Visiting India in October

The weather gets better throughout the month in north-east India, with rivers in full flow and lush green hills after the past few months of rain. Both Kolkata and Varanasi are pleasantly warm and dry, with a chance to see the Diwali celebrations by the Ganges this month. And the tea plantations in Darjeeling are getting ready for harvest, with autumn colours illuminating the hills here and in Sikkim as you wander past lakes in the shadow of the snow-capped peaks.

There’s warm weather and barely any rain in Shimla and Srinagar, as well as Rishikesh, making this a perfect month to explore the hill country. In Dharamsala, it’s similarly pleasant, with a chance to see prayer flags fluttering in the Himalayan foothills before the real chill of winter arrives. Higher in the mountains, there’s already some snowfall around Ladakh and Leh, with the road from Manali usually closing by November. You can still see the area before the worst of the winter weather rolls in, but it’s getting harder to trek, so you’ll need to plan carefully. And in Assam, Kaziranga National Park is open once again this month, although it’s better to save your visit for November onwards.

It’s hotter around Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, but with temperatures hovering around 30C, the weather is much better for exploring the palaces, forts and wildlife here before the crowds of peak season arrive next month – ideal if you’re hoping to see the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort at Delhi and some of the other well-known sites around Agra and Jaipur. Make the most of the chance to see the forts at Jodhpur, Chittorgarh and Bikaner, while you can even stay in one at Barli or Chandelao. The countryside of rural Rajasthan will be verdant green after the monsoon; why not take the opportunity for a train ride through the countryside, stay in a fairytale Rajasthani Palace or see less-visited corners such as Bundi and the ornate merchant houses known as havelis.

Ranthambore National Park reopens this month, while Bandhavgarh National Park normally opens mid-month, but with more water sources around, it’s harder to see tigers there. It’s still hot in the Thar Desert and Jaisalmer, around 37C this month, so it’s better to wait a few weeks or visit in late October if you’re hoping for cooler temperatures.

Further south, temperatures are heating up in Mumbai although the breezes off the sea help the city feel a little cooler. Head out early in the day to dodge the heat and the crowds if you’re visiting the cave temples near Aurangabad or exploring elsewhere in central India. Further south, it’s lush and green around the UNESCO World Heritage site temples at Hampi, while Bangalore is a little cooler but you can expect more rain here during October.

There are still occasional showers in Goa and Kerala this month, but it leaves the air feeling fresher, and there’s still plenty of sunshine if you’re hoping to hit the beach at Kovalam or Marari, or cruise through the backwaters. If Cochin is still a bit warm, head up to the tea plantations around Munnar and the hill stations of the Western Ghats. You won’t escape the rain here entirely, but the air is cooler and fresh, and it’s a great time for hiking in the hills, although not the best time for bird-spotting at Thattekad Birds Sanctuary as they can be less visible between showers and thicker leaves. For another beach alternative, October is a fabulous time to relax on the white sand beaches of the Andaman Islands off the east coast of India.

Festivals: Diwali (or Deepavali) is India’s largest festival and usually takes place in October or November. The Hindu festival of lights sees some spectacular firework displays, plus candles and other illuminations to brighten the dark.

Celebrate the victory of good over evil this month (or September) with the Hindu festival of Dussehra. Expect enthusiastic re-enactments of Rama’s life story finishing with effigies filled with fireworks being set ablaze.

Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday is also celebrated on October 2 with a national holiday, marked with prayers and ceremonies across the country.

Best for: Exploring without the crowds, the hill resorts, trekking, Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, beaches in Goa and Kerala, festivals

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