Best places to visit in India in November

Where India is at its best in November

Each line below is the reason this place works in the autumn, written for that place, not a generic blurb.

• Pushkar Rajasthan

  Holy lake town, Rajasthan's backpacker capital

  The Camel Fair in November draws huge crowds; October is calmer and still pleasant.

  SpiritualBackpackerLakes

• Gokarna Karnataka

  Temple town turned backpacker beach-hopping strip

  October's a hidden gem - cliffs still green, sea calming, a fraction of the December crowd.

  BeachBackpackerSpiritual

• Mumbai Maharashtra

  Colonial architecture, street food and Bollywood energy

  Ganpati energy fills September; October settles into pleasant post-monsoon weather.

  CityHeritage

• Gwalior Madhya Pradesh

  Hilltop fort, Jain rock colossi and Tansen's dhrupad town

  Oct-Nov is the easy window - 30 C days, clear light on Jai Vilas and the Sas-Bahu temples, and no festival crush.

  HeritageCityCulture

• Rishikesh Uttarakhand

  Yoga capital and rafting hub on the Ganges

  Best window of the year. Rafting resumes, skies clear, the whole backpacker scene wakes up

  SpiritualBackpackerCulture

• Darjeeling West Bengal

  Queen of the Hills - tea, toy train, Kanchenjunga views

  Best window of the year: post-monsoon clarity, Kanchenjunga visible daily, Puja-season crowds.

  MountainsHeritageCulture

• Beypore Kerala

  Estuary port where Kerala still hand builds wooden dhows

  Oct-Nov the sea settles and the estuary clears; the fishing harbour is at full noise before dawn and the light on the water is the year's best.

  CultureHeritageBeach

• Ahmedabad Gujarat

  UNESCO old city of pols, stepwells and street food

  Heat breaks by October, comfortable and clear heading into festival season.

  CityHeritageCulture

• Bhubaneswar Odisha

  Temple city of 700 shrines plus the Khandagiri Jain caves

  October dries out fast and November is near-perfect, though a Bay of Bengal cyclone can still eat a week.

  CityHeritageSpiritual

• Fatehpur Sikri Uttar Pradesh

  Akbar's red sandstone capital, abandoned after fourteen years

  Oct-Nov is the sweet spot: clean air, green Sikri ridge, and the Agra day-trip rush thins out after 4 pm.

  HeritageCulture

• Kasol Himachal Pradesh

  Parvati valley's trance-backpacker hub, gateway to treks

  The busiest, best window of the year - clear valley views, trance parties, easy trekking weather.

  BackpackerPartyMountainsTrek

• Srisailam Andhra Pradesh

  Jyotirlinga above the Krishna gorge inside Nallamala forest

  Oct-Nov the reservoir is full after the rains and the forest is green, with pilgrim numbers still manageable.

  SpiritualHeritage

• Charaideo Moidams Assam

  Grassy royal burial mounds of the Ahom kings, a UNESCO World Heritage site

  Oct and Nov are clear and comfortable, with the best light for photographs over the mound field.

  HeritageCultureOffbeat

• Dawki & Shnongpdeng Meghalaya

  Glass-clear Umngot river: boating, cliff camps, border

  October water is still settling from monsoon silt, better from November onward.

  LakesBackpackerOffbeat

• Golden Pagoda (Namsai) Arunachal Pradesh

  Burmese-style gilded pagoda of the Tai Khamti on the Tengapani river

  Oct clears up, and Nov has hosted Kathina, the pagoda's largest festival, with robe offerings to the monks.

  SpiritualHeritageCulture

• Bodh Gaya Bihar

  Where the Buddha attained enlightenment - Mahabodhi Temple

  Weather turns pleasant by November, a good lead-in to the winter pilgrim season.

  SpiritualHeritage

• Dassam Falls Jharkhand

  The Kanchi river's clean 44 m curtain drop near Taimara village

  Oct-Nov is best: post-monsoon volume with drier, safer steps and soft light through the Taimara valley forest.

  WaterfallsOffbeat

• Jagdalpur (Bastar) Chhattisgarh

  Bastar's tribal capital, weekly haats and bell-metal workshops

  October is the peak - the Dussehra rath is dragged through town, Danteshwari's rituals run for days, book beds early.

  CultureCityOffbeat

• Dzukou Valley Nagaland

  Rolling green trekking valley famous for summer lilies

  The sweet spot: late blooms linger, then the valley turns lush green with the clearest views.

  TrekMountainsOffbeat

• Amritsar Punjab

  The Golden Temple and its free kitchen for all

  Comfortable temperatures building toward Diwali, when the temple is spectacularly lit.

  SpiritualCultureCity

• Tiruvannamalai Tamil Nadu

  Barefoot 14 km girivalam loop around a hill read as a lingam

  Oct-Nov brings rain and then Karthigai Deepam, when a million pilgrims arrive and every room in town is long gone.

  SpiritualTrekBackpacker

• Bhongir Fort (Bhuvanagiri) Telangana

  An 11th-century fort welded to one bald granite dome

  Oct-Nov is clear and quiet on weekdays; you can do the fort and be back in Hyderabad for dinner by train.

