Our family is planning a 3 week trip to India during late July through mid-August concentrating on Dehli, Calcutta, and Darjeeling. This is the height of the monsoon season. We really want to go. Is this unwise?

IN terms of where you are most likely to get completely washed out by monsoon showers it is the eastern part of India. Delhi does not have rainfall as intense as the West or East. My concern would be travel between Calcutta and Darjeeling - clearly not the right time to be driving. You could book the toy train one way but think it could be a drag both ways as it is slow and the second time novelty value will have worn off. Also, how much do you like rain? Monsoon showers are not cold rain so if you enjoy rain you may well continue to wander about in it. Also, some of the stuff to be done in Darjeeling eg a climb up to see sunrise at a peak cannot be done in rain, also the treks. No chance of rescheduling? Why don't u consider another part of India less affected by rain? I strongly recommend Ladakh?

Dear Hobbes, thank you for your thoughtful response. Unfortunately, we are locked into that time frame. We were considering flying to Bagdogra and travelling by car from there to Darjeeling. Does this change your recommendation?

P.S. this all seems horribly irrelevant in light of the tragedy which has struck this country and its neighbors.

We did the same trip in June 2002, was just about the beginning of the monsoon. We went to Gangtok and Darjeeling. They are very scenic places. IN Darjeeling if your budget allows look at the Windamere - it was one of the HIGH spots of our trip - www.windamere.com. Book with them driect and try to negotiate a good off season rate. Re flight Baghdogra and car onwards - exactly our itinerary. Am just a tad concerned re rain on the car ride but guess it will be ok. IN Calcutta where do you plan to stay? And what is your plan for Delhi? Take it Ladakh does not interest you?

Dear Hobbes, we have not got to the point of booking hotels, I am corresponding with a lovely travel agent who I learned of from this site. I will look into the Windemere. I too am cautious about Darjeeling and we may re-think that visit. But Calcutta is a a must. Where would you recommend we stay in Dehli, Agra, and Calcutta? We are thinking about Katmandu and Jaipur and Varanassi. Ladakh seems a bit too arid and stark. We are travelling with 3 kids (12-18) who are sometimes tough to motivate. Any advice is appreciated. Regards.