The monsoon season in India, also referred to as the rainy season, lasts from June to September. In most areas, the wettest months are June and July. The rain starts slowing in August and becomes much less frequent in September.
For those who don't like crowds, a good way to avoid them in India is to visit in the monsoon season (June to September).
You may be wondering: isn't the monsoon season a terrible time to travel?
The answer to this question is: maybe. While the monsoons makes certain areas of India unpleasant for travel, other parts are barely affected and are great places to go. Generally, the north and far north India are less affected by the rain than the south and central India.
The Best Times to Visit India and the Rainy Season
In general, the best time to visit India is from December to February when most of the country experiences the dry and cool season.
India is actually affected by two different monsoons (seasonal winds): the southwest and northeast monsoons.
The southwest monsoon affects the majority of the country. It starts in June near Kerala in south India then slowly progresses northwards and spreads across the rest of the country. The southwest monsoon typically lasts from June to September.
The northeast monsoon only affects south India, especially the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. This monsoon takes place in December and November.
During the monsoons it does rain a lot. However, the monsoon rainfall doesn't happen continuously. The first monsoon downpour can last for days, but then the rains start to slow and only happens for a few hours a day.
Travel is still possible, and is often quite enjoyable if you go to the right places. Also, you can benefit from great value offers, quieter attractions, and lush green nature.
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My husband and I are planning a 3 week…
Alisa was a great listener to all the things we wanted to incorporate into our trip. We discussed everything throughly, and when I had questions, she had answers the next day. I really appreciate her responsiveness and detail with me. I feel like we are in the best hands with Alisa and Asia Highlights. More
, Mar 2024
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Very great experience our driver D was…
Very great experience our driver D was never late and always had waters and a cold towel for us and our tour guide Som was very informative and had amazing English I recommend them both highly for anyone else traveling More
Rylan Coache, Feb 2024
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Excellent guide in Siem Reap
Our recent time spent in Siem Reap was made even more memorable by our expert guide, Som Piseth. Som was knowledgeable, attentive, flexible and super helpful - we learnt so much about Siem Reap and Cambodia in our 3 days with him. His English was excellent and his knowledge of, and pride in, his country was outstanding. We would highly recommend Som for anyone wanting an excellent guide in Siem Reap! More
Sharon Townshend, Feb 2024
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Asia Highlights trip to Thailand
Our first tour guide in Bangkok, Marie, was great to tour around with. She was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. Our next stop in Chang Mai we were greeted by our new tour guide, Rafael. He too was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. He made it feel as if we were traveling around with a long time friend. Every time we arrived at a new destination, we were greeted at the airport by someone with a sign with our name making our travels easy. I would definitely recommend Asia Highlights to anyone looking for a well planned trip of a lifetime! More
Tricia, Feb 2024
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Amazing Thailand experience
The tour guides were all knowledgeable and accommodating, especially Mayuree in Bangkok- absolutely wonderful. We felt taken care of and every step of the way was catered to our needs. More
Ashley White, Feb 2024
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Private tour perfect for our times
Asia highlights organized a private tour with our requests. Everything was perfect ?? the driver Tom and the guide Ying were always on time with a smile in their face. Always willing to help and make our trip perfect. Bangkok is a very hot city so we minimized the time outside. The driver always had cold towels for us in the van and cold beverages. More
Virginia, Feb 2024
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Thailand
We loved Chiang Mai and Susie did a great job showing us several temples, taking many pictures of us with the elephants at the sanctuary (a definite highlight of the entire trip!), and making sure we were well fed, which became a running joke between us.We had a very relaxing few days in Phuket enjoying the beautiful beaches. Kai was great, answering all of our questions and giving us a nice tour of the old town. The all-day speedboat tour of the Phi Phi islands started off a little shaky as the sea was quite rough so if you’re at all uncomfortable bouncing around in a speedboat, you might want to skip that tour. Things did calm down as the day went on and some of the areas they took us to for swimming, snorkeling, etc were really beautiful. A couple of the islands were too crowded with people. More
Andrea Roberts, Feb 2024
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What a Wonderful Trip
What a Wonderful Trip! We booked with Sharon and our trip was great - guides were waiting for us at each stop, and they were all very nice and helpful. I cannot stress how amazing the guides were - they made the trip. More
Rachel, Feb 2024
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Ask for Victor!
