India guide
India is an explosion of colour. The Golden Triangle glistens with culture, Rajasthan has pink and blue cities, and Kerala has lush green Ghat Mountains...
Best time to visit the Indian Himalayas
Don't be fooled into thinking that you have to visit in summer; winter is the only time to see snow leopard. it's divine here at this time.
If you don’t want to trek through snow and ice, then come when the snow starts to melt, from March onwards, as late as early Oct in some places. After that, it depends on your elevation. Some roads in Ladakh don’t open until mid-June, so visits peak Jul-Aug as do the religious festivals. The lower areas such as around Kaziranga experience monsoon in May-Oct, and the national park is closed. The warmest time to visit hill stations such as Dharamsala is Mar-Jun, when temps can reach 35°C. Visitors to the Assam region can combine their visit with the Hornbill Festival, early Dec, where 16 Naga tribes gather for cultural celebrations.
Indian Himalayas Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
7
21
20
FEB
10
24
15
MAR
15
30
18
APR
21
36
23
MAY
25
39
20
JUN
28
39
60
JUL
26
35
220
AUG
27
33
250
SEP
25
34
130
OCT
19
33
28
NOV
13
27
22
DEC
8
22
25
Our India himalayas Holidays
Binsar to Jageshwar walking holiday, India
Thrilling, tailor-made walking trips in the Indian Himalayas
From
£1205 to £1287
13 days
ex flights
Ladakh & Kashmir holiday, India
Timeless monasteries, stunning mountain scenery and Srinagar
From
£2349
14 days
ex flights
India tour, mountains, temples & hillstations
Explore India's cultural diversity
From
£2099 to £2149
16 days
inc UK flights
Punjab holiday, mountains & mystics
Mountains remote villages Golden Temple
From
£895 to £985
13 days
ex flights
Snow Leopard tracking in the Himalayas
Join expert guides and track snow leopards in the Himalayas
From
£2395 to £2675
17 days
ex flights
Indian Himalayas trekking holiday
A unique walking journey into the majestic Indian Himalayas
From
£1651 to £1734
17 days
ex flights
India hill stations cycling holiday
Quiet country roads and frequent superb views of the Himalaya
From
£2249 to £2429
17 days
inc UK flights
North India & the Himalayas holiday, tailor made
North India: Inspiring Mountains, Culture and Communities
From
£1399 to £1799
14 days
ex flights
North India holiday, mountains and hidden villages
Inspirational Trekking with Indian Culture and Communities
From
£1545 to £1895
14 days
ex flights
North India holiday, cultural immersion and the himalayas
Wonderful North Indian Himalayan culture with Mountain Views
From
£1549 to £1875
15 days
ex flights
Indian Himalayas village homestay holiday
Himalyan farm stays and meeting village people
From
£1300 to £1450
14 days
ex flights
Himalayan cultural tour, India
Visit Kashmir's stunning landscapes and rich culture
From
£2590
13 days
ex flights
Northeast India tour, Tawang and its monasteries
A spiritual journey to India's largest Buddhist monastery
From
£1800
10 days
ex flights
Manali to Leh cycling holiday in the Himalayas, Ladakh
An epic journey in traditional Himalayan landscapes
From
£2499 to £2749
18 days
inc UK flights
Himalaya and Golden Temple tour, India
A spiritual discovery through India's most scenic landscapes
From
£2450 to £2950
16 days
ex flights
Hiking holiday in Ladakh, India
A cultural trek through the spectacular Indian Himalayas
From
£2069 to £2259
15 days
inc UK flights
Spiti Valley tour in India
Cultural immersion, adventure and rural experience
From
£650 to £850
9 days
ex flights
Singalila Ridge trekking holiday in India
Classic trek along the Singalila Ridge
From
£2299 to £2449
16 days
inc UK flights
Manali trekking tour, foot hills of Himalaya
trekking in the foot hills of the Himalayas
From
£1650 to £2300
9 days
ex flights
Tattooed Headhunting tribes Aoling festival in Nagaland, India
Aoling Festival of the Tattooed Heandunting Naga Tribe
From
£2250
10 days
ex flights
Manali Leh cycling tour in India
An exhilarating ride through the snow capped Himalayas
From
US $2250
16 days
ex flights
North East India cycling and hiking tour, Eastern Himalayas
Multi activity tour of the Eastern Himalayas
From
£2500
12 days
ex flights
Birdwatching in India
Visit India's top birding and wildlife destinations.
