Monsoons

MeCasa

I may not have a choice of the dates I'll be in India/Nepal. I've rescheduled multiple times and I have time in July/August. Not the best time of year but I really hate to reschedule any more

I have two choices, buy a cycle in Delhi and ride north or fly north and try to buy a bike up north, I'm not against trains/buses but I like the freedom of moving around by myself

How much water are we talking?

Thanks

Indojingai

You sir, have no idea what monsoon is and what effect it has on travel in India.
If I were you I'd shoot for Nov-Dec timeframe.

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I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.

MeCasa

I wish I had a choice but life is busy, will I be able to leave Delhi in July and enjoy the north?

If not I will not spend the money for shots ($1000), I'll simply fly in, have my medical work and fly out

I wish I had more choices of time, but I don't

goangoangone

http://www.indiaweather.in/awch.asp

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GoanGoan......here

dzibead

Not sure exactly where you are referring to when you ask about being able to "enjoy the north." If you fly really far north - to Leh - the monsoon won't affect you! But elsewhere, you're likely to encounter landslides and flooding during the monsoon. That doesn't mean travel is impossible during this time of year, but realistically, the monsoon does create certain obstacles from time to time!

MeCasa

Either Leh or Kathmandu, I'll only fly if somebody /anybody lies to me and tells me I'll be able to purchase a cycle in either place so I can wander. I really really don't like travelling without my own or rented wheels, preferably a cycle

or

I can try to make it riding from Delhi where bikes are plentiful. Truthfully, I was worried about flooding and washouts more than rockslides, but now I realize that there are multiple obstacles at various elevations, not to mention it can be depressing to be wet all the time. When I was young, I looked at obstacles as a challenge, even fun; however nowadays I often think of obstacles as annoying...hehe..it's a bitch getting old

freenote

Quote Mcasa "however nowadays I often think of obstacles as annoying...hehe..it's a bitch getting old" end quote .
What what ,this is not good anough .Leave your Knife behind ,buy an umberela and go out in flames .Time is getting shorter and there is still a lot to do .

MeCasa

MeCasa >

Freenote >

edwardseco

One note to make is that rain cuts traction on wheels like mad as I discovered to my regret in India..

kayozz

I've heard the monsoon has already hit Bombay... How will the rain affect flights etc... we fly back on the 5th June.

Have there been any problems in the past?

bernieke

Last year in august the Mumbai airport was out for a few days.

MeCasa

I can read weather reports but they can be hard to equate to reality. I am in a time bind. I'll have a week in the hospital and a week recovery, I realize that every year the weather is different but I would like an opinion on what would be the EARLIEST that I can get out of Delhi by motorcycle headed north towards Leh/Kathmandu. I have no intention of stopping to smell the roses nor visit the Taj, all the roses I currently care to see are in the Himilayas

I would rather not fly north as then I'll be stuck with no wheels when I get there and I want wheels

Thanks

PS: I worked hard to try and find a way to bring a bike from the states or Europe but It's a very difficult and expensive propisition, so I'll buy in Delhi (hehe should be cheaper if it's raining

bernieke

You can also rent a bike in Leh, they have 125cc Yamaha Enticers and some 100cc Hero Hondas for rent, as well as Bajaj chetak's (geared scooters). Haven't seen any Bullets for rent there though.

Alternatively I've also seen plenty of Bullets for sale in Manali, which has an airport pretty close, and saves you at least the Delhi - Manali drive. These bikes are sold by travellers, so you probably will get a better deal on them as well.

I travelled from Leh to Manali midway July last year, and from Manali to Delhi at the start of August. There were some road problems, but the monsoon never really hits Manali, just some regular rain now and then.

We actually had to overstay 4 days in Leh, because the roads were *snowed* in.

MeCasa

I appreciate your help, it sounds like my best bet is to buy a bike in Delhi (I want a pulsar) and just lay low until the roads are passable between Delhi/Menali, then I should be OK. As far as Kathmandu I'll just play it by ear as to the best route from Leh. There is a decent highway that goes east to west across southern Nepal and it's open year round except for some flooding during monsoon season, however I'll just play that by ear and lay over for a few days if necessary

I appreciate the help, I'd planned on being there in May (now) but business has not allowed me to leave therefore putting me in Monsoon season (not my first choice)

The good part of all this is I love white water and the mountain rivers should be full and running strong

Thanks

kayozz

So, what with the rain in Mumbai - there's a chance we can get stranded... not good, considering how little money we have.

Anybody know a cheap place near the airport? Guesthouse or hotel. I've been told Mumbai is expensive...