For a first-time visitor to India, this is a very valid and important question. A country with four distinct seasons, and a range of climate types, it’s always challenging to select a single season for all distinct regions of India.
Here in this blog, I will discuss the different seasons, and which are the places or regions that are suitable in that particular season.
Seasons in India
Before going into the details of the places to visit in that particular season, let’s first understand the distinct seasons in India. According to the India Meteorological Department, India officially recognizes four distinct seasons.
Winter (December to February):
Winter in India, especially in North India, is harsh, and in some places, the temperature touches the scale of 0ºC or below. During this season the sky is generally clear, and the weather is cool and dry. The cold waves in the northern plains and heavy snowfall on mountains are normal in the winter season. The southern region, which is a tropical region, stays mild.
Summer Season (March to June):
Summers in India are very hot, and the northern plains experience heatwaves, and the temperature is more than 45ºC at several places. From the end of March through April, the region experiences frequent inland dust storms and thunderstorms. May and June are the hottest months.
Monsoon/Rainy Season (June to September):
Southwest monsoon winds bring heavy rainfall, supplying most of the country’s annual water. In Northern and Central India, the normal onset of the monsoon date is from 15th June onwards, but by the end of June or the first week of July, the whole of India gets covered by the monsoon. The monsoon is characterized by heavy rainfall, frequent flooding, and landslides.
Post-Monsoon / Retreating Monsoon (October to November):
By the end of September, the monsoon winds have started retreating from much of the inland of India. By mid-October, Northern India experienced a complete withdrawal of the monsoon. Gradually floodwater also receded, and the temperature started to be mild.
Climate types in India
The local climate also plays a dominant role in deciding the which place when to visit in India. These climate types are deciding factors along with season, for the places to visit. Knowing the local climate before coming to India helps visitors to pack accordingly and get vaccines required.
Tropical Wet Climate:
This type of climate is mainly found along the Western Ghats, northeastern India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of the eastern coast. These places receive plentiful rainfall and support tropical evergreen forests, which is characterized by high biodiversity and dense vegetation.
Tropical Wet and Dry Climate:
This type of climate is found in most places in central and peninsular India, which includes most of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and parts of Odisha. There are distinct wet and dry seasons in this climate zone, which support tropical deciduous forests, grasslands, and some of India’s most important tiger and other wildlife habitats.
Tropical Semi-Arid Climate:
A semi-arid climate is found in two distinct regions, which include parts of the Deccan Plateau and northwestern India. The rainfall is low and irregular in this climate type, which produces dry deciduous forests, thorn forests, dry scrubland, and grasslands.
Arid Climate:
A characteristic climate type of western Rajasthan, Gujarat, and adjoining areas. This climate zone receives very low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and sparse vegetation. Desert grasses and thorny shrubs are characteristic vegetation, and specially adapted animals such as the Great Indian Bustard and desert fox survive under the challenging conditions of an arid climate.
Humid Subtropical Climate:
This climate type is common across the northern plains and foothills of the Himalayas. Summers are hot and humid, especially during monsoons, while winters are very cold. The vegetation of the region is grasslands with high grasses, moist deciduous forests, and extensive riverine ecosystems. The tigers, elephants, and birds are wildlife found in this region.
Mountain or Alpine Climate:
The mountain or Alpine climate is mainly found across the Himalayas, but some high peaks of the Western Ghats also represent this climate. Here climate changes drastically with altitude changes. At lower elevations there are forests; when going upward, it transitions through coniferous forests, alpine meadows, and then permanent snow and ice. Temperature and vegetation can change significantly over relatively short distances.
Cold Arid Climate:
Characteristic of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and other parts of the trans-Himalayan region. Very low rainfall, very low temperatures below freezing points, and high elevation create a cold desert landscape. Vegetation is sparse and supports highly specialized wildlife, which includes the snow leopard, Himalayan ibex, and kiang, adapted to these conditions.
Plan your visit
Now come to the point, which place when? I am categorizing the places here according to their major touristic value. So basically, dividing the places in culture and historical, wildlife and nature, Wellness and beach.
Culture & Historical:
India is a major destination for cultural and historical tourism, and Rajasthan is considered the main destination because of its forts, palaces, and mansions. As mentioned above, most of Rajasthan is either arid or semi-arid, and summers are scorching here, so winter is the main season to visit.
