Visiting India in January
Weather and climate guide
January is a great time to visit India, with glorious sunshine across most of the country and little rain. In the southern states, it can easily reach 30C in Goa and Kerala if you’re looking for winter sun, with few clouds in the sky. Perfect weather for kicking back on the beach at Kovalam or Marari, cruising through the backwaters after exploring Cochin. Or for a different way to experience Kerala, how about a homestay in the backwaters? If you are heading to the tea plantations around Munnar and the hill stations of the Western Ghats, bear in mind that it does get chilly at night. It’s also ideal for visiting Thattekad Bird Sanctuary where migrating species join some of the native birds this month.
South India
Or discover a different slice of south India in Tamil Nadu. One of the hottest areas of the country, temperatures are usually in the high 20Cs this month, making it one of the best times to see the state’s temples. There are more fascinating temples at UNESCO World Heritage site Hampi, which is easy to combine with a taste of modern India in the ‘Garden City’ of Bangalore. Want to escape the crowds? Head to the idyllic Andaman Islands off the east coast of India for unspoiled white sand beaches, plus some wonderful diving and snorkelling.
It’s hot and dry in Mumbai & central India too, although again it can be chilly at night and in the mornings if you’re visiting the national parks for some wildlife spotting or if you’re heading inland to the cave temples near Aurangabad.
North India
It can also be cool at night and in the early mornings in the north around Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, but the warm, dry days are just right for sightseeing at unmissable hotspots such as the Taj Mahal or for heading into rural Rajasthan – seize the opportunity to board a train through the countryside, explore traditional havelis, stay in a fairytale Rajasthani Palace or a fort at Barli or Chandelao, and visit less-visited corners such as Bundi. Expect pleasantly warm temperatures around Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, and the forts at Jodhpur, Chittorgarh and Bikaner, as well as one of the best chances of seeing wild tigers at Ranthambore National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park this month. If you’re heading to the Thar Desert and Jaisalmer, it’s pleasantly warm during the day, but temperatures can drop to a few degrees above freezing at night. It’s less chilly if you’re venturing east to Varanasi or further to Kolkata.
Be prepared to wrap up very warm if you’re heading to the north-east and the Himalayas, which can be magical at this time of year although there’s also a chance of fog and mist. You may find snow on the ground at places like Shimla, Dharamsala, Darjeeling, and Srinagar, where temperatures hover around freezing. It’s really too cold to visit Sikkim this month though, unless you thrive in sub-zero climates, while the road to Leh from Manali is normally closed by snow.
Festivals: The Bikaner camel festival takes place on the second weekend in January, celebrating the ships of the desert, with dancing and music, plus camel racing.
Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 in New Delhi, with parades and dancing, alongside a flyover of helicopters.
Best for: Exploring most of India, beaches in Kerala and Goa, wildlife spotting in Mumbai, temples, Rajasthan
Or perhaps you’re thinking of travelling on another month..?
View the best time to visit India by region or by month:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
| 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
A few of our favourite India holidays
