Whenever you plan a tour, you probably think about what the best time would be to have the most fun. Right? So, if you’re planning your first trip to India, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is when to go. As you are aware, India is a vast country with diverse climates, cultures, and landscapes. When you go, it will change the nature of your trip. This guide will help people travelling to India for the first time. I’ll tell you the best times to visit, taking into account the weather and festivals. When many people are visiting, I’ll provide you with only helpful facts and sound advice, without any unnecessary chatter.
India’s Seasons: What You Need to Know
India has four main seasons.
- Winter: October to February
- Summer: March to June
- Monsoon: June to September
- Post-Monsoon/Autumn: September to early October
When to visit India depends on what you want to do and see. This is because different areas of India experience seasons differently. So, if you want to visit the Taj Mahal or are looking for a Goa Holiday from the UK, instead of asking “What’s the best time to visit India?” a better question is, “What do I want to experience in India?”
Best Overall Time: October to March
If you’re travelling to India for the very first time, October to March is the perfect time to go. It’s when most people travel, and here’s why:
- Most of the country has pleasant weather. In northern India (like Delhi, Rajasthan, and Agra), it’s cooler, between 10°C and 25°C.
- It’s a great time to visit popular places. You can easily see wonders like the Taj Mahal, Jaipur’s forts, and Varanasi’s ghats (steps by the river) because the weather isn’t hot enough to make you tired.
- As it’s the festival season, you have a unique opportunity to enjoy and learn about the country’s cultural events.
If it’s your first time visiting India and you want to see all the most famous places, this is the safest and best way to do it.
When to Visit by Region
We’ll look at different parts of the country. This will help you decide the best time to visit the places you want to go.
1. North India (Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, Varanasi)
- Best time: October to March
- Why: The weather will be cool, not humid, and the skies will be clear.
- When to Avoid: May and June, temperatures can go above 45°C.
2. Himalayan Regions (Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand)
- Best time: May to September
- Why: The snow melts, so the roads are clear, and you can go hiking again.Â
- When to Avoid: In winter, lots of snow can block the roads, making it hard to reach to places.
3. South India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka)
- Best time: November to February
- Why: You’ll find pleasant weather, around 20°C to 30°C, and it won’t feel humid.
- When to Avoid: June to September due to heavy monsoon rains.
4. Northeast India (Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland)
- Best time: October to April
- Why: You’ll find nice weather and exciting tribal festivals.
- When to Avoid: Monsoons sometimes block roads due to landslides.
5. Goa and West Coast
- Best time: November to February
- Why: Perfect beach weather.
- Bonus: You’ll find lots of music shows and New Year parties.
Indian Festivals: Time Your Trip Right
If you plan your India trip during its festival season, your experience will be much richer. Let me tell you how and why.
- Diwali (Oct–Nov): Festival of Lights. It is celebrated all over the country.
- Holi (March): Festival of Colours. It is best experienced in North India.
- Pushkar Camel Fair (Nov): A huge cultural and cattle fair in Rajasthan.
- Durga Puja (Oct): You can experience this best in Kolkata.
- Onam (Aug–Sep): It is the Harvest festival in Kerala, which includes boat races and flower art.
When festivals are happening, hotels and trains fill up super fast. So, it’s really important to book them early.
Monsoon Season: Worth It for Some
India’s rainy season (June to September) might not be everyone’s favourite time to visit, but it has some good points:
- Places like Kerala and the Western Ghats are incredibly lush and teeming with plant life.
- When there are fewer tourists, hotels are less expensive, and places feel more peaceful.
- You’ll find many people visiting Ayurvedic retreats in Kerala this season, as these spots are particularly popular during this time.
However, if you dislike a lot of rain and occasional flooding, it’s better to choose a different time to visit.
Final Thoughts
If it’s your first time in India or you’re visiting again to explore more, you’ll need to choose the right time to have a lot of fun. It will make a big difference. If you go between October and March, you’ll enjoy good weather, plenty of cultural events, and easy travel. Your trip can be smoother if you fly with airlines like Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, or SpiceJet at this time.
Are you still confused about when to go? All you have to do is just pick one or two places you want to see. Then find out when those places have the best weather and fun festivals.