Additionally, winter visitors can also consider visiting Rajasthan during the monsoon season, as the region does not experience heavy rainfall; however, the main challenge is the humid climate. If someone can manage that, then the monsoon is also an option to visit. In the monsoon, hotel rates are low, and tourists can get discounts on almost all services. The other destinations for culture and history are Varanasi, Agra, and Delhi, and I recommend winter as the best time to visit.
Unlike Rajasthan, these places receive heavy rain in monsoon months, and even if they don’t get heavy rain, the rivers flowing through may still get flooded because of heavy rain in the hills from where these rivers originated. Varanasi, in particular, is not recommended because most tourist activities are concentrated near the riverbank; however, if you still wish to visit Varanasi, avoid choosing hotels near the ghats.
Another new destination that is becoming famous as a cultural destination is Ladakh. Because it is a cold desert, the best time to visit is summer and monsoon months when the temperature is high in the subcontinent. From October onward, the temperature may start to go down to below freezing point.
Kerala and other South Indian states are also favorable during the winter. At some South Indian destinations, the temperature in summer is also pleasant, especially in the hill stations. Same with hill stations located in the Himalayas, summers are very pleasant
Wildlife & Nature
Most of the wildlife tours in India operate for tigers, for which Central India is the best destination. Central India represents tropical wet and dry climates; winter is pleasant here, but summers are very hot. So, if you cannot manage the summer heat, then you should definitely visit the various tiger reserves located in central India in the winter, where you have a fairly good chance to see tigers.
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However, if you can tolerate the summer heat and wish to see tigers, summer is the best time for almost guaranteed sightings. In summer, tigers visit the waterholes in the morning and evening to drink, providing opportunities to see them. If you are a birdwatcher, then you should definitely come in winters, which is the time when migratory birds arrive in India in large numbers.
Another attraction is the snow leopard, which is found in the high-altitude areas of the Trans Himalayas. Winter is a good time for snow leopard tours because this is the time when snow leopards come down to the lower altitude in search of prey, and trackers can track them easily.
Though winter is harsh in trans-Himalaya, and temperatures go as low as -20ºC or lower, it is worth going. Places like Kaziranga, Corbett, and South Indian parks are also excellent in winter as well as summer. Monsoon is not good for wildlife tourism because most parks are closed during this season. Summer is good for sightings of brown bears and other mammals of Trans-Himalaya.
Wellness and beach
Most wellness centers are located either in South India or in the Himalayas; the winter season is ideal for South India, while the summer or transition period is better for those in the Himalayas. Places like Haridwar and Rishikesh for wellness are also good in winter because they fall in a subtropical climate where summers and winters are not so harsh.
For beach visits, winter is the best season; however, if you want to avoid crowds, early summer is also a good option. But remember, beaches are very humid in summer, and you have to carry lots of water; otherwise, you get dehydrated soon.
Best time for all Destination
If you wanted to know the best time to cover all destinations, then my recommendation is definitely winters, from November until March, but try to avoid New Year’s and Christmas time when the hotels and destinations get very crowded, which may spoil your experience.
If you find our blog interesting, also give a read to Connecting Corridors: Mitigation Measures on linear intrusion and Five tiger reserves driving distances from Delhi
Mr. Vibhav Srivastava is a trained wildlife expert and ecotourism specialist. He has more than 20 years of experience in wildlife research, forest management, conservation education, and sustainable tourism in India.
He works at Tiger Safari India, where he plans exciting wildlife tours, helps spread conservation messages, and creates simple educational programs.
He has worked in all major wildlife areas across Central, Northern, Eastern, and Southern India. His key work includes tiger monitoring across the country with the Wildlife Institute of India, community conservation projects, and training forest staff and nature guides.
He has worked with many groups like RARE India, New Delhi Zoo, Le Passage to India, and Tiger Protection Group. He also served as Chief Naturalist at Kanha National Park.
He is a good teacher and speaker. He has given more than 30 talks at top universities like Delhi University, BHU, Amity University, and IITTM on wildlife protection, ecotourism, and sustainability.
He has written books and scientific papers, and has spoken at national conferences. His focus is always on connecting real science with local communities and responsible tourism.
He has a Master’s degree in Botany and special training from the Wildlife Institute of India. He was also chosen as one of the top five naturalists in India for the TOFT Best Naturalist Award.
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