January is wintertime or the dry season in India. January is a good time to visit India as the days are bright and sunny, and the nights are much cooler.
The average temperature is approximately 18°C (64°F) and the average monthly rainfall is only 10 mm (0 inches) in the north around Delhi.
India Weather in January: Overview

- Average daytime temperature range in most areas of India: 13–33°C (55–91°F)
- Average rainfall: 18 mm (1 inch)
- Average rainy days: 2–3
- Average sunny days: 28–29
Weather in Central North India (Delhi, Taj Mahal, Rajasthan...)

India is a big country, so the weather in January is significantly different in the north and south.
January weather in central northern cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur is cool and can get chilly at night. There may be morning fog around Delhi and Agra. Prepare for highs of 22°C (71°F) and lows of 8°C (46°F).
The cooler climate makes it perfect for outdoor activities such as visiting monuments and forts. Many northern states also have festivals in January.
Clothing tips: Bring warm clothing like sweaters, hoodies, and a winter coat.
Weather in Southern India: Mumbai, Goa, Beach Areas...

The weather in southern India is warmer than in northern cities. January could be one of the best months to travel to South India for a warm and sunny winter holiday.
January is in the high travel season in South India. Areas like Kochi, Goa, and Varkala Beach become quite busy. Temperatures are around 25°C (77°F) during the day with plenty of sunshine.
Clothing tips: Bring t-shirts or thin shirts with shorts. In the evenings, you'll probably want a thin jacket and trousers.
See North India vs South India: Which to Visit (A Helpful Comparison for You)
Northern Mountainous Regions: The Himalayan Foothills

If you want to experience a snowy India, the Himalayan foothills are a great choice.
High-altitude areas in the extreme north, like Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Kashmir, will be covered in heavy snow. They are suitable for indulging in skiing, sledding, and skating.
But for travelers looking to go trekking or hiking, this is probably not be the right time to visit because the roads and hiking trails might be closed due to ice and snow.
Clothing tips: Bring thick coats or down jackets and winter boots.
Average Temperatures in India's Main Cities in January
City | Average Temperature | Average Rainfall |
---|---|---|
Delhi | 13°C (55°F) | 14 mm (1 in) |
Agra | 14°C (57°F) | 10 mm (0 in) |
Jaipur | 15°C (59°F) | 6 mm (0 in) |
Varanasi | 16°C (61°F) | 11 mm (0 in) |
Mumbai | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
Goa | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
Kochi | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (1 in) |
6 Best Places to Visit in January in India
January is one of the best times to visit India due to its drier weather and cooler temperatures.
Here are 6 recommended places to visit in India in January covering different scenery.

1. Goa — Sunny Beaches for Winter Escapes

The temperature in Goa in January is at its best, and it's warm and sunny. You could enjoy a fantastic winter holiday filled with sunshine, beaches, coconut groves, sea breezes, and rock and roll or electronic-sound live music.
You can expect huge numbers of people gathering along the beaches to watch the colorful firework displays. There are also New Year's parties on the beach or in bars.
2. Kerala — Relaxing, Scenic, and Warm

If you want to enjoy a tropical holiday in January in India with a less-crowded environment, you can consider Kerala, which is close to the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.
The scenery and weather in Kerala are at their best in winter. There you can enjoy the sunshine on Kovalam Beach, explore Kerala's backwaters on a traditional houseboat, and enjoy a walking tour of a spice plantation.
Check out our 9-Day South India Tour to Discover the Idyllic Kerala.
3. Rajasthan — Culture, History, and Palaces

January is a good time to visit Rajasthan for experiencing its various festivals like Bikaner Camel Festival (January 12th and 13th, 2023) and Jaipur International Kite Festival (January 14th to 16th, 2023).
January is also good for adventurous activities in Rajasthan, like desert camping, camel safaris, and tiger safaris. Heritage hotels are another big highlight.
See our 14-Day Classic Rajasthan Tour.
4. Delhi — The Charming Capital

Music, lights, dance, fireworks, and more attract people to the heart of the nation to celebrate the coming of a new year in January.
In the prime locations of this metropolis like Connaught Place, many kinds of themed parties are held in clubs and bars.
Delhi also shines with historical heritage — countless monuments, local markets, and splendid temples and palaces.
5. Agra — Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is undoubtedly Agra's most famous attraction. January is among one of the best times to visit Taj Mahal. It perfectly avoids the rains and summer heat.
There might be fog in the early mornings in January. So, visiting after 10am is better for views and taking good photos.
6. Gujarat — White Desert Festival

The White Desert Festival (Rann Utsav) is an awesome festival celebrated in Kutch District, Gujarat. The celebrations start from 26th October 2022 and continue to 20th February 2023!
It is a carnival of music, dance, and natural beauty. In the festival, you can enjoy a hot air balloon ride, experience a tent city, explore the white desert under a full moon, take a camel cart excursion, listen to Kutch folk songs, and more.
Cost and Crowds in January

