Best time to visit Rajasthan
Rajasthan is a winter destination. October to March brings warm, sunny days, cold desert nights and the big festivals — Diwali, the Pushkar Camel Fair, the Jaipur Literature Festival and the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. From April to June temperatures pass 40°C, though tiger sightings in Ranthambore peak then. The July–September monsoon cools things down and turns Udaipur and Mount Abu green, but Ranthambore's core zones close and the desert stays humid.
Seasons in Rajasthan
- Winter, Nov–Feb: Sunny 22–25°C days and cold nights, near freezing in the desert; the best time for forts and camel safaris. In season: Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bundi, Pushkar & Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer.
- Summer, Mar–Jun: Warming in March, then 35–45°C; best only for Ranthambore safaris and Mount Abu. In season: Ranthambore, Mount Abu.
- Monsoon, Jul–Sep: Showers green the Aravallis and fill Udaipur's lakes; the desert stays hot and humid. Ranthambore's core zones are closed. In season: Bundi, Udaipur, Mount Abu.
- Post-monsoon, Oct: Warm days and cooler evenings; Ranthambore reopens on 1 October. In season: Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bundi, Pushkar & Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Mount Abu, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer.
Peak, shoulder and off season in Rajasthan
- Peak season, Nov–Jan: Pushkar Camel Fair, Christmas–New Year and the kite festival; book forts, safaris and hotels early.
- Shoulder season, Feb–Mar, Oct: Pleasant weather with festivals (Desert Festival, Holi, Dussehra) and slightly better rates.
- Off season, Apr–Sep: Heat or monsoon with low prices; Udaipur in the monsoon is a lovely exception.
Rajasthan in January
Winter · Peak season
Peak season: sunny days around 22–25°C and cold nights, near freezing in the desert and at Mount Abu. The kite festival on Makar Sankranti (14 Jan) fills Jaipur's skies, and the Jaipur Literature Festival runs in late January.
In season: Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bundi, Pushkar & Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer.
Rajasthan in February
Winter · Shoulder season
Pleasant and dry. The Jaisalmer Desert Festival takes place in February (around the full moon), with camel races and folk music; tiger sightings in Ranthambore start to improve.
In season: Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bundi, Pushkar & Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer.
Rajasthan in March
Summer · Shoulder season
Warming up but still comfortable. Holi (usually March) is celebrated loudly in Jaipur and Pushkar; Gangaur, honouring the goddess Gauri, follows with processions in Jaipur and Udaipur.
In season: Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bundi, Pushkar & Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Mount Abu, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer.
Rajasthan in April
Summer · Off season
Hot (35–40°C). Fewer tourists and lower rates; Ranthambore tigers are easiest to see at waterholes. Mount Abu is pleasant.
In season: Ranthambore, Mount Abu.
Rajasthan in May
Summer · Off season
Very hot, often above 42°C in the desert. Best only for Ranthambore safaris (early and late) and the hill station at Mount Abu.
In season: Ranthambore, Mount Abu.
Rajasthan in June
Summer · Off season
Extreme heat until the monsoon arrives in late June or early July. Ranthambore's core zones close at the end of the month.
In season: Mount Abu.
Rajasthan in July
Monsoon · Off season
Monsoon showers cool the air and green the Aravallis; Udaipur's lakes begin to fill. Ranthambore's core zones are closed (1 Jul–30 Sep). Teej, the monsoon festival, brings processions to Jaipur in July or August.
In season: Udaipur, Mount Abu.
Rajasthan in August
Monsoon · Off season
Monsoon continues: Udaipur and Mount Abu are at their greenest, while the desert stays hot and humid with patchy rain.
In season: Bundi, Udaipur, Mount Abu.
Rajasthan in September
Monsoon · Off season
Rain tapers off; humid but quiet with low prices. Lakes are full in Udaipur.
In season: Bundi, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Mount Abu.
Rajasthan in October
Post-monsoon · Shoulder season
The season starts: warm days and cooler evenings. Ranthambore reopens on 1 October. Dussehra brings a large fair to Kota, the Marwar Festival is held in Jodhpur around the October full moon, and Diwali (Oct or Nov) lights up the palaces.
In season: Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bundi, Pushkar & Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Mount Abu, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer.
Rajasthan in November
Winter · Peak season
Peak season. The Pushkar Camel Fair takes place before the Kartik full moon (Oct or Nov), and the Bundi Utsav is usually held in November. Book forts, safaris and hotels early.
In season: Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bundi, Pushkar & Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Mount Abu, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer.
Rajasthan in December
Winter · Peak season
Cool, clear and busy, with high rates over Christmas and New Year. Desert camp nights are cold; morning fog can delay trains from the north.
In season: Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bundi, Pushkar & Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer.