India is large enough to have a good season somewhere in every month. Here is a simple guide.
October to March: the classic season
Cool, clear days across most of India, and the best time for forts, palaces and cities in the north and in Rajasthan. December and January bring cold mornings and evenings, and sometimes fog on the northern plains, so pack a warm layer. This is also the main wedding season.
April to June: the hot months
The plains grow very hot. This is the time for the hills and the mountains, and for early mornings and long, slow afternoons.
June to September: the monsoon
The rains arrive from the south-west. The Deccan hill forts turn green and misty, the countryside is at its most beautiful and the crowds are few. Some days are wet, so plans stay flexible.
Festivals worth planning around
Diwali, the festival of lights, falls in October or November. Holi, the festival of colours, comes in March. Dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year, so ask us when you plan.
