The best times to visit India are at the beginning and end of the year in the beginning and end of the cool season. Daytime temperatures are still quite high, but evenings are dryer and cooler. If your tour visits mountains or hill stations, temperatures and humidity levels will be significantly lower so you will need to take warmer clothes with you.
Visiting Ladakh, Little Tibet: The best months to visit are June, July, September, October and November. These times of year experience the most favourable weather in Ladakh, when there is minimal rainfall and the best road conditions possible. These months are also the start and end of the hot season in Delhi and Amritsar so temperatures and humidity levels are higher (see climate chart for Delhi, Amritsar, Dharamsala, Leh and Manali).
Remember that at higher altitude, no matter the time of year sudden and unpredictable drops in temperature, snow or storms can hit on the mountain passes. The sun is also much stronger so you can be sunburnt more quickly (see climate chart for Kolkata, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Thimpu and Wangduephodrang).
Suggested Packing List
We recommend that you check the weather forecast prior to your departure so that you can pack accordingly. Generally, casual clothes are recommended. Loose fitting, lightweight cotton materials are the most comfortable for humid weather, while layers of warmer clothes are advised for cooler evenings. A waterproof jacket will be required for the wetter conditions in April. The dress code throughout the tour is casual; however, it is important that all passengers dress conservatively. Smart casual clothes are highly recommended for evening banquets and shows.
- Your travel documents and passport; including a photocopy of your passport in case it is lost or stolen while you are abroad. Keep one photocopy at home and take another photocopy on your trip with you.
- Main luggage & luggage padlocks
- ‘Day bag’ - a smaller bag to carry with you during the day, both while driving and sightseeing. E.g. drinking water, hat, sunscreen, toilet paper, insect repellent, camera and spare batteries, jacket.
- Money belt to carry passport, cash, credit cards, airline tickets, etc.
- Trousers (or long skirts for women) – please remember to respect local customs (knee length is recommended).
- Shirts or long-sleeved tops of light cotton material
- Walking shoes and socks – it is important to have sturdy and comfortable shoes for sightseeing every day.
- Sun protection – hat, sunscreen and lip balm
- Personal medical kit including insect repellent - visit Travel Health
- Antibacterial wipes and/or hand sanitiser to clean hands before eating
- Tracksuit/similar outfit of soft material is recommended for the overnight train journeys
- A water/windproof jacket
- Light jumpers/thermals are great for layering, including gloves and scarf
- A ‘modesty shawl’ or sarong to wear in Muslim or conservative areas (for women)
- Torch, conversion plug and spare batteries – batteries available to buy in India tend to be unreliable
- Scarf or bandana – useful to protect your face against dusty winds at high altitude
- Spare glasses – it is difficult to get any prescription lenses repaired or replaced in India
- Small bath towel is useful for overnight train journeys
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, lotion) – for personal use during homestays.
- Toilet paper – not all public toilets will provide this
- Snacks – tea bags/coffee, milk powder or sachets, instant soups or noodles, or anything else you can’t live without!
- Camera and memory card
- If travelling to Ladakh - ‘Sleep sheet’ or sleeping bag – in remote areas linen is provided but possibly not up to the standard you are used to. If you already have a compact and lightweight sleeping bag you could also bring that.
- A supply of face masks
Luggage Allowance
All passengers are limited to two items of luggage each:
- One suitcase or backpack, with a maximum weight of 15kg. Your main luggage must have a lock on it, and you must be able to carry your own bags.
- One piece of hand luggage, with a maximum weight of 5kg.
It is advisable that your hand luggage consist of a ‘daypack’ – a small bag which you can access during the day and carry items like your camera, bottled water, toilet paper, hat etc.
Average Temperature & Rainfall
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
