India

[roibustea]

I am contemplating going to India this year and can either go from mid-September to early October or late November to mid-December. I would be doing the 'Golden Triangle' and Mumbai. Going in December is quite a bit more expensive. Does anyone have any advice? I believe September is cheaper as it's Monsoon, how might that affect me - obviously I appreciate I might get a bit soggy but would it likely have any other impact? I also think in September there will be bank holidays, would that mean tourist places are likely to close, or else be extremely busy? Essentially, is the same holiday in December worth at least £750 more than in September? Thanks.

Hmm. I went Aug-Sep and I wouldn’t recommend it. The rain wasn’t such an issue - Rajasthan is actually fairly dry even in monsoon - but the heat and humidity were very difficult to cope with even as a hardy 20 something.

However, this was some time ago and I was staying in places without a/c or at best quite rickety a/c. And using tuk tuks to get around. If you are able to get a/c accommodation and use a/c taxis for travel then you may feel it less. (£750 would buy you an upgrade on hotels etc). And late sep/early Oct could be a lot better than when I went.

Yes personally I would say the same holiday is worth more to go in December. The weather will be perfect and as it's a special trip (and one you might not do again) I'd try and make it as good as you possibly can!

Yes go in Dec , I went in Dec , I wouldn’t have fancied the monsoon weather

This is all really helpful - looks like I'm off to India in December! The humidity was a real worry, I can handle heat but very much hate 'sticky' weather. I think I'll just chop a night or two off in Mumbai and try and sightsee a bit quicker; I had planned 4 full days but it looks like could probably see most things in 2 and a bit. Thank you all very much.

Mumbai is exceptionally busy , it can take an age getting through the traffic , but if ur central then you should be ok
we escaped the noise ! After a couple days and went down to goa
India is amazing

Planning on staying at Nariman Point? Looks like it's only a mile or so from Gateway to India... Was thinking of adding on Kerala but having second thoughts - I'd have to finish in Mumbai if I go in December which would mean starting in the south then flying up to Delhi to start the tour. I think it might feel a bit odd to do the relaxing beach holiday bit before the busy sightseeing holiday bit!

Oh, and might you have any must-sees? So far planning a walking tour, the Elephanta Caves, the Hanging Gardens and the Red Fort. Very open to suggestion!

Yeah pretty close
we went to Jaj mahal hotel just by gateway for afternoon tea
great holiday
I will stop hijacking your thread now lol

No - you're being very helpful! I'm still early days planning so need all the help I can get 😁

Also corala market and we just happened to find leopolds by accident , famous cafe featured in shanaram (sp )
sounds like you have a great itinerary already

Perfect, thank you - the market looks great. I've not read that book but I do like to take a book from and/or about the country I'm visiting so I'll look it up.

December definitely better. Didn't do Mumbai (apart from a flight change to Kerala and that was enough to convince me it was the right decision - my Dad and DH had both been to Mumbai and I knew enough that I wasn't going to be happy there, the airport was dreadful and the staff vile).
Dehli is... well Dehli. Had its highlights and lowlights. Incredible food (even the Delhi thali which is like McDonalds in format but incredible in taste) . A lot of feeling out of our depth - even as seasoned travellers. Develop your hard skin and don't make eye contact (sadly). Really would only recommend a couple of days, probably doing it a disservice, but we weren't hugely happy, despite staying at a lovely hotel just outside of the city.
Agra is another world. We had an incredible guide who really gave us a great time. Was the highlight of the trip. I would recommend the fancy train from Delhi if your budget stretches. A guide makes the Taj Mahal and Red Fort come to life. Apart from the main sights, not much else to explore so a couple of days - 3 max.
We were in Jaipur in wedding season (Jan/Feb) and to was incredible. So much to see: the atmosphere was super exciting. Brides and grooms are in their teens and the festivities go on for days and days. I would spend a few days there.
We also went to Ranthambore and saw tigers which was awesome.
Hope you have fabulous trip. We went to India and the following year went to Sri Lanka and wished we had done it the other way around. Sri Lanka is India light. Dehli is India heavy and - I would imagine - Mumbai is India obese (for want of a better terminology)

That's very interesting, I'd only really be going to Mumbai to tick it off to be honest... I'd be joining a tour in Delhi so would be with a group until Mumbai, at which point a friend is hoping to join me. Also going to Ranthambore, Jaipur and Jodhpur. Bizarrely, I'm the only person in the known world who doesn't like Indian food so I'm hoping this trip will convert me! Surprised about Sri Lanka though - I've always heard amazing things and do plan to go, maybe I should add it on...

