Where to spend Apr, May, and June in India? Nice weather/photography trip.

saren · Mar 4th, 2009, 14:35

Where to spend Apr, May, and June in India? Nice weather/photography trip.

I am planning a 3 month Indian trip (Apri, May, June), I know it is the Indian summer period, and it's a bad time to travel so I wish to explore Himalayan India in May, and June (Kashmir, Uttarchand, Himchal Pradesh, etc...), but the question is where to spend April? I don't like too much humidity, temperatures above 32, or too many rainy days, as I am a photographer, and I need clear skies for my photos. So, where do you recommend in April?

Keep in mind, in March (1 month before entering India), I am in Nepal (I am spending March there), after Nepal, I am flying to India (but I am still looking for a discount airline connecting Kathmandu to Srinigar, or another Himalayan city in India)?

Anyways, let me know your suggestions. Also, if I happen to get a 6 month visa, I would like to use it, but I'm worried July, and August in India is pretty much a bad time to be ANYWHERE in the country. I am interested in Northeastern India also, and I want to cross over to Myanmar after India.

Thanks.

Aishah · Mar 4th, 2009, 14:44

April in Darjeeling area? Sikkim, Assam? I've never been there, want to some day, but it seems to me you could do some good exploring there before heading over to the other states you mentioned.

saren · Mar 4th, 2009, 16:41

I think these areas require a special permit, which needs to be given by the Indian home office, or something like that. Even though they're free, i Hear you may need to wait 4 weeks for it.

Aishah · Mar 4th, 2009, 19:53

I don't think Darjeeling and some areas in Assam need a permit - maybe Sikkim does. Even here there are areas near the border where a permit is necessary for foreigners. But many other areas where it is not.

saren · Mar 4th, 2009, 20:48

Well considering I have to fill up 3 months of Indian Himalayan travel, I guess what I'm really asking for is a route? Permit-free, of course.

I am rethinking to spend March in Nepal, and Apr, May, June (in Himalayan India), but where to go exactly after Nepal, and how to get from Kashmir all the way to Darjeeling, I'm not sure. After India, I want to enter Myanmar (overland, if possible).

I don't want to do a lot of backtracking to Dehli, just to get a flight.

sandeep9868 · Mar 5th, 2009, 12:50

I beleive that you can find clear sky (in mornign and at dusk) in almost everywhere (Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal).
But in Himachal you can find the diversity once you moved from Shimla to Spiti side (green to totally deserted zone).
There is not much greenery in Uttrakhand at that time but still there are places where you can capture the best shots.

piran_e · Mar 6th, 2009, 01:06

Spend March in Khatmandu and see if you can fly to Bagdogra airport. Or else take a bus and enter India from the Kakarbita border. This will give you access to Assam and Sikkim where you can easily spend April. In mid April Rongali Bihu would be celebrated all over Assam. This is their biggest festival and a great time to experience their varied cultural events. Alternatively you can go to Sikkim in April as it would be rhododendron season, with entier hills being splashed in colors. the weather would be quite nice in Sikkim at that time and West sikkim would really be beautiful.

So I guess it would boil down to the fact that what type of stuff would you like to experience. If you like wildlife and culture then Assam would be a great bet, if you want to go to the mountains then Sikkim would be nice. After you finish you can very easily reach Delhi by train from New Jalpaigure, moving further north as you like.

Aishah · Mar 6th, 2009, 09:28

Would dispute your 'not much greenery' in Uttarakhand, Sandeep. I have been there in May, and there's lots of greenery! I arrived before the rains started too.

shahronakm · Mar 7th, 2009, 00:57

If you are interested in Wildlife Photography, Summer months are the best time to get going. Of course you will have to brave the heat, but you will get good sightings.

Ronak.

sandeep9868 · Mar 10th, 2009, 12:29

I believe that ''not much greenery' in Uttarakhand' just because of recent snowfall conditions and so nothing is there to feed mother earth

I wish, I'll wrong.

Aishah · Mar 10th, 2009, 17:24

Oh dear, I hope you are wrong too! I'm heading that way mid-April so will see then.

Adbenda · Mar 18th, 2009, 10:42

I'm also heading to the same area for the summer. I really dont care what the weather is like. Bring it on ! I'm so sick of cold old Seattle !
Cheers.

born2travel · Mar 18th, 2009, 12:19

Saren as u r a photographer,weather really does matter for you..I wanna suggest u for later april /may ..you can search for Kausani,Munsiyari in Uttarakhand and you can easily make ur way from nepal to uttarakhand via Khatima(Gadda chowki border)than you can start from Nainital(corbett national park)-Almora-Binsar-Kausani(really nice place for photography )Himalayas are clerly visible for a vast range-Munsiyari-after that u can continue for Garhwal and there is lot to see.....

Thanks
Best of Luck

Aishah · Mar 18th, 2009, 15:01

sandeep9868 - I fear you may be correct with your comment after all! Recently I had some friends staying with me, and last week they were in Simla. They said all the way up on the toy train everything was brown, dry and dusty. As you mentioned, due to lack of snow. I have never seen the mountains like this before (I'm up there either Himachel, or Uttarakhand for the last nine years) - it doesn't bode well at all. Landour could well be the same I think, which is where I'm heading.

nevilleb · Apr 2nd, 2009, 03:18

Head off to Ladakh! By flight, as the land route won't be open at that time.

Advantage - the place won't be crawling with tourists that flock there during the peak tourist season. You should really get some good shots of the people at their natural best, free of the trappings that come along with the hordes of pesky tourists that flock the place duuring season.

Who know,s you may just get some shots like this one :

http://www.nevillebulsara.com/ladakh-gallery-34.htm

BTW, the above shot was made during a december trip to Ladakh. It was minus 20 degrees celsius when my flight landed...

))

All the best for your trip!

nevilleb

Mar 4th, 2009, 14:35	#1
saren Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: dubai Posts: 3	Where to spend Apr, May, and June in India? Nice weather/photography trip. Where to spend Apr, May, and June in India? Nice weather/photography trip. I am planning a 3 month Indian trip (Apri, May, June), I know it is the Indian summer period, and it's a bad time to travel so I wish to explore Himalayan India in May, and June (Kashmir, Uttarchand, Himchal Pradesh, etc...), but the question is where to spend April? I don't like too much humidity, temperatures above 32, or too many rainy days, as I am a photographer, and I need clear skies for my photos. So, where do you recommend in April? Keep in mind, in March (1 month before entering India), I am in Nepal (I am spending March there), after Nepal, I am flying to India (but I am still looking for a discount airline connecting Kathmandu to Srinigar, or another Himalayan city in India)? Anyways, let me know your suggestions. Also, if I happen to get a 6 month visa, I would like to use it, but I'm worried July, and August in India is pretty much a bad time to be ANYWHERE in the country. I am interested in Northeastern India also, and I want to cross over to Myanmar after India. Thanks.

Mar 4th, 2009, 14:44	#2
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,626	April in Darjeeling area? Sikkim, Assam? I've never been there, want to some day, but it seems to me you could do some good exploring there before heading over to the other states you mentioned. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Mar 5th, 2009, 12:50	#6
sandeep9868 In a search of Absolution Join Date: May 2008 Location: India Posts: 85	I beleive that you can find clear sky (in mornign and at dusk) in almost everywhere (Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal). But in Himachal you can find the diversity once you moved from Shimla to Spiti side (green to totally deserted zone). There is not much greenery in Uttrakhand at that time but still there are places where you can capture the best shots. __________________ Thanks, Sandeep My Site

Mar 6th, 2009, 01:06	#7
piran_e Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 213	Spend March in Khatmandu and see if you can fly to Bagdogra airport. Or else take a bus and enter India from the Kakarbita border. This will give you access to Assam and Sikkim where you can easily spend April. In mid April Rongali Bihu would be celebrated all over Assam. This is their biggest festival and a great time to experience their varied cultural events. Alternatively you can go to Sikkim in April as it would be rhododendron season, with entier hills being splashed in colors. the weather would be quite nice in Sikkim at that time and West sikkim would really be beautiful. So I guess it would boil down to the fact that what type of stuff would you like to experience. If you like wildlife and culture then Assam would be a great bet, if you want to go to the mountains then Sikkim would be nice. After you finish you can very easily reach Delhi by train from New Jalpaigure, moving further north as you like. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ Walking a Dream

Mar 7th, 2009, 00:57	#9
shahronakm Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,851	If you are interested in Wildlife Photography, Summer months are the best time to get going. Of course you will have to brave the heat, but you will get good sightings. Ronak. __________________ My Picture Gallery

Mar 4th, 2009, 16:41	#3
saren Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: dubai Posts: 3	I think these areas require a special permit, which needs to be given by the Indian home office, or something like that. Even though they're free, i Hear you may need to wait 4 weeks for it.

Mar 4th, 2009, 19:53	#4
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,626	I don't think Darjeeling and some areas in Assam need a permit - maybe Sikkim does. Even here there are areas near the border where a permit is necessary for foreigners. But many other areas where it is not.

Mar 4th, 2009, 20:48	#5
saren Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: dubai Posts: 3	Well considering I have to fill up 3 months of Indian Himalayan travel, I guess what I'm really asking for is a route? Permit-free, of course. I am rethinking to spend March in Nepal, and Apr, May, June (in Himalayan India), but where to go exactly after Nepal, and how to get from Kashmir all the way to Darjeeling, I'm not sure. After India, I want to enter Myanmar (overland, if possible). I don't want to do a lot of backtracking to Dehli, just to get a flight.

Mar 6th, 2009, 09:28	#8
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,626	Would dispute your 'not much greenery' in Uttarakhand, Sandeep. I have been there in May, and there's lots of greenery! I arrived before the rains started too.

Mar 10th, 2009, 12:29	#10
sandeep9868 In a search of Absolution Join Date: May 2008 Location: India Posts: 85	I believe that ''not much greenery' in Uttarakhand' just because of recent snowfall conditions and so nothing is there to feed mother earth I wish, I'll wrong.

Mar 10th, 2009, 17:24	#11
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,626	Oh dear, I hope you are wrong too! I'm heading that way mid-April so will see then.

Mar 18th, 2009, 10:42	#12
Adbenda Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 7	I'm also heading to the same area for the summer. I really dont care what the weather is like. Bring it on ! I'm so sick of cold old Seattle ! Cheers.

Mar 18th, 2009, 12:19	#13
born2travel Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: india Posts: 35	Saren as u r a photographer,weather really does matter for you..I wanna suggest u for later april /may ..you can search for Kausani,Munsiyari in Uttarakhand and you can easily make ur way from nepal to uttarakhand via Khatima(Gadda chowki border)than you can start from Nainital(corbett national park)-Almora-Binsar-Kausani(really nice place for photography )Himalayas are clerly visible for a vast range-Munsiyari-after that u can continue for Garhwal and there is lot to see..... Thanks Best of Luck

Mar 18th, 2009, 15:01	#14
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,626	sandeep9868 - I fear you may be correct with your comment after all! Recently I had some friends staying with me, and last week they were in Simla. They said all the way up on the toy train everything was brown, dry and dusty. As you mentioned, due to lack of snow. I have never seen the mountains like this before (I'm up there either Himachel, or Uttarakhand for the last nine years) - it doesn't bode well at all. Landour could well be the same I think, which is where I'm heading.

Apr 2nd, 2009, 03:18	#15
nevilleb Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 96	Head off to Ladakh! By flight, as the land route won't be open at that time. Advantage - the place won't be crawling with tourists that flock there during the peak tourist season. You should really get some good shots of the people at their natural best, free of the trappings that come along with the hordes of pesky tourists that flock the place duuring season. Who know,s you may just get some shots like this one : http://www.nevillebulsara.com/ladakh-gallery-34.htm BTW, the above shot was made during a december trip to Ladakh. It was minus 20 degrees celsius when my flight landed... )) All the best for your trip! nevilleb

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