and try to avoid the rain and humidity, head to Ladakh for some stunning views, and beautiful monasteries.
As August rolls in, the rains from July continue on and the temperatures remain similar, around 30-34 degrees Celsius throughout the country. Thunderstorms are still likely at some point in your travels, and a high humidity level is to be expected most of the time, especially away from the coast.
August is not a good time for a wildlife safari as the majority of tiger reserves are now closed. There are lots of natural and cultural wonders to be explored if you don’t mind rain, heat, and some vibrant thunderstorms.
Areas such as Ladakh are stunning at this time, with a more bearable climate. There are monasteries that few get to visit, so it is a great place if you want to see a different side to India.
Back towards more central India, you can still visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, explore the markets and shops of Old and New Delhi. Head to the holy city of Varanasi, where it is actually a prime month for cruising along the Ganges. The Ganges are incredibly sacred for Hindu’s, and a cruise is very spiritually rewarding, allowing you to access lots of places that can’t easily be discovered by road.
Weather can be mixed in September with temperatures ranging depending on where you are, but you can expect from 28-34 degrees Celsius. Don’t let the rains put you off exploring Kerala and the southern hill stations, awash with bright green grasses. The migratory birds arrive in Bharatpur between September and October.
If you are looking for wildlife, September is not the time to visit as the tiger reserves will remain closed until October.
September can work if you wish to see some of India’s exquisite culture. For those looking for impressive temples and palaces, the Taj Mahal in Agra never fails to impress, same as the Khajurajo temples of Madhya Pradesh. After the rains of July and August, the water level of the Ganges is perfect for cruising; it is a real privilege to explore and traverse these sacred waters, especially in Varanasi.
October marks the start of peak travel season, the opening of the tiger parks, and the retreat of the monsoon rains. All round, this can be a great time to travel, as the temperatures can be a bit milder, and the landscapes verdant and green with a plethora of birds in the skies.
Tigers can be seen at this time, however spotting them may be challenging in the tall grasses. The cultural aspects of India can be more bearable to travel at this time, with slightly lower temperatures and less humidity.
Be aware though that as this is the start of the peak season, places such as the Taj Mahal Old Delhi and New Delhi can be busier, appearing crowded. India is a busy country and it is hard to avoid crowds whilst getting wildlife, culture and ideal weather.
November sees ideal weather throughout the country with lots of celebrations happening; this can include Diwali (sometimes celebrated in October), where streets are filled with stunning light and candle displays, as well as fireworks throughout India. You can expect very little, if any, rain, yet the temperatures are bearable; landscapes are still verdant and lush after the rains in a lot of national parks.
The wildlife parks are open in November, although spotting animals may be more challenging to find as the lush landscapes means plenty of long grasses to hide in.
With lots of water sources, wildlife does not have to congregate in a small area to drink. Sightings can be all the more rewarding, and make for stunning photographs. You can explore by 4x4 in search of tigers, leopards, deer, birds, monkeys and sloth bears.
By December, most of India is enjoying clear skies, warm temperatures and little rain, although down in the very south, there is a second monsoon from October to December which sweeps in from the Bay of Bengal. In Delhi, December can actually be relatively cool, usually around 23 degrees Celsius, as the cool winds blow down from the Himalayas; then down in the south, Kerala sits at around 31 degrees Celsius.
December can be an excellent month to travel for both wildlife and photography. To specifically see tigers, consider travelling between February through March for the best chances of sighting one.
The wildlife parks, as mentioned, are open for business, and animals such as the majestic Bengal tiger, wary spotted deer, adorable sloth bear, and even the Asiatic leopard can be seen if you know where to look. Tall grasses can make it challenging to see tigers as their stripes are an excellent camouflage. Don’t let this put you off though, especially if you are a keen photographer, you can get some beautiful photos before the landscapes dry out and become a little less photogenic.
The best time to visit India is February to April, but it gets much hotter by April.
January through March is the best time. As the snow begins to melt, the bharal comes down from the higher altitude to the warmer valleys, followed by the hungry hunting leopards.
Journey through the heart of tiger country in search of this majestic big cat, travelling to some of the best regions in India for wildlife encounters, including Tadoba, Pench and Kanha National Parks.
From 14000 per person
Join your expert trained trackers as you search for the elusive red panda in Singalila and see the the one-horned Rhino in large numbers at Kaziranga National Park. See the backdrop of the mighty snow glad Himalayan peaks and explore the local markets from the most important hill station in Eastern India, Darjeeling. Witness the spectacular views of the landscape surrounding you as you ride the famous Darjeeling Hill Railway, a world heritage site.
From 18500 per person
India is a soul-stirring and sublime holiday destination. A country full of splendid colour, natural beauty and outstanding wildlife, leaving its mark on all who visit. On this safari, you will receive expert photographic tuition from National Geographic photographer, Steve Winter as you track down the majestic bengal tiger.
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Venture on an exhilarating safari through the pristine wilderness of Ladakh, unraveling the mysteries of the elusive snow leopard.
In this high-altitude realm, nestled between the towering peaks of the Karakoram and the Great Himalayas, your journey unfolds against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and untamed beauty. Join us on an expedition that transcends the ordinary, where Ladakh’s unique historical legacy, multicultural markets, and serene Buddhist traditions converge.
Feel like Mowgli in ‘Jungle Book’, as you explore the meadows and forests of India’s national parks full of sloth bears, snakes, wolves, monkeys, & deer.
From 12500 per personPlan your trip between November and February for the best Himalayan adventure. Although higher altitudes may be rather chilly during this season, particularly in January and February, this time of year gives dry weather. The monsoon season brings substantial rainfall to the eastern Himalaya from June to August, with some precipitation during the shoulder seasons, including places like Gangtok and Darjeeling. It is advised to stay away from these areas during the humid summer months if you want to truly experience the Himalayan grandeur.
The post-monsoon months of October and November are the greatest times to visit Delhi, India's vibrant capital, as the weather is comfortably cool and perfect for outdoor activities and cultural discovery. The months of February and March are also favourable since they bring pleasant weather and colourful floral displays to the city. December and January are fantastic times to take in local festivities and street fare. It is advisable to avoid the sweltering summer months of April to June and the monsoon season of July to September because of the potential for disruptions to outdoor planning and sightseeing caused by high temperatures and torrential rain.
In Meghalaya, the dry season, which normally lasts from November to April, is the ideal time to go caving. It is safer and more comfortable to explore the caverns during this time because the weather is more steady and there is less chance of flooding. In Meghalaya, the months of November through April are also good for outdoor activities because of the area's generally moderate and dry climate. But it's important to remember that weather conditions might change, so it's wise to get the most recent information from local authorities or our knowledgeable guides and plan your caving excursion appropriately.
