- Let's take a look at the map
- Beach vacation and its features
- Agra treasures
- To the roof of the world
- For bright colors
- Useful observations
When is the best time to relax in India
One of the largest countries in the world in terms of its territory and population, India has long become attractive for tourists who are hungry for exoticism. The Golden Triangle and the treasures of Agra, the mysterious world of the Himalayas and the markets of Delhi breathing in the heat of eastern spices, the skyscrapers of Mumbai shining in the sun and the wild beaches of Goa - the dignity of the homeland of Buddhism and the alma mater of all yogis of the planet can be enumerated endlessly. When is the best time to vacation in India and what time of year should you choose to make your trip pleasant and exciting? It depends on your goals and preferences, because not only the weather can become a determining factor for a good mood and the successful implementation of all planned tourist projects.
Let's take a look at the map
The Republic of India occupies the Indian subcontinent, the Andaman, Nicobar and Lakaadiv Islands and part of the Himalayan mountain range. The coastline of the Indian Ocean, washing the peninsula and archipelagos, is more than 7,500 kilometers, of which almost half are sandy beaches.
The vast territory of India can be conditionally divided into four zones, each of which has its own climate - from humid and dry tropical to subtropical monsoon and alpine.
In most of the country, there are three seasons:
- Hot and humid weather is observed from June to October, defined by the southwest monsoon.
- In November, a relatively cool season begins, during which there is practically no precipitation. The weather at this time is "controlled" by the northeast wind and the dry season lasts until the end of the calendar winter.
- In March, a hot spring begins without rains, which lasts until the last days of May.
During the wet season, temperatures in most of the country fluctuate around + 28 ° C, excluding the highlands, where even in July thermometers rarely show + 15 ° C. On the contrary, during hot spring, mercury columns often soar up to + 35 ° С and even + 40 ° С.
Beach vacation and its features
If you are planning to go to the beaches of India located in Goa, it is better to fly on vacation in the fall or winter. The tourist season in the "non-Indian" state itself begins in mid-October and lasts until the second half of May, but already in April for those who cannot stand the extreme heat, the weather on the beaches of Goa may not seem very comfortable.
In Kerala, which is called a paradise resort, the climate is particularly even and mild, although the monsoons have an effect on the local weather. There are two rainy seasons here - in the first half of summer and in the middle of autumn, although precipitation in the paradise state can fall and do so in the rest of the year. The most intense heat in the resorts of Kerala comes in the first half of the calendar spring, and therefore it is best to go here in winter. And if in March the air temperature can reach + 36 ° С, then in December and January the thermometer columns prudently stop at + 28 ° С during the day and at + 24 ° С at night.
Fans of secluded relaxation and complete fusion with nature choose the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. When is it better to relax there so that tropical showers do not interfere with enjoying the amazing landscapes of the archipelagos lost in the Andaman Sea? Choose a period from October to late spring. At this time, the probability of precipitation is minimal. On the other hand, at the end of May the rainy season starts on the islands, which lasts until mid-September. The next surge in precipitation is recorded in November-December, but the second wave is not so significant, and it usually rains at night. The end of summer is dangerous for island resorts and strong storms, which often lead to significant destruction and pose a threat to the tourist infrastructure.
Agra treasures
Part of the famous Golden Triangle, one of the most beautiful cities in India, Agra is famous for its architectural monuments, the main one of which is the Taj Mahal. Millions of tourists come to Agra every year to see the monument to the immortal love of the ruler of the Mughal Empire, built in memory of his deceased wife.
The climate in the region is characterized by particularly hot weather, and the thermometer shamelessly crosses the + 45 ° C mark here from April to July inclusive.
If you want to enjoy the views of the Taj Mahal without risking heat shock, head to Agra in winter. In January-February, the air temperature rarely rises above + 30 ° С, precipitation is unlikely and the weather can be called almost comfortable for walking. The only unpleasant nuance is that at this time in Agra there are a lot of tourists - both local and foreign. Therefore, book your hotel as early as possible on the day of your intended trip and get ready for the crowds storming the architectural monument from morning to late evening.
To the roof of the world
The mountainous regions of India are also of great interest to tourists. When is it better to go on vacation to the states of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh, so as not to suffer from cold weather, bad weather or strong winds?
The climate of the Himalayan region, like any mountain system, strongly depends on the height above sea level of the object you need. Experts say that the best time to visit the Himalayan resorts is at the end of May, when the snow melts and the temperature does not drop below + 14 ° C even at night. Naturally, in this case, we are not talking about mountainous areas located above 4500 meters above sea level.
The famous Ladakh is especially hospitable to tourists from the second half of July to September inclusive, and you can easily enjoy the views of Buddhist monasteries in Little Tibet at the end of summer. By the way, it is from the last days of May to the first weeks of October that the main highway connecting the cities of the Kashmir region is open. During the rest of the year, bus and car traffic between the cities of Manali, Leh, Srinagar and Jammu is impossible due to snow and other weather troubles.
For bright colors
A large part of tourists rest in India when the best holidays are held in the country. The calendar of amazing festivals is replete with names that are heard by all fans of oriental exoticism:
- The Festival of Colors is one of the most popular festival events in India. It is called Holi and is timed to coincide with the arrival of spring. The time of the event is the last days of February and the beginning of March. The main feature of the holiday is bright colors on the clothes and faces of the participants.
- If you meet Holi in Jaipur, you can take part in the elephant festival the next day. You are guaranteed a parade of kind giants adored by the Indians.
- A bright holiday in honor of the god of wisdom and prosperity is celebrated in early autumn. Ganesha is especially revered in Mumbai, where processions are arranged in his honor on the days of Ganesha-chaturthi.
- In early autumn, the Mother Goddess is honored, and in November, the Diwali festival is held, dedicated to the victory over evil. As a sign that good always prevails, thousands of glowing paper lanterns are released into the sky.
New Year in India, in the European sense of the word, is celebrated not so long ago, but very willingly. And yet, the greatest delight among tourists is Pongal, to which it is customary to invite guests to the state of Tamil Nadu. This holiday is dedicated to the harvest and its main feature is street treats made from nuts, rice and sweets.
Useful observations
It often happens that when deciding when is the best time to relax in India, tourists take the expression "rainy season" too literally. In fact, rainfall in the tropics is not always an obstacle to a beach or educational holiday. If you plan your trip wisely, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and crush without depriving yourself of a pleasant trip experience.
The beginning and the very end of the "low" season is the time when prices for hotel accommodation, excursions, some food in restaurants and guide services are usually reduced. You will be able to see the Taj Mahal or the Red Fort without much crowding, while hiring a guide for a very reasonable price. In hotels, you can safely bargain or afford a hotel of a higher rank.
If you go on a beach holiday at the border of the seasons, the rains either have not yet gained strength or will almost subside, and therefore you will have enough time to enjoy the sun during the day.
But when planning trips to the highlands and islands, you should not rely on luck. Low season border dates can play a trick on you in the form of unexpected snowfalls, closed roads, storms or canceled local flights. In this case, you will easily lose much more than you gain, and the price of a mistake can be not only money, but also time and even health.
