When is the best time to visit India?
The weather in India is an uncontrollable thing. This vast country is battered by all types of different weather, while the south is being lashed by constant monsoon rains the north could be covered in a thick layer of snow. The best time to visit India depends on which part of the country you are visiting, as well as on the time of year.
India has seven different climate regions:
These are the Himalayas, Assam and West Bengal, the North Indian Plain (a huge section of North-Central India), the Western Ghats and coast in South-Western India, the Deccan Plateau in South-Central India, and the Eastern Ghats and coast.
As a summary the north of India is the cooler part of the country, the center is hot and dry, and the south has a tropical climate which can be battered by monsoon rains.
Unlike most countries, India has three general seasons: Summer, Winter and the Monsoon. The best time to visit is generally during the winter months which are dry and not so hot.
Summer: March – May
Normally it is around the end of February when the heat starts to rise. The northern plains are the first to feel the heat and then, not long after that, the temperature begins to rise for rest of the country. Come April, many places are experiencing daily temperatures exceeding 40 degrees or 105 degrees Fahrenheit. It stays “cooler” in the southern parts of the country, with temperatures reaching around 35 degrees. However where the north has a dry heat, the south is a lot more humid.
Towards the end of May, signs of the approaching monsoon start appearing. Humidity levels begin to rise and thunderstorms and dust storms begin to appear.
One thing you should know about the Indian summer is that the heat is relentless. Day after day the weather doesn’t change, it’s always extremely hot, sunny, and dry. Make sure that you are constantly drinking water.
If you head to the Himalayas, however you can miss most of the heat as up in the mountains it stays at a nice warm temperature. This is the best time to visit India if you wish to head up into the Himalayas.
Monsoon: June – October
What most people don’t know is that India has two monsoons, the southwest monsoon and the northeast monsoon. The southwest monsoon comes first, this is also the main monsoon. The southwest monsoon comes in from the sea and starts making its way up India’s West Coast at the beginning of June. Come mid July, most of the country is covered in rain. This does not start clearing from most places in Northwest India until October. However, the rains of the monsoon are not too bad and do not let them put you off from traveling.
The northeast monsoon hits India’s east coast during November and December. Compared to the southwest monsoon this is relatively short but still quite powerful. The states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka receive most of their rainfall from this monsoon, while the rest of the country gets most of its rainfall from the southwest monsoon.
Like we have said before, the monsoon is not a full on rain storm lasting months. Normally it rains heavily for just an hour or so a day in the late afternoon. Afterwards the sun comes out and brightens all of the land, drying everything once again. However do note that it can get very muddy and that once the rain has gone the humidity will rise.
The monsoon, while a welcome relief for farmers, can be an extremely hazardous time throughout India. The rains produce widespread destruction and flooding. The rain can also appear out of nowhere. A beautiful clear day one minute, and the next lightening and thunder are rattling the air.
Winter: November – February
With the ending of the monsoon rains comes the start of winter which means clear sunny skies, and also the start of the tourist season. December and January are the peak months. Daytime winter temperatures are comfortable, although it can often get quite chilly at night.
In the south, it never gets cold. This is in complete contrast to the freezing temperatures experienced in India’s far north, around the Himalaya region. If you make it to Ladakh, high up in the Himalayas on the border of Tibet. You will be cold, you will need a completely different wardrobe than you would in, for example, Goa.
The best time to visit India
So there you have it, now is up to you to decide. We hope that you have a good idea of where and when is the best time to visit India. If you have not already done so, have a read of our India price guide to see just how cheap it is to travel India. India Travel Budget: The Costs
It is also a good Idea to read up on all of the tricks and scams that will hit you when you are in the country. Here is our guide for all of the scams to watch out for. Have a read and get prepared. Scams in India to watch out for
Also if you are not sure how to plan your trip, we have you sorted. step by step: how to plan your trip to india, Rajasthan: Where to visit, Jaisalmer Camel Safari: Plan Your Desert Adventure
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