Indian travel Archives - India Someday Travels

Weather in India in July

Posted on June 9, 2017May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

If you are planning a trip to this subcontinent in July, you need to understand the weather in India in July. Known as the wettest month in India, the rain is in full swing in most parts of the country. Read on to find out more about the weather in different regions of India in this month.

India weather in July

The Indian climate is intense and ever-changing and offers you all kinds of climate, from snow to heavy rain, from dry heat to humidity, and from blistering cold to unbearably hot temperatures.

By the end of June, monsoon season covers most of the country with a thick and wet blanket of clouds. The weather in India in July is wet. The rain starts in full swing during this month. It is followed by warmer weather in absence of rainfall.

From Kerala in the South to the Himalayas in the North, and from the Arabian Sea in the west to the Bay of Bengal in the east, it rains throughout the country, although the intensity of the rain greatly varies in every region, as does the average temperature. Compared to the previous months, the temperatures in July are comparatively cooler, and you can enjoy a great India trip.

Besides the negative effects of the monsoon season – floods, landslides and an outdated infrastructure to cope with this, certain regions of India are breathtakingly beautiful at this time of the year. The vast stretches of lush green landscapes in the South and the beautiful weather in the state of Rajasthan, make for the best regions to visit during this time of the year. It is also a great time for trekking and nature enthusiasts.

Here’s a guide to help you plan the ideal trip despite the weather conditions in India during the monsoon season.

Wondering when is the best time to visit India, you can read this! Here is a detailed overview on what the weather conditions would be like each month in India, in different regions of the country. Feel free to explore.

July is the wettest month in India.

Best places to visit in India in July

At India Someday, we would recommend visiting the far north amidst the mountains, the Western Ghats, and some parts of Tamil Nadu.

If you want to escape the heat and the heat all together and enjoy stunning landscapes, then the mountains are where you should go. Ladakh might be the best destination to visit in India in July. In the midst of the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, it offers breathtaking views and great opportunities for hikes. Ladakh is also called the cold desert for a reason as the precipitation is very low up there. In July, the temperatures are at their maximum but the average highs rarely exceed 30°C. It is also the prime tourist season for this part of India so be prepared as it won’t be as tourist-free as the rest of India! Check out our blogs on travelling to Leh and Ladakh, and some potential travel routes that we’ve drafted for you!

You can also explore Rajasthan and towns like Varanasi and Khajuraho. If you still want to experience the gorgeous monsoon season in all its glory, you can visit Goa and Kerala. While you explore this region, stay at some exquisite boutique hotels at much cheaper rates and enjoy South India devoid of tourists.

We’d also recommend exploring the Western Ghats. The region is covered with national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and some charming hill stations. You’ll find a variety of rare species of flora and fauna in the hills with endless fruit, tea and coffee plantations. In July, the temperatures are cool and the air is a lot cleaner. Other regions which you could definitely explore during the monsoons in India are Wayanad, Munnar and Thekkady. Further, the Dudhsagar Waterfall Hike in Goa is an excellent experience this time of year. Ooty in Tamil Nadu is very popular among domestic tourists, to flee the constantly changing climatic conditions of the cities in the monsoon season.

Experience Luxury: Hotels in India

Dudhsagar Waterfall

North India in July

The far north regions of India such as Leh, Ladakh, Lahaul, and Spiti are excellent destinations for a trip in July. These regions are not as affected by the rains, but the weather is pleasant and precipitation is low. The average temperatures range from 11 to 25 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, and sightseeing.

However, the regions along the Himalayan foothills, including Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala, can experience heavy rains in this month. Landslides are also a common occurrence, which is why this region is not recommended for a trip in July.

By the end of June and beginning of July, the monsoon season hits Rajasthan and other Central and Northern regions with moderate downpours. All the popular cities of the North like Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Varanasi, Rishikesh and Amritsar experience a respite from the sweltering summer heat in the months between July and August.

This month brings mixed weather in the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan regions. There is a good amount of rainfall in the Golden Triangle regions of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. The climate is cloudy on most days, which means the temperature is cooler and humidity is higher at this time. However, Rajasthan receives a low amount of rainfall even in July, making it a good destination for the wet month.

The drop in temperature makes it easy to go sightseeing the various forts, palaces, and temples, but the sporadic rains and heat spells can be exhausting if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

The Karsha Gustor Festival is a celebration of the Karsha Monastery in Zanskar, Ladakh. The festival includes masked dance performances by monks to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

The festival of Guru Purnima often takes place in mid-July in Rishikesh. The festival, honoring spiritual teachers and mentors, is marked by prayers, discussions, and fasting.

The Delhi Tourism Mango Festival in July showcases more than 500 varieties of mangoes. The festival is attended by farmers and mango producers all around India and there are many mango products for sale as well!

Dive Deeper: Discovering North India’s Top Attractions

Our two week travel routes for North India can get you started with travel ideas. Most of these are fine in the month of July.

North India in the month of July – Photo Credit Faisal Fraz.

South India in July

In India, weather in July in South India is different on the east coast and the west coast. Compared to June, Kerala experiences lesser rainfall in July; however, the rainfall is more frequent and lasts for a longer time. It is a great time to visit the national parks in the region or go for some monsoon treks. However, if you want a dry holiday with sunshine, July is not the best time to visit Kerala.

In Goa, rain is in full swing and most restaurants, shacks, and beach activities are closed from June to September. However, you can get great discounts on luxury resorts and accommodations. Enjoy a luxurious staycation indoors with spa treatments or ayurvedic massages. If you love nature, Goa and Kerala offer lush green landscapes and breathtaking views.

Tamil Nadu, on the other hand experiences a lot less rainfall in July, ideal to explore this cultural region. The only flip side is the heat spells due to the lack of rainfall. Tamil Nadu doesn’t experience heavy rainfall until October, so July is a good time to explore some beautiful regions in this state such as Chennai and Pondicherry.

The festival of Njangattiri Aanayoottu takes place in Kerala in July. This festival celebrates elephants by lining them up in a row in the Njangattiri Bhagavathi Temple and feeding them fruits and other foods. You may also have a chance to see a snake boat race in the town of Champakulam in July.

The Nishagandhi Monsoon Music Festival is organized by Kerala tourism in July, where people can enjoy traditional music and dance performances.

When to Go: Best Time for a Kerala Getaway

Munnar, Kerala

East India and Northeast India in July

The east stream of the monsoon winds hit the Northeast of India by the beginning of June. The eastern Himalayan region of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Meghalaya experience heavy downpours in this month. In fact, Meghalaya sees the highest rainfall in the world during June and July. We would suggest planning a trip to the northeast after October.

Even east India experiences heavy rains during July in regions like Kolkata and foothills of the Himalayas. However, the temperatures can go high in regions like Odisha.

The Behdienkhlam Festival is celebrated in July by the Phar tribe in Meghalaya. After the process of sowing in agriculture is completed, this festival is celebrated to eradicate negativity.

The Drupka Teshi Festival is a Tibetan festival celebrated in Northeast India. You can experience a yak race during this festival in Deer Park.

The Puri Rath Yatra takes place in Orissa in July at Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Puri Rath Yatra

West India and Central India in July

July in Western India and Central India is extremely wet. The regions of Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and the west coast see the worst of monsoon season in this month. July is the peak monsoon month, with heavy downpours, cloudbursts, flooding, and landslides in many parts of the region. There is also a hindrance in the daily commute with traffic jams, potholes, and flooded streets.

The average temperature is much cooler in July, but there is little scope for sightseeing. The weather department and government often issue warnings during this month to stay indoors, which is probably not the best way to spend a vacation.

Monsoons in Mumbai have an impact so magical and irresistible. A cup of tea, Vada Pav and the waves crashing against the shore while people simply stand and stare in awe.

Islands in July

Both the south-west islands like Minicoy in Laccadive, and south-east islands like Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar, experience high, frequent rains in July. With the high tidal waves, heavy rains, and strong winds, the islands of India are not recommended in July.

Tips for visiting India in July

While packing for a trip to India in July, keep in mind that this is the wettest month in most states, so be prepared for rain and humidity. Pack light and breathable clothes. Keep some clothes extra in case you get wet, since clothes will not dry quickly. Also keep a waterproof jacket or raincoat and an umbrella with you. Wear comfortable sandals which won’t slip or get ruined on the wet roads.
No matter which season you are visiting India in, carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or a cap for sun-protection.
Monsoon season means a higher risk of getting sick. Keep an emergency medical kit handy with important medicines that you might need.
If you do visit India in July, keep your schedule flexible, since random rain showers can disrupt your plans.

Beautiful Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Goa (Photo Credit – Bishnu Sarangi)

Was this blog helpful to find out the India weather in July? For more detailed information on the best places to visit in India in July, or for any help to plan your ideal holiday to India, simply get in touch with us or hit that Plan Your Trip button.

Feeling Like Royalty in Udaipur

Posted on September 11, 2015May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

Thank you, India Someday, for putting me up like royalty in Udaipur and for these first couple of cities. The air-conditioned bus (with plush reclining chairs) from Ahmedabad to Udaipur dropped me on the outskirts of town. Post this, I proudly negotiated an INR 50 rickshaw ride to the Old City.

Beautiful sunset in Udaipur (Royalty in Udaipur!)

The Madri Haveli

My room (or shall I say rooms) at the Madri Haveli, in the master suite, made me feel like a queen. With multiple seating areas to choose from, nooks and crannies with beautifully shaped windows looking out onto the charming old city. Also, a separate regal bedroom, and an eye-catching stone bathroom (larger than my NYC bedroom), replete with a giant tub, two sinks and a great supply of adorable Colgate toothpaste and other toiletries.

I made my way to the rooftop and was awe-struck by the stunning views of the lush mountains, beautiful lakes and the enchanting city. I knew I’d be more than content if I never left the grounds and treated myself to some laptop time in what became one of the world’s prettiest offices.

Madri Haveli Udaipur

Boat ride around Pichola Lake

I meandered the busy colourful crooked streets and worked my way towards the quintessential boat ride around Pichola Lake. I entered at Lal Ghat (where all tourists were Indian) and took the INR 250 ride around the beautiful waters, staring out onto City Palace and Jagmandir and Jagniwas Islands, quickly gaining a sense of the regal life of India.

Drawn to the green park space nearby, I wandered the windy paths, checked out some sculptures and spotted my first monkey hanging out.

Breakfast on the rooftop – Madri Haveli (one of the many royalty in Udaipur)

Jagdish Temple

Working my way back to the haveli, I stopped to visit the Jagdish Temple. All dressed up with lights, streamers and statues, and packed with folks celebrating Janmashtami; Lord Krishna’s birthday.

I slipped off my shoes and joined the packed line of exquisitely dressed women in colourful saris to enter the temple, built in 1651. A clay pot dangling high above the open public square, I grew excited for the community celebration that would happen the following eve.

For now, it was teeming of people, lots of music, and in the evening, a midnight procession marking the birth of Krishna.

Pilgrims walking up to the temple in Udaipur

The food

I was thrilled to meet the Udaipur artist, Rajesh Soni. In addition to photography, he does beautiful work hand-colouring, in fine detail. Also, he does others’ digital pictures, many of which were on display in the Madri Haveli Gallery.

We drove to the new part of Udaipur, passing the famous Fateh Sagar Lake (or FS as they call it here). This is where droves of locals go to hang out in the evening. You would find them sitting on the water’s edge and eating at the plentiful food stands across the road.

He brought me to a typical Indian thali place where unlimited vegetarian dishes are served by eager waiters. I’m so loving the yoghurts and delicious aromatic flavours of each meal more than the next in this country!

Our drive back was insane. His small car is in competition with the motorbikes, bicycles, rickshaws, people, cows, goats, and who knows what else. The streets are windy, super narrow, and barely have room for one car to go by.

He had an impeccable sense of the car size. And he magically finessed his way through the tightest of squeezes, at impressively high speeds.

I retreated to my royal room and woke to a rooftop breakfast fit for a king. Fresh fruit, black tea, cheese omelette, banana crepes, and four pieces of toast with an assortment of jams and that delicious Indian butter.

I enjoyed learning that the Amul brand of butter I’ve been loving started out as a women’s cooperative. As it goes, some women started a milk society collecting milk from everyone’s house. This eventually got developed into a large, established company.

Breakfast with a view at Madri Haveli

Ayurvedic Massage

I spent the day having my first Ayurvedic massage, meandering the Udaipur streets, and lap-topping atop my glorious shaded rooftop. Struggling to find the place listed in Lonely Planet and overwhelmed by the plethora of choices, I decided to go with a place in the Lal Ghat area. This is where I was sold on having a massage provided by a woman.

Loving a good massage and having experienced some of the best throughout my travels, but never an Indian Ayurvedic treatment, I was curious. Throughout my hour of being gently massaged, I was curious if this woman’s work was indeed a good sampling of Ayurvedic massage. Because if so, I was going to exchange my rupees for bahts and head to Thailand!

Thankfully, the guy who ran this questionable operation wanted a genuine debrief. He has also offered earlier to return my money if I wasn’t satisfied. Dissatisfied though I was, I didn’t intend to ask for a refund. We spoke at length about Ayurvedic massage, and I much more enjoyed the next half hour of treatment he gave me.

The moral of the story is to make sure you go to a reputable place. Especially if having a woman is important for you. It became clear to me that this woman had no idea what she was doing.