  HeritageTrek

• Anjuna-Vagator Goa

  North Goa's flea-market, trance-party, hostel strip

  Shacks rebuild through October; by November the season is back in full swing.

  BeachPartyBackpacker

• Aizawl Mizoram

  Mizoram's hillside capital: churches, cafes, rock music

  October skies clear up nicely, a good shoulder window with fewer visitors.

  CityCultureMountains

• Gangtok Sikkim

  Sikkim's capital and gateway: monasteries, MG Marg cafés

  Post-monsoon clarity returns: the best combination of clear peaks and reliable road access.

  MountainsCityCulture

• Dhosi Hill (Narnaul) Haryana

  Extinct volcano in the Aravallis, a stone stairway up to the crater temples

  Oct and Nov give the best walking of the year, 15 to 30 C, dhak and kikar still green, and empty steps on any weekday

  OffbeatTrekSpiritualHeritage

• Chabimura Tripura

  Boat past giant gods carved into Gomati river cliffs

  Oct-Nov is lush from the rains with a full, calm river: the best light and water levels of the whole year.

  HeritageOffbeat

• Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) Andaman & Nicobar Islands

  Andaman's backpacker-diving hub with Radhanagar Beach

  Sea starts settling in October though still choppy early on; hostels reopen, notably quieter.

  BeachIslandBackpacker

• Daman Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu

  Portuguese forts, dark-sand beaches and legal bars

  October dries out and by November the light is clean; weekends stay loud with drinkers, weekdays are calm.

  BeachHeritage

• Shirui (Ukhrul) Manipur

  Tangkhul Naga village under the 2,835 m peak where the Shirui lily blooms

  Oct-Nov are the calm months: harvested terraces, cold clear mornings, the peak in 3 h without a crowd, and Longpi's black pottery village up the Jessami road

  MountainsTrekOffbeatCulture

• Mansar Lake Jammu and Kashmir

  Forest-ringed Shivalik lake with a Sheshnag shrine and turtles

  Oct dries out and cools, then Nov is properly good: wetland birds arriving at Surinsar-Mansar and boating back on.

  LakesSpiritualOffbeat

• Chandigarh Chandigarh

  India's planned modernist city, orderly and green

  Mild and clear: a comfortable time to explore the sector grid on foot.

  CityCulture

• Delhi Delhi

  Mughal monuments and India's transit hub

  The best window: clearer skies and mild temperatures before winter smog sets back in.

  CityHeritageCulture

• Jaipur Rajasthan

  Pink City gateway to Rajasthan's forts and bazaars

  Warm days easing into pleasant nights. A good transition before the winter rush.

  HeritageCityCulture

• Hampi Karnataka

  Vijayanagara ruins amid giant granite boulders

  Post-monsoon green fading to gold, cool temps arriving - genuinely the sweet spot of the year.

  HeritageOffbeat

• Nanded (Hazur Sahib) Maharashtra

  Takht Sachkhand Hazur Sahib, a Sikh takht on the Godavari

  Gurta Gaddi Diwas lights up the takht in Oct or Nov and sangats arrive from Punjab by whole trainloads.

  SpiritualHeritageCity

Also in peak season in November

531 more, all of them in their best window this month.

