November is well into peak season in India. At this point, the monsoon rains have cleared, and the mists of December and January haven’t yet set in around Delhi. West Bengal, Rajasthan, and parts of South India are also cooler and drier than usual, making this a great month for sightseeing all over the country.
March is when temperatures in North India begin to climb. This is the last month of the shoulder season, before the north succumbs to the blazing heat of summer, and South India edges closer to the monsoon. However, the warmer weather makes this a great time to visit the Himalayas, and both Mumbai and Goa are pleasant and dry.
From the dreamy landscape of North India’s deserts to the tropical greenery of the South, India is an expansive country that encompasses a range of cultures, people, and landscapes. When choosing where to visit, it’s easiest to divide the country into distinct regions: North, West, South, East & Northeast, and Central India.
Lively and rowdy even during its quietest times, India is home to hundreds if not thousands of color-packed festivals, from chilled out arts and music meets and hipster-focused fare to frenzied religious rituals and costumed spiritual processions. You’d need several lifetimes to see them all, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying.
July is India’s off-season due to the rainy and wet weather. Across most Indian states, the monsoon is in full swing; rain falls every few days at this time of year. This is a good time to visit some of India’s drier areas, such as the historic cities of Rajasthan or Tamil Nadu's ancient temples.
From the glistening backwaters of Kerala to the dreamy lakes and gardens of Udaipur, India has a rich heritage that is best experienced in person. To really explore the country, skip the run-of-the-mill hotel and consider these unique lodging options, such as staying in a luxury tent in Ranthambore or a homestay on a Keralan farm, for a truly one-of-a-kind immersion.
With pounding monsoons, piping hot summers, and (in certain places) snowy winters, India is a country of extremes. Spring and fall tend to be the mildest and most temperate, but each region has its own high season and weather patterns—making India an ideal destination no matter when you want to go._x000D_
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Only an hour’s flight from Delhi, Ladakh looks like nowhere else on earth. Turquoise lakes reflect snow-dusted peaks. Monasteries tower like beehives over the stark, sun-drenched hillside. The high-altitude desert, home to a welcoming Buddhist and Muslim population, is one of India’s safest and most spectacular regions. And it is best explored on foot. Here are some of the best treks in Ladakh to choose from.
In India, there are itineraries to suit every traveler, from short sightseeing sprees to months-long backpacking trips. Whether you're on a quick, history-packed jaunt to tick off blockbuster sights or a rough-and-tumble mission lasting weeks or more, you'll be sure to find a trip for every timeframe.
India in January is cool and dry. While some regions, like the mountainous Himalaya, experience freezing cold nighttime temperatures during this month, most of the country is only a few degrees cooler than usual. Winter provides a respite from the blazing heat of summer and the wetness of the monsoon. For this reason, it’s often considered an ideal time to visit.