The best time to visit Rajasthan is October to March. Days are sunny and pleasant (about 20–30°C), nights are cool, and the big fairs and festivals happen in these months. November to February is the peak season, so book hotels and taxis early.
If you want fewer crowds and lower prices, come in July to September. The monsoon turns Udaipur, Mount Abu and the Aravalli hills green. Avoid April to June unless you are going to Mount Abu, because the desert crosses 40°C.
We are RAAHI India, a travel company based in Ajmer, the heart of Rajasthan. This guide comes from our own experience planning Rajasthan trips for families, couples and groups.
Rajasthan season by season
Winter (October to March) — best for sightseeing
This is the best season for forts, palaces, desert safaris and city tours. Afternoons are warm and sunny, so you can walk around Amer Fort or Mehrangarh without feeling tired.
- Weather: 20–30°C in the day. In December and January, nights in the desert can drop to 5°C or lower.
- Good for: first-time visitors, families, honeymooners, photographers, and desert camping in Jaisalmer.
- Keep in mind: this is peak season. Hotels, desert camps and Pushkar Fair stays sell out, and prices are highest around Diwali, Christmas and New Year.
Summer (April to June) — only for hill and budget trips
The plains get very hot. Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur often cross 42–45°C in May and June.
- Good for: Mount Abu (Rajasthan's only hill station, about 10°C cooler), and travellers who want big discounts at palace hotels.
- Tip: sightsee before 11 am and after 5 pm. Spend afternoons indoors.
Monsoon (July to September) — green and peaceful
Rain in Rajasthan comes in short showers, not all-day downpours. The lakes of Udaipur fill up and the Aravalli hills turn green.
- Good for: Udaipur, Mount Abu, Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh and Bundi. Fewer tourists and lower prices.
- Keep in mind: humid weather. Ranthambore's core safari zones close from about 1 July to 30 September.
Rajasthan month by month
November, December, January and February are the four best months. Temperatures below are typical for Jaipur (approximate); the desert cities are a few degrees hotter by day and colder at night.
| Month | Day / night (°C) | Crowds | Verdict | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22 / 8 | High | Excellent | Kite Festival (14 Jan), Bikaner Camel Festival, Jaipur Literature Festival |
| February | 26 / 11 | High | Excellent | Jaisalmer Desert Festival |
| March | 32 / 16 | Medium | Very good | Holi in Jaipur and Udaipur, Gangaur begins |
| April | 37 / 21 | Low | Hot | Good hotel deals, Mount Abu |
| May | 41 / 26 | Very low | Avoid plains | Mount Abu only |
| June | 40 / 27 | Very low | Avoid plains | First pre-monsoon showers |
| July | 34 / 26 | Low | Good for lakes | Teej in Jaipur, green Udaipur |
| August | 32 / 25 | Low | Good for lakes | Monsoon in Mount Abu and Kumbhalgarh |
| September | 33 / 24 | Low | Good value | End of rains, low prices |
| October | 33 / 20 | Medium | Very good | Dussehra, Marwar Festival in Jodhpur, season opens |
| November | 29 / 14 | Very high | Excellent | Diwali, Pushkar Camel Fair |
| December | 24 / 9 | Very high | Excellent | Christmas and New Year in desert camps |
Festivals to plan your trip around (2026–27)
The biggest event this season is the Pushkar Camel Fair, about 17–24 November 2026, just 14 km from our office in Ajmer. Fair dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar, so confirm them before you book.
| Festival | Where | 2026–27 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Diwali | All of Rajasthan, best in Jaipur | 8 November 2026 |
| Pushkar Camel Fair | Pushkar, 14 km from Ajmer | About 17–24 November 2026; holy dip on Kartik Purnima, 24 November |
| Kite Festival (Makar Sankranti) | Jaipur, Jodhpur | 14 January 2027 |
| Camel Festival | Bikaner | January 2027 |
| Desert Festival | Jaisalmer and Sam dunes | 18–20 February 2027 (tentative) |
| Holi | Jaipur, Udaipur, Pushkar | March 2027 |
| Gangaur and Teej | Jaipur, Udaipur | Gangaur in March–April; Teej in July–August |
Best time to visit each city
Every city is good from October to March; only Udaipur and Mount Abu are also worth it in the monsoon.
| City | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Jaipur | October–March | Comfortable for Amer Fort, City Palace and markets; Kite Festival in January |
| Udaipur | September–March | Lakes are full after the monsoon; boat rides and sunsets are at their best |
| Jaisalmer | November–February | Desert camps and dune safaris; too hot from April to September |
| Jodhpur | October–March | Mehrangarh Fort and the blue city; Marwar Festival in October |
| Ajmer and Pushkar | October–March | Dargah Sharif and Brahma Temple; Pushkar Fair in November |
| Mount Abu | All year; best March–June and monsoon | Rajasthan's only hill station, cool in summer |
| Ranthambore | October–June | Tiger safaris; best sightings March–May; core zones shut July–September |
Combining cities? A classic 7-day route is Jaipur → Ajmer–Pushkar → Jodhpur → Udaipur. Add 2 days for Jaisalmer in winter. See our Rajasthan tour package for a ready day-wise plan.
Packing and travel tips
- Winter: cotton for the day, plus a warm jacket and shawl for evenings. Desert nights in Jaisalmer are cold.
- Summer: light cotton clothes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and ORS sachets. Carry water everywhere.
- Monsoon: an umbrella, quick-dry clothes and sandals with good grip for fort steps.
- Temples and the Ajmer Dargah: cover shoulders and knees; carry a scarf to cover your head at the Dargah.
- Book early for November–January: hotels, desert camps and taxis fill up 6–8 weeks ahead, and even earlier for Pushkar Fair.
- Hire a car with a local driver: distances are long (Jaipur to Jaisalmer is about 560 km), and a driver who knows the roads saves a lot of time. Book a Rajasthan taxi.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best month to visit Rajasthan?
November and February are the sweet spots. The weather is pleasant day and night, and you can catch the Pushkar Fair (November) or the Jaisalmer Desert Festival (February).
Is December too cold for Rajasthan?
No. Days are sunny and around 22–25°C. Only early mornings and desert nights are cold, so pack one warm layer.
Can I visit Rajasthan in summer?
Yes, if you plan around the heat. Choose Mount Abu, sightsee early in the morning and after 5 pm, and enjoy big off-season discounts at many hotels.
Is Rajasthan good in the monsoon?
Yes for Udaipur, Mount Abu and Kumbhalgarh, which look their greenest. Skip Ranthambore, as its core safari zones close in the rains.
How many days do I need for Rajasthan?
5 days cover Jaipur and Ajmer–Pushkar. 7–8 days add Jodhpur and Udaipur. 10–12 days let you see the whole state, including Jaisalmer.
When is the Pushkar Fair in 2026?
About 17 to 24 November 2026, with the main holy dip on Kartik Purnima, 24 November 2026.
Plan your Rajasthan trip with RAAHI India
We are based in Ajmer, so Rajasthan is our home ground. We plan the full trip — hotels, a car with a local driver, desert camps and Pushkar Fair stays — at one price.