Rajasthan end of May/June- realistic?

azatuhi

First of all let me express my gratitude for this incredible site. I've learned more in a day about India than I imagined possible.

Secondly, I need some advice. My boyfriend and I will be travelling to India at the end of May for 3-4 weeks. We plan on spending at a third of that timein Ladakh, trekking. We were very much hoping to go to Rajasthan as well, thinking it would be a good contrast to Ladakh as well as fascinating in its own right. Initially, we had hoped to go on a camel safari in Bikaner, and travel to Jaipur as well. However, my research has shown that most of Rajasthan might be unbearably hot.

What I would love is suggestions for making a trip to Rajasthan during that time period work, if at all possible. If it's a pipe-dream, let me know as well. Even better would be suggestions for places that would be tolerable in the summer that offer something Ladakh doesn't. We were also considering Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarankhal, but I may put seperate posts in those sections instead.

Thank you and happy travelling!

camelgirl

Too hot! Unless you really like extreme heat. You could head south to a hill station like Ooty. But there are many. http://www.hillstationsinindia.com/s...ons/index.html

They won't be anything like Ladakah, don't worry!

You could also consider Srinigar, which seems to be having alot of tourists again. You could go directly from Leh to Srinigar. We did it many years ago in the opposite direction by bus. (Srinigar to Leh). There are many places to get away from the extreme heat all over India, both north and south.

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Aishah

Absolutely too hot - I'm escaping for those months! The latest I have ever been here is May 26th and was I glad to go to the hills. I've been in temps up to 60'c - in May 50'c is not uncommon. It is a nightmare - you cannot stay outside for long. The nights cool down to mid 30's and that's not really cool either. Both Himachel Pradesh and Uttarkhand offer some nice places to go also. You need to be above 1800 metres to start feeling 'cooler' in the summer and more comfortable.

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Indizen

This info is gleaned from a travel website:
Weather Of Rajasthan


The following table shows the average maximum and minimum temperature, month-wise and average rainfall in the various cities of Rajasthan Place Summer Winter Annual Rainfall
Max. Min. Max. Min.
Sawai Modhpur 37 23 29 9.2 68 cm
Mount Abu 33.8 23.8 28.3 16.1 65 - 177 cm
Pushkar 40.7 25.9 23.3 6.3 50cm
Ajmer 38.2 27.8 23.3 5.5 38 - 51cm
Bundi 43 35 30.7 5 75cm
Chittorgarh 43.8 23.8 28.37 11.6 60 - 85 cm
Jaisalmer 41.6 25 23.6 7.9 15 cm
Jaipur 45 25.8 22 8.3 64 cm
Ranakpur 42 22 20 10.6 55 cm
Kota 42.6 29.7 24.5 11.6 88 cm
Jodhpur 42.2 27.3 27.5 9.5 31 cm
Bikaner 41.8 28 23.2 5 26 - 44 cm
Alwar 37 24 31 11 62 cm
Barmer 43 27 26 10 28 cm


Rajasthan is one of the hottest states of India.

Summers
Summer months in Rajasthan extend from April to June. Summers are the hottest season in Rajasthan. The day temperature varies between 32o Celsius to 45o Celsius. Sometimes temperatures may rise upto 48o Celsius during afternoons. Though it is a rarity, it is not totally impossible! However, there is much variation in the diurnal range of temperature in Rajasthan. Though day temperatures can melt your bones, they tend to fall considerably at night. The only relief from the hot season is to escape to the only high altitude place in Rajasthan, Mount Abu.

Info: http://travelguiderajasthan.blogspot. com/

camelgirl

I see the OP is from the USA. So, are you familiar with the American Southwest--Phoenix in the summer!! That's Rajasthan beginning in April--100 to 120 degrees F. Without shade, air-conditioned malls, cars & homes to help you survive Add to it dust, dust, dust.

The heat & dust just suck the air out of your lungs after a few minutes.

azatuhi

Thanks for all the information guys! One last question. Is it doable if you have an air-conditioned car and a driver, and try to see most places in the evening? Or would that still be unbearable? Based on the comments of many people and my own research, we will almost definitely check out Mt. Abu, but it would be a shame to be in Rajasthan and go nowhere else, right? And definitely no camel safari.

Aishah

Azatuhi - if you are determined to go to Rajasthan at this time, here's a suggestion. Yes, you will need air conditioning for your travel. You could train/car to Jaipur, stay in an air conditioned hotel, rent an air/conditioned car for the day and try out your sightseeing. If you find it's comfortable then onto the next place with the same 'method'. Rather than booking a full tour, and finding it impossible, you can have a taste of it, and see if you can cope.
Indizen - temps are averages and don't reflect the day to day huge soaring which can occur which I mentioned here previously.
Whilst Jaisalmer averages for summer (and I'm guessing this is over 6mths, because there are only ave. for summer and winter)
is overall 41.6c, one has to take into account the huge temps in May and June - most days over 45'c.

sai2000_g

Hi

I really had been planning to head out to Rajasthan end of this month ( May ) .. understand everywhere its too hot. What about Moutn Abu ?... is that a better idea..

And also , was wondering is it really really a bad idea to go India. Been in Karantaka , spending a lot of time in North Karnataka , which is quite hot by itself..

edwardseco

Mont Abu won't be cool. But it will be cooler than the steaming plains. August will be better but..

machadinha

For some general idea of the weather, try also this whole thread: India climate chart

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safari vala

mt abu will crawling with gujaratis in summer and not very restful.
Go to Himachal Pradesh and stop being totally insane. Satan will boil your buttocks if you insist on visiting rajasthan in summer.Just over the border in Sindh , the world record temp. in celcius was once recorded at jacobabad. it was 53 C. in the shade[what shade?]. That is not funny and you won't like it.