Overall, it was a restful day in charming, well-touristed Udaipur, the City of Lakes. I loved hearing the sounds of the Krishna celebrations and staring out at those beautiful hills.

Thank you, India Someday.

Thank you, You Wander We Pay.

Namaste.

If you’re looking to experience royalty in India but don’t know where to start planning, get in touch!

Lounge area in Madri Haveli

Jaisalmer: The Golden City in the Desert

Posted on November 21, 2014May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

Jaisalmer is a beautiful city near the Thar Desert and is 100 kilometres away from the Pakistan border. After our arrival at the train station, a car from the hotel picked us up and brought us to our accommodation. On the way, we saw Fort Jaisalmer for the first time and I felt like Aladdin in Disneyland.

The fort is amazing and gives you glimpses as a pretence of former times when kings ruled the country. The haveli built there, which is a traditional historic townhouse of Old India, is breathtaking. There are many wonderful things to do in Jaisalmer; that we were able to cover on our trip with the help of India Someday.

The Gadsisar Lake is definitely worth a visit, a beautiful oasis in the Thar Desert

Things we did in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort

If looking for things to do in Jaisalmer then I would suggest visiting the fort. In 1156, the fort was built by the Rajputana ruler called Jaisal. I would highly recommend visiting the Fort Palace.

There is an audio-guide included in the ticket that allows one to learn so much about the history of the city. The various rooms inside the palace are beautiful. You have amazing views when you walk into the gates, that reminded me of being in a fairytale.

Jain Temple

We saw two nice Jain temples inside the fort while we walked around (although it should be noted that the entry for this monument was quite expensive.) The relics made of sandstone were intricately detailed and interesting to see.

Camel Safari

One of the best things to do in Jaisalmer is the camel safari. This was one of the most exciting, romantic and a spectacular part of our trip to Jaisalmer. We started the trip at 15:00 hrs along with a Spanish couple and a man from Canada. To get to the tour, we drove for half an hour and made a pit stop at a nearby village; making it not very far to travel.

At 17:00 hrs, we began our camel safari in the Thar Desert from the Khuri Sand Dunes Resort. It was a little scary when the camel stood up as it was difficult to find my balance, but I soon was able to get a grip over it. To sit on a camel is not too comfortable and it is also very high. But once we headed off, the view was amazing.

An Unexpected Event

However, after 10 minutes a small herd of sheep crossed our way and two of the small sheep “attacked” two of the camels. One of the sheep was under my camel which made the animal really nervous and aggressive, because of which it became really difficult to stay put in the saddle. In the end, I had to jump off the camel before it escalated and could become a dangerous situation for me and the other rider.

I had to calm down and get my nerves together before I could jump back on. Marlene was also a little in shock. After a while, everyone was better and we continued our journey through the desert. We arrived at our camp in the sand dunes after an hour of riding.

It was an amazing view, as we enjoyed the sunset together in a secluded area, managing to take some great pictures in the meantime. After a delicious dinner, the cameleers sang us some folk-songs. We had a lot of fun together.

Our “beds” were also very comfortable, and we were given blankets to sleep with. It was amazing to sleep outside under the clear skies with the moon shining and the twinkling stars.

In the morning we enjoyed the beautiful sunrise and a delicious breakfast. After this, we rode the camels back through the sand dunes to the main street where a car picked us up.

Camel safari in Jaisalmer, India

Our Accommodation

In Jaisalmer, we stayed in a comfortable hotel called The Mystic Jaisalmer. This is a beautiful hotel with an amazing roof-top terrace view of the Golden Fort. Our room was clean, the beds were comfortable, and the room itself had nice furniture. The staff, especially the boss, were really friendly and gave us lots of good information about the camel safari in great detail.

Mystic Jaisalmer Rooftop (Picture Credit: Tripadvisor)

Restaurants

1. Mystic Jaisalmer

On the roof-top terrace, I enjoyed delicious Rajasthani food with naan and vegetables grown in the desert. The staff is very friendly and the service is quick. It had a nice ambience with an impressive view of the fort.

2. Sunset

This restaurant is located inside the fort. Here you can enjoy very good Indian food on a roof-top terrace, and everything is about the view of Jaisalmer Fort.

3. Jaisal Italy

This restaurant offers very good Italian pasta on par with international standards. I also ordered an orange juice. This one was unfit for consumption but there was no problem sending it back and ordering another drink. Marlene’s ice tea was of very good quality.

4. The Bhang Shop

Well, this one was very interesting! We were able to order crushed seeds and leaves of the cannabis plant (only legalised in certain regions of the country) mixed with milk, served as a traditional drink in India. The effects left us craving lots of food and parts of the day we cannot remember.