• Abbott Mount (Lohaghat) Uttarakhand
• Abhaneri (Chand Baori) Rajasthan
• Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (Maikal Hills) Chhattisgarh
• Agartala & Unakoti Tripura
• Agra Uttar Pradesh
• Ahobilam Andhra Pradesh
• Ajanta-Ellora Maharashtra
• Ajmer Rajasthan
• Ajodhya Hills (Purulia) West Bengal
• Alampur (Jogulamba) Telangana
• Alibaug Maharashtra
• Alleppey (Alappuzha) Backwaters Kerala
• Almora Uttarakhand
• Alwar Rajasthan
• Amarkantak Madhya Pradesh
• Anandpur Sahib Punjab
• Ananthagiri Hills (Vikarabad) Telangana
• Anini (Dibang Valley) Arunachal Pradesh
• Araku Valley Andhra Pradesh
• Arambol & Mandrem Goa
• Atapaka (Kolleru Lake) Andhra Pradesh
• Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh
• Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal Karnataka
• Bageshwar Uttarakhand
• Bagh Caves (Bagh village) Madhya Pradesh
• Baghmara (Balpakram gateway) Meghalaya
• Bakkhali & Henry Island West Bengal
• Balotra & Tilwara Rajasthan
• Bandhavgarh National Park Madhya Pradesh
• Bandipur National Park Karnataka
• Barabar Caves Bihar
• Barmer Rajasthan
• Barnawapara Sanctuary Chhattisgarh
• Barot Himachal Pradesh
• Barsana & Nandgaon Uttar Pradesh
• Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (Hilley) Sikkim
• Barsur Chhattisgarh
• Baruva (Sompeta) Andhra Pradesh
• Basar Arunachal Pradesh
• Basohli Jammu and Kashmir
• Bateshwar & Chambal Safari (Bah) Uttar Pradesh
• Bathinda Punjab
• Bawangaja (Barwani) Madhya Pradesh
• Bekal Kerala
• Belghar (Kandhamal) Odisha
• Belpahari (Kankrajhore) West Bengal
• Belum Caves Andhra Pradesh
• Belur-Halebidu Karnataka
• Benreu (Mount Pauna) Nagaland
• Betla National Park Jharkhand
• Betul (Cabo de Rama coast) Goa
• Bhadra Tiger Reserve (Muthodi) Karnataka
• Bhainsrorgarh Rajasthan
• Bhairabkunda Assam
• Bhairavakona Andhra Pradesh
• Bhangarh & Ajabgarh Rajasthan
• Bhimashankar Maharashtra
• Bhimbetka (with Bhojpur) Madhya Pradesh
• Bhimkund (Bajna) Madhya Pradesh
• Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary Haryana
• Bhitargaon Uttar Pradesh
• Bhopal & Sanchi Madhya Pradesh
• Bhoramdeo (Kawardha) Chhattisgarh
• Bhuj Gujarat
• Bidar Karnataka
• Bikaner Rajasthan
• Binsar Uttarakhand
• Bir Himachal Pradesh
• Bishnupur (Terracotta Temples) West Bengal
• Bithoor Uttar Pradesh
• Bogatha Falls Telangana
• BR Hills (Biligiri Ranganatha) Karnataka
• Bundi Rajasthan
• Burhanpur Madhya Pradesh
• Buxa Tiger Reserve (Jayanti) West Bengal
• Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary Assam
• Chakrata Uttarakhand
• Chamba Himachal Pradesh
• Champakulam (Kuttanad) Kerala
• Champaner-Pavagadh Gujarat
• Champhai (Murlen & Vangchhia) Mizoram
• Chandannagar West Bengal
• Chanderi Madhya Pradesh
• Chandipur (Balasore) Odisha
• Chandoli National Park Maharashtra
• Chandor & Loutolim Goa
• Chandragiri (Jirang Tibetan Settlement) Odisha
• Chandubi Lake Assam
• Chaukori Uttarakhand
• Cherrapunji (Sohra) Meghalaya
• Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Maharashtra
• Chikhaldara Maharashtra
• Chikmagalur Karnataka
• Chilika Lake (Satapada) Odisha
• Chitradurga Karnataka
• Chitrakoot (Ramghat) Uttar Pradesh
• Chittorgarh Rajasthan
• Chopta Uttarakhand
• Chunar Fort Uttar Pradesh
• Coorg (Madikeri) Karnataka
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh
• Courtallam (Kutralam) Tamil Nadu
• Dajipur (Radhanagari) Maharashtra
• Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary Jharkhand
• Dambuk Arunachal Pradesh
• Dampa Tiger Reserve (Teirei) Mizoram
• Damro (Yamne valley) Arunachal Pradesh
• Dandeli Karnataka
• Daringbadi Odisha
• Debrigarh (Hirakud Reservoir) Odisha
• Dehing Patkai National Park (Jeypore) Assam
• Deogarh (Devgarh) Rajasthan
• Deogarh (Lalitpur) Uttar Pradesh
• Deoghar (Baidyanath Dham) Jharkhand
• Deomali Odisha
• Dera Baba Nanak (Kartarpur Corridor) Punjab
• Deshnoke (Karni Mata Temple) Rajasthan
• Devprayag Uttarakhand
• Dholavira Gujarat
• Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (Guijan Ghat) Assam
• Diglipur (Ross & Smith Islands) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Dirang Arunachal Pradesh
• Diu Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
• Divar Island Goa
• Doyang Reservoir (Pangti) Nagaland
• Dudhni Lake Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
• Dudhsagar Falls (Mollem) Goa
