Are you wondering when is the best time to visit the different regions of India? This post will cover the most ideal seasons to travel through India to get the most out of your experience.
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Because of the size of India, the climate and the weather changes drastically throughout the country all throughout the year. One region of India can be the perfect season to travel in. But it can be very uncomfortable in another part of the country at the same time.
If you are travelling to multiple places throughout India, you might be confused as to when is the best season to visit. Depending on how much time you have, you might be able to travel with the seasons as they change.
But if you have a shorter travel time, this post will help you to plan which regions to visit at which time of year for the best experience of that place.
THE SEASONS OF INDIA AS A WHOLE
India has 5 main seasons that come and go at different times throughout the year across the country. Summer, monsoon, Autumn, Winter and Spring. Each season lasting between 2 and 3 months.
Summer in India brings extremely high temperatures that are difficult to escape from. In the regions of India that experience scorching temperatures, the best places for relief are in higher elevations such as the hill stations and the Himalayas.
After the Summer is monsoon season. Monsoon season is experienced all over India at different times of the year. These heavy rains will most likely affect any travel plans you may have. But it is so necessary for the nourishment of the earth and livelihood of farms.
Even though monsoon season is not ideal for travelling, the lands transform into lush green wonderlands that are truly beautiful. But not to worry, you can still see the flourished life of monsoon season as Autumn approaches.
Autumn is full of beautiful colours and comfortable temperatures. Autumn is also a time of celebrations and festivals in India.
Depending on where you are in India for winter, the temperatures can be bone-chilling! Some regions experience a moderate drop in temperatures and others are filled with freezing snowfall days.
Winter is great for the southern regions of India. Because of the tropical climates, the temperatures at this time are still warm but very pleasant.
Spring is sprung as the snow starts to melt, the sun rises a little earlier and the flowers are revealed in the Himalayan hills.
Spring is my personal favourite time in India. This is the best time to be in the North of India. You get to see the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and magnificent colours of the valley while adventuring in comfortable temperatures. There is also a beautiful vibe in the villages of India after winter.
The best way to travel India is to travel with the seasons. The last thing you want to experience is getting stuck in the Himalayas during heavy monsoon season with nowhere to go and nothing to do.
Let’s have a look at the best time of year to visit the different regions of India to help you plan the most fulfilling trip…
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE DIFFERENT REGIONS OF INDIA
LADAKH:
The best time to visit Ladakh is mid-May to October. But depending on the weather conditions, the roads in Ladakh may only open from June until around the 10th of October.
Ladakh experiences heavy snowfall which makes a lot of the state inaccessible. Therefore, the roads are only open during summer and monsoon season.
The temperatures range from 5 to 26 degrees Celsius. Ladakh is known for freezing cold temperatures, so these months are the most pleasant time for exploring.
The Summer months (March to June) are perfect for clear skies and sunny days. You have more of a chance to see the landscapes in its ultimate beauty without any weather restrictions in Summer.
The snow also melts off the roads making it much safer to navigate the challenging passes and winding roads.
Many people travel to Ladakh during monsoon season as the rainfall is relatively low here. Monsoon season welcomes ideal temperatures for your Ladakh road trip.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Summer is the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir. June to August offers the most pleasant temperatures anywhere between 9 and 31 degrees Celsius. The hottest month is usually June.
Summer is the busiest season, and the prices are higher for tourism, but it is the most comfortable months for exploring the Himalayas here.
Summer is picture perfect with all the blooming flowers and clear skies to appreciate the beautiful views.
From September to November is monsoon season in Jammu and Kashmir. Many people travel during these months for lower prices. But it starts to get very chilly around this time so be prepared with very warm clothes for your adventures.
Between September and October is also Autumn where the colours of the landscapes are vibrant and lush.
Many people who can embrace the cold and love the snow, travel to Jammu and Kashmir during the winter. From November to February the landscapes transform into a winter wonderland. This is ideal for the adventurous spirit and snow activities.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
March to June is the best and most beautiful time to visit this Himalayan region of India.
The temperatures can be quite chilly up until the end of April. But these months are perfect for experiencing the full beauty of the Himalayas and spending time outdoors.
The months you want to avoid travelling in Himachal Pradesh are July to September. This is monsoon season, and the rainfall can be so heavy that it causes landslides and disastrous flooding in the towns. In my experience of living in the Himalayas during this time (especially in Dharamshala), the monsoon season greatly limits your ability to do adventures as planned.
If you are a winter person, then October to February is also a beautiful time to visit Himachal Pradesh. The temperatures can drop to -15 degrees Celsius, but the landscapes transform into awe-spiring white mountains and majestic views
UTTARAKHAND
Although Uttarakhand can be visited all year-round, the most pleasant time to visit is either March to April or mid-September to October. The weather is clear and beautiful during these months.
If you travel to places like Rishikesh in October or March, you could possibly see the Ganga River in its clearest crystal blue colour. I travelled to Rishikesh over new year’s and the water was still blue during December/January. But the temperatures would drop to 8 degrees Celsius, and the streets were extremely over-crowded with people and traffic.
Most of Uttarakhand is a mountainous landscape but the winters in this state are milder than the more northern states of India. The rainfall can be very heavy here, so it is best to avoid the monsoon season, July to beginning of September. Although if you do visit during monsoon season, you can visit the vibrant blooming Valley of Flowers.
Sikkim
The most enjoyable months in Sikkim are March to June (Summer) and November to February (Winter). The temperatures in Summer range from 5 to 25 degrees Celsius and in Winter from -5 to 7 degrees Celsius.
If you love hiking through the mountains and admiring blossoming flowers, then the summer months are perfect for visiting Sikkim. Winter season is a magical time for seeing the Great Himalayas covered in snow.