From
Rupee227500
15 days
ex flights
Tribal and rural experience of India
Village life, wildlife, homestays, tribes, Himalayas
From
£1050 to £1450
12 days
ex flights
India photography trekking holiday
Himalayan trekking and photography to the source of Ganges
From
£2450
17 days
ex flights
Sikkim circular trekking & culture holiday, India
A rewarding circular trek, not the standard up & back route
From
£1548
17 days
ex flights
Tribal tour of the Eastern Himalayas, India
Animist Tribal Tour of the Eastern Himalayas
From
£1800
11 days
ex flights
India bird watching holiday in the Himalayas
Specialised bird watching in the Himalayas
From
£1000 to £1300
14 days
ex flights
North East India tour, Nagaland & the Hornbill Festival
The unique festivals of the tribes of remote Northeast India
From
£2350
15 days
ex flights
Things to do in the indian himalayas
Things to do in the Indian Himalayas...
Things not to do in the Indian Himalayas...
Our top India himalayas Holiday
Punjab holiday, mountains & mystics
Mountains remote villages Golden Temple
From
£895 to £985
13 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 10 Mar, 11 Mar, 24 Mar, 25 Mar, 31 Mar, 1 Apr, 7 Apr, 14 Apr, 15 Apr, 28 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 8 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 29 Sep, 6 Oct, 8 Oct, 13 Oct, 20 Oct, 27 Oct, 29 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 26 Nov
2020: 1 Mar, 8 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 22 Mar, 23 Mar, 29 Mar, 30 Mar, 5 Apr, 12 Apr, 13 Apr, 26 Apr, 3 May, 17 May, 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep, 4 Oct, 6 Oct, 11 Oct, 18 Oct, 25 Oct, 27 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov ...
2019: 10 Mar, 11 Mar, 24 Mar, 25 Mar, 31 Mar, 1 Apr, 7 Apr, 14 Apr, 15 Apr, 28 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 8 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 29 Sep, 6 Oct, 8 Oct, 13 Oct, 20 Oct, 27 Oct, 29 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 26 Nov
2020: 1 Mar, 8 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 22 Mar, 23 Mar, 29 Mar, 30 Mar, 5 Apr, 12 Apr, 13 Apr, 26 Apr, 3 May, 17 May, 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep, 4 Oct, 6 Oct, 11 Oct, 18 Oct, 25 Oct, 27 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov ...
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about India himalayas or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Indian Himalayas travel advice
Itinerary tips
Itinerary tips
Puran Bhardwaj, Director of our locally run Indian Himalayas supplier, Expedition Leaders. Puran is also author of the wonderful book The Himalayan Bond, between Man and the Environment:
“The easiest way to see the Himalayas is by train from Delhi, the Shatabadi Express and the Himalayan Queen to Shimla (2,180m) the capital of the British Raj and Himachal Pradesh. You should not miss the British Raj heritage walk in Shimla, with a chance to explore the historical monuments of India as well as little streets and vegetable markets. Also make sure you get away into small hill villages with hot springs and farming villages to discover real India, experience village life and enjoy high mountains. Sarahan village in the Himalayas is a fascinating spot overlooking the high mountain over 5,000m.”
Hiking advice
Hiking advice
“Further into the high Himalayas, hike around Yagpa village and Kafnu which give you the opportunity to really experience the highland culture and the Himalayas. Bhaba valley is the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas with moderate hiking. You can just explore Bhaba valley and Kinnaur or try little more adventure over Bhaba pass 4,900m to Pin Valley in Spiti, which is beautiful and unspoiled. Simple walking can take everyone over these passes and high Himalayas.”
Taking your time
Taking your time
“Allow enough time, so that you can just enjoy, hike, camp and experience the mountains. If you are going to Pin Valley and Spiti, do not miss Mudh village and by road Dhanker and Lalung Monastery, spend some time in Kaza, Kibber and Key Monastery before you head over Kunzum pass and Rohtang pass to Manali and Kullu valley. One must chill out and just sit back and go with the flow. The more time and relaxed pace you take, the more you observe and enjoy. Some people expect same fast pace as the West and they find it difficult to fit in, so go with the flow.”