• Duduma Falls (Machkund) Odisha
• Dumboor Lake (Narikel Kunja) Tripura
• Dungarpur Rajasthan
• Dwarahat (Dunagiri) Uttarakhand
• Dwarka Gujarat
• Dzongu (Lepcha Reserve) Sikkim
• Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (Lama Camp & Bompu) Arunachal Pradesh
• Fatehgarh Sahib (Sirhind) Punjab
• Gandhi Sagar (Chambal) Madhya Pradesh
• Gandikota Andhra Pradesh
• Gangasagar (Sagar Island) West Bengal
• Gangrel Dam (Ravishankar Sagar) Chhattisgarh
• Ganpatipule Maharashtra
• Garadia Mahadev (Chambal Gorge) Rajasthan
• Garh Panchkot West Bengal
• Gaur (Malda) West Bengal
• Gavi Kerala
• Ghatshila Jharkhand
• Ghughua Fossil Park Madhya Pradesh
• Ghuttu (Khatling Glacier) Uttarakhand
• Goindwal Sahib (Baoli Sahib) Punjab
• Gondal Gujarat
• Gopalpur Odisha
• Gopnath (Talaja) Gujarat
• Gorumara National Park (Lataguri) West Bengal
• Guhagar Maharashtra
• Gupteswar Caves (Koraput) Odisha
• Guruvayur Kerala
• Guwahati Assam
• Haflong Assam
• Hajo & Sualkuchi Assam
• Hanol (Mahasu Devta) Uttarakhand
• Hanumangarh (Bhatner & Kalibangan) Rajasthan
• Hanuwantiya Tapu Madhya Pradesh
• Haridwar Uttarakhand
• Harishchandragad Maharashtra
• Harnai (Dapoli) Maharashtra
• Hasanur (Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve) Tamil Nadu
• Hmuifang Mizoram
• Hogenakkal Falls Tamil Nadu
• Honnemaradu Karnataka
• Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (Jorhat) Assam
• Horsley Hills Andhra Pradesh
• Hundru Falls Jharkhand
• Hyderabad Telangana
• Idar (Idariyo Gadh) Gujarat
• Ilaveezhapoonchira Kerala
• Iruppu Falls (Kurchi) Karnataka
• Jabalpur & Bhedaghat (Marble Rocks) Madhya Pradesh
• Jageshwar Uttarakhand
• Jaisalmer Rajasthan
• Jaisamand (Dhebar Lake) Rajasthan
• Jaldapara National Park (Madarihat) West Bengal
• Jampui Hills (Vanghmun) Tripura
• Jaunpur Uttar Pradesh
• Javadi Hills (Jamunamarathur) Tamil Nadu
• Jawai Bandh (Bera) Rajasthan
• Jhalawar (Gagron & Jhalrapatan) Rajasthan
• Jhalong & Bindu (Jaldhaka Valley) West Bengal
• Jhansi Uttar Pradesh
• Jhargram West Bengal
• Jibhi Himachal Pradesh
• Jodhpur Rajasthan
• Jogimara Caves (Ramgarh Hill) Chhattisgarh
• Jowai (Nartiang & Krangsuri) Meghalaya
• Junagadh (Girnar) Gujarat
• Junnar (Shivneri) Maharashtra
• Kabini Karnataka
• Kakkayam Kerala
• Kakolat Falls Bihar
• Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) Karnataka
• Kalesar National Park Haryana
• Kaleshwaram Telangana
• Kalimpong West Bengal
• Kalinjar Fort Uttar Pradesh
• Kalna (Ambika Kalna) West Bengal
• Kalpathy (Palakkad) Kerala
• Kanatal Uttarakhand
• Kanha National Park Madhya Pradesh
• Kanthalloor Kerala
• Kapurthala Punjab
• Karauli Rajasthan
• Karkala (Gomateshwara) Karnataka
• Karsog Valley Himachal Pradesh
• Kartik Swami (Kanakchauri) Uttarakhand
• Karwar (Devbagh & Kurumgad) Karnataka
• Kasauli Himachal Pradesh
• Kausani Uttarakhand
• Kaushambi (Kosam) Uttar Pradesh
• Kazhugumalai (Vettuvan Koil) Tamil Nadu
• Kaziranga National Park Assam
• Kemmangundi Karnataka
• Keoti Falls (Rewa) Madhya Pradesh
• Kesaria Stupa Bihar
• Keshopur Chhamb (Miani Community Reserve) Punjab
• Khajuraho Madhya Pradesh
• Khandadhar Falls Odisha
• Khati (Pindari Glacier) Uttarakhand
• Kheerganga Himachal Pradesh
• Khejarla Rajasthan
• Khichan (Demoiselle Cranes) Rajasthan
• Khiching (Kichakeswari Temple) Odisha
• Khirsu Uttarakhand
• Khonoma Nagaland
• Khuri (Desert National Park) Rajasthan
• Kiradu Temples Rajasthan
• Kiriburu (Saranda Forest) Jharkhand
• Kishangarh Rajasthan
• Kodachadri (Kollur base) Karnataka
• Kohima Nagaland
• Kolayat Rajasthan
• Kolkata West Bengal
• Kolli Hills Tamil Nadu
• Konark Odisha
• Kondaveedu Fort Andhra Pradesh
• Koraput Odisha
• Kuchaman (Kuchaman Fort) Rajasthan
• Kudremukh Karnataka
• Kukke Subramanya (Kumara Parvatha) Karnataka
• Kukru (Khamla Plateau) Madhya Pradesh
• Kullu Himachal Pradesh
• Kumarakom Kerala
• Kumbhalgarh Rajasthan
• Kunkeshwar (Devgad) Maharashtra
• Kuno National Park (Sesaipura) Madhya Pradesh
• Kurukshetra Haryana
• Kushinagar Uttar Pradesh
• Laitlum Canyons (Rasong) Meghalaya
• Lakhpat (Kutch) Gujarat
• Lakkundi (Gadag) Karnataka
• Laknavaram Lake Telangana
• Lansdowne Uttarakhand
• Lauriya Nandangarh Bihar
• Lava & Rishop (Neora Valley) West Bengal
• Little Rann of Kutch (Dasada) Gujarat
• Loktak Lake Manipur
• Lonar Crater Lake Maharashtra
• Longwa (Mon district) Nagaland
• Lucknow Uttar Pradesh
• Lum Sohpetbneng (Umiam) Meghalaya
• Lumshnong (Krem Kotsati caves) Meghalaya
• Madan Kamdev Assam
• Madhavpur Ghed Gujarat
• Madhubani (Mithila art villages) Bihar
• Madhugiri Karnataka
• Mahabaleshwar Maharashtra
• Mahal (Purna Sanctuary) Gujarat
• Mahanandi (Nava Nandi) Andhra Pradesh
• Mahendragiri (Gajapati) Odisha
• Maheshwar Madhya Pradesh
• Mahoba (Chandela Lakes) Uttar Pradesh
• Mahur (Mahurgad) Maharashtra
• Mainpat Chhattisgarh
• Majuli Island Assam
• Malana Himachal Pradesh
• Maluti Jharkhand
• Malvan-Tarkarli Maharashtra
• Manas National Park Assam
• Mandar Hill (Bounsi) Bihar
• Mandarmani-Tajpur West Bengal
• Mandawa (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
• Mandi Himachal Pradesh
• Mandla Madhya Pradesh
• Mandvi (Kutch) Gujarat
• Mangalajodi (Chilika Wetlands) Odisha
• Mannanur (Amrabad Tiger Reserve) Telangana
• Marari Beach (Mararikulam) Kerala
• Maravanthe Karnataka
• Maredumilli Andhra Pradesh
• Maski Karnataka
• Masroor & Pong Lake Himachal Pradesh
• Matheran Maharashtra
• Mawlynnong Meghalaya
• Mawphanlur Meghalaya
• Mawphlang Sacred Forest Meghalaya
• Mawsynram Meghalaya
• Mayapur (Nabadwip) West Bengal
• McCluskieganj Jharkhand
• McLeod Ganj Himachal Pradesh
• Mechuka (Menchukha) Arunachal Pradesh
• Melukote Karnataka
• Merta City Rajasthan
• Mirik West Bengal
• Mitaoli, Padavali & Bateshwar Madhya Pradesh
• Modhera (Sun Temple) Gujarat
• Mokokchung Nagaland
• Mount Tiyi (Wokha) Nagaland
• Mudgal Karnataka
• Mukteshwar Uttarakhand
• Mukutmanipur West Bengal
• Mundeshwari Hill (Kaimur) Bihar
• Munger Bihar
• Munnar Kerala
• Munroe Island (Munroe Thuruthu) Kerala
• Murshidabad (Hazarduari) West Bengal
• Murud-Janjira Maharashtra
• Murudeshwar Karnataka
• Mussoorie Uttarakhand
• Mysuru Karnataka
• Nag Tibba Uttarakhand
• Nagarjuna Sagar (Nagarjunakonda) Andhra Pradesh
• Nagaur Rajasthan
• Naggar Himachal Pradesh
• Nagzira (Pitezari Gate) Maharashtra
• Naimisharanya (Nimsar) Uttar Pradesh
• Nainital Uttarakhand
• Nal Sarovar Gujarat
• Naldurg Maharashtra
• Namchi Sikkim
• Namdapha National Park (Miao & Deban) Arunachal Pradesh
• Nameri National Park Assam
• Nampong (Pangsau Pass) Arunachal Pradesh
• Nandi Hills Karnataka
• Narara (Marine National Park) Gujarat
• Nashik Maharashtra
• Nawalgarh (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
• Neemrana Rajasthan
• Neermahal & Rudrasagar Lake (Melaghar) Tripura
• Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Nelliyampathy Kerala
• Netarhat Jharkhand
• Netravali (Neturlim) Goa
• Nilambur Kerala
• Nirmand (Srikhand Mahadev) Himachal Pradesh
• Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls) Meghalaya
• Nongkhyllem Sanctuary (Lailad) Meghalaya
• Nongriat (Double-Decker Root Bridge) Meghalaya
• North Sikkim (Lachen-Lachung) Sikkim
• Nrusinghanath (Gandhamardan Hills) Odisha
• Omkareshwar Madhya Pradesh
• Orang National Park (Silbori) Assam
• Orchha Madhya Pradesh
• Orvakal Rock Garden Andhra Pradesh
• Osian (Osiyan) Rajasthan
• Pachamalai (Top Sengattupatti) Tamil Nadu
• Pachmarhi Madhya Pradesh
• Paithalmala Kerala
• Pakhal Lake Telangana
• Palak Dil (Phura) Mizoram
• Palampur & Andretta Himachal Pradesh
• Palitana (Shatrunjaya) Gujarat
• Palolem-Agonda Goa
• Panaji (Fontainhas & Old Goa) Goa
• Panchgani Maharashtra
• Pandharpur Maharashtra
• Panhala Maharashtra
• Panimur Falls Assam
• Panna National Park Madhya Pradesh
• Papikondalu (Godavari Gorge) Andhra Pradesh
• Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Kerala
• Parashar Lake Himachal Pradesh
• Parasnath Hill (Shikharji) Jharkhand
• Pasighat Arunachal Pradesh
• Patal Bhuvaneshwar Uttarakhand
• Patan (Rani ki Vav) Gujarat
• Patiala Punjab
• Patratu Valley Jharkhand
• Pelling Sikkim
• Pench National Park (Turia) Madhya Pradesh
• Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) Maharashtra
• Penukonda Andhra Pradesh
• Pfutsero (Glory Peak) Nagaland
• Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) Mizoram
• Phurlijharan (Kalahandi) Odisha
• Pilak (Jolaibari) Tripura
• Pinjore (Yadavindra Gardens) Haryana
• Piprahwa (Kapilavastu) Uttar Pradesh
• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (Mayong) Assam
• Polo Forest (Vijaynagar) Gujarat
• Ponmudi Kerala
• Port Blair Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Pragpur & Garli Himachal Pradesh
• Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam) Uttar Pradesh
• Puri Odisha
• Raigad Fort Maharashtra
• Raithal (Dayara Bugyal) Uttarakhand
• Rajgad Fort Maharashtra
• Rajgir (with Nalanda) Bihar
• Rajim Chhattisgarh
• Rajmahal (Sahibganj) Jharkhand
• Rakhigarhi Haryana
• Ramanagara (Ramadevarabetta) Karnataka
• Ramappa Temple (Palampet) Telangana
• Ramgarh Crater (Bhand Deva) Rajasthan
• Ramtek Maharashtra
• Ranakpur Rajasthan
• Ranikhet Uttarakhand
• Ranikor (Kynshi river) Meghalaya
• Ranipur-Jharial (Soma Tirtha) Odisha
• Ranipuram Kerala
• Rann of Kutch (Dhordo) Gujarat
• Ratanpur (Mahamaya) Chhattisgarh
• Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri (Diamond Triangle) Odisha
• Ravangla Sikkim
• Reiek Mizoram
• Renuka Lake (Renuka Ji) Himachal Pradesh
• Rewalsar (Tso Pema) Himachal Pradesh
• Roing & Mayudia Pass Arunachal Pradesh
• Sakleshpur Karnataka
• Salher Fort Maharashtra
• Salkhan Fossils Park (Sonbhadra) Uttar Pradesh
• Sambhar Lake (Phulera) Rajasthan
• Sandakphu West Bengal
• Sandur (Kumaraswamy Temple) Karnataka
• Sankri (Har Ki Dun) Uttarakhand
• Sannati & Kanaganahalli Karnataka
• Sasaram & Rohtasgarh Fort Bihar
• Sasihitlu Beach Karnataka
• Satkosia Gorge (Tikarpada) Odisha
• Satpura National Park (Madhai) Madhya Pradesh
• Sattal Uttarakhand
• Sevagram (Wardha) Maharashtra
• Shakumbhari Devi (Behat) Uttar Pradesh
• Shangarh (Sainj Valley) Himachal Pradesh
• Shantiniketan (Bolpur) West Bengal
• Shergaon Arunachal Pradesh
• Shilloi Lake (Latsam) Nagaland
• Shillong Meghalaya
• Shirdi Maharashtra
• Shivpuri (Madhav National Park) Madhya Pradesh
• Shravasti (Sahet-Mahet) Uttar Pradesh
• Sidhpur (Bohra Havelis) Gujarat
• Siju (Dobakkol Caves) Meghalaya
• Silvassa Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
• Simlipal National Park (Baripada) Odisha
• Sirpur Chhattisgarh
• Sirsi & Sahasralinga Karnataka
• Sitamata Sanctuary (Dhariawad) Rajasthan
• Sittanavasal Tamil Nadu
• Sittong (Orange Village) West Bengal
• Sivasagar Assam
• Somnath Gujarat
• Sonagiri (Jain temple hill) Madhya Pradesh
• Sri Surya Pahar Assam
• Sringeri Karnataka
• Statue of Unity Gujarat
• Sujanpur Tira Himachal Pradesh
• Sultanpur Lodhi Punjab
• Sundarbans West Bengal
• Susunia Hill (Bankura) West Bengal
• Tal Chhapar Rajasthan
• Talakona Falls Andhra Pradesh
• Talasari Beach (Chandaneswar) Odisha
• Talwandi Sabo (Takht Damdama Sahib) Punjab
• Tamdil Lake (Saitual) Mizoram
• Tamenglong (Barak Waterfalls) Manipur
• Tamia & Patalkot Valley Madhya Pradesh
• Tapola (Shivsagar Lake) Maharashtra
• Taptapani Odisha
• Tezpur Assam
• Thalassery (Tellicherry) Kerala
• Thanamir (Mount Saramati) Nagaland
• Thattekad (Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary) Kerala
• Thembang Arunachal Pradesh
• Thenzawl (Vantawng Falls) Mizoram
• Thirunelli (Brahmagiri) Kerala
• Thrissur Kerala
• Tirathgarh Falls (Kanger Valley) Chhattisgarh
• Tirthan Valley (Gushaini) Himachal Pradesh
• Tirupati Andhra Pradesh
• Toranmal Maharashtra
• Tosh Himachal Pradesh
• Touphema Village Nagaland
• Trimbakeshwar Maharashtra
• Tuljapur Maharashtra
• Tura (Garo Hills) Meghalaya
• Tuting (Pemako) Arunachal Pradesh
• Ubbalamadugu Falls (Tada) Andhra Pradesh
• Udaipur Rajasthan
• Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island Karnataka
• Ujjain Madhya Pradesh
• Umbyrlein Falls (Rangad) Meghalaya
• Umrangso (Kopili Reservoir) Assam
• Vadnagar Gujarat
• Vagamon Kerala
• Vaishali Bihar
• Valiyaparamba (Nileshwar backwaters) Kerala
• Valmiki Nagar (Valmiki Tiger Reserve) Bihar
• Valparai Tamil Nadu
• Vanjangi (Paderu) Andhra Pradesh
• Varanasi Uttar Pradesh
• Vengurla Maharashtra
• Vijayapura (Bijapur) Karnataka
• Vikramshila (Antichak) Bihar
• Vizianagaram Andhra Pradesh
• Vrindavan-Mathura Uttar Pradesh
• Wahkhen (Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trail) Meghalaya
• Wakro (Parshuram Kund & Glao Lake) Arunachal Pradesh
• Walong (Dong & Kibithoo) Arunachal Pradesh
• Wan (Bedni Bugyal) Uttarakhand
• Wankaner Gujarat
• Warangal Telangana
• Wari Chora (Emangre) Meghalaya
• Wayanad Kerala
• Willong Khullen Manipur
• Wular Lake (Watlab) Jammu and Kashmir
• Yaganti Andhra Pradesh
• Yana Rocks Karnataka
• Yelagiri Tamil Nadu
• Yellapur (Sathodi & Magod Falls) Karnataka
• Yuksom Sikkim
• Zemithang (Gorsam Chorten) Arunachal Pradesh
• Ziro Valley Arunachal Pradesh
• Zuluk Sikkim

