Southeast and South Central or Ladakh - which is better in June/July?

Rick's Ghost

I've got a window to go to India in June/July, can't manage it any other time this year. I've been to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh before a couple of times, so this time I wanted to try the South from Madras and Mahabalipuram over to Hampi, and was all up for doing it until someone told be that the weather would be extremely hostile in June/July.

Does the rainfall/humidity really max out then or is it bearable? I've live in Southeast Asia for the past four years anyway, so hot is not a problem; I'm mainly worried about it raining all the time and p***ing on my fireworks.

I've heard that Leh is a good alternative for these months, but some say that it's getting too crowded with tourists these days. I'd really like to be in a place without too many other travellers.

Any other places any of you can suggest for June and July would be really appreciated too. Someone suggested Karnataka in June July would be OK as well - any comments on that?: