Weather in India in January

An overview of weather in India in January

We consider January one of the best months to visit India due to its pleasant temperatures and low precipitation. Winter’s fully arrived everywhere, which means temperatures are at the lowest point during the year. However, weather in January varies depending on which part of the country you’re visiting. Especially in the Himalayas and Goa and South India.

During the winter, the Nubra Valley and many parts in the Himalayas are inaccessible because of the snow. Credits: mountainleon

January is usually a dry month with barely any rainfall across the country. Overall, it’s pretty cold, but not too harsh. As long as you don’t visit the snowy peaks in the north you won’t be too cold. Temperatures can vary largely from day and night. Prepare for maximums of 30° C/86° F and minimums of 15° C/60° F. Sometimes even lower, so pack for any circumstances.

Weather in North India during January

North India can be fairly cold in January. Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan and central India get to 15 to 5° C/60 to 40° F at night and heat up to max 28 to 30° C /82 to 86° F in the day. The average would be around 23° C/73° F.

Plan your trip

Rooms with heating facilities are very uncommon, only upper-end hotels would offer them. However, hotels and guesthouses are mostly prepared with warm blankets for the night. Carry a few woolens, a pair of warm socks and something for your ears at night. Nature reserves and Jaisalmer or further north like Amritsar and Delhi get particularly cold at night.

Pushkar in Rajasthan is a small pilgrimage town with a lot of interesting temples and Havelis to explore.

Nevertheless, during the day the sun shines and warms you up quickly, only getting cold as the sunsets. There are rarely clouds and surely no rain in north and central India. Sometimes however, there’ll be a persistent fog around Delhi and Agra that can last for days, disturbing air traffic and train departures. Prepare for potential delays while travelling.

It’s the main season in Rajasthan, so places will be crowded with tourists and hotel availabilities might become an issue. Train tickets should be booked months in advance just to be sure.

If you are interesting in travelling through Rajasthan and North India in January, check out Henning’s two-week-trip to Rajasthan with homestay experiences or Chiara’s a little bit more flashy Rajasthan Trip. We also have a couple suggestions in this blog articles about Delhi – Agra – Rajasthan route options.

Weather in the Himalayas in January

The Himalayas will be blanketed by snow in January. It might not be the first choice for travellers as trekking and other outdoor options in the summer are not available. Nevertheless, the hill stations in January still have their charm.

Plan your trip

It’s a great month to ski if you’re considering going to Gulmarg in Kashmir. Do consider the safety concerns due to Indian-Pakistan border conflict, but there are other smaller resort in Manali and Auli in Himachal Pradesh. Just don’t expect similar resorts and ski slopes as out West.

Skiing in India is possible but it’s not as big as in the West, so don’t expect similar kinds of ski resorts

Also, closed and blocked roads and hiking trails due to ice and snow is a major issue in the winter. It makes travelling difficult, expensive and tiring. Therefore, the Himalayas are best enjoyed when visiting during spring, summer, or autumn, where you can go hiking and enjoy the views.

Weather in South India in January

The weather in South India in January is usually never uncomfortably cold. If you’re travelling to Kerala, Karnataka, or Tamil Nadu, temperature at night will be around 15 to 20 C/60° to 68° F, and sunny days usually above 25°C/77° F. Humidity levels drop and even Tamil Nadu, which receives a second monsoon until December, stays relatively dry. This makes South India very comfortable to travel through in January.

Kochi is beautiful during January, but expect large crowds throughout the city

Plan your trip

The sea is also warmer from the previous hotter season and currents aren’t as strong as the rest of year. Hence it’s a great time to enjoy both mountains and the seaside. It’s also the main tourist season, so places like Varkala and Kochi will be quite busy. Accommodations should be booked long in advance or they might lose availability and increase in price. Check out Daphne’s two week trip from Mumbai to Kerala or Tom and Amy’s trip from the east coast in Tamil Nadu to Kerala’s west coast.

Weather in Goa in January

Goa is rarely too cold in January. Yet given the vast stretches of countryside, there can be a colder breeze at night. There’s still sunshine daily, temperatures mostly above 25°C/77°. It’s a great time to get some sun there without the blazing heat. Waters can get chilly, but not excessively cold, as the previous hot season will keep the water relatively warm.

Only downside is how crowded Goa is in January. December and January are the busiest months, so popular resorts are booked months in advance, sometimes half a year beforehand. Plan your trip early, but even so we’ll always find a place for you to stay and enjoy. Check out Rachel’s trip from Mumbai to Kerala via Goa to find inspiration for a travel route inclusive of Goa.

India Someday recommendations for traveling in India in January

Rajasthan and North India are very popular regions in January, yet people underestimate how cold it can really get. North India has a lot to offer as long as you carry warm clothes, especially in the desert.

Try to follow a path less travelled, visiting small towns like Mandawa, Chittorgarh or Chandelao to get out of the crowds. Safaris in the Ranthambore National Park are normally booked three months in advance, and boutique hotels in cities like Udaipur and Jaipur will also be booked months in advance.  For that reason, you might need to pick lesser-known places. Prepare for some train and flight delays due to the fog.

Winter in North India can be cold so pack warm clothes.

Plan your trip

We highly recommend South India for a visit to India in January. Temperatures are pleasant, there’s no rain, low humidity and water currents are weaker. It gets busy since it’s peak season, especially first half of January more than the second. Expect that for both south and north India. Hotels might charge more closer to Christmas, and then mid-January decrease their prices.

If you consider a trip to India in January, you are in the right place. India Someday can help you plan a route and the best choice of accommodations and transport modes. And if a hotel is booked out we will find a suitable alternative within your budget and expectations. Stop dreaming and plan your trip with us now!