Spring in India - Climate, Nature, Best Destinations and More

Spring in India is a gracefully magical season of natural splendour, aromatic flowers and bewitching colours. Occurring from mid-February to late April, it is a sunny and romantic season that attracts tourists from all over the world to explore the length and breadth of the blossoming subcontinent. Transitioning from winter, the country welcomes clear blue skies, rejuvenated greenery and magnificent flora. Since the temperature is neither chilly nor hot, spring in India is a passionately pleasant time to visit picturesque destinations and admire nature at its best bloom. 

Owing to incredibly varied geographical landforms, spring in India varies with altitude and climate patterns. While most of the southern and eastern states have tropical climate and vegetation, states in the north and west feature semi-arid and subalpine types. Even if you were to tour the entire country during spring, each place would welcome you with its uniquely captivating accent.

1. Spring in North India – Eco-Tourism in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh

• Time of the year – February to April
• Best Places to Visit - 

• Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
• Gulmarg and Sonamarg, Kashmir
• Kasol and Manali, Himachal Pradesh
• Nanda Devi National Park, Uttarakhand

Spring in north India culturally begins with celebration of the Vasant Panchami festival in February. With an average temperature of 32 degree Celsius, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh present amazing locations for adventure activities like trekking at Kasol and sightseeing amidst acres of rhododendron valleys in Sonamarg. Nanda Devi National Park, a UNESCO heritage site, offers the opportunity to witness rare fauna like Himalayan musk deer and rhesus Macau.

2. Mild Southern Spring in Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

• Time of the year – February and March
• Best Places to Visit -

• Wayanad, Kerala
• Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 
• Backwaters, Kerala
• Periyar National Park, Tamil Nadu

South India is full of exotic hill stations with charming tropical valleys and coffee plantations which boast of cool weather in spring. Perfect for memorable treks, Wayanad and Munnar have waterfalls plunging from sprawling flower gardens. Spring in India is also great for visiting Visakhapatnam and Rameswaram, known for their crystal-clear beaches surrounded by green hills and vivacious crowds. You can stay at luxurious campsites along the banks of river Kaveri and enjoy the serene pleasure of boating.

3. East Indian Spring Delights - West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim

• Time of the year – February and March
• Best Places to Visit - 

• Yumthang Valley of Flowers, North Sikkim 
• Shillong and Garo Hills, Meghalaya 
• Darjeeling, West Bengal
• Kaziranga National Park, Assam

The eastern states are overlooked by the mighty Himalayas, featuring an annually comfortable climate taking its warmest form during spring in India. On safaris at the UNESCO heritage Kaziranga National Park, you could witness endangered one-horned rhinos amidst refreshing tropical greenery. The Queen of the Himalayas, Darjeeling, offers bountiful views of pine forests, Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga peaks. Another small town nearby called Kurseong, known as the “Land of White Orchids”, has plenty of waterfalls and Buddhist gompas.

4. Spring in West India - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra

• Time of the year – February to late April
• Best Places to Visit - 

• Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
• Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 
• Mount Abu, Rajasthan
• Calangute, Goa

The land of strawberries, Mahabaleshwar has one of the most vibrant springs in India. The hilly town has voluptuous rivers with rafting facilities and cascading valleys. In contrast to common misconception, Gujarat and Rajasthan are also filled with newly blooming desert vegetation during March for you to sink into the regal magnificence of havelis and palaces in Jaipur and Jaisalmer. The coastal state of Goa has an upscale charm with its magical nightlife, Portuguese architecture and turquoise beaches.

5. Spring in Northeast India - Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Uttarakhand

• Time of the year – February and early March
• Best Places to Visit - 

• Manali, Himachal Pradesh
• Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass, Sikkim
• Leh and Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
• Almora, Uttarkhand

Just because spring has arrived, don’t put away your snowboards and umbrellas yet. During spring in India, many hill stations experience light snow and rains. Cherrapunji and Mawsynram in Meghalaya are two towns receiving the highest rainfall in the world, making them ideal spring-break destinations for those who like challenging treks and fulfilling smell of wet earth. Manali, Almora, the pristine Tsomgo Lake and Indus Valley’s Ladakh, located atop high altitude Himalayan valleys are snowbound during spring with ravishing alpine forests to explore.

