Indian weather is characterized by a monsoon pattern: weak in winter and strong in summer. The wettest regions are those of the Himalayan foothills: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Period to avoid: May and June, when temperatures can reach 50°C. Pollution and overcrowding in major urban centers become difficult to endure.

The Himalayan regions

A distinction should be made between those in the south (Garwhal, Spiti) and east (Sikkim) and those to the north of the Himalayan range (Ladakh & Zanskar).

The former receive abundant monsoon rains, while the latter experience sparse rainfall and occasional violent thunderstorms.

Northern India

The monsoon affects most of northern India. Rains typically arrive between late June and mid-July and end in late September or early October. Contrary to popular belief, it does not rain continuously. Violent downpours alternate with sunny spells. From late November onwards, nights can feel quite cool and it is advisable to pack warm clothing.

Southern India

The monsoon reaches the coasts of Kerala in late May and travels northward. It continues throughout the summer. Temperatures range between 21°C–30°C during the day and 6°C–15°C at night. In the hills (Western Ghats), temperatures can drop further: again, do not hesitate to bring warm clothing. In November, the winter monsoon brings storms, particularly over Tamil Nadu & Karnataka. Here too, the sun quickly returns.

Southern India boasts beautiful beaches. However, swimming in the sea is not always possible due to monsoon winds.