When to go
When to go
“The best time for foothills of the Himalayas is March to November. Every season is different. June and September is my favourite time for the Himalayas, because it is hot, has clear sky and beautifully green. June to September is best for trekking in Bhaba valley and Pin-valley, but be aware that end of July and August can be wet due to monsoons in the green part of the Himalayas. Spiti and Ladakh are fine as it does not rain much in the desert. In October and November you can still explore some part of the Himalayas by road including Kalpa, Sangla and Chitkul.”
Ladakh tips
Ladakh tips
Valerie Parkinson, leader guide from our Indian Himalayan supplier Exodus Travels:
“Don’t expect 5 star luxury – there are good hotels and simple guest houses but be prepared out of Leh for basic accommodation, but no bars or pubs. Most of Ladakh is above 3,500m so if you do not like high altitude it is not the place for you. Do go if you enjoy the peace and quiet of being offline for a few weeks. There is usually (but not always) WiFi in the hotels in Leh but outside of Leh and trekking there is no mobile signal or WiFi – a real treat of being cut off from technology."
Tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Indian Himalayas travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday.
My most memorable part? Actually being able to watch snow leopards in the wild
- Liz Cooke
“Listen to your leader and drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness. Don't do too much when you first get to Leh in order to acclimatise properly. Enjoy the views!!!... The cultural elements were great too and a brilliant way to acclimatise safely... Leh is a lovely town to start in and you feel you learn about the culture, particularly Buddhism. Don't expect lots of snow peaked mountains, as these are not the Himalayas, but gorgeous none the less!” – Ellie Hawksley, trekking in Ladakh’s Markha Valley
“Fantastic experience especially by the fact the holiday was just tailored for me: it was just me on the trek with a guide, a helper, a horseman & 3 horses... If you like trekking, this is a fantastic peaceful environment for it.” – Emmanuelle Clement on our North India holiday
“Good level of general fitness needed. Don't visit India if all you want to do is change it.” – Olivia Neely in the Punjab
“Fantastic experience especially by the fact the holiday was just tailored for me: it was just me on the trek with a guide, a helper, a horseman & 3 horses... If you like trekking, this is a fantastic peaceful environment for it.” – Emmanuelle Clement on our North India holiday
“Good level of general fitness needed. Don't visit India if all you want to do is change it.” – Olivia Neely in the Punjab
Don't do too much when you first get to Leh in order to acclimatise properly. Enjoy the views!
- Ellie Hawksley
“Be aware that the hike to Chamba from Khajjiar involves a final climb partway up the mountain to get to the accommodation.” – Jackie Driver in the Punjab
“Make sure you have good telescope, binoculars and camera lenses. Even if you don't see snow leopards, they are needed for the birdlife. Suggest getting a solar powered charger for electrical equipment - they don't weigh much and work really well. Have a care if you suffer from vertigo - you will be climbing up the side of mountains and walking along narrow trails in order to get good vantage points! My most memorable part? Actually being able to watch snow leopards in the wild - the main aim of the trip. We spent nearly 50 hours watching interaction between several different cats including hunting and mating.” – Liz Cooke tracking snow leopard in the Himalayas
“Make sure you have good telescope, binoculars and camera lenses. Even if you don't see snow leopards, they are needed for the birdlife. Suggest getting a solar powered charger for electrical equipment - they don't weigh much and work really well. Have a care if you suffer from vertigo - you will be climbing up the side of mountains and walking along narrow trails in order to get good vantage points! My most memorable part? Actually being able to watch snow leopards in the wild - the main aim of the trip. We spent nearly 50 hours watching interaction between several different cats including hunting and mating.” – Liz Cooke tracking snow leopard in the Himalayas
More about India himalayas
Trekking in Ladakh, the rhinos of Assam, the British Raj heritage town of Shimla... The Indian Himalayas are, unquestionably, a great range...
More relevant guides
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Sharada Prasad CS] [Temp chart intro: Abhijit Kar Gupta]
[Things to do box: Ashish Gupta]
[Itinerary tips: Frapestaartje]
[Hiking advice: Sandeep Kaul]
[Taking your time: John Hill]
[When to go: Dburka]
[Ladakh tips: Alosh Bennett]
[Tips intro: lensnmatter]
[Img box1: Jorn Eriksson]
[Img box2: John Clouston]
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