Shoulder season in November

Fewer people, cheaper beds, and a real chance the weather does not cooperate. 155 places sit in shoulder season this month.

• Agatti Island (Lakshadweep) Lakshadweep
• Agumbe Karnataka
• Amboli Maharashtra
• Aranmula Kerala
• Asan Conservation Reserve (Dakpathar) Uttarakhand
• Athirappilly Falls Kerala
• Auli Uttarakhand
• Badrinath & Mana Uttarakhand
• Bahuti Falls (Mauganj) Madhya Pradesh
• Bakhira Lake (Khalilabad) Uttar Pradesh
• Bangaram Island Lakshadweep
• Bani (Sarthal Devi) Jammu and Kashmir
• Banswara (Mahi Backwaters) Rajasthan
• Baratang Island (Limestone Caves) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Bhaderwah Jammu and Kashmir
• Bhadrachalam Telangana
• Bhandardara Maharashtra
• Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) Rajasthan
• Bharmour (Manimahesh) Himachal Pradesh
• Bheemili (Bheemunipatnam) Andhra Pradesh
• Bhigwan (Kumbhargaon) Maharashtra
• Bhitarkanika National Park Odisha
• Biswanath Ghat Assam
• Chail Himachal Pradesh
• Chanshal Pass (Dodra Kwar) Himachal Pradesh
• Chettinad (Karaikudi) Tamil Nadu
• Chidambaram & Pichavaram Tamil Nadu
• Chitkul Himachal Pradesh
• Chitrakote Falls (Bastar) Chhattisgarh
• Chorla Ghat Goa
• Churdhar (via Nohradhar) Himachal Pradesh
• Coonoor Tamil Nadu
• Dalhousie Himachal Pradesh
• Dindi (Konaseema Backwaters) Andhra Pradesh
• Dudhwa National Park Uttar Pradesh
• Fort Kochi Kerala
• Gaganbawda Maharashtra
• Gangaikonda Cholapuram Tamil Nadu
• Ghatarani Falls (Gariaband) Chhattisgarh
• Gingee Fort (Senji) Tamil Nadu
• Gir (Sasan Gir) Gujarat
• Gokak Falls Karnataka
• Harike Wetland (Harike Pattan) Punjab
• Harsil Uttarakhand
• Hastinapur Uttar Pradesh
• Hirni Falls (Bandgaon) Jharkhand
• Igatpuri Maharashtra
• Janjehli (Shikari Devi) Himachal Pradesh
• Jawhar Maharashtra
• Jim Corbett (Ramnagar) Uttarakhand
• Jog Falls Karnataka
• Kaas Plateau Maharashtra
• Kadmat Island Lakshadweep
• Kafnu (Bhabha Valley) Himachal Pradesh
• Kalakkad-Mundanthurai (Mundanthurai) Tamil Nadu
• Kalpa Himachal Pradesh
• Kalpeni (Koomel Bay) Lakshadweep
• Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu
• Kannur Kerala
• Kanwar Lake (Kabar Taal) Bihar
• Karkatgarh Falls (Kaimur) Bihar
• Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh
• Katra (Vaishno Devi) Jammu and Kashmir
• Kavaratti Lakshadweep
• Kaza (Spiti) Himachal Pradesh
• Khajjiar Himachal Pradesh
• Kibber (Spiti) Himachal Pradesh
• Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu
• Kokernag & Verinag Jammu and Kashmir
• Kokkare Bellur Karnataka
• Kolukkumalai Tamil Nadu
• Kovalam Kerala
• Kugti (Budhil Valley) Himachal Pradesh
• Kumbakonam (with Darasuram) Tamil Nadu
• Kuntala Falls Telangana
• Lakhaniya Dari (Ahraura) Uttar Pradesh
• Lambasingi Andhra Pradesh
• Lepakshi Andhra Pradesh
• Little Andaman (Hut Bay) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Lonavala Maharashtra

