Advice on best times to visit Southern India: March / April (?)

Joseph '79 · Jun 16th, 2006, 20:05

I have been reading these forums for a few months but this is my first post on Indiamike so first of all - Hi

I plan to visit India next year for a month. I am yet to book anything but I plan to fly into Bangalore then head out to the East coast to Mamallapuram, then south via Pondicherry and Rameshwaram then inland and up to Kodai. After this I am hoping to visit Kerala then head up the West coast spending a week or so in Goa before returning home.

I originally intended to visit in March but am considering postponing my trip until April. I am keen to get advice, if possible, on what would be the best time for me to visit. I am particularly concerned about the monsoons and am keen to know if I am likely to experience any significant difficulties if I go in April instead of March.

Any other advice anyone may be able to give in relation to my proposed travel intinerary would also be much appreciated. This will be my first trip to India.

Cheers,

Joe

anindya911 · Jun 16th, 2006, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph '79

I am particularly concerned about the monsoons and am keen to know if I am likely to experience any significant difficulties if I go in April instead of March.

Hi Joseph,

Welcome to Indiamike!

Some of our itinerary specialist will be with you shortly...
In the meantime, the Monsoon doesnot arrive in India till late May. The April will be much more hotter than the moderate March, but still do-able.

Anindya

arunchs · Jun 16th, 2006, 20:36

If you are heading straight to Mamallapuram, you will be better off flying into Chennai than Bangalore.

March is probably better than April because it gets much hotter. Monsoons are in India between June and September in most of India and last months of the year in Tamil Nadu, so you don't need to worry about rains in this season, unless you are going to be here for a long time.

Nick-H · Jun 16th, 2006, 21:17

The best time to visit is December. The locals will be wearing wooly hats and scarves ---and you will be feeling pretty hot. January/feb is also relatively unhot (I couldn;t say "cool"; it is never cool here).

March will be OK, but April will be getting a bit steamy.

May and June? Just don't; ok....

anindya911 · Jun 16th, 2006, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

The best January/feb is also relatively unhot (I couldn;t say "cool"; it is never cool here).

Thats the best description of south, I have seen till date...

citybell · Jun 16th, 2006, 21:58

Hi Joseph,

Welcome to IM.
Unless you have something to do in B'lore, it is better for you to land in Chennai (instead of B'lore) as you are planning to visit Mamalapuram and Pondy etc.For your information, Mamallapuram is about 60kms from Chennai.

The best time to visit would be in Jan.However if you are thinking of your visit between March and April, then March would be better as April is the starting of summer season.Incase you select March,suggest you to complete your trip of Kerala and Goa before the start of rainy season.The monsoon starts around 2-3 week of May in Kerala.You will find whole of west coast having rains till about end July.

Joseph '79 · Jun 16th, 2006, 22:05

I may now consider to fly into Chennai. I found some cheap flights from Goa to Bangalore on my way out but I guess it will be just as easy to fly from Goa to Chennai for my return flight.

Thanks for the replies folks. Keep them coming...

Nick-H · Jun 16th, 2006, 22:16

Kerala doesn;t have the huge midsummer temperature peak that Chennai gets. It has a rain peak instead! I used to go in April; it is quite likely to rain, at least in the night, but not so much as to unduly disturb. Cools things down nicely. But if you leave Kerala until June, then be prepared to be utterly soaked!

getgopi1 · Jun 16th, 2006, 22:23

Late September to December is the best time to visit Southern India. Kerala is especially gorgeous in late September and November after the rains have passed.

Joseph '79 · Jun 23rd, 2006, 15:20

Thanks for the info. folks. Aryan, thanks for the link, looks like there is some useful stuff on there.

Jun 16th, 2006, 20:05	#1
Joseph '79 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Manchester - UK Posts: 33	Advice on best times to visit Southern India: March / April (?) I have been reading these forums for a few months but this is my first post on Indiamike so first of all - Hi I plan to visit India next year for a month. I am yet to book anything but I plan to fly into Bangalore then head out to the East coast to Mamallapuram, then south via Pondicherry and Rameshwaram then inland and up to Kodai. After this I am hoping to visit Kerala then head up the West coast spending a week or so in Goa before returning home. I originally intended to visit in March but am considering postponing my trip until April. I am keen to get advice, if possible, on what would be the best time for me to visit. I am particularly concerned about the monsoons and am keen to know if I am likely to experience any significant difficulties if I go in April instead of March. Any other advice anyone may be able to give in relation to my proposed travel intinerary would also be much appreciated. This will be my first trip to India. Cheers, Joe

Jun 16th, 2006, 20:36	#3
arunchs Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 323	If you are heading straight to Mamallapuram, you will be better off flying into Chennai than Bangalore. March is probably better than April because it gets much hotter. Monsoons are in India between June and September in most of India and last months of the year in Tamil Nadu, so you don't need to worry about rains in this season, unless you are going to be here for a long time. __________________ My India travel blog and my Images from India

Jun 16th, 2006, 21:17	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	The best time to visit is December. The locals will be wearing wooly hats and scarves ---and you will be feeling pretty hot. January/feb is also relatively unhot (I couldn;t say "cool"; it is never cool here). March will be OK, but April will be getting a bit steamy. May and June? Just don't; ok.... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jun 16th, 2006, 22:23	#9
getgopi1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 105	Late September to December is the best time to visit Southern India. Kerala is especially gorgeous in late September and November after the rains have passed. __________________ - Gopi

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Jun 16th, 2006, 21:58	#6
citybell Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: INDIA Posts: 167	Hi Joseph, Welcome to IM. Unless you have something to do in B'lore, it is better for you to land in Chennai (instead of B'lore) as you are planning to visit Mamalapuram and Pondy etc.For your information, Mamallapuram is about 60kms from Chennai. The best time to visit would be in Jan.However if you are thinking of your visit between March and April, then March would be better as April is the starting of summer season.Incase you select March,suggest you to complete your trip of Kerala and Goa before the start of rainy season.The monsoon starts around 2-3 week of May in Kerala.You will find whole of west coast having rains till about end July.

Jun 16th, 2006, 22:05	#7
Joseph '79 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Manchester - UK Posts: 33	I may now consider to fly into Chennai. I found some cheap flights from Goa to Bangalore on my way out but I guess it will be just as easy to fly from Goa to Chennai for my return flight. Thanks for the replies folks. Keep them coming...

Jun 16th, 2006, 22:16	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Kerala doesn;t have the huge midsummer temperature peak that Chennai gets. It has a rain peak instead! I used to go in April; it is quite likely to rain, at least in the night, but not so much as to unduly disturb. Cools things down nicely. But if you leave Kerala until June, then be prepared to be utterly soaked!

Jun 23rd, 2006, 15:20	#10
Joseph '79 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Manchester - UK Posts: 33	Thanks for the info. folks. Aryan, thanks for the link, looks like there is some useful stuff on there.

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