Quick answer
March is a shoulder month: the plains warm up, the hills open up and spring arrives in East Asia. In India, go to Mathura and Vrindavan for Holi, Kashmir for late snow and the Tulip Garden's opening, or Meghalaya before the rains. Abroad, choose Japan for cherry blossoms, Vietnam for dry weather nationwide, or Bhutan for clear spring views.
Best places in India in March
16–32°C, dryMathura and Vrindavan
Holi celebrations run for about a week, from Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon to the main day in Vrindavan's temples. Holi falls in the second half of March in 2027, so book hotels three to four weeks ahead.
4–16°C, some showersKashmir
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar usually opens in the last week of March, with more than a million tulips flowering over about a month. Gulmarg keeps enough snow for late-season skiing.
10–24°C, mostly dryMeghalaya
March is the last mostly dry month before the pre-monsoon rains, so the steps down to the double-decker root bridge at Nongriat are easier underfoot. Waterfalls are thinner than in the monsoon, but the views are clearer.
12–29°C, dryRishikesh
The International Yoga Festival is usually held in the first week of March, and river rafting runs on the full stretches from Shivpuri. Afternoons are about 28°C, and the river is cold but bearable.
6–17°C, mostly dryDarjeeling
First-flush tea plucking starts in March, and Kanchenjunga views from Tiger Hill are often clear before the April haze. Rhododendrons begin flowering on the trails toward Sandakphu.
16–31°C, occasional showersCoorg
After the first spring showers, the coffee plantations blossom white and fragrant for a few days. The hills stay noticeably cooler than Bengaluru or Mysuru.
25–32°C, dryLakshadweep
Calm, clear water before the south-west monsoon makes March one of the best months for snorkelling at Agatti and Bangaram. An entry permit and limited flights mean booking at least a month ahead.
11–29°C, dryJim Corbett
Dhikala and Bijrani are open and the grass is thinning, so tiger sightings improve from March onwards. Mornings are still cool, and the Ramganga reservoir draws elephants in the evening.
Best places abroad in March
6–16°C, mild, some rainJapan
Cherry blossom usually peaks in Tokyo and Kyoto in the last week of March and the first days of April. Kyoto hotels sell out months ahead, so book by December or January.
18–33°C, mostly dryVietnam
March is the one month when the whole country is reliably dry and warm, from Ha Long Bay and Sapa to Hoi An and the Mekong Delta. Fares and hotel rates are lower than in January.
5–20°C, dryBhutan
Spring brings rhododendrons, clear mornings in Paro and Punakha and, in some years, the Paro Tshechu. Indians pay a much lower Sustainable Development Fee than other nationalities, which keeps the trip affordable.
18–28°C, dryDubai
After Eid al-Fitr, expected around 9–10 March 2027, hours return to normal and the weather is still pleasant. Beach clubs and outdoor dining are at their best before April's heat.
13–30°C, dryEgypt
Cairo and Luxor are warm rather than hot, so long days at Giza and the Valley of the Kings are comfortable. Ramadan ends around 9 March 2027, after which sites return to normal hours.
26–31°C, dryMaldives
March is dry, calm and sunny, with some of the year's best visibility for snorkelling. Resort rates start easing in the second half of the month.
8–25°C (Kathmandu), mostly dryNepal
Spring trekking season begins, with rhododendrons on the Annapurna and Langtang trails and clear mornings in Pokhara. Indian citizens need no visa and can fly or drive in.
16–26°C, dryCape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is warm and dry, the Winelands are harvesting, and the wind is calmer than in December to February. It is outside the European peak, so hotels are better value.
Festivals and events in March
Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana, Uttar Pradesh
Holi
Celebrations run for about a week before the main day, which falls in the second half of March in 2027. Lathmar Holi in Barsana comes first.
Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
International Yoga Festival
Usually the first week of March, with classes, talks and the evening Ganga aarti. Residential places fill early.
Srinagar, Kashmir
Tulip Garden opening
Usually opens in the last week of March for about a month. Peak bloom is often in early April.
Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, Japan
Cherry blossom season
Peak usually from late March to early April. Bloom forecasts are published from February.
UAE, Oman, Qatar and India
Eid al-Fitr
Expected around 9–10 March 2027, subject to the moon sighting. Gulf fares rise for the holiday.
Bali, Indonesia
Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence)
Usually in March. The whole island, including the airport, shuts down for 24 hours.
How do Holi, exams and year-end shape March travel?
March is a shoulder month with a few busy pockets. Board exams for Classes 10 and 12 run through most of the month, so families with older children rarely travel, and resorts that fill with families in May are quiet. Two holidays create short peaks: Eid al-Fitr, expected around 9–10 March 2027, and Holi, which falls in the second half of March in 2027. Good Friday is 26 March 2027, which gives a three-day weekend. Book three to four weeks ahead for Holi weekend in Mathura, Rishikesh or Goa, and see our festivals hub for how each city celebrates.
March is also the month to book your summer holiday. If you plan to travel in May or June, flights to Leh, Srinagar, Bali, Singapore and Europe are cheapest when booked now, and Schengen and UK visa appointments are easier to get than in April.
Where is the weather best in March?
The hills come into their own. Kashmir moves from snow to spring, with the Tulip Garden opening at the end of the month; the best time to visit Kashmir covers bloom timing. Darjeeling and Sikkim have clear mornings with rhododendrons starting to flower, and Meghalaya's last dry weeks are good for the root-bridge treks. In the south, Coorg, Munnar and Lakshadweep are pleasant, while Goa and the Andamans are hot but still dry.
Abroad, Vietnam is dry from north to south, Japan's cherry blossom season begins, and Egypt and Jordan are warm without the summer heat. See the best time to visit Japan for blossom timing by city.
Where should you avoid in March?
- Ladakh and Spiti: Roads are still closed and nights are well below freezing. Leh is reachable by air, but most of the region is not.
- Rajasthan and Gujarat after mid-March: Highs climb past 35°C. Go early in the month or wait until October.
- Hampi: Afternoons reach 36–38°C, and the ruins have little shade.
- Kenya and Tanzania from late March: The long rains begin, some camps close and game drives get muddy.
- Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai is usually at its smokiest in March because of crop burning.
What does a March trip cost?
| Trip | Starting price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Himachal, 5 nights | ₹15,000+ | Snow at Sissu and Solang |
| Kashmir, 5 nights | ₹17,000+ | Higher in Tulip Garden weeks |
| Goa, 3 nights | ₹10,000+ | Holi weekend costs more |
| Vietnam, 7 nights | ₹40,000+ | Driest month nationwide |
| Dubai, 4 nights with flights | ₹42,000+ | Eid weekend costs more |
| Maldives, 3 nights with flights | ₹70,000+ | Rates ease after mid-March |
Prices are per person, twin sharing, excluding flights unless stated. For Japan's spring costs, see Japan trip cost; Kyoto rates in blossom week can be double those of February.
Kyoto and Tokyo hotels for the last week of March often book out by December. If you are planning cherry blossom at short notice, look at Osaka as a base.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best place to visit in India in March?
When does the Tulip Garden in Srinagar open?
When is cherry blossom season in Japan?
Is March a good time to visit Goa?
Do Indians need a visa for Nepal and Bhutan?
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.