India in April

Plains reach 40 °C; hill stations and Darjeeling are the escape.

• Northern plains · Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Amritsarhot

  Dense fog delays trains and flights in Dec–Jan; smog peaks in November; 45 °C in May–June.

• Rajasthan · Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmerhot

  Desert nights are cold in Dec–Jan; the monsoon is light but humid; Udaipur's lakes are fullest after it.

• Himalayan hills · Shimla, Rishikesh, Darjeeling, Sikkimbest weather

  Landslides close roads in July–August; October–November gives the clearest mountain views.

• Ladakh and Spiti · Leh, Nubra, Pangong, Spiticool

  High desert above 3,000 m: roads over the passes open roughly June–October; winter is –20 °C.

• Goa and the Konkan coast · Goa, Mumbai, Gokarnahot

  Beach shacks open November–April; Mumbai gets over 2 m of rain in the monsoon.

• Kerala and the south-west · Kochi, Alleppey, Munnar, Varkalahot

  Two monsoons: the big one June–August and a second burst October–November.

• Tamil Nadu and the east coast · Chennai, Madurai, Puducherry, Mamallapuramhot

  Opposite rhythm: the north-east monsoon and cyclones hit October–December; January–February is the easy window.

• Northeast · Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachalbest weather

  Meghalaya is among the wettest places on Earth; permits needed for Arunachal and parts of other states.

Crowds · India

Low

Prices · India

Low

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Himalayan hills

  Best weather of the year (Shimla, Rishikesh, Darjeeling, Sikkim)

• Northeast

  Best weather of the year (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal)