Travelling to India in August

Pebble

Hi folks,

Nice to meet you all I hope the folks that are reading this enjoyed their trip and for those that are about to leave or are going at some point, good luck!!

At the moment I'm 90% sure that I want to go to India, but I've taken a look at the client chart on this forum and August onwards is monsoon and winter time. Is there any point in going at this time of year, or when it says winter I'm assuming that it isn't the winters that we have here in drary England.

I was hopeing for some sun! I'd be gutted if it wasn't worth it.

Cheers

Nick-H

Hello Pebble and welcome

First things first; India is on the same (Northern) side of the equator as Essex --- so August is decidedly not 'winter'!

The monsoon, though is something else of course.

Monsoon is not a fixed thing; there is more than one (two I think ) and they move accross the country.

Here in Chennai you will find August pretty hot, and any shower that just might happen will be a welcome relief. Cross the mountains into Kerela at the same time and you could find it pretty wet!

But I've spent an August weekend in Kerala, and the alternating sunshine and downpour was interesting. Much more interesting than a wet day in Ilford!

So you have to see Monsoon as a moving thing. I live in a place that just wants more rain, please --- so I don't know too much about it.

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Darmabum

it's a subcontinent. While the monsoon may be raging somewhere, there's always someplace where it isn't. And having gone to India last year specifically for the monsoon, I had a great time. I was in Varanasi. I found that the rain was mostly in the afternoon/evening. And I remember something I read once . . . somewhere, "A great day has nothing to do with the weather." I've been in India now during all seasons; I've always had a great time. Hope you do too.

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Pebble

Thanks for your thoughts guys!

Hehe, Nick-H, hmmm, August being winter is not exactly what I meant but what I wrote. I wish I could type as quick as my brain confuses me!!

Interesting thought Darmabum about going to India specifically for the monsoon, I must say, it's not something I have ever experienced and it sure would be different: its just crappy London makes me crave sun.

I guess I need to work out which way the monsoon goes i.e north to south and how quick\slow it travels.

Thanks again guys

Darmabum

look for a book called "Chasing the Monsoon" by Alexander Frater. It's been out of print (I think) for a while but I found a copy before I went for the monsoon last year. Pretty good travelogue of someone - like me - who went for monsoon. Gives good descriptions of the monsoon as well as the path it follows and when to find it where. Know too that the only thing that rain in London and rain in India have in common is that they're both made of water. When the first (and second, and third, and . . . ) rain fell in Varanasi I was on the roof dancing. From that point on it wasn't just humid and hot, but humid, hot and raining.

Nick-H

Somewhere on IM someone posted some charts showing the progress of the monsoon.

Anybody know where?

You can be sure of being baked here, as I say, but my knowledge is very limited and I won't try to guess about N. India.

And hey, it's winter here right now. Daytime temperatures have even dropped below 30C on some days!!!! Brrrr.....

jyotirmoy

In the plains of north India August is hot & humid. The monsoon begins to move away around the last week of August. Unlike south India north India has only one monsoon July & August. During monsoon western India can have heavy to very heavy rainfall, often trains get cancelled or diverted due to heavy rains. If you are planing to travel in these parts keep this in mind. Goa takes on a new colour & beauty during monsoon.

puppydogben

Hi,

August is a great time to visit Ladakh in the far north, it is such a beautiful part of the world, unlike anywhere I have ever been. The people are really peaceful, Buddhism is the main religion there and thus there are plenty of monasteries to visit and at that time there are some great festivals. I suppose Ladakh is not quintessentially India but being that high in the mountains is amazing. Leh is a fun city too. If you had the time after that you could head down to Goa and catch the early season which I think is a great time to get a taste of Goa without the crowds.

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Pebble

Thank you guys, by the sounds of it India has a lot to offer in the "off season". I think a Lonely Planet might be in order!

mt.kailash

Those interested in India's climate try this site http://www.imd.gov.in/
Look under 'climate normals' for monsoon onset and withdrawal.
Also temperature maps and charts.
Although an Indian Government site it is not as comprehensive as it could be -not much on Ladakh,Kumaon etc but has city temps and rainfall averages and current weather reports.

machadinha

See also India climate chart Remember these are averages, actual conditions may vary quite a bit. http://www.wunderground.com/ does historical overviews too.

Ah sorry, for the monsoon(s) try: Monsoon Map :9.

It or a similar guide would certainly be a good start yes, you can always fill in the details here. Start with a borrowed copy from the library, the general stuff doesn't change a lot over the years

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