The Festive Side of Spring in India

 

During spring in India, cultural festivals are celebrated all over the diverse subcontinent. They are uniquely native in contrast to the rest of the world, so being a part of these sacred occasions is a great reason to visit the country in February and March. Holi, the festival of colours, is auspicious for Hindus who worship the God of love with pomp and ceremony. Kharujo Dance Festival in February showcases tribal culture of Madhya Pradesh. Party crowds gather in Goa to uphold the 18th century Portuguese tradition of Goa Carnival, marking the onset of spring.

Best Places to Visit During Spring in India

• Yumthang Valley – The stretches of rhododendrons, primulas and poppies at the Valley of Flowers in Sikkim is a pioneer among the best sightseeing spots during spring in India. Just a 7-hour scenic drive away from Gangtok, Yumthang’s sanctuary at an elevation of 3,700 metres is in full and vibrant bloom during April. The valley is truly unique as it has zillions of rare flowers located above the line where trees do not grow.

• Sandakphu – Located in the Singalila National Park, Sandakphu is West Bengal’s highest peak with panoramic views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and a massive section of the Himalayas. Trekking from Sandakphu to Phalut is one of India’s most exhilarating routes where lush subalpine forests and floral fields guide you to picturesque waterfalls every few miles. 

• Wayanad – This lesser populated district in God’s own country, Kerala, houses the highest peak of the verdantly forested Western Ghats. Chembra Peak is a hotspot for challenging yet enjoyable treks along the dense tropical terrain. Pakshipathalam Sanctuary is ideal for birdwatching and safaris at the deep Brahmagiri Forest. Wayanad is also popular for ecotourism and raging waterfalls surrounded by exquisite flowers in spring.

• Kasol – Popular for its stylish hippie culture, Kasol is basked in the glory of Parvati Valley on the banks of a mountainous river in Himachal Pradesh. From March to May, Kasol gathers adventure enthusiasts who trek along beautiful alpine forests lining the hamlet. Tourists can also indulge in delicious food and heartfelt humanity of the villagers who present traditional performances to guests.

• Srinagar - After harsh winters, Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir is a warm and sunny abode during spring in India. You can enjoy thrilling sightseeing by taking a ferry across the pristine Dal Lake or hop onto a picture-perfect gondola in Gulmarg. Srinagar also has the world’s largest garden of red tulips which assumes full bloom in March. To enhance the experience, you can stay at sumptuous valley-bound cottages or houseboats.

Spring Special Tips for Travelling in India

With a long bucket list of destinations to check, travelling during spring in India can be smooth sailing and an ultimate budget-friendly experience if you keep these tips in mind: -

• Know the off-season deals: Since the tourism industry is more active than in other seasons during spring in India, booking the right accommodation is important. While polished hotels are better suited for enjoying contemporary luxuries, rustic cottage resorts, houseboats and homestays are more budget-friendly and close to nature. Visit holidify.com for latest comparisons in price and facilities.

• Hop onto trains: Flights are a great option if your vacation is short, but railways in India have a very different experience to offer. There are plenty of spring delights to enjoy from the windows of your train, making the journey as rewarding as your destination. Lavish first class coaches with indulgent amenities are greatly affordable and fast.

• Enjoy outdoor activities: To truly enjoy the weather and gripping vistas of spring in India, adventure activities are a must experience. India has numerous spots to embark on scenic, action-packed treks, hikes, boating, white-water rafting, mountain biking and safaris among others. Most resorts and tour desks arrange these for your family and friends.

Shake off your winter blues and book your travel to enjoy spring in India. If you have any more tips or facts that we have missed here, let us know in the comments below.