Quick answer: The best time to visit Rajasthan is October to March, when days are warm and dry (roughly 20–30°C) and nights are cool. December and January are peak season, with cold mornings in the desert and the highest hotel prices. July to September brings the monsoon and green hills around Udaipur and Mount Abu, with low prices but closed tiger reserves. April to June is very hot, often above 40–45°C, and best avoided unless you want summer tiger sightings or budget deals.
Rajasthan is a big state, and “when to go” depends on where you’re going and what you want to do. A December night in the Jaisalmer desert can drop close to freezing, while Udaipur that same week is mild and sunny. A July visit could mean lush lakes in Udaipur but a closed Ranthambore. This guide breaks it down month by month, season by season and place by place.
Rajasthan Seasons at a Glance
| Season | Months | Weather | Crowds & prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (peak) | October – March | Warm days, cool to cold nights | High, peaking Dec–Jan | Sightseeing, forts, desert camps, festivals |
| Summer | April – June | Very hot, dry, 40–45°C+ | Low | Tiger safaris, budget travel, Mount Abu |
| Monsoon | July – September | Humid, rain in the south and east | Low | Udaipur lakes, Mount Abu, green Aravallis |
Rajasthan Month by Month
October
The season starts. Rains have ended, the countryside is still green, and temperatures ease through the month. Ranthambore reopens on 1 October. Festivals include Dussehra (Kota’s celebration is famous) and the Marwar Festival in Jodhpur around the Sharad Purnima full moon. Diwali often falls in late October or November; cities light up, and it’s a lovely, busy time to travel.
Good for: first-timers wanting pleasant weather before the peak crowds.
November
One of the best months. Days are comfortable, nights cool, skies clear. The Pushkar Camel Fair takes place around the Kartik Purnima full moon; in 2026 it’s expected around 17–24 November. Bundi and other towns hold their own festivals. Bookings pick up sharply from mid-month.
Good for: festivals, photography, desert trips.
December
Peak season. Mornings are chilly, especially in the desert and the Aravallis; nights at Jaisalmer and Mount Abu can approach freezing. Hotels and desert camps fill up around Christmas and New Year, and prices rise. The Kumbhalgarh Festival and Mount Abu’s Winter Festival add colour.
Good for: holidays, heritage hotels, desert nights with a bonfire. Book early.
January
Cold mornings, bright days. Fog around the Delhi end of the highway can delay flights and trains. Makar Sankranti (14 January) fills the Jaipur sky with kites, and the Jaipur Literature Festival usually runs in late January. The Nagaur Cattle Fair is held around late January or February.
Good for: Jaipur, forts, bird migration at lakes and wetlands.
February
Days are warming but still pleasant; crowds ease after January. The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is held around the Magh full moon, with camel races and folk performances at the Sam dunes. The Baneshwar Fair in southern Rajasthan draws tribal communities.
Good for: desert trips, a mix of good weather and fewer crowds.
March
Warm to hot by the end of the month. Holi usually falls in March and is celebrated with colour across the state; Udaipur’s royal Holika Dahan and Pushkar’s street celebrations are well known. Gangaur often begins in March, with processions in Jaipur and Udaipur.
Good for: Holi, value for money as hotel rates start to fall, excellent tiger sightings as the forest thins.
April
Hot, with temperatures often passing 38–40°C. Gangaur and the Mewar Festival in Udaipur may fall in early April. Tourist numbers drop and prices fall.
Good for: Ranthambore and Jawai safaris, budget travellers who plan around the midday heat.
May
The hottest month for much of the state, with 45°C and above in the desert. Mount Abu, the only hill station, is a relief at around 30°C, and hosts a Summer Festival around Buddha Purnima.
Good for: tiger sightings in Ranthambore (animals come to waterholes), Mount Abu, deep discounts.
June
Still very hot until the monsoon arrives, usually in the last week of June or early July. Ranthambore’s core zones close at the end of the month.
Good for: last-chance summer safaris, very low prices. Otherwise, avoid.
July
The monsoon reaches Rajasthan. The south and east (Udaipur, Mount Abu, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore area) get the most rain; the desert gets little. Humidity is high. The Teej festival, celebrating the monsoon, is marked with swings, songs and processions, especially in Jaipur.
Good for: Udaipur’s lakes and the green Aravallis, very low hotel rates.
August
Similar to July. Rains come in bursts, with sunny breaks. Udaipur’s lakes fill up and Sajjangarh and the hills around the city are at their greenest. The Ramdevra Fair near Pokaran draws large crowds.
Good for: monsoon lovers, photographers, domestic weekend trips.
September
Rains ease through the month. The countryside stays green, and by the end of September the weather starts to settle. Hotels begin to offer early-season rates.
Good for: beating the October rush, green landscapes with fewer rain days.
Weather Snapshot by Region
| Region | Winter (Dec–Jan) | Summer (May–Jun) | Monsoon (Jul–Aug) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaipur & east | ~8–23°C | ~28–42°C | Moderate rain |
| Udaipur & south | ~10–25°C | ~28–40°C | Good rain, lakes fill |
| Jodhpur | ~9–25°C | ~29–42°C | Light rain |
| Jaisalmer & desert | ~5–24°C | ~30–45°C+ | Very little rain |
| Mount Abu | ~5–20°C | ~20–32°C | Heavy rain, misty |
Approximate average lows and highs. Actual temperatures vary year to year.
Best Time by Destination and Activity
| Place or activity | Best time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Udaipur | October – March; July – September for monsoon views | Lakes are fullest after the monsoon |
| Jaisalmer & Sam dunes | November – February | Very hot April–September; many camps close. See our Sam Sand Dunes guide |
| Jaipur | October – March | Kite festival in January, Literature Festival late January |
| Jodhpur | October – March | Marwar Festival in October |
| Ranthambore tiger safari | October – June (best sightings April–June) | Core zones closed July–September. See our Ranthambore safari booking guide |
| Jawai leopard safari | October – March | Summer is hot but leopards are easy to spot. See our Jawai guide |
| Kumbhalgarh | October – March; monsoon for green views | December festival. See our Kumbhalgarh Fort guide |
| Pushkar | October – March; November for the camel fair | See our Pushkar travel guide |
| Mount Abu | Almost year-round; best escape in summer | Rajasthan’s only hill station. See our hill stations in Rajasthan page |
Peak Season vs Off Season
Peak season (mid-October to March)
- Best weather for sightseeing
- Most festivals
- Higher hotel, camp and flight prices, especially from mid-December to early January
- Popular safari zones and heritage hotels sell out; book 2–3 months ahead
Shoulder season (late September, early October, March)
- Good weather with fewer crowds
- Hotels often discount
- A smart choice if your dates are flexible
Off season (April to September)
- Very hot (April–June) or rainy and humid (July–September)
- Prices can drop by a third or more at many hotels
- Some desert camps and safari zones close
Tips for Planning Around the Season
- Winter: Pack warm layers. Open jeeps, desert nights and early-morning forts are much colder than visitors expect.
- Summer: Sightsee from 7 to 11 AM and after 4 PM. Rest in the afternoon. Drink more water than you think you need.
- Monsoon: Keep a flexible plan. Rain usually comes in bursts, so you’ll still get sightseeing time. Carry an umbrella and quick-dry clothes.
- Festivals: Book hotels and cars early for Diwali, Pushkar, Christmas–New Year and Holi. Prices rise and cars get scarce.
- Road trips: Winter fog around Delhi can slow the first leg. Leave room in your schedule.
How Long Should You Spend?
For a first trip in the cool season, 7 to 10 days lets you cover Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur without rushing. Add two days for Ranthambore or Jawai, and one for Pushkar or Kumbhalgarh. Our guide to the best places to visit in Rajasthan can help you choose.
Plan Your Rajasthan Trip
Tell us your dates and we’ll suggest a route that fits the season: desert nights in winter, lakes and hills in the monsoon, or early-morning safaris in summer. We run private cars from Udaipur and Jaipur across the state. See our Rajasthan tour packages or get in touch.
Udaipur: +91-8619315547 | Jaipur: +91-9983889373
Planning more of Rajasthan? Browse all our guides on the Rajasthan Travel Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best time to visit Rajasthan?
The best time to visit Rajasthan is October to March, when days are warm and dry and nights are cool. December and January are the peak months, with the most festivals and the highest prices.
2. Which is the best month to visit Rajasthan?
November and February are often the best single months. The weather is pleasant, the crowds are smaller than in December and January, and November brings the Pushkar Camel Fair while February brings the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
3. Is it good to visit Rajasthan in summer?
Summer, from April to June, is very hot, often above 40–45°C. It’s good for tiger sightings in Ranthambore, for Mount Abu, and for budget deals, but plan sightseeing for early morning and evening.
4. Is Rajasthan worth visiting in the monsoon?
Yes, especially the south. Udaipur’s lakes fill up, the Aravallis turn green and Mount Abu is misty. Prices are low, but Ranthambore’s core zones and some desert camps are closed.
5. How cold does Rajasthan get in winter?
Days are usually pleasant, around 20–25°C, but nights can be cold. In the desert around Jaisalmer and at Mount Abu, December and January nights can approach freezing.
6. When is the best time to visit Jaisalmer and the Sam dunes?
November to February is best for Jaisalmer and the Sam dunes. The Desert Festival is held in February. From April to September it’s extremely hot and many desert camps close.
7. When is the best time to visit Udaipur?
October to March is best for comfortable sightseeing. July to September is also lovely if you enjoy the monsoon, as the lakes are full and the hills around the city are green.
8. What are the main festivals in Rajasthan?
Major festivals include Diwali, the Pushkar Camel Fair in November, Makar Sankranti kite flying in January, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival in February, Holi and Gangaur in March–April, Teej in the monsoon, and the Marwar Festival in October.
9. When is Ranthambore National Park closed?
Ranthambore’s core zones close for the monsoon, roughly from July to September, and reopen on 1 October. Some buffer zones may operate during the closure.
10. How many days are enough for Rajasthan?
Seven to ten days is enough for a first trip covering Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur. Add two days for a wildlife safari and a day each for Pushkar or Kumbhalgarh.