India is a huge country that offers so much for travellers from the majestic Himalayas to the serene Keralan backwaters, ancient temples to modern metropolises. Be prepared for chaos and crowds. India is a country of over 1.4 billion people, and it can be noisy and overwhelming at times, with traffic jams, honking horns, holy cows, stray animals, beggars and the touts. But India is also a country of contrasts, so also be prepared for jaw dropping natural beauty, wonderful people and some of the intense flavours in the world! It is a country that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Plan your trip around the seasons. India has a varied climate, with different regions experiencing different weather patterns. The best time to visit depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. Generally, the cooler months from October to March are ideal for most of the country, while the summer months from April to June are good for the mountains and the monsoon months from July to September are good for the deserts.