Monsoon season (July to October) brings the heavy rains that nourish the land and turns it into a lush green scenery. But these rains also cause dangerous landslides, so it is best to avoid Sikkim at this time of year.
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE MIDDLE REGIONS OF INDIA: (specific states are named below)
The most comfortable time to visit these regions of India is during the winter season, from October to March. If you visit at any other time of the year, you will experience extremely high temperatures, especially in the desert regions of these states, or heavy monsoon rains.
This region includes the following states:
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Rajasthan
- Uttar Pradesh
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- West Bengal
- Tripura
- Nagaland
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Manipur
- Mizoram
- Chhattisgarh
- Orissa
Many of these states are year-round destinations if you can handle the heat and have a flexible travel schedule during the rainy season. But I highly recommend the winter season for the most comfortable travel experience.
Meghalaya
Meghalaya is ideal to visit from October all the way to June. This is one of the best places in India to escape the summer heat of the rest of the country during the months of April to June. The temperatures during the summer can range from 11 to 20 degrees Celsius.
From June to September is monsoon season. Two of the cities in Meghalaya are known to be of the wettest cities in the whole world.
Autumn and Winter range from October to February in Meghalaya which is also a great time to visit here. The landscapes are mystical as the mist and fog settles between the hills.
Assam
Visiting Assam during the Summer months of April to June has its pros and cons. While you can avoid heavy rainfall during these months, the days are very hot (up to 38 degrees Celsius) with pleasant evening temperatures (around 20 degrees Celsius).
Many tourists also visit during Summer for the lower prices.
The aesthetics of the Winter months, November to mid-March, are really breathtaking to witness in Assam. Most people will say that this is the best time to visit this region of India. You might experience light rainfall but nothing that will interfere with your adventures as it would in monsoon season (July to September).
There are many nature adventures, trekking and wildlife to experience here so it is best to go outside of the heavy rainfall months.
GOA, MAHARASHTRA AND ANDHRA PRADESH
The peak of season in these 3 states of India is Winter, November to February. With temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees, you can enjoy travelling around this region to the fullest. This is also right after monsoon season (June to August), so the landscapes are greener.
The Summer months after February are unbearably hot and humid if you are not used to warm tropical climates. I stayed in Goa during the month of March 2021, and it was a very uncomfortable time to be there, especially when you do not have AC in your accommodation.
During Winter, these states are bustling with tourists, special events and festivals. Plus, the clear skies make for amazing sunsets and refreshing swims in the ocean. These months are the best time to visit to get the most out of your travels here.
TELANGANA AND KERALA
The South of India can be some of the most humid climates you have ever experienced. To avoid an uncomfortable travel experience, the best time to travel to Telangana and Kerala is in Winter, September to March.
During Winter, the temperatures are between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius with much less humidity. There are a number of incredible nature experiences in these regions. So going in Winter is the perfect conditions for an adventure trip or if you just want to relax in the natural beauty of this region.
March to May is summer season with temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius and extreme humidity. Even the evenings are warm (29 degrees Celsius) so there is really no escaping the heat during these months.
The humidity is at its highest during the monsoon season (June to August), which is not comfortable or ideal for activities and sightseeing.
KARNATAKA AND TAMIL NADU
The Winter months of November to February is the most beautiful time to visit Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is the best season to avoid high temperatures and humidity.
In Winter, the temperatures during the day can reach around 27 degrees Celsius and the evenings can be a bit chilly, dropping to 15 degrees Celsius. On the hotter days, you can visit the hill stations for relief from the heat.
The Summer months can reach temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius with hot winds that can be uncomfortable to travel in. Unless you are visiting the hill stations at higher elevations where the temperatures can be slightly more bearable.
Just as with every other region in India, the monsoon season is not ideal for travelling to these states. If you do not mind rainy adventures, this is a scenic month to explore the lush hills of the Western Ghats. But unless you have flexible travel dates, I would highly recommend rather visiting in the more pleasant Winter months.
Now that we have covered the best time to visit every region of India, you can start planning your trip around the most ideal time to get the most out of your experience in this beautifully diverse country.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE THE BEST MONTHS TO GO TO INDIA?
India is a diverse country with a range of different climates all throughout the year. It all depends on which region of India you will be visiting. And whether you will be nature adventuring, cultural sightseeing or both.
Overall, the best months to visit India is between December to March. These are the winter months of India that are more comfortable to travel in.
With that being said, it is also wintertime in the Himalayas which is very cold, with many parts of the Himalayas being inaccessible because of the snowfall. But if you love adventurous trekking and do not mind the cold then you can still visit the Himalayas during the winter.
WHICH IS TOURIST HIGH SEASON IN INDIA?
December to March is high season in most of India. But tourists already start arriving from October.
Once again, this is the high season in most of the country, but low season in the North where the temperatures are less favourable for travel and exploring. Many roads are even closed for the entire Winter across the high elevations of the Himalayas due to extreme weather.
WHAT IS OFF-SEASON IN INDIA?
Off-season in parts of India is between May and September. May to June being the hot summer months and June to September being the monsoon season.
Although most people want to avoid the Himalayas during the monsoon season, the Summer months are perfect for the mountains. So, the low season for the Himalayas are generally in the Winter months.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NORTH INDIA?
The best time to visit the North of India is March to June. In March you still see the beauty of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks against the lush green valleys. The temperatures are warmer for outdoor activities like trekking and camping. The skies are clear, and the rain does not interfere with your travel plans.
If there has been a heavy winter of thick snowfall, some of the roads in the very north of India may still be closed. So, if you plan to do any road trips around Lahaul and Spiti Valley and Ladakh, it is best to go a little later in the Summer months.
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