Explore More: The Pinnacle of Rajasthan’s Travel Destinations

The royal cenotaphs of the rulers of Jaisalmer (Picture Credit: Conde Nast Traveller India)

A day of travel, food and spirituality in Amritsar (India)

Posted on November 3, 2014May 6, 2025 by Harsh Sonawala

This weekend I went to Amritsar to do some research for our India Someday clients. The religious city in Punjab is famous for three things – The Golden Temple, delicious Amritsar food, and the Wagah Border. After a lot of exploring (and a lot of eating!), we’ve concluded that this is definitely one city you do not want to miss!

Golden Temple lit up in the evening

Amritsar Food

Amritsar is a food lover’s paradise. From the moment you wake up, the amount of Amritsar food you will manage to eat is a revelation. Choose between aloo puris (potato curry served with deep fried Indian bread stuffed with cottage cheese), or chole puri (the same bread served with spicy lentils) for breakfast. Kanha Sweets or Munim di Hatti at Lawrence Road are the best places to try these.

For lunch I suggest you pay a visit to the Golden Temple Langar. Or try visiting Kulcha Land where for just INR 50 -100 they serve great stuffed kulchas and lassi. If you have room left for dinner head to Bharwan ka Dhaba or Kesar ka Dhaba, for some rajma (red beans) and rice, or tandoori roti and veggies. If you have not noticed yes there is a slight bias, I am vegetarian.

North Indian food in general is a little heavy on the stomach, but eating Amritsar food is so much fun you cannot stop. Every corner you go to or every street you visit you will always find something being cooked. From aloo tikkis to fresh fruit juice, it’s all so tasty and delicious that I cannot stop raving about it.

There is lots of butter, lots of fatty foods and loads of proteins and lentils. The few days you’re there, I would suggest throwing any diet out of the window.

Excluding the taste, the best part of eating in Punjab is the people. Punjabis are a jolly bunch of people who love only one other thing more than eating – feeding someone else. So enjoy your meals hot and served with lots of love and smiles.

You can view some of our two week travel routes across North India, we can include a trip to Amritsar in your trip.

Amritsar food will always leave you craving for more

The Golden Temple

The serenity and the beauty of the Golden Temple is mesmerising. People often compare visiting this temple to visiting the Taj Mahal. I can guarantee that it is equally as spectacular, probably even more so. Experience continuous spiritual chanting, the stillness of the water, and the thousands of people providing service for nothing in return.

The ornate beauty of the Golden Temple itself makes your visit here truly special. I would recommend also signing up and helping to cook in the Langar. The temple itself has a long line upon entry no matter what time of the day you visit.

A Langar is found in every single Gurudwara or Sikh Temple and has an element of religious belief. It is a 24 hour open kitchen. The food is free to all guests without any discrimination. You can donate a small sum of course and you should!

The entire kitchen is run by volunteers who work in shifts. Anyone can volunteer and be a part of this team. The food is healthy and nutritious and filled with love.

You should visit the Golden Temple in the morning or at night when the religious book is taken back into safe keeping. It happens around 2200 hrs.

The beautiful Golden Temple at a distance

Wagah Border: India’s patriotic pilgrimage

Palpable in the air of Amritsar is the feeling of patriotism invoked when you visit Jallianwala Bagh or the Wagah Border.

As sad and haunting as the tragedy of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre is, the Wagah Border is on the other end of the spectrum. Yet both are connected by a heavy sense of history and Indian strength. The border is the only entry point between India and Pakistan.

Every evening you can witness a fun and competitive beating retreat, or the ‘raising/ lowering of flags’, ceremony. The passion with which the soldiers fulfil this duty is incredible. Shouting, singing, the thumping of the feet, drums, dancing and trying to outshine the other side makes for a surreal experience.

Displays of patriotism at the Wagah Border

Accommodation

The stay in this city is not very expensive. Lower range budget hotels like Akaal Residency are clean and good value for money. And you even have a few unique options like Virasat Haveli.

But here we would recommend staying at a higher end property. Reason being, as you do want to go back to an empty shell after the hustle and bustle of the narrow streets. My pick would be a stay at the Hyatt in Amritsar – they have nice cosy rooms and the service is impeccable.

Overall, Amritsar is a destination you should visit if travelling to India. The Golden Temple, Amritsar food, and the patriotism and general spirituality of the area make for a warm and welcome stay. If you need help in seeing how you can fit Amritsar into your itinerary, let us know and we at India Someday can help you plan your trip.