When to go

Seasons and monsoon by region.

India is the size of Western Europe, so it does not have one climate. Broadly, October to March is cool and dry and therefore the most pleasant time for most of the country, such as Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra and the south. From April to June the plains are very hot.

The south-west monsoon usually reaches Kerala in early June and moves north within a few weeks; the rainy season lasts into September. The east coast of Tamil Nadu gets most of its rain in October to December instead. The Himalaya, with Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, is best visited in summer, when the passes are open.

Useful links

• India Meteorological Department mausam.imd.gov.in
  Forecasts and the progress of the monsoon.