Festivals in November

• Bateshwar & Chambal Safari (Bah), Uttar Pradesh: Nov: Bateshwar cattle fair (peaks at Kartik Purnima)
• Bhuj, Gujarat: Nov-Feb: Rann Utsav season (Bhuj is the gateway city)
• Bithoor, Uttar Pradesh: Nov: Kartik Purnima bathing mela at Brahmavart Ghat
• Bundi, Rajasthan: Nov: Bundi Utsav
• Chandannagar, West Bengal: Nov: Jagaddhatri Puja (Chandannagar lighting)
• Coorg (Madikeri), Karnataka: Nov-Dec: Puthari, the Kodava rice harvest festival
• Dera Baba Nanak (Kartarpur Corridor), Punjab: Nov: Guru Nanak gurpurab fills the town and the corridor
• Doyang Reservoir (Pangti), Nagaland: early Nov: Amur Falcon Festival at Pangti
• Guruvayur, Kerala: Nov/Dec: Guruvayur Ekadasi
• Jhalawar (Gagron & Jhalrapatan), Rajasthan: Nov: Chandrabhaga cattle fair at Jhalrapatan (Kartik Purnima)
• Kalinjar Fort, Uttar Pradesh: Nov: Kartik Purnima fair at the Neelkanth temple
• Kalpathy (Palakkad), Kerala: Nov: Kalpathy Ratholsavam, three wooden chariots pulled through the streets
• Kartik Swami (Kanakchauri), Uttarakhand: Nov: Kartik Purnima all-night vigil at the shrine
• Kolayat, Rajasthan: Nov: Kapil Muni fair at Kartik Purnima
• Kukke Subramanya (Kumara Parvatha), Karnataka: Nov/Dec: Champa Shashti car festival at the temple
• Laitlum Canyons (Rasong), Meghalaya: Nov: Ka Pomblang Nongkrem dance at Smit
• Lakhpat (Kutch), Gujarat: Nov: Guru Nanak Jayanti at Lakhpat Sahib
• Madhubani (Mithila art villages), Bihar: Nov: Sama-Chakeva Mithila folk festival
• Majuli Island, Assam: Nov: Raas Mahotsav (Vaishnavite festival)
• Mount Tiyi (Wokha), Nagaland: Tokhu Emong (Nov)
• Palitana (Shatrunjaya), Gujarat: Nov: Kartik Purnima yatra, the day the hill reopens
• Pushkar, Rajasthan: Nov: Pushkar Camel Fair (Kartik Purnima)
• Rann of Kutch (Dhordo), Gujarat: Nov-Feb: Rann Utsav (tent city, folk music, full moon nights)
• Renuka Lake (Renuka Ji), Himachal Pradesh: Nov: Renuka Ji fair (five days around Kartik Ekadashi)

Across the border in November

No visa needed for Indians: 34 places in Nepal and Bhutan are in peak season this month.

• Bandipur (Tanahun) Nepal
• Bardia National Park (Thakurdwara) Nepal
• Bhaktapur (Durbar Square) Nepal
• Bumthang (Jakar) Bhutan
• Chitwan National Park (Sauraha) Nepal
• Daman (Makwanpur) Nepal
• Ghandruk Nepal
• Gorkha Durbar Nepal
• Gosaikunda Lake Nepal
• Haa Valley Bhutan
• Ilam (tea gardens) Nepal
• Janakpur (Janaki Mandir) Nepal
• Kalinchowk Bhagwati Nepal
• Kathmandu Durbar Square Nepal
• Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Nepal
• Kyanjin Gompa (Langtang) Nepal
• Lhuentse (Kurtoe) Bhutan
• Lumbini Nepal
• Manang Nepal
• Marpha Nepal
• Merak and Sakteng Bhutan
• Namche Bazaar Nepal
• Paro Valley (Tiger's Nest) Bhutan
• Phobjikha Valley (Gangtey) Bhutan
• Pokhara (Phewa Lake) Nepal
• Punakha Bhutan
• Rara Lake Nepal
• Royal Manas National Park (Panbang) Bhutan
• Tansen (Palpa) Nepal
• Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong) Bhutan
• Trashigang Bhutan
• Trashiyangtse (Chorten Kora) Bhutan
• Trongsa Bhutan
• Ura (Bumthang) Bhutan

Best states to visit in November

Rajasthan (43)Karnataka (42)Maharashtra (39)Madhya Pradesh (32)Uttarakhand (30)West Bengal (28)Kerala (27)Gujarat (26)

Common questions