The essentials
When to go to India, in brief
November to March: the nationwide window
Dry and mild from North to South. 15-25°C in Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, 25-30°C in Kerala and Goa. The high season.
A subcontinent, several climates
The North has a cool winter, the South stays hot all year, the Himalayas flip the calendar. No month is perfect everywhere.
May-June: the furnace on the plains
Rajasthan and the North climb to 40-45°C before the monsoon. Avoid for the Golden Triangle, bearable at altitude.
June to September: the monsoon
Heavy rain across most of the country. Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu stay drier and visitable, at reduced prices.
Himalayas: the summer apart
Ladakh, Manali, Srinagar are at their best from May to September, dry and mild. Winter is freezing and often closed.
Goa and Kerala in winter
From December to February, dry beaches, low humidity and perfect backwaters. The monsoon is very wet there (June-Aug).
The verdict
The best periods
Nov - March
Dry and mild in almost the whole country: Rajasthan, Golden Triangle, Kerala, Goa. Book 2 months ahead for December-January.
May - Sept (mountains)
Scorching on the plains, but it is THE Himalayan season. Monsoon elsewhere: Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu stay dry and quiet.
May - June (plains)
Extreme heat in the North, up to 45°C, before the monsoon. The Golden Triangle and Rajasthan are taxing.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
12-25°C
Dry, cool North
15-28°C
Dry, mild overall
20-33°C
Mild, Holi, heat rising
25-38°C
Hot, dry South
28-45°C
Furnace on the plains
28-44°C
Heat, monsoon onset
26-36°C
Monsoon, Himalayas OK
26-35°C
Monsoon, green
25-34°C
Rain easing
20-32°C
Monsoon end, dry
16-29°C
Dry, Diwali, Pushkar
12-26°C
Dry, cool, high season
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| North & Rajasthan (Delhi, Jaipur) | Nov-March: 12-28°C, dry | May-June: 45°C; Jul-Sept: monsoon | Ideal Nov-March |
| South (Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu) | Dec-Feb: 25-30°C, dry | June-Aug: heavy monsoon | Ideal Dec-Feb |
| Himalayas (Ladakh, Manali) | May-Sept: 10-25°C, dry | Freezing winter, roads closed | Ideal May-Sept |
| Goa (beaches) | Dec-Feb: 22-32°C, dry | June-Aug: very wet | Ideal Dec-Feb |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Holi (festival of colors)
The country covers itself in colored powders to mark spring. The North (Mathura, Vrindavan) is its historic heart.
🇮🇳 Nationwide
Diwali (festival of lights)
The biggest Hindu festival: oil lamps, garlands, fireworks. Diwali falls on 8 November in 2026.
🇮🇳 Nationwide
Pushkar Camel Fair
Thousands of camels and horses traded by the sacred lake, around the Kartik full moon (5 November).
🇮🇳 Pushkar, Rajasthan
Pongal & Makar Sankranti
Harvest festival in the South (Tamil Nadu) and ritual bathing in the North. Kites over Jaipur and Ahmedabad.
🇮🇳 South & North
Our analysis
India is not a country, it is a subcontinent, and its climate reads like a patchwork. The rule that works for a first big trip: November to March, when the North is dry and cool and the South pleasantly warm.
The nationwide window, November to March
This is the prime window. Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) run at 15-25°C by day, perfect for forts and palaces. The South (Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu) stays warm, 25-30°C, ideal for beaches and backwaters. December and January are the busiest: book two months ahead around the holidays.
The furnace and the monsoon
May and June are to dodge on the plains. Before the monsoon, Rajasthan and the North climb to 40-45°C, and walking the Golden Triangle becomes an ordeal. Then the monsoon soaks the country from June to September, heavy on the Center and East. Good news for savvy travelers: Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu stay drier, with slashed prices and near-empty sites.
The Himalayas out of step
The mountains play the opposite. Ladakh, Manali and Srinagar are at their best from May to September, dry and mild, when the plains suffocate. Winter is freezing and many roads close. My advice: for a cultural classic (North, Rajasthan), aim for December-February; for the high mountains, schedule your trip in July-August, the only window truly open.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit India? +
From November to March: dry and mild in almost the whole country, 15-25°C in the North and 25-30°C in the South. It is the overall window and the high season.
Why does the climate vary so much by region? +
India is a subcontinent. The North has a cool winter, the South stays hot all year, the Himalayas flip the calendar (dry summer). No single month is perfect everywhere.
What is the worst time to visit the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur)? +
May and June, before the monsoon: the heat climbs to 40-45°C in Rajasthan and the North. Visits are taxing, best avoided unless you head to altitude.
When to visit the Himalayas (Ladakh, Manali)? +
From May to September: it is summer in the mountains, dry and mild (10-25°C), when the plains suffocate. Winter is freezing and many roads close.
Can you visit India during the monsoon? +
Yes, by choosing the region. From June to September, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu stay drier and visitable, with low prices. The rest of the country is very wet.
When are Diwali and Holi in 2026? +
Holi falls on 4 March and Diwali on 8 November in 2026. Diwali coincides with the heart of the dry season, ideal for a trip to the North.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026