India in January

The vastness and geographically diversity of India make generalizing about the weather a fool’s errand, though we shall try. The northern Himalayan parts of the nation can be covered in snow while the southern beaches be mired in monsoonal winds and rain. Northern India is considered generally cooler, though outside the highest mountain peaks never really cold, while the south is tropical, the central interior hot and dry. The ‘winter’ is generally considered the best time to visit India for most regions.

December to March in Northern India is cool and mainly dry. The year's coldest months are December and January, when temperatures average around 10–15 °C (50–59 °F) in the northwest. In January to February, certain regions such as Himachal Pradesh in the far north can see heavy bursts of rain, and heavy snowfall at elevations over 2,000 meters. Winter highs in New Delhi, the nation’s capital, range from 16 to 21 °C (61 to 70 °F), with a light rainfall of under 20 mm per day. Without the searing heat of summer it is one of the best times to visit. Delhi serving as an excellent starting base to explore the diverse surrounding northern regions, from the dusty deserts of Rajasthan in the west to the snowcapped Himalayan mountains to the north.

Winter in Southern India sees January as the coldest month.  It is the best time to visit the country due to the cool(er) temperatures and relative dryness. Again, the weather varies significantly depending on where you are. Temperatures get higher towards the equator, peaking around 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) in mainland India's southeast. Maharashtra, parts of Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are cooler states. Minimum temperatures in western Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh hover around 10 °C (50 °F). The much visited states of Goa and Kerala on the Malabar Coast see highs of 30 °C  (86 °F) and lows of 22 (72 °F), with almost zero rain in winter. Many head to the coastal areas here as the cool breeze off the Indian Ocean moderates the weather.
 

 

Suggested Itineraries

Classic India

Classic India

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $17,500
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A Journey Through Bengal: Bangladesh and India

A Journey Through Bengal: Bangladesh and India

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12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $9,000
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A Naturalist’s Trip Through the National Parks of Madhya Pradesh

A Naturalist’s Trip Through the National Parks of Madhya Pradesh

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12 days / 11 nights
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From $7,600
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Archaeological Excursion Through Madhya Pradesh

Archaeological Excursion Through Madhya Pradesh

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10 days / 9 nights
Price Per Person
From $6,000
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Celebrating Dev Deepawali and Other Gems of Madhya Pradesh

Celebrating Dev Deepawali and Other Gems of Madhya Pradesh

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12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $5,100
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Central India Cultural Highlights

Central India Cultural Highlights

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11 days / 10 nights
Price Per Person
From $8,900
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Extravagant India: An Engagement in Regal Rajasthan

Extravagant India: An Engagement in Regal Rajasthan

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14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $12,600
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Highlights of Madhya Pradesh

Highlights of Madhya Pradesh

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10 days / 9 nights
Price Per Person
From $3,600
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Indian Safari Adventure

Indian Safari Adventure

Duration
13 days / 12 nights
Price Per Person
From $12,500
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Intimate India and Beautiful Bhutan: Overland from New Delhi to Bumthang

Intimate India and Beautiful Bhutan: Overland from New Delhi to Bumthang

Duration
22 days / 21 nights
Price Per Person
From $20,600
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Recommended Festivals For India in January

Gujarat Kite Festival

January

One of the biggest annual festivals in India’s Gujarat, this event takes place on one of India’s most important harvest days. Also known as Uttarayan, kite flyers from all over the world come here to compete, and thousands of kites blanket the sky during the two-day festival. There is even a famous 24-hour kite market to peruse!

Location Gujarat, India

Nagaur Cattle Fair

January-February

This eight-day livestock fair, taking place in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is the second-largest fair in India, involving 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses. The event also includes sports and games, such as tug-of-war, camel races and cock fights. A large bazaar presents a wonderful opportunity for picking up unique souvenirs. 

Location Jodhpur, India

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