General questions about India

[kris_nyc]

I know I just back from a trip, but I always like to have something to look forward to in the back of my mind. I've been wanting to go to India for a while. When is the best time to go? I always thought it would be January/February, but I hear it gets bitterly cold in the north during this time. How cold is cold? Also, GAP has a number of great looking trips. Is there any concensus on which one is the best? Since it's my first trip, I'm looking to see the highlights.

Thanks!

[jimshu]

Hi Kris, nice to know you're still dreaming of travelling.
Have a look at southern India for that period.It's quite balmy down there then.And still interesting.Not so many forts, but the temples are mind blowing.And you can get time to relax at some of the beaches.It's a great intro to India also.Not as crowded, and less hassles as traders are less in your face.

[TravelFun]

Hi there,

Feb/Mar is a good time for the North of India when things are warming up. It's t-shirt weather and can be slightly cooler in the evenings (long sleeve tops too). Apr/May does get hot but the North itself is vast so temperatures will vary.

Happy Travels!

[desiree2]

I went on the Essential India tour in Dec/Jan which is a northern trip. I certainly wouldn't describe the weather as bitter. It did get cold at night but that was never a problem. I think it's a lot easier and enjoyable to sightsee when the weather is cooler - besides you can't possibly go to India and not see the Taj Mahal.

Desiree

[moviegeekjn]

I went on Delhi to Kathmandu trip a couple years ago in March. It was very warm at that time, so I'm pretty sure that January and February should work fine (esp. since it's not during monsoon season). The north has plenty of visual splendor (and of course the Taj Mahal) and variety; it serves as a good introduction to India.

I thought that I had had enough of India to last for a few years, but just a year later I was drawn to visit Bhutan (and added the Kolkata to Darjeeling section). VERY different from the previous year, but I'd recommend checking out northern India for starters.... and you'll likely find a reason to return to another part of India in due time.

[Zuleika]

Feb was fine for me in Northern India - the days were very comfortable and warm, the nights were cold but nothing that a fleece or jumper couldnt sort. Good time to go in my opinion as there is no rain and its not too stinking hot!
I think the bitterly cold areas are higher up in the mountains, but if your thinking of doing the usual tourist haunts Delhi, Taj, Varanasi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalamer etc etc etc you will be fine.
Do the trip that most takes your fancy I would saay - whether its north or south - the weathers great at that time.

Actually - if you find you are cold - they have THE best jumper shops - here is a pic of me and my friends kitting out top to toe in stripeyness - great fun!!!!!

[TravelFun]

Fantastic Zuleika...where was that in India?

[Zuleika]

It was in Delhi - in a bazaar called Pahar Ganj - its a massive crazy street market quite near Connaught and definately worth a look - you can easily get lost in it! And loads of interesting gems like this jumper shop!

[kris_nyc]

Thanks, everyone!

[jimshu]

Nice avatar Kris.Your own photo?
Wish I could get mine uploaded.But those backroom boys are working on it.
Have a great trip.And the price to you of all this info , is to come back on here to tell us all about it.!

[kris_nyc]

Thanks, Jim. Yup, it's my own photo. I just finally finished sorting through all my Kenya and Tanzania photos and will be posting a link on the boards soon.

No definite plans yet to go to India, but it's definitely on my list. I just like to dream and plan.

Next is a short trip (5 days) to Colombia in November with a couple of friends. Can't wait!

[DanielBMe]

My plan right now for 2010 is Photograph India in either Sept or Oct. I'll see if I can get you to join me lol

[kris_nyc]

Daniel, that trip looks great. It's so hard choosing a trip. Right now, I'm looking at Uncover India (Delhi to Goa trip). It looks like a great itinerary, starting from Delhi, then Agra, then a few cities in Rajasthan, then Mumbai then Goa...but then again it doesn't include a tiger safari or Varanasi. But I really want to go to Goa for the food. It's also the cheapest trip, at USD900 for 2 weeks. Hmm, decisions...

I was thinking February, but there's also the Pushkar camel festival in November. Has anyone here been to the festival? Is it too crowded to be fun and/or too touristy or does it live up to the hype?

[DanielBMe]

I was also thinking about the Delhi to Katmandu as that looks like it would have some great scenery. It is definitely hard to choose. Actually I find it hard trying to choose just about any trip since there are soooooo many options.

[jimshu]

Delhi to Kathmandu I can reccommend.We did this with Intrepid 3 years ago but at the height of the pro democracy demos in Nepal and we couldn't enter the country.So got diverted around central India.
But that is a great itinerary.Forts, palaces,people,Ganges Ghats,then finishing up in scenic (which we didn't see) Nepal.Such a contrast.And it was a really sad experience not being able to get up to Nepal for us.Our friend who travelled with us then, has just finally done it, right to Everest Base Camp.Still our dream.