Weather & What to Pack

“What’s the weather like in India?” doesn’t really have one answer. A single week in December could mean snow in Kashmir and 30°C beach weather in Kerala — packing right depends entirely on where and when.

NOTE

General guidance — always check a specific forecast closer to your trip. See our full disclaimer on the hub page. Landing soon? Every airport guide now shows live local weather.

3Main seasons: winter, summer, monsoon

Oct-FebPeak tourist season (coolest, driest)

Up to 50°CRecorded summer highs, north/central India

Jun-SepSouthwest monsoon — most of the country’s rain

The three seasons

SeasonWhenWhat to expect

WinterOct/Nov – Feb/MarThe most popular season to visit. Pleasant and cool across most of the country; northern plains (Delhi, Rajasthan) can drop to 5-10°C at night; Himalayan regions see genuine snow.

SummerMar/Apr – JunIntense heat, especially north and central India — regularly above 40°C, sometimes near 50°C in Rajasthan. Coastal areas stay somewhat cooler due to sea breezes.

MonsoonJun – SepHeavy rainfall across most regions (except parts of Rajasthan), especially the west coast and northeast. Lower tourist season, but genuinely beautiful in hill stations and the Himalayas.

South India runs milder and more tropical year-round with less dramatic swings than the north — worth factoring in if your trip spans both regions.

Best time to visit, by region

North India (Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan)

October to March — outside this window, summer heat is genuinely punishing for sightseeing.

South India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa)

October to April — a longer comfortable window given the milder tropical climate.

Himalayas (Ladakh, Himachal, Sikkim)

April-June or September-mid-November for trekking; avoid July-August (peak monsoon, landslide risk on mountain roads).

Northeast India

One of the wettest regions in the world during monsoon — October to April is more reliable for travel and permits (see Restricted Areas).

PRINTABLE

Want this as a checklist you can print or save offline? See our India Packing Checklist — same lists below, formatted to tick off as you pack.

Packing by season

Winter

Layered clothing — warm mornings/evenings, mild middays in most regions
A proper jacket if heading north or to hill stations
Comfortable walking shoes

Summer

Light, loose, breathable cotton/linen — several changes, you’ll sweat through them
Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, SPF 50
Reusable water bottle — hydration matters more than you’d think

Monsoon

A proper compact umbrella and a light raincoat
Quick-dry synthetic clothing over cotton (which stays wet)
Waterproof shoes with real grip, plus a spare dry pair
A small towel and plastic bags for wet items

What to pack regardless of season

Modest, easily-removable footwear — you’ll take shoes off at every temple, mosque, and many homes
A lightweight scarf or shawl — doubles as head covering at religious sites and sun protection
A basic first-aid kit — any personal prescriptions with extra supply, plus antiseptic wipes and basic pain relief
A universal power adapter — India uses Type C/D/M sockets, 230V
Copies of important documents — passport photo page, visa, insurance — both digital and printed