How was Kerala? That's another place I was considering adding - it looks beautiful.

I would definitely put Jaisalmer and Udaipur ahead of Mumbai, if they aren’t on your list already. Mumbai is a big city… probably a great place if you have time to get to know it, but as a quick visitor it just seemed like another big city 🤷‍♀️ Jaisalmer and visiting the desert was magical.

I go to India couple of times a year for work. Never been to Dheli but Mumbai, Chennai,
Gujarat and Bangalore lots. Also been to a coffee plantation in Coog once. Loved them all but they are different places with different vibes. Never felt uncomfortable as a single female but have always been sensible and I guess been pampered for the most part (staying in 3-5 star hotels always).

When I did a sightseeing tour of Mumbai I booked a driver for a day. The person was knowledgeable enough to make it very interesting. Obviously saw Gateway of India but also got taken to random placed
I wouldn’t have asked for such as a laundry that was fully outdoors and very old (I forget how old). Was fascinating! Then to a house Gandhi had lived in. Saw letters from Churchill and other statesmen in there, a really interesting if slightly odd experience.

Foodwise India is all about the Indian food but it is very diverse and the spice levels differs. What is impossible to get away from is spice. Everything is spiced and that is so unfamiliar to me in foods I’d expect not to be so I make sure I have a low or no spice meal each day. My go to is asking for a plain omelette (well done) for breakfast. Do try lots of things though and be honest about your preference/tolerance to spice. A masala dosa (low spice) or plain dosa (no spice) are other good choices. Fish curries with coconut is another (mostly) less spiced meal.

India is so fascinating, enjoy!

I am already going to Udaipur, that's where the tour ends. Jaisalmer looks amazing, but I'm not sure how I'd get there - I will be going to the Thar desert and Jodhpur, then heading south. The reason for Mumbai is that I can't fly direct from Udaipur so I'll have to stop somewhere and I figured I may as well stop in Mumbai for a few days as the flights won't cost any more. I do tend to try to extend my layovers. I am surprised that there doesn't seem to be more to see in Mumbai though, I assumed when I first started looking that it would be a major tourist destination as Bombay is so historically important. But it looks like a decent couple of days at least, not worth a special trip but worth popping in since I happen to be passing!

Thank you, I had a friend recommend a private driver - it seems hugely extravagant but apparently it's surprisingly cost effective? Certainly worth looking into, especially if I have less time. I'm almost certainly going to be at the Oberoi for Mumbai; I was recommended the Taj Mahal, but the bathtub's swaying it for me!

Food is my biggest worry. I am extremely sensitive to heat so going to try to increase my tolerance over the next few months. Going with a tour may make things harder as they tend to focus on 'authentic culinary experiences', which in India may well mean hot hot hot! I have had some non-spicy Indian food too though like kormas or butter chicken and unfortunately not been keen, but I do know everyone loves Indian so it's definitely a me-thing. I'm looking forward to being educated!

I'd avoid the tick (and the subsequent ick, even my friends from India say AVOID). You can transfer through the airport and say 'job done' - obviously disrespectful to Mumbai but then the city is disrespectful to humanity IMO.
Kerala is beautiful, very laid back. I originally went there for work and was enchanted.
Goa is also nice but very commercial (and full of battling Russians vs Ukrainians at the time - not sure if that's still an issue).
Food-wise, you have to be able to eat A LOT of rice. It's the staple. Ask for dry dishes which will likely be more fragrant and less curry. Also veggie dishes are more mild.

Yikes! How is it disrespectful to humanity?

I'm now thinking of going to Sri Lanka first, I wasn't hugely excited by the south India itineraries and it won't cost too much more to go there instead. Flying back from Udaipur seems to want involve a very long layover somewhere and either Delhi or Mumbai makes by far the most sense both price and time wise. And as I'll be going to Delhi already, it seems silly to not pop in to see a little bit of Mumbai. Will have to leave the airport in any case - unless I fancy 12+ hours overnight in the terminal, and I think I'm getting a bit old for that!