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Ania Blazejewska<\/cite><\/p>\n There\u2019s no one easy answer to the question that is \u201cWhen is the best time to visit India?\u201d The good news is that, honestly, there\u2019s no bad time to visit India<\/a>. Given its huge size and varied landscapes, India has something to offer every traveler no matter the time of year: exciting festivals, diverse food and flavor profiles<\/a>, ancient traditions woven seamlessly with modern technology, wildlife experiences, unique and luxurious hotels, cutting-edge fashion and style to inspire your shopping mood boards on Pinterest\u2014the works. The biggest challenge is narrowing down where to go.<\/p>\n To get top-notch advice on the best time to visit India, I tapped two of Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveler<\/em>‘s Top Travel Specialists: James Jayasundera<\/a> of Ampersand Travel<\/a>, and Sanjay Saxena<\/a> of Nomadic Expeditions<\/a>, both of whom count the Indian subcontinent as their region of travel expertise. Below, they share intel on reasons to visit around the year, how to plan achievable itineraries, and why monsoon season may actually be the best time to visit India.<\/p>\n As Jayasundera of Ampersand Travel puts it, \u201cThe best time to visit India is, quite simply, when you have the time.\u201d Plus, given the country\u2019s size\u2014clocking in at a massive 1.2 million square miles\u2014there\u2019s always a part of India that\u2019s ripe for visiting, with good weather or cultural events to experience, no matter your travel schedule. \u201cIt\u2019s better to first identify the type of activity you enjoy or the region you want to visit,\u201d says Saxena of Nomadic Expeditions. Determining what you want to get out of your trip will then tell you when you should plan to visit India.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an overview, according to our experts: November through February, after the monsoon season, offers fine weather for much of the country, save for the Himalayan mountain states<\/a>. \u201cMarch through June are some of the hotter months in the central plains, but it\u2019s the best time for visiting the wildlife parks, especially the tiger reserves,\u201d says Saxena.<\/p>\n That said, the monsoons do peak in June, July, and August\u2014expect rainy weather at this time. For Jayasundera, mid-August through October is a prime window to visit northern India, particularly Rajasthan<\/a>, which is home to the great cities of Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur: \u201cDuring this period, everyone is refreshed, the hotels are quiet, the sites are crowd-free, and the landscape is lush and green, with blue skies and wonderfully clear air.\u201d<\/p>\n According to both Saxena and Jayasundera, the Monsoon season that lasts from June to August\u2014and in some areas, to September\u2014would technically be the cheapest time for travel in India. But tourists shouldn\u2019t be put off by the monsoons: They bring down the temperatures; the rains are not continuous\u2014and can even be calming or romantic; and the rain-quenched landscapes look all the more lush after the rain.<\/p>\n Jayasundera adds, \u201cIf you\u2019re interested in Ayurveda, this is the most recommended time to visit, as it\u2019s considered particularly healing.\u201d Additionally, Saxena says that certain parts of India like Rajasthan do not see the full brunt of the monsoon: \u201cIn recent years Jaipur, Kalakho, and Agra have not seen heavy rains.\u201d All these factors\u2014plus the added benefit of low-season rates\u2014make the so-called \u201cseason to avoid\u201d all the more attractive for a certain kind of traveler willing to face a little rain.<\/p>\n Peak season in India typically runs from November to February, when the weather is at its coolest. Additionally, this is the time for many Indians abroad coming home to celebrate Diwali or attend the peak-wedding seasons, which hits around late October to December and in late January to March, Saxena says. On top of that, many travelers are taking advantage of Christmas vacation time-off around the world to visit India. All of this leads to higher prices during this time.<\/p>\n Additionally, Jayasundera says, \u201cIt\u2019s worth noting that during the cooler months, air pollution can be particularly bad in major cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur<\/a>. Reduced visibility and potentially unhealthy air quality are common, especially in November, when post-harvest crop burning in nearby states often exacerbates the problem.\u201d If you\u2019re sensitive to pollution, consider skipping the big cities or preparing adequately for the air quality conditions.<\/p>\nJump to the topic:<\/h2>\n
When is the best time to visit India?<\/h2>\n
When is the cheapest time to visit India?<\/h2>\n
When is peak season in India?<\/h2>\n