The weather in India is extremely pleasant during October. The lower the temperature, the more beautiful your trek and scenes in the north Indian Himalayan regions will be. On the other hand, Southern India experiences heavy monsoons, which start receding and bringing out green landscapes. It’s the perfect time to explore places like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Coastal areas like Goa and the Andaman Islands warm up with sunny days… This is quite a different climate from one place to another, but undoubtedly, it’s among the best places to visit in October.
This is the onset of India’s peak tourist season, which lasts from October to March. Regions, particularly hill stations and coastal areas receive many tourists as it is the only time they can see snow around. Tourist attractions, hotels, and resorts started advertising packages and promos that suit the increasing number of guests. This is also the time of year that travellers flock to the country as fully customized tours in India for you to make your trip precisely how you want it. So, for those who love October and are searching for the best places to visit in October in India during this amazing month due to good weather, festive cheer, and back on the travel charts there’s plenty of choice.
1. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is among the best tourist places to visit in October in India. Just wait until the fall foliage comes in and everything begins to go red, orange, and yellow—it’s amazing how colourful this town becomes due to all those trees.
One of the must-visit places in Shimla is Mall Road, a busy shopping street lined with cafes and restaurants serving local foods and souvenirs. Jakhoo Temple is a ward at the highest point in Shimla after the Kufri. The temple is devoted to Lord Hanuman and provides vistas of hills surrounding it. Kufri is generally smaller than a village, but tourists still love to travel from Shimla and Chillax here. Adventure activities also follow Kufri; Kufri is another hill’s best place, and when one visits this spot, one will attain a vision of pleasant creativity.
Hence, booking with the best tour agency in India is always recommended for a work-free holiday experience. Such agencies can provide tailor-made Shimla holiday packages, including sightseeing tours of the major hotspots, accommodation facilities, and other commutations, to deliver a pleasant journey. Shimla is one of the best places to visit in October, with its gorgeous autumn colours, climate, and activities.
2. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is one of the best places to visit in October for adventure buffs, right next to the lovely Kullu Valley. This beautiful hill station has a variety of exciting activities to do that attract people from all over the world. SOLANG VALLEY (watch bird’ s-eye view from here): You can even live it by joining paragliding and experiencing every gust of wind with eyes wide open with each twist. Manali has the Beas River, which some people say is great for river rafting, with rapids ranging from simple to very testing so that experts can have a lot of fun.
Manali is also known for its great hiking, and there are plenty of trails to follow from Manali itself, including many that lead down into the lush valleys at Jogini Falls and Old Manali or up a steep climb slightly out-of-town that takes you past an ancient Hadimba Temple. The Hampta Pass trek is also an excellent choice for a more difficult hike, as it will traverse untouched landscapes such as forests, meadows, and snow-capped peaks.
Moderate weather, with 10° – 20°C, is awesome for outdoor activities. This makes Manali one of the best places to visit in India in October, offering both adventure and tranquillity. You can make your visit to Manali during this time more pleasant with the help of some customized tour packages.
3. Alleppey, Kerala
The Venice of the East is an amazing backwater design in Kerala. Alleppey is one of the best places to visit in October, and you should choose between peace and natural beauty. A stay in a traditional houseboat, called “kettuvallams”—meaning boats made by tying together pieces of wood without using nails—is the classic way to appreciate these watery highways. They are well-fitted with contemporary luxuries, yet these boats keep their antiquated enchantment—a rich and comfortable approach to exploring the water.
The receding monsoon also relieves the crowds that flock to Kerala in peak tourist season, leaving ample peace by stunning backwaters. Then comes the fall, better suited to those seeking more adventure—canoe, kayak trips, and serious hiking. For a more individual touch, you can reserve custom guided tours that cater to your liking to see the best of this gorgeous location.
Alleppey’s backwaters in October are the perfect escape for people to be kidnapped by the beauty of the landscape. Cruising into the houseboat or a small boat struggling through the canals was pleasing and informative. It feels as if Alleppey owns one of the best places to visit in October.
