Northern India, India: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
Traveling to Northern India, India? If you're planning to go to Northern India, I've got some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Northern India
- Important essentials for Northern India
- Activities for Northern India
- Northern India in January: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in February: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in March: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in April: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in May: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in June: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in July: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in August: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in September: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in October: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in November: weather and what to pack
- Northern India in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to Northern India, India
Based on the climate and weather in Northern India, the best time to go is November. See below for details.
Important essentials for Northern India, India
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Northern India, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
Travel insurance
If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans
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Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an easy-to-carry TSA-friendly option.
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N95 masks to use in crowded airports
These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID protection you can have.
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A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards can wear away. An unreadable vaccination card can have severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps stop that.
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Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks aren't sold for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
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Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
General health necessities
Virus/bacteria filtering water bottle
Some areas of this country may have potentially unsafe tap water, so it's wise to take a contaminant filtering water bottle.
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Travel first aid kit
This one is a good value.
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Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
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Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
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Voice and data SIM card
A SIM card that works in Northern India. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some more rural areas you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone.
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Airplane or car necessities
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Money/passport pouch
A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.
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For families with young children
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Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types C, D and M. This one is sufficent for most places, but you should check with your hotel.
What to wear/what to pack for Northern India, India by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
If you are traveling to Northern India in January, you will notice that it is balmy and very dry with almost no rain. Daytime temperatures are in the high 60s F (low 20s C). There is frost occasionally.
What to wear/what to pack:
February
If you vacation in Northern India during February, you are likely to find that it is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 70s F (low 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Sandals
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light skirts
-
Extra socks
-
Sunscreen lotion
March
If you are traveling to Northern India in March, you will notice that it is pretty consistently hot and very dry with almost no rain. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Breatheable shirts
A breatheable shirt can keep you comfortable and protect you from the sun:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Skirts
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Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Insulated water bottle
Our favorite also removes dangerous contaminants:
April
April for Northern India is a scorcher and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the 90s F (mid 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
Bug bite relief
-
Cooling tank or crop tops
These are developed to help you stay cool:
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Light dresses
These Columbia dresses are engineered to keep you cool and include UV protection.
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Personal cooling fan
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Light linen shorts
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Thin short sleeve shirts
Be sure pack additional, since these often get wet or dirty.
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Protecting pants
These will keep you safe from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Bug repellent
May
May in this region is a scorcher and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the low 100s F (high 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sarong
-
Insects may be an issue here.
We recommend these bug repellents:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Personal cooling fan
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can make you comfortable and guard against skin damage:
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
One of these:
-
Thin tank or crop tops
-
Insulated water bottle
-
100% UV protection sunglasses
We suggest:
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Protecting legwear
These will keep you protected from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Light skirts
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
June
If you are traveling to Northern India in June, you will notice that it can be sizzling. Expect it to rain once in a while. Daytime temperatures are in the low 100s F (high 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against skin damage:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
100% UV protection sunglasses
We suggest:
-
Protecting pants/skirts
These will keep your legs safe from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Personal cooling fan
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
One of these:
-
Thin tank or crop tops
-
Insects may be an issue here.
We recommend these bug repellents:
-
Sarong
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
-
Light skirts
-
A rain coat to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be vital in a storm.
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Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings remain dry. We suggest:
July
If you go to Northern India in July, you will notice that it is sweltering. Expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the 90s F (mid 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunglasses
-
Personal cooling fan
-
Thin short sleeve shirts
Don't forget pack extra, since these easily get wet or dirty.
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Light linen shorts
-
UV protecting pants
These will keep you safe from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Cooling tank or crop tops
These are specially designed to keep you cool:
-
Light dresses
These Columbia dresses are developed to cool you and to provide UV protection.
Bug bite relief
-
Skirts
-
A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants can be essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a perfect one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things don't get wet. We recommend:
August
August in Northern India is unbearably hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) to low 90s F (mid 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Insulated water bottle
Bug bite relief
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Sun protecting pants
These will keep your legs protected from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Sunglasses
-
Thin short sleeve shirts
Remember to pack additional, since these are likely to get wet or dirty.
-
Cooling tank or crop tops
These are developed for cooling:
-
Light linen shorts
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
-
Personal cooling fan
-
Skirts
-
Light dresses
These Columbia dresses are specially designed for cooling and include UV protection.
-
A rain coat to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants are a lifesaver in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases stay dry. We like:
September
If you vacation in Northern India during September, you are likely to see that it is a scorcher. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 90s F (mid 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 70s F (mid 20s C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain once in a while.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Personal cooling fan
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Skirts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Thin short sleeve shirts
It's important bring extra, as these are likely to get wet or dirty.
-
Light linen shorts
-
Light dresses
These Columbia dresses are developed to cool you and offer UV protection.
-
Cooling tank or crop tops
These are specially designed for cooling:
-
Bug repellent
-
Sun protecting legwear
These will keep your legs protected from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
Bug bite relief
-
Sunglasses
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
-
A rain coat to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be a lifesaver in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a perfect choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags stay dry. We recommend:
October
If you visit Northern India during October, you may find that it is really hot and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 60s F (high 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave also filters dangerous contaminants:
-
Bug repellent
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Skirts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can cool you down quickly and protect you from skin damage:
-
Sunglasses
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
November
If you visit Northern India during November, you may find that it is extremely warm and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 50s F (low 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light skirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Bug repellent
December
December for Northern India is balmy and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day. There is frost sometimes.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sandals
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light skirts
-
Extra socks
-
Bug repellent
Activities for Northern India, India
Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Northern India.
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