Hello Everyone-Hoping the right people are listening

My name is Hoban and this will be my first journey to India. I will be here from
July 3rd through August 2nd, for a month on my own, beginning at the Mumbai airport. This was the only time I could come, the heart of the monsoon season. There will be a lot of rain and some flooding over a good portion of the country. If the weather was fair, I might have chosen a route of up to 7 locations on largely both the west and east coasts that I would seek out. But really wet conditions will be mine for my entire stay. I can "travel" in one place, and have little need to see many sites or attractions in July. My large question for all, especially those who know this season intimately is:

Just WHERE would you choose to center yourself as a base during monsoon conditions?

I would be most attracted to a smaller or moderate size town with some affordable economy hotels with single rooms and enough to see in the nearby vicinity that holing up there would still be a pleasure and revelation. I am interested in the REAL India, and having enough time in one place might afford me a chance to fully experience the rhythms of life here and getting to know people around me. I would also be curious to know areas that flooding is less likely in, and places with reliable transportation links in terms of roads or railways.

It would please me no end if you could write me back. Hoban

My suggestion : Rajasthan
Visit Udaipur, Mt.Abu, Jaipur, Shekhawati & other areas of Rajasthan then Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan.
You'll see many colours of India in this part.

Yes, Rajasthan! I liked it a lot. I have not been there during Monsoon, but I think it will not be too bad. There will be showers, mostly for one or two hours in the afternoon. The showers can be hard and give delays when traveling, but it will also be beautyfull. Being a desert region, everybody will be happy to have rain, it will be much greener and not so humid. And there is a lot too see there, old and new, rich and poor, rural and urban. The real India is a mix and difficult to grasp, but you can get an overwhelming first impression.

Hoban, I think I did not get you clearly. But what I understand is that you would have loved to visit the east and west coasts but can only be at "one" place this time where you can explore around.

No doubt Ladakh is always on top of my mind and July should be an ideal season too with almost a month in hand.
But What kind of things do you enjoy is also important Hills, snow, treks, sand, forests etc.

Apart from Ladakh the Rajesthan cirsuit should be good too, but what I get is it is too touristy and moght not be the experience you looking for (If I get what you mean)

Maharashtra has a lot to offer in monsoon - If you are a trekker and a biker and love hills.
The kaas platue, the hisll stations, the forts and many other usual things like ajanta- ellora etc.

I'm thinking it's either the desert or the mountains . . . IF your aim is to miss the rain . . . but then, the monsoon is a pretty cool time to be in India. I went once specifically for monsoon - to Varanasi for six months. Having lived in Varanasi for every month of the year except for monsoon, I thought it was time. Hot? Oh Yeah. Humid? OOOOOOOh Yeah. Would I do it again? Maybe, maybe not. Am I glad I went during monsoon? Without question.

And as for "the Real India", when you find it, let us know . . . on second thought, don't tell us if/when you find it . . . a lot of people are looking for it . . . it'd get real crowded

Rajasthan and Ladakh

Welcome to IndiaMike. You will certainly find a wealth of information here.

You might want to take a look at OceanTragic's blog here: Monsoon Meandering

I'm pretty sure if OT knew you were asking about monsoon traveling, he'd send you in this direction.

distaff

Hi,

Udaipur is one of the best city to be visited during monsoon season. You will surely love the heritage places and beautiful gardens.