peg

When I started planning my trip to India, I noticed on this board a few questions about India in May so I thought I would give a brief description on my experience in May. I was there for two weeks, returning on the 20th of May. I started my trip in Delhi and went on the overnight train to Khanti (no roaches and bathrooms weren't completely disgusting), then a two hour drive to Bandhavargh. After 4 days in Bandhavargh I went to Agra, Baratpur, Jaipur, Samode Palace, Neemrana Fort and back to Delhi. In Bandhavargh it averaged around 110 F (42-43 C) in the afternoons. It was tolerable in the morning, but after 9 am it started to get hot. The evening drives started out warm, but after the sun started going down it was much better. The only downside was I stayed at Tree House Hideaway and it was too hot in the afternoon to sit on the balcony and enjoy the surroundings. What I enjoyed the most was the lack of tourists. So if I have to sweat a little who cares, the fact that I wasn’t in a packed jeep with a bunch of other people was well worth it. Agra was about the same temps, but it was Jaipur and Samode that was hotter. The two days I was in Jaipur the temperature posted on the sign in the pool was 46 C (114 F). There were some people who were lying by the pool in the afternoon, but I stayed in the shade and had a Kingfisher to cool me down. At Samode, the staff said it was 47 C (116 F), and it was even too hot for them. I had a balcony that was shaded in the afternoon, so I sat out there and caught up on some reading and it was fine. If you do things early in the morning, and in the evening, it is tolerable. I suggest relaxing in the afternoons, or do some shopping in the air conditioned stores.

I very much enjoyed my time in India thanks to Mr. Singh of Legends and Palaces. I normally don’t use a travel agent, but on this trip I’m glad I did. Everything was arranged for me so all I had to do was show up and enjoy. He was most helpful on advice and I had a lovely dinner with him on my first night there. I will definitely go back to India, will definitely engage Legends and Palaces again, and I would go in May again.

I know this isn’t as detailed as some of the other reports, but I just wanted to let people know my experience in May. You will need a good sunscreen, a baseball hat along with a light weight long sleeve shirt is good for game drives, a good book, drink a lot of water, and wear lightweight clothes.

Kathie

I'm glad it worked out for you, Peg. For me, personally, I wouldn't call temps above 110 "hot but tolerable." But your report is a good resource for people heading to India in May - they will know what to expect.

dogster

Well, Peg - you didn't listen.

A trip where sightseeing [and ANY activity] is well nigh impossible between 9.00 AM and 4.00 P.M. is a waste of time. I know Peg, I've made the same mistake. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to really get moving till about 9.00 AM - so my fabulous HOT Indian adventure lasted from, oh - about 4.00 p.m. till errr... sunset. About two hours a day. The rest of time I spent lolling around, thinking of somewhere cool.

I'm glad your Pollyanna pills worked for you. My prescription ran out.

rhkkmk

better you than me, but glad you had a good time....try november or december next time..

magical

Glad u had a good time....hot summertime is mango season in India. Did u try some of the many varieties of mangoes? That is if u like mangoes.

peg

I know, I know, I didn't listen. But Dogster I am a morning person so being up by 6 am was no problem for me. So I was able to do a bit more activities.

Kathie, I guess since my company transfered me to the UAE I think I'm more tolerable (or maybe I think I am)to the heat. And in teh shade it really wasn't bad. Might not have been so if I was coming directly from the US.

Magical I did try the mangoes, very good.

Rhkkmk fortunately I have a 10 year visa, so I'm sure I'll get there at different times of the year. I mainly went in May because it was my birthday, and a good time to see animal sightings. I saw a tigress around the water hole, and again laying in the stream. So it was worth it.

glinky_slinky

I also went to Rajasthan in early May this year against the advice of many people. Like Peg I also felt the climate was tolerable and the heat didn't spoil my trip. Maybe it is because I have lived in hot and humid South East Asia for a few years. The temperature went up to 49C when we were in Jaisalmer one afternoon so my companion and I stayed indoor for a few hours and went out again soon after 3pm.

I found there were a few benefits travelling during this time of year:

1) hotels accommodation were half the price if compared to peak tourist season (Novemeber to February). We could afford to stay in upscale hotels which would otherwise out of our league.

2) cheaper airfare

3) There were less foreign tourists. When I showed my photo of me sitting on Diana bench with Taj Mahal at the background, friends were surprised that there weren't other tourists in the photo.

4) Good for sighting tigers. We saw two tigers and a leopard (a rear sighting according to our guide)in Ranthambhore national park.

The downsides: brown vegetation and glaring bright sun were not that good for photography. It was like walking on hot charcol at some places where we have to take off our footwears. We soon learned to pack a pair of thick socks with us on our daypack. Dust.

We planned our itinerary in such a way that we were always indoor during the hottest time of the day (palaces, musuems, restaurants or travelling in air conditioned cars).

Would I go back to India in May again? The answer is a resounding YES.

atravelynn

Thanks for the input on May, including specific temps. What were your Bandhavgarh sightings like, Peg?

peg

I agree completely glinky. I had three wonderful sightings of a tigress, one on the back of an elephant, she was laying on the rock. One at the water hole, and another she walked up to a stream and laid down in it. Saw many birds, monkeys, all three kinds of deer, but I wasn't forutnate to see a sloth beer or leapord (although one was spotted a few minutes before we arrived in one spot). Since I had the jeep to myself, I chose to go to Zone 3 for one drive since I had already seen a tiger. Loved it there, no one else was in that zone. Saw antelope and a huge wild boar. Animals are afraid of the jeeps in that part of the park, so they scatter easily. The view from the check point was amazing, its on a hill overlooking the park. I only had five drives, as they close the park on Wednesday nights so I lost one.

BostonHarbor

Peg, I'm so glad you had a good time and saw that tigress. For me to be there in that heat, someone would have to be holding a member of my family hostage somewhere--and only specifiic members--I wouldn't bear that heat for all. Of course, I was born and raised on the Canadian border. I moved to Boston for the warmer weather, LOL

atravelynn

I lost one drive too due to the Wed pm close. Sloth bears and leopards are quite rare. Thanks for the Zone 3 info.

peg

BostonHarbor LOL,I originally moved from Ohio to DC for the warmer weather, then three months ago my work decided I should try for even warmer weather in the UAE. Which I guess is why I said it was tolerable.