Hello everyone. My girlfriend and I will be in India for two weeks starting mid-July. All we know so far is that we start and leave from Mumbai. We are considering to wildly different itineraries:

1. South India: Mysore - Hassan - Kerala (Cochin, Kottayam, backwaters) - Fly back to Mumbai.

2. North India: frly to Delhi - Agra - maybe Jaipur, then train to Himachli Pradesh - Shimla, Manali.

we still haven't quite decided, partly because of comnflicting info about the weather in different regions. It's our first time in India....

Thanks all for reading, I hope someone can give some advice...

I assume you can't make this trip at any other time, and so my comments are below. If you are flexible on time, then don't do India in the spring or summer months, esp north India as it is sooo hot. . .and after the monsoon breaks it is hot and humid. . .

1. July is the rainiest month in Shimla, no kidding, there are downpours that can last days. I would skip it. Manali might be better as it is a bit further north and may not get as much of the monsoon rains. Not having been to Manali I can't say for sure. I would hazard a guess that visibility is not great in July however, as the humidity level is high due to the monsoon. You may not get the clear Himalaya views you are wishing for.

2. Agra will be hot, but I guess doable. Same with most of Rajasthan. Temps will be in the high 80s to low 90s and could easily be 100 and over. Pace yourself. You will probably get a fair bit of rain as the monsoon will be breaking just about on or before your arrival.

3. South India would be a better choice, IMO, as the monsoon will generally have broken there earlier than your arrival. This means rain but less rain than in north India. People say it is a beautiful time to see these coastal areas as they are so green after the monsoon. Kerala is wonderful.

Matt, I am in much the same boat as you except for the time of year we are going in; Cicerone has already given me much valuable advice on another thread (just below this one), so do heed his words. It would seem that, for both os us, the success or otherwise of the trip depends on the weather conditions in the districts of our choice, so I am making much good use of this site, which I recommend to you: http://www.mytravelguide.com/travel-...India.php?nav=

(Some of those temperatures are real eye-openers!)

Have you also checked out the Air Sahara website for those four-flights and six-flights deals, which might suit you well if you are concentrating on a single area. Indian Airlines also has a deal for foreigners where you have one week's unlimited travel in any one of four areas for (I think) around $US300, which might be handy for you, as well.

Since you're leaving in just three weeks, you will be back before we've even stepped on the plane. I hope, then, that on your return you will publish a report so that people like myself (it will be my first visit, too) can learn from your inspirations and your mistakes.

Do u like rain? Whichever itinerary u choose u will have to deal with some. Let me suggest something comp different and for which July is ideally suited - Leh, ladakh. people wait for the 3 month window when it is open and accessible and you are bang in the center of it. In terms of planning u could do Del, Agra, jaipur and Leh instead of Shimla or manali. in leh stay at the Shambhala. In case this appeals plan quickly as leh flts get sold out very quickly.

Thank you all for your valuable responses. Some background: our original plan was to stay in South India, then we started considering the north because the monsoon seems to be pretty strong this year.

Cicerone: do you have links regarding weather? In fact I keep getting contradicting info: some (including a native Keralean) say to absolutely avoid Kerala because it will be too rainy, and to go to Himlachi Pradesh which will be less rainy. You say the contrary... what is one to do??
Thanks again.

By the way, Cicerone: yes, this is the only time we can go. In fact I'll be there for business, than take two weeks off for vacation.

I don't have a link for monsoon info, but weatherbase.com should give historical average temps and rainfall. It is my understanding that the monsoon generally breaks in Kerala around June 1 and moves up India, hitting the Delhi and northern areas around the beginning of July. As I think I noted in my first post, you will still have rain in Kerala in July, but less than at the time the monsoon first breaks.

Matt
http://www.imd.ernet.in/section/nhac...al-weather.htm

try this link.

Hi Matt
Kerala would be a better bet I live in Kerala Presently looks like the rains this year is not as awesome as expected. Been quite sunny for the last few days with a couple of short brief showers.
Need any help drop a line to [email protected]
Cheers
Bibiana