Is It Possible To Holiday In India In The Rainy Season?
The monsoon season starts in India in early June, but with some careful planning it is still possible (and maybe cheaper) to travel in India during the rainy months.
There are two monsoons in India: the southwest monsoon and the northeast monsoon. The southwest monsoon lasts from June to September, whereas the northeast monsoon brings rain to the southeast and eastern parts of the country from October to December. The monsoon brings much needed rain to many areas in India, but heavy rains and floods kill hundreds of people every year, destroy crops and spread disease.
When Does It Rain In India?
The southwest monsoon begins from the Keralan coast in early June – the exact date is predicted every year - and makes its way across the country, usually covering most of India by mid-July. The southwest monsoon finishes by October. The northeast monsoon, however, brings rain mainly to the southeast and eastern coast of India from October to December. Climate change may affect traditional monsoon patterns.
Where To Go In India During Monsoon?
Monsoon does not necessarily mean that it rains all the time every day. In some parts of India it rains just a couple of hours every day, while some areas, such as Darjeeling and Sikkim in India’s northeast, get very heavy rain.
Ladakh in the Himalayas is one of the best destinations for monsoon travel. It is mainly high altitude desert, and escapes the monsoon that affects most of India. Ladakh is only accessible by road for six months of the year, and the Manali-Leh road usually opens for traffic in May. The less-explored Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh are another great option for rainy season holidays.
Many of India’s beach resorts close for the monsoon, but some, like Palolem in Goa, stay open throughout the year. For those who can put up with a few hours of rain – or even a few rainy days - monsoon season means less fellow tourists and much cheaper accommodation prices. Some resorts in South India offer special monsoon packages for those who find all that rain rather romantic.
What Does Monsoon Mean For Travellers?
Monsoon rains and floods disrupt traffic: trains, for example, may run hours late of schedule or not leave at all. Flights can be delayed too.Those who visit Indian cities that receive heavy monsoon rain, such as Mumbai and Kolkata, should be prepared to walk around in ankle-deep water every now and then. Getting soaked in sudden rain showers, walking around in wet clothes and wading in deep water and/or mud are all easy ways to get sick. Disease spreads easily during monsoon, although for most travellers probably get just a common cold.
It is also hard to keep clothes dry, and everything in the backpack or luggage will soon develop a damp smell that is really difficult to get rid of. Mud gets everywhere too, so white clothes are a really bad idea. Monsoon rains also bring out mosquitoes in hordes.
Before monsoon it gets incredibly hot in many parts of India, and while the climate eventually cools down, the beginning of the monsoon season means hot and humid weather. After monsoon, on the other hand, many destinations in India are at their best: green, lush and not too hot.
The copyright of the article Travelling In India During Monsoon in India Travel is owned by Satu Susanna Rommi. Permission to republish Travelling In India During Monsoon in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.