If you are traveling to Bangkhok you need to request Victor. He made our trip amazing! My family completed bucket list items with his guidance. He knew exactly how to get us places, kept us on time, made us feel safe, educated us on history, spoke excellent English and was genuinely a nice man! Everyone we encountered was awesome- but Victor is the reason for my 5 star review! More
Sandy, Jan 2024
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Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a…
Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a wonderful trip to Thailand. We had a great time. The tour guides were wonderful as were the hotels you booked for us. We will definitely contact you to plan our next trip More
Carol Yeung, Jan 2024
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Ying was the best
Ying was the best. She was really knowledgeable and kind. Thank you Ying for wonderful experience in Thailand! More
Sylvester Yeung, Jan 2024
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Very well organized
Very well organized. Our tour guide, Ying, was amazing! She had full knowledge of every location we visited and made sure our itinerary was fulfilled as expected. She was extremely helpful for our airport experiences, and made sure we arrived at an appropriate time. More
David M. Kang, Jan 2024
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Family trip to Thailand
We were lucky to be greeted by Marie and her driver.In Marie, we have made a friend for life. She is incredibly smart and knowledgeable about her home country. From the vast number of temples to safely traversing Chinatown.She helped give us tips on our free days, locate left behind lost clothing and arrange for pickup. She even helped check us in for our flight to Chiang Mai.She prepared us ahead of time for every event we had scheduled and bonded with our kids, 3x 13 year olds. More
Justin Levenbrook, Jan 2024
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Thailand with and amazing tour guide Ying
I highly recommend Ying as a tour guide in Thailand. Her expertise in Thai culture, combined with her passion for food and genuine love for her country, made the tour an exceptional experience. If you're looking for a guide who will not only show you the sights but also immerse you in the local culture and help you discover delicious Thai cuisine, Ying is the perfect choice. More
Diana Irizarry, Jan 2024
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Asia Highlights Thailand trip
Asia Highlights provided us with a great travel trip. They made it very easy to navigate through Thailand with everything going very smoothly. From the easy transportation to the great day itinerary everything was awesome. Will definitely look to use this agency again in the future. More
Taylor Jones, Jan 2024
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Perfect 2 WK Thailand Trip for a Solo Female Traveler
Bank was our guide in Bangkok and he showed us around the city with ease and we were able to see and try things I never would have planned on my own. After Bangkok, our small group flew to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng lantern festival and that was a breathtaking experience that I will never forget! Pop was our guide in this city and she was knowledgeable, kind and caring which made our experience even more memorable. More
Tia, Dec 2023
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We recently have just returned from Thailand
We recently have just returned one from a 5 week trip to Thailand through Asia Highlights. We had a wonderful time and Asia Highlights went beyond our expectations. They truly tried their best to make sure everything went smoothly and we were taken care of! Everyone was amazing and we would definitely use them in the future!! Many thanks to everyone that helped to make this an incredible once in a lifetime experience!! More
Karen Rocque, Dec 2023
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Indochina Experience
On our 5th day of our trip with Asiahighlights. We felt well taken care of before and it hasn’t changed since we started from Bangkok to Hanoi (guide Kim was verrry knowledgeable!) to Halong Bay (spectacular scenery) to Hoi An (guide Nhieu Tran, giving great local (shopping) tips and insights). More
Stefan Eisenhut, Dec 2023
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5 Best Places to Go during the Monsoons in India
The rains affect each part of India differently. While the south (like Kerala) and central India (like Mumbai and Goa) get hit with a lot of rain, certain areas in North India (like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur) experience much less.
If you DO mind the rain, then there are also some parts of India that are not affected by the monsoon, such as far-northern Leh in Ladakh.
Below we have listed the best places to visit in India during the rainy season. These destinations either have less rain than the rest of the country or have specific activities that are best done at this time of year.
1. Delhi — Get a "Capital" First Impression of India
As the capital city of India, Delhi is usually the first stop on an India tour. It is in north India near the Thar Desert. Though it still receives rain, it gets less rain than many other parts of the country, like Mumbai, largest city before Delhi in population.
The monsoon releases Delhi from the extreme heat of May, reaching 45°C (113°F). June and July are still hot with maximums around 37°C (99°F), but by August and September, the maximum temperature decreases to around 33°C (91°F). >>>The Best and Worst Times to Visit Delhi
Delhi experiences the most rainfall in July and August with moderate to high average monthly rainfalls around 200 mm (8 inches), compared to around a monthly deluge of 800 mm in Mumbai. In June, it experiences around 50 mm (2 inches) of rain, and in September around 100 mm (4 inches).
The monsoon season doesn't attract many visitors to Delhi, due to the hot temperatures and rain, but this allows for less crowded tourist sites and more affordable travel expenses.
Suggested read: Top Places to Visit in Delhi with Tour Itinerary and Travel Tips >>>
2. Agra — Home to the Taj Mahal
Nearly all travelers visiting India go to the Taj Mahal. Agra is another stop on the classic Golden Triangle, together with Delhi and Jaipur.
Agra meets much less rain in June with average rainfall around 51mm (2 inches). It is around the beginning of July when the monsoon reaches Agra with an average rainfall around 207 mm (8 inches). The wettest month is August with an average rainfall 272 mm (11 inches). The monsoon lasts until September in Agra, with the average rainfall falling to 127 mm (5 inches).
The most popular sites in Agra are the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, most visiting areas of which are indoor. This will protect you from sunburn as well as rainfall. But you still should prepare a raincoat or umbrella for the walk to the sites.
Though you might meet some rain, visiting these marvelous heritage sites during their low season will be rewarding with fewer crowds.
Suggested read: Best Times to Visit Agra>>>
3. Rajasthan — Princely Palaces, Magnificent Forts, and Ancient Markets
Rajasthan is not a city, but a state, located in the middle of the Thar Desert. The top cities to visit in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. There you can explore princely palaces, magnificent forts, and ancient markets.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Rajasthan >>>
Rajasthan is affected by the southwest monsoon, but because this state is in the desert, its dry and arid landscape receives much less rain than other parts of India. Rain only happens in short bursts.
