Visiting India in February

There’s still likely to be snow on the ground in Sikkim and the far north, including the Himalayas, although if you’re wrapped up warm, there are some wonderful views thanks to the clear days in the mountains and trekking around Shimla, Dharamsala, Darjeeling, Manali and Srinagar. At slightly lower altitude, it’s also a quieter month to visit Rishikesh.

Further south, it’s dry with plenty of clear blue skies and sunshine, whether you’re planning a stay on the Ganges in Varanasi or Kolkata right down to the tropical tip. Now is when to go to India’s Maharajah forts in Rajasthan where the warm, dry days make sightseeing a pleasure – Jodhpur, Chittorgarh and Bikaner are just a few of the stand-out destinations. There’s plenty more to find around the Golden Triangle too, once you’ve visited Agra and the Taj Mahal, Delhi and Jaipur. Take a train through the countryside, discover Bundi or save time for a stay in rural Rajasthan – you can even imagine yourself a Maharajah at a fairytale Rajasthani Palace or check into a fort in Barli or Chandelao, before visiting ornate havelis, former merchants’ houses. It’s less chilly at night in Jaisalmer but without the searing temperatures that you’ll find later in the year in the Thar Desert. The dry weather makes it another perfect month to spot wild tigers at Ranthambore National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park too.

It’s hotter as you continue south to Mumbai and central India, but still not too uncomfortable if you’re planning to sightsee and with no rain. It’s also a little cooler in the mornings if you’re heading out on early game drives at the national parks, and in the cave temples near Aurangabad. For blissfully hot weather to lounge on the sand, venture to the turquoise waters of the Andaman Islands for fantastic diving and snorkelling, or back on the mainland, it’s hard to beat Goa and Kerala’s beaches at Kovalam or Marari.

Save some energy to sightsee in Cochin, then relax back on a backwaters cruise or get a taste of everyday life at a homestay in the backwaters. If you need a break from the heat, head up to the tea plantations around Munnar and the hill stations of the Western Ghats, where it’s cooler or make the most of being able to see the migrating birdlife at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.

It’s hot, hot, hot in Tamil Nadu too, but with temperatures soaring towards 40C over the next few months, now is when to go to India’s most southerly state to avoid the worst of the heat. It’s also a good time to explore the intriguing ruins at Hampi or see a more modern side of India with a stay in Bangalore.

View the best time to visit India by region or by month:

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

 

Typical Monthly Climate in India

Region	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
North East India	● 15°C 🌤️	● 17°C ☀️	● 21°C ☀️	● 25°C 🌦️	● 28°C 🌧️	● 27°C 🌧️	● 27°C 🌧️	● 27°C 🌧️	● 26°C 🌦️	● 23°C 🌤️	● 19°C ☀️	● 16°C ☀️
North India	● 14°C ☀️	● 17°C ☀️	● 23°C ☀️	● 30°C 🌦️	● 35°C 🌧️	● 34°C 🌧️	● 32°C 🌧️	● 31°C 🌧️	● 30°C 🌦️	● 27°C ☀️	● 22°C ☀️	● 17°C ☀️
North West India	● 18°C ☀️	● 21°C ☀️	● 26°C ☀️	● 34°C 🌦️	● 39°C 🌧️	● 37°C 🌧️	● 35°C 🌧️	● 34°C 🌧️	● 32°C 🌦️	● 29°C ☀️	● 24°C ☀️	● 20°C ☀️
South India	● 26°C ☀️	● 27°C ☀️	● 29°C ☀️	● 32°C 🌦️	● 33°C 🌦️	● 30°C 🌧️	● 29°C 🌧️	● 29°C 🌧️	● 29°C 🌦️	● 28°C ☀️	● 27°C ☀️	● 26°C ☀️

Legend:
● Good weather
● Average weather
● Poor weather