There is nothing more beautiful than a boat cruise on the Alleppey backwaters of Kerala. Not during the monsoon of course but a little afterwards, when the river is at its fullest. The boats themselves are clean, spacious and cool inside. With a mid-March temperature of 95° Fahrenheit you are glad of an artificial breeze.
If you are now looking for something different then make travel plans direct to Kerala. If you haven't been to India before then the perfect introduction is the Golden Triangle. A guided tour will take you by train between the cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur for a top cultural experience. It's one of the most popular tours in India actually. When is the best time to enjoy the Goldren Traingle's three cities? It's between October and April the following year, when temperatures are more bearable.
On any Golden Triangle tour you do a lot of walking. You don't want to out in the open in May and June, temperatures in Delhi can reach 115° Fahrenheit.
Such a huge country the size of India the weather is going to differ in different regions. The north and south have cooler weather than what central India experiences. Yet, the temperatures are still balmy because of humidity. It's important to know where to go on holiday in India, to hazard a guess what the weather could be like on arrival. You don't want your holiday vacation to be spoilt.
Pick the wrong month to travel and you could endure extreme temperatures, so read on.
Towards the northern half you are considering November through to the following March. In the southern half of India, it is better between January and March. To visit India's Golden Triangle, do so between October and April for the best experience. After April it becomes too hot, as there is a lot of walking involved. Later still, the monsoon arrives in July.
If you have a desire for a winter holiday vacation to Goa, the Christmas and New Year period is ideal, and a safe bet. Aim from November in fact, to the end of March. If you can leave it as late as close to April you can, you'll pick up bargain flights and accommodation. It's around March the peak season tapers off, heading into their low season approaches.
Pretty much the most of India faces a monsoon as early as July, until the end of September. The sun still shines in the north though, if that's any consolation to you? The monsoon usually clears up first in the north followed a month or two later, in the south.
Thinking about January, the weather it is dry and warm all over India. Do expect there to be regional variations, dips and troughs in temperature. The further north you go the lower it becomes, and it can even be chilly at high altitudes. Kerala is a good, best choice to travel to in the New Year and we recommend booking in advance if you can. Any place in the southern half early in the year is a recommendation.
Discover India: Assam, a Land of Great Adventure and Beauty
February is a better month for traveling to India actually. It's becoming warmer across more of the country. Temperatures are becoming more stable, more dependable for travel. Still cooler at high altitudes though, the Himalayas definitely. India's Golden Triangle is by far the biggest attraction. For foreign tourists visiting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, delay until April. Hold off for an Easter break, for the best experience.
India's domestic tourists also wait until after March, when it's beginning to warm up once more. Central India has some of the best chances of capturing sight of the wildlife in the national parks:
The history of Pench National Park is interesting because it led to the inspiration for the Jungle Book.
March brings warmer weather. Temperatures rise far enough to permit trekking in many more places. But avoid Kashmir due to awful rainfall. It is also the time of year for the Holi Festival. Tens of thousands swell streets of every village, town and city all over India. It's a celebration held in celebration of fun and color. Celebrated all over the world but the Holi Festival is best experienced in India. The atmosphere is electric and delicious street food contributes much more to the enjoyment.
March continues on from February for being a month for safari in India's national parks.
If you have a wish to travel to India for Easter, you are to plan well in advance. Otherwise, you may have difficulty securing accommodation. As with all cases of travel the earlier the better you book flights and accommodation. Temperatures have risen, making travel to India more comfortable. April is the best month for touring and sightseeing, go with a morning or late afternoon tour package. Mid-day and early afternoon temperatures are at their highest.
There has not been rain for some time, the vegetation is thinning out. That makes tigers and elephants more visible when they're searching for water. India's national parks are hugely popular with domestic and international tourists.
We urge you book a safari tour in advance, by several months, to avoid disappointment. One of the best states to visit during April is Assam, for the annual Rongali Bihu Festival.
Peak summer conditions reach over 110°F by early afternoon ― daily. It becomes difficult for most people to travel in the many of the cities, they've become too hot. It soon becomes common knowledge the Himalayas are a better option, much cooler too. Being in Tiger Hill on a clear bright day you can enjoy sights over the Darjeeling Tea Fields. Three of the five highest mountains in the world are also within your peripheral view:
It soon becomes too hot for tourists during the daytime it is so for wildlife too. Book a safari tour for late afternoon to see the wild animals stretched out relaxing under the shade. It is a pure delight seeing them at rest and even at play. A safari is perfect for couples and families, the sensory experience is far more than what any zoo can offer you. On safari the animals are unpredictable, which is where the excitement stems from.
You never know what you're getting or what happens further along the dirt trail.
A large part of India will feel a change in the weather as the monsoon season approaches. Humidity rises due to the high temperatures. By the end of June, before even, the chance of thunderstorms become more real for:
Ironically, June and July remain the most ideal time for trekking in Ladakh.
The monsoon rains will have arrived by July but are inconsistent. Across India, it's difficult to predict where the downpours could fall. The storms bringing cooler temperatures, but reports of landslides are commonplace.
You can holiday in the Tamil Nadu region with no sign of any monsoon in July. Also, many top cities in Rajasthan are seeing minimal impact from monsoon rains. Great for those of you wanting their culture fix. In Tamil Nadu state you find two top destinations, both being special for us. We would wager a bet you'd find them special as well:
The monsoon rains are ever present but that doesn't mean your holiday could face ruin. Here is why:
The Ganges River is full, making it possible for your dream river cruise. On the outside it appears bleak and worthless. On closer inspection India offers many holiday experiences for this month.
From a tourist point of view India is quiet in that respect meaning there are bargains. May and June are India's summer months and peak season. Which means July, August and September are monsoon months. The low season. The rains will end this month, going into October resulting in lush green landscapes. No matter where you travel to in India, nature is beautiful to behold.
The three months of monsoon have transformed India. The majority of the major cities are free from tourist crowds. Despite the mixed weather you could enjoy an amazing time in September.
There is a renewed sense of vigor in India, hopes to rise once more as the low season picks up once again. Only if the Diwali Festival takes place in October do guests arrive early to pay for their hotel. Otherwise, the festival is to happen in November. Not all that interested in the Festival of Lights? That's okay. Plan a holiday break for late November, avoiding the crowds.
One of the best months for entering India as a tourist. Ladakh is cool in temperature, perfect for the Buddhist festivals. India is dry and enjoying bouts of sunny spells and there is very little to dislike. You can travel and tour the Golden Triangle without breaking into a sweat, caused by humidity.
November Travel:: Mumbai is an Amazing City Destination for November
December is a cool month in India, but only cold at higher altitudes, say in the Himalayas. If you are an early riser, before sunrise, you may wake up to a chilly morning. Other than that, the morning after breakfast will be fine enough. Late at night the temperature drops too, so wear a thick, warm sweater or jacket.
Away from the mountains it is far warmer though, no need for a sweater in the evenings. A little further south, central India isn't cold at all.
If you are scouting out a winter destination, Kolkata City is ideal for a Christmas holiday. The city is amazing at any time, but even more thrilling with festivities in full flow for Christmas.
India has a low season between May and September, accounting for the extreme hot weather. Too hot to do anything worth doing and wet, monsoon weather. Your best bet for cheap flights and hotels in India is during the monsoon months. May and June are too extreme in temperature during the day, restricting your movement.
Staying indoors during the best part of the day isn't our idea of a holiday. We're sure you'll agree with us.
India is such a vast country. That leaves it impossible to pinpoint a best time to travel to any given location or destination. Generally, any travel between October and April in India is a safe bet. But because India is a tropical country you must expect a little rain anyway.
That goes for Cambodia and Thailand, and especially Malaysia, too. Those things that cause your interest to pique in India are all worthwhile:
If you can put up with the long-haul flights, then you can put up with the odd rain burst as well.
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