January's New Year holidays are one of the busiest travel times in India. Flights and hotel prices go up 50–100 percent. If you want to get more reasonable prices, you should book one to two months in advance.
During this peak period, it's impossible to avoid crowds completely, but our local guides are well aware of the crowds at the attractions and will do their best to arrange a tour at a less crowded time or plan a less-crowded tour route without missing the highlights.
Or you could choose some less-visited attractions like Hampi, an ancient village full of interesting relics in Karnataka, southern India. >>>7-Day Off the Beaten Path South India Tour
Contact us if you have any needs or questions regarding an India tour.
Monthly Weather and Travel Information for India
Learn about the weather in India for each of the 12 months and find out the best places to visit each month:
India in January | India in February | India in March |
India in April | India in May | India in June |
India in July | India in August | India in September |
India in October | India in November | India in December |
China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


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Great Experience
WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More
Stephen Hollis,
Aug 2023
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Alisa has has been great to work with
Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More
Ana Rausch,
Aug 2023
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Using Sharon right now to book our…
Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More
Tracy,
Aug 2023
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Thailand, Singapore, Bali
In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More
Cassi Thunker,
Jul 2023
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Very supportive
Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More
Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c,
Jul 2023
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My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights
I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More
Richard,
Jul 2023
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A pleasure to plan with
Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More
Chris Williams,
Jul 2023
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Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand
The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More
CL,
Jul 2023
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I never used a travel agent in my life
I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More
Antione Barry,
Jul 2023
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Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia!
Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More
Debi Hinerfeld,
Jul 2023
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We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand …
It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More
SIMO el ghobar,
Jun 2023
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Wonderful Guides and Experience
Our large group arrived in Bangkok with Tanni as our guide. She was wonderful! An absolute joy to spend time with. She is knowledgeable, kind, and extremely funny. I don’t know what we would have done without her! After Bangkok, we traveled to Chang Mai, where Indy was our tour guide. She was a delight! She is kind, knowledgeable, and so patient. Our trip to Thailand was an adventure of a lifetime and these two women helped make it memorable. I would definitely use Asia Highlights for any future travel in Asia. More
Jessica Bennett,
Jun 2023
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Guide - Chai
We travelled from Vietnam to Bangkok and were blessed to have a guide named Chai. He was a superb guide and it is a pity we couldn't bottle him and take him home. He was very knowledgeable and an absolute gentleman. He could not have done enough to facilitate us and imparted so much knowledge about the Temples, Buddism and the History of Thailand in general. Not only did he give us a great overview of the past and current ways of living in Thailand but I also feel I came away a much better person having interacting with him. I will carry many of his teachings with me for the rest of my life and know that having met him was a very special blessing in my life. More
Customer,
Jun 2023
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Our guide Tanni was kind
Our guide Tanni was kind, knowledgeable, funny and beyond accommodating for our group. We felt like we'd made a friend and it enhanced our trip in the most positive way. Everything was coordinated perfectly which is not easy to do in a large traveling group. Excellent experience! More
Marissa Manson,
Jun 2023
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We are only on day 5 of our 15 day trip…
Our first stop so far was in Hanoi where our guide Trong was just so awesome! He shared about his culture and family life which showing us sites through a city tour. He was so funny making lots of jokes and always made sure we were having fun while learning about everything! He checked on us frequently even when we were no longer with him since we then went on a cruise in Halong Bay! Halong Bay and the cruise on Paradise Elegance went way above anything I expected. The scenery was breathtaking, the ship was so beautiful and clean with such fresh, good food! And I can’t sing enough praise for the staff who took care of us- especially Anna and Belle! They went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed every aspect from eating meals with Anna to every other detail with Belle! I highly recommend Asian Highlights to help plan these extraordinary trips! This already has been a trip of a lifetime and we still have so much more to see all thanks to Cathy!! More
Diane Creitz,
Jun 2023
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Tanni for the win!
14 of my closest friends and family descended upon Bangkok ready to see the town. Asia highlights and Tanni took us on a tour that changed our lives. We experienced so much everyday. Tanni was amazing! She did all the thinking for us, so we all could just be present and enjoy the moment. I can’t recommend this company, and especially Tanni enough. More
Megan McGlynn,
Jun 2023
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This isn't my first trip with Asia…
This isn't my first trip with Asia Highlights. They are great at helping me plan, working my requests into the itinerary, and booking it all. We travel with friends and just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. Albee did a great job with all the details and we had a wonderful time. We will use them for our next adventure! More
Katie Potesta,
Jun 2023
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Amazing service
Although we have not been our trip yet I wanted to still write a review based on customer service and the ease of booking. Alisa has been extremely prompt and responsive with planning our trip to Thailand. She has had great recommendations and guidance to add to our custom itinerary. Highly recommend using Asia highlights! -Alex More
Alex,
May 2023
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I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
orge alvarez,
May 2023
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Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
Debbie Woods,
May 2023
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Tour India with Us
All our tours can be customized based on your interests and needs. See our popular India tours for excellent starting points:
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
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