October to March, the reliable window
Pilgrimage cities such as Varanasi, Ayodhya and Amritsar, the deserts and forts of Rajasthan, and the mountains of the North East are at their calmest from October to March: cooler days, clear skies and festival rhythm across the cities.
Winter nights in Tawang and Spiti are genuinely cold. Warm layers belong on your packing list, and we tell you exactly what to bring before you leave.
June to October, the high-altitude window
Spiti's Chandra Taal lake opens roughly July to October, once the snow clears. Kashmir's valleys are at their greenest from April to October. The Amarnath yatra season (roughly June–August) adds traffic on the Srinagar–Pahalgam route, we flag this when you choose your dates so there are no surprises.
Meghalaya, any season, always carry rain gear
October to May is the popular window, but the hills can receive rain in any season. That is not a drawback, the waterfalls and rivers are the reason to go. Pack accordingly and the state rewards you.
December to February, the snow season
Manali–Solang, Khajjiar, Dalhousie and Gulmarg are at their best in winter, when the snow arrives. A few itineraries run a different route in these months; we tell you which ones change and exactly how, before you confirm.
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