Ania Blazejewska
There is no simple answer to the question “When is the best time to visit India?” The good news is that, honestly, there is never a bad time to visit India. Given its vast size and diverse landscapes, India has something to offer every traveler regardless of the season: exciting festivals, diverse food profiles and flavors, ancient traditions woven seamlessly with modern technology, wildlife experiences, unique and luxurious hotels, they are of high quality. fashion and style to inspire your Pinterest shopping mood boards—jobs. The biggest challenge is narrowing down where you have to go.
For top-notch advice on the best time to visit India, I contacted two of them Condé Nast TravellerTop Travel Experts: James Jayasundera of Ampersand Travel, and Sanjay Saxena of Nomadic Expeditions, both of whom list the Indian subcontinent as their region of travel expertise. Below, they share intel on reasons to visit year-round, how to plan accessible routes, and why the monsoon season may actually be the best time to visit India.
Jump to topic:
What is the best time to visit India?
As Jayasundera of Ampsand Travel puts it, “It’s the best time to visit India, if you have the time.” And, given the country’s size—sweeping in at a whopping 1.2 million square miles—there’s always a part of India worth visiting, with great weather or cultural events to experience, regardless of your itinerary. “It is better to first identify the type of work you like or the region you want to visit,” said Saxena of Nomadic Expeditions. Deciding what you want to get out of your trip will tell you when you should plan to visit India.
Here’s an overview, according to our experts: November to February, after the rainy season, provides good weather for most of the country, save for the Himalayas. “March to June are some of the hottest months in the central plains, but it’s the best time to visit animal parks, especially tiger reserves,” said Saxena.
That said, the heaviest rains occur in June, July, and August—expect rainy weather around this time. For Jayasundera, mid-August to October is an important window to visit northern India, especially Rajasthan, which is home to the big cities of Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur: “At this time, everyone is refreshed, the hotels are quiet, the sites they have no crowd, and the landscape is green, the sky is blue and the air is amazingly clear.”
What is the cheapest time to visit India?
According to Saxena and Jayasundera, the Monsoon season that runs from June to August—and in some places, until September—is technically the cheapest time to travel in India. But visitors should not be put off by heavy rains: They lower temperatures; the rains don’t go on—and they can be calm or romantic; and the rain-swept places look so beautiful after the rain.
Jayasundera adds, “If you are interested in Ayurveda, this is a highly recommended time to visit, as it is considered very healing.” In addition, Saxena says that some parts of India such as Rajasthan do not see the full damage of heavy rains: “In recent years Jaipur, Kalakho, and Agra have not seen heavy rains.” All of these factors—and the added benefit of low season rates—make the so-called “avoidance season” even more attractive to a certain type of traveler willing to deal with a little rain.
When is the high season in India?
The peak season in India usually runs from November to February, when the weather is very cold. Additionally, this is the time when many Indians abroad return to celebrate Diwali or attend the peak wedding seasons, which occur in late October to December and late January to March, Saxena said. In addition, many travelers use the Christmas holiday period from all over the world to visit India. All this leads to higher prices at this time.
Additionally, Jayasundera says, “It’s important to note that during the cooler months, air pollution can be worse in major cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Reduced visibility and potentially harmful air quality are common, especially in November, when crops are burned after harvest in nearby states. it tends to exacerbate the problem.” If you’re sensitive to pollution, consider skipping big cities or adequately preparing for air quality conditions.
For an introductory tour of India, James Jayasundera of Ampsand Travel recommends visiting quiet rural areas like the backwaters of Kerala (pictured).
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How many days should I spend in India as a beginner?
Both Saxena and Jayasundera propose up to two weeks to visit India for the first time; a longer stay can allow you to see a number of destinations comfortably, without feeling rushed into cramming travel days. However, as Jayasundera says, any time spent in the country is sure to be an enriching and enlightening experience: “Keep it short and manageable. I recommend you spend anywhere from 6 to 16 days on your first visit. This will give you enough time to gain an understanding of what India is: the world itself.” If you enjoy your time there, you’ll have a better idea of how to plan your trip into the type of trip you want to have.
When I visit India for the first time, where should I go?
For Saxena, a beginner will get a long way to visit the north of India and hit three nearby places: Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located. “It will give you great bang for your buck and check all the usual boxes—castles and palaces, snake charmers, elephants, bright colors, intricately carved temples, shopping malls,” he says, especially if you’re pressed for time.
On the other hand, Jayasundera suggests keeping the Taj Mahal until the second visit to India, saying, “Not only does it require a long journey, it represents India where it is sold the most and is full of people.” Instead he suggests focusing on a mix of rural areas like Kerala’s hinterlands and quieter small towns like Udaipur in Rajasthan: “It’s better to start with a quieter place than one of the big cities like Delhi or Mumbai, as their charms are.” often loss travel-tired and jet-lagged. You can always return to them at the end of the trip. If possible, take an extra flight on arrival and make sure you land in a cool place like Udaipur.”
It’s repetitive: India is huge and there’s an endless list of things to see, do, and experience in this geographically and culturally diverse country. Says Jayasundera: “Don’t try to see everything—it’s impossible, and trying to do so can be overwhelming.”
Appeared in Condé Nast Traveler
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