Recommended read: 14-Day Classic Rajasthan Tour to Explore the 'Land of Kings' >>>
4. Kerala — Affordable Ayurveda and Yoga Retreats, Backwater Cruises, Tea and Spice Plantations
Located in south India, Kerala does get heavy rains during the monsoon season, but if you don't mind getting a little wet, this south Indian state is a great place to be due to the great prices and packages that are offered on their high-quality Ayurveda or yoga retreats.
A Complete Guide to Yoga in India >>>
Traditional Ayurvedic medicine is often said to work better during the monsoons because the humid atmosphere helps open up the body's pores.
While most national parks in India close during the monsoons, Kerala's Periyar National Park stays open, offering you the chance to explore lush green tropical jungles. The state also has one of its biggest festivals, Onam (September 15th in 2024), at this time.
How to Plan a Trip to Kerala >>>
For cooler temperatures and better weather, you can head to Munnar, Kerala's lush green hill station that is covered in tea and spice plantations. It is about 3 hours by vehicle from colonial style Cochin, capital of Kerala.
Recommended: 9-Day Classic South India Tour including Cochin, Munnai, Periyar National Park, backwater cruises, and beach relaxation >>>
5. Ladakh — Cold Desert, Snowcapped Mountains, Buddhist Monasteries, and Hiking
Located in the far north India, Ladakh is also called "Little Tibet" for its Buddhist culture, plateau landscape, pristine villages, clear blue skies, and snowcapped mountains.
Because it is surrounded by the Himalayas and Karakoram mountain ranges, it is almost entirely protected from the monsoons. In fact, June to October is the best time to visit Ladakh because it has the best weather, and the passes are not blocked by snow.
In Ladakh, you can relax while taking in the mountain views in dry weather with blue skies. One of our favorite places in Ladakh is Leh with its rustic old town, Buddhist monasteries, and nearby trekking trails. The wettest month in Leh is August with an very low average of 31 mm (1 inch) of rainfall. Leh also experiences great temperatures at this time, with highs around 25°C (77°F).
Suggested read: Top 20 Things to Do in Ladakh >>>
Places to Avoid during Monsoon Season
Besides south India, the monsoons typically hit central India the hardest. In general, south and central India are not the best places to go during the monsoon seasons as you will likely see heavy rain every day.
Mumbai experiences tons of rain during the monsoon season with super-high averages of 885 mm (34 inches) falling in July and 620 mm (24 inches) in August. If you travel to Mumbai during this time, you will probably want to spend a lot of time in your hotel, so pick a good one!
Mumbai - What to Know Before You Go >>>
Goa is also hit hard with around 795 mm (31 inches) of rain in June and 540 mm (21 inches) in July. The waters around Goa get quite choppy with large waves and strong currents at this time and are not good for swimming. But if you don't mind getting wet and would like to explore the spice plantations or take in the beautiful colonial heritage buildings and churches of Panjim, monsoon time is still a good time to go for its affordable prices on yoga retreats and less crowding.
Best (and Worst) Times to Visit Goa, When is Monsoon Season? >>>
Some of the lowlands like Kalkata and Darjeeling in West Bengal should be avoided as well because flooding can be very severe during the monsoons.
Or you can spend some wonferful and leisurely days in a fantastic resort.
Check out How Long to Spend in India: Find Itinerary Ideas from 5 Days to 1 Month to get itinerary suggestions in India.
Tips for Traveling in the Rainy Season in India
Enjoying your time in India during the monsoon season is much easier if you come prepared. Check out the travel tips below to help you navigate India's rainy season more comfortably.
- The rains may interfere with your travel plans so it's a good idea to add a few extra days to your trip to India.
- Pay close attention to weather reports so that you know when it will rain. Have some indoor activities on standby to do during rainy times and arrange the outdoor activities flexibly for when the rain stops.
- Check with your travel advisor if the tiger safari in the national park etc. is open as most national parks will be closed during monsoon season.
- Be vigilant about water cleanliness and food safety. Food hygiene is sometimes bad in India and can get worse during the rainy season. Never drink water that hasn't come from a sealed bottle and avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables as they may have been washed in tap water.
- Pack waterproofs and quick-drying clothes.
- Buy the right insurance. Before you travel, verify that your comprehensive travel insurance plan has the coverage you may need for possible delays and interruptions. If you are mentally prepared and covered by insurance, you'll experience less stress on your trip even while traveling in rainy weather.
Traveling during the monsoon season is a great opportunity, but can be tricky to plan. If you would like to visit India at this time, but don't know where to start, go ahead and reach out to one of our travel experts for advice. At Asia Highlights, we specialize in creating private tours that have been tailor-made to fit the goals of each individual client.
More Private India Tours, India Private Tour Packages >>>
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Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip.
moreOur guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!
moreOur China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city.
moreShe was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,
moreOur tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.
moreHe picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreOur day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights.
moreXian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable.
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