4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi is an excellent choice for religious travellers. The city, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is an important divinity place in Hinduism; thus, it serves as the Hindu pilgrimage center with a high-crowded population of devotees. However, a major spiritual experience in Varanasi is attending the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. A series of prayers, hymns, and offerings are made to the river- a goddess in her own right called Ganga every evening on its banks — Deepa Dhanam. Hundreds of little lamps are floated in the river along with the bells and prayers, giving a serene, peaceful, yet divine sight.
Give it a shot along with a day trip to Sarnath, just a few km from Varanasi. Sarnath is one of the four most historically places in India, and Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after obtaining enlightenment. Likewise, you will learn about the city’s spiritual and cultural essence if you manage some time to stroll through ghats like Assi Ghat or Manikarnika Ghat. These are not just ghats where the sacred meets ritual but also, a matter of speaking, life that goes on as it does during daylight hours — pilgrims praying and taking holy dips by day; residents using these grooves for mundane chores through prayer/ bathing seasons.
This is a fine month to travel to Varanasi, as the weather stays beautifully pleasant in October. The unbearable summer is over, and the city has been rejuvenated with monsoon showers, making it one of the best places to visit in October with family. The cool weather may allow tourists to travel around the city while visiting various temples, staying on ghats, or visiting many historical places without fear.
5. Goa
Golden sands and the azure waters of Goa — The best place to visit in October. Baga Beach is well known for its many beachside shacks and lively day and nightlife. It is a place where you can enjoy regardless of your activity preference, from sun worshipping to water sports, and this has always enjoyed the hearts of all locals and tourists.
Regarding the relaxed atmosphere and hippie culture, it’s Anjuna Beach. We’d rather be a couch potato à la-vacation vibe, which is a preferable place. The beach holds a flea market weekly for shopping souvenirs, crafts, and jewellery. Palolem Beach fits perfectly for lovers of tranquillity as it is in a natural bay surrounded by rocky headlands on each side, providing calm waters from the Arabian Sea for those looking to swim or recline.
The most important benefit of heading to Goa in October is that it has not gotten as crowded as we see towards November and December. This allows you to relax on famous beaches and sites in your own time without the crowding of regular tourists during peak season. Also, October is an off-peak month to visit, so you can get some cheap places to visit in October since this place has become one of the best honeymoon destinations. Tailor-made tours are a great choice for travellers seeking individual attention.
6. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
One of the best places to visit in October in India for nature lovers, Jim Corbett National Park is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. Being the oldest national park, it provides the distinctive experience of rich biodiversity, which further becomes more interesting during a safari. This park is world-famous for Bengal tigers, and October is the best time to see a tiger in the jungle. However, a Jim Corbett National Park safari is not only about individual spiders.
Beyond the incredible wildlife experience of a safari, there are other attractions and sites around Jim Corbett National Park that you should know about. The Corbett Museum is another visit that nature lovers cannot miss. It is located in Kaladhungi and provides a perspective on the history of Jim Corbett and his park.
If you plan to visit, you better have some travel tips for traveling in India, especially for wildlife sanctuaries. Since it is the tourist-season-starter month, booking safaris and accommodations should ideally be done in advance as things may have enough takers. If you prefer to be more comfortable and have all the information, then luxury group tours are for you.
7. Udaipur, Rajasthan
One of Rajasthan’s best places to visit and surely one of its best destinations in October is Udaipur, known as the ‘City of Lakes.’ The epitome of this is Lake Pichola, a recreated lake that is by far the best example of Udaipurans’ inherent charm. The lake is encompassed by hills, palaces, and temples that make it all prettier in terms of looks, especially during the early hours of day or evening. A boat ride in Lake Pichola is a must and allows one of the rare opportunities to view the landmarks from this supremely tranquil vantage point.
