Plan a trip to India
Season
The best strategy you can take in India is to travel when and where there is the best weather.
The Mountains
The incredible Himalayas are rich in culture, history and scenery. During the monsoon season (April to September) the plains will be too hot, reaching 45+C Many Indians take refuge in the cool mountains. During the winter the mountains get very cold and but can offer clear views of the mountains. Lodges are usually NOT heated or lack adequate insulation, concrete wall keep in cold. The best season is October-December when the monsoon has passed and the air is clear.
The Plains
Central India is generally dry and dusty but there is more forest in the central parts. The best time to visit is September to-December, the monsoon has passed and the sky is clear from dust, the trees are bright green. Post monsoon there will be many mosquitoes though. December to March is still good, but can get cold, wet and dismal during the winter north of Delhi. Winter it gets cold at night but the mosquito will have died. By February and March it’s getting hot, dry and dusty again. April to June may reach ultra high temperatures, 45+ degrees. Followed by the monsoon rains.
The plains can also be noted for the high population and pollution problems particular in the cities or towns. Generally it is better avoid the monsoon in the plains from April to September.
The South
The far south, Kerela and Tamil Nadu, Rains end by December but still hot, January and February being the cooler dryer months and are best for traveling. The south is hot except for the Mountains such as KodiaKannal at 2100m the mountains can get down to 6 degree in the winter (Jan to Feb.) South India Mountain station will be crowded during the summer with locals trying to avoiding the heat and wet.
Hindus culture is different to that of the North. A Tropical feel and some of the friendliness of folks compared to other part of India. The south is easier to travel because it offers many green hills and beaches to relax in. Consider that the south starts in Bombay, Goa and then the far south Kerela, Tamil Nadu, Bombay,Goa. Monsoon pattern is different in the far south starting rain In September to December. Mosquito and sand flies will be a problem after the monsoon. December to April is the tourist season. By April it is very hot and start to rain.
October: Plains or mountains
November: Plains, mountains, mid south
June-Sept: Northern Mountains (Ladak, Manali)
December-March: plains, all of south.
April-May: Mountains perhaps beach
TIP: During the month of October and around Divali the hill stations will be very crowded with Indian tourists which you may want to avoid. Also book trains maybe difficult. This festival seems to last about one month starting with Dusehra. It is also celebrated in Nepal so you can not escape. Goa too will see some tourist increase but not as much as the north.
2009 Dusehra is September 29, Diwali will fall on October 17th
2010 Diwali will fall on November 5th
To monsoon or not monsoon?
Generally it best to avoid this time in India. However if your are the adventurous type and don't mind heat, humidity, rain, endless cloudy days you might want to give monsoon travel a try. There is the pre-monsoon when the air filled with dust and haze (probably the worst time.)
* Keep in mind that A/C is not always available, also there tends to be more disease outbreaks and other natural disasters during or after the monsoon.
* Goa and Kerela will be nice and green, but the seas will be rough and the sand flies will be horrendous.
TIP: Travel during the monsoon is not only uncomfortable, it an also be unhealthy. Pre-monsoon there will be little fresh water for washing, and once the rain comes many dead things get washed into the river and the local water supply. You are more likely to become ill during the monsoon. Also air conditioning is not widely available, transportation may suffer delays. Landslides are common in the Himalayas, wash out roads, buses and unlucky villages. You should be wary of living at the base of mountain the might suffer a land slide, also buses can more dangerous. Generally people like to plan a trip to India when the weather is at it's best. You may be lonely with out the regular tourists to make friends with.
How much time do i need?
There is natural tendency to plan too much. That's okay, just realize that once your India and start traveling around a bit you ideas will change. For this reason you shouldn't got to gung hoe on the advanced bookings. How long of trip? At least 4-6 weeks is the minimum to enjoy a trip to India. Ideally 2-4 weeks per state over 6-8 month period. October to March is the classic cycle, with a nip over to Thailand for 3 weeks and then off to Nepal in March.
What? why you say? You only have 12 days? You only have 2 weeks? What's wrong with that?
Problems with a short trip:
1.Jet Lag, if you are coming from North America or even Europe jetlag can be extreme, it may take a week or two just to get your sleeping on track.2. Transportation. Indian roads and transportation is just not very reliable. So it is likely that travel times will take much long than expected and be more tiring than you expected. Going to too many places will become overkill, especially as soon as your arrived in the country. If you only spend one day somewhere then go somewhere else, you'll miss the good stuff about India, the quiet times and spaces in between.3. Culture shock. Takes some time to adapt to a new country.4. Climate shock, weather, dust dirt. The heat can take some getting used to.Where should i go for a short trip? Maybe Goa. You can do a short trip but try to keep it simple. Also use airplane travel to reduce travel times.
Money
Domestic flights run 2500Rs to 4000Rs can save a lot of time and make India more enjoyable. But the trains is still cheap and great fun. The price of beer @120Rs and bottle might be a concern for some of you.
15-30$ per day should be fine budget. Although costs have risen in India due to rapid growth and inflation!@
Accommodations will be your biggest expense in India. The reason is the rapid raise in domestic tourists who occupy the rooms. For a decent room it will now cost 400-1000Rs per night. In a city expect 1000Rs, in a small tourist town 400-600Rs in a premium tourist trap 600-1000. Supply and demand rule. In cities such as Delhi, Mumbai etc. prices for a 5 star reach $300 per night. A 600Rs room will be small, hot and noisy in Delhi. Better deals are found in the small parts. Also if you plan to stay long term you can always negotiate a cheaper price or even rent a house. Remember to always bargain, Indians love to bargain.
The Festival Traveler
* Divali to Dushara: long stretch of holidays stretching for 3-4 weeks. Many Indians travel during this times. Loud Lulu and Drunk Devi. Rooms maybe scarce.
* Camel festival: End of October in Pushkar, touristy
* Ladak Festival, September
* Christmas: where else but or Goa? Well anywhere with a large Christian population which includes Kerela and Tamil Nadu. Also Puri, Mamallapuram
* Holi- Varanasi comes to mind. Anywhere in the north it will be celebrated with a vigor.
* Kumbamela mini-mela: Sadhus babas hermits you name it - they smoke it! Varanasi
* New Years: Bombay comes to mind. Also Goa of course as Christmas. Small places such Puri or anywhere!
The Hillstation Traveler Interactive Map
The Fort Traveler Interactive Map
10 Routes & Itineraries Interactive Map
Best of India 2009