October is perfect for those planning to visit Udaipur and allows time to soak in the spirit that this city carries with its breezy, sunny days. The oppressive summer heat is behind you, and the monsoon has breathed new life into the city, making it among some of the best places to visit in October.
Udaipur’s lakes, gardens, and hills bloom best in October, making for an eye-catching view. This is the perfect time for photographers, romantic boaters, and adventurers. The city palace and other attractions are also more pleasant to see when the weather is not so hot.
Udaipur is one of the most luxurious private tours in India, so enjoy a more personal and luxurious experience. Udaipur also comes in many Golden Triangle Tours in India, which usually have the same tour of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur with Udaipur.
8. Mysore, Karnataka
Mysore is often considered one of the best places to visit in October in South India. It is known for its vibrant culture and illustrious history. The city perfectly combines old-world culture with new-age technology. A primary center of attraction in the town is Mysore Palace, which signifies the maturity and grandiosity of the Wodeyar Dynasty in terms of architectural design.
Another important landmark is the Chamundi Hills, which provides an aerial view of the entire city. On top of the hill is Chamundeshwari Temple, which worships Goddess Durga and is visited by many pilgrims. It is also an ideal place to rest for the peace of nature, away from a crowded city.
Another well-known Dasara Festival of Mysore is one of the grandest festivals, truly reflecting ancient culture and traditions in all their glory. Extending up to ten days, the festival is one of grandeur, celebrated with large-scale public processions, cultural dancing displays, and the final illumination of the Mysore Palace. Dasara is a celebration time in the city and is considered one of the best places to visit in October.
9. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Darjeeling, or the ‘Queen of the hills,’ as it is fondly addressed, stands out for its picturesque view and pleasant climate, thus making it one of our lists of some of the best places to visit in October. It surrounds the terrain famous for its lush tea gardens and sprawls along rolling hills over a serene and scenic location. It is a cool sight to see the orderly rows of tea plants you can walk along with, the mist rolling through and offering some relief from possible city stresses. The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh is a vibrant green space under the blue sky, giving some amazing backdrop for all your pictures and leisurely walks.
The toy train ride along the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is another thing you should take advantage of when in Darjeeling. UNESCO-listed and narrow-gauge, the railway is so beautiful it must be a popular illustration on rail calendars. Trundling gently through pretty villages, tea plantations, and dense forests. A stretch along the route, popular with tourists, is Batasia Loop to reach Ghum, which involves a 360-degree turn by train and beautiful views of mountains.
Ideally, luxury car rental can make your Darjeeling trip comfortable and stress-free. The great thing about these services is that they give you the freedom to travel as and how best fits your schedule, indulging yourself in more than a few action-packed attractions!
Conclusion
As this is a top-booking period, the earlier you plan your trip, the better for you and some travel partners. It is always better to book in advance since many popular destinations get crowded as the tourist season pick-ups and booking accommodations, transport, or tours at the last moment can complicate them quite a bit. Whether you are a trekker, adventure lover, or just need some quiet time, India in October caters to everyone.
Plan your trip now to see these best places to visit in October. October is when you can breathe in all the beauty India has to offer, with so much that it holds for your wanderlust. With this ideal travel time pending, make an adventure you’ll always remember. Plan a trip and travel through our wonderful country’s beautiful terrains and varied cultures with Custom Tours India.
FAQs
What are the best places for couples in India in October?
Udaipur (romantic lakes and palaces), Alleppey (scenic canals), Shimla and Manali (popular honeymoon destinations).
Is October good for visiting the Himalayas?
Yes, clear weather offers great views and trekking opportunities.
How’s Goa’s weather in October?
Warm and pleasant (25-30°C), less crowded after monsoon.
Can I see tigers in Jim Corbett National Park in October?
Yes, there are good chances as animals gather near water sources post-monsoon.
Are Kerala houseboat stays recommended in October?
Yes, it is an ideal time with comfortable weather and refreshed backwaters.
