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where to go in Monsoon? where to go in Monsoon?
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West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 19 Jan 2010
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where to go in Monsoon?
Simon and I are currently in India - we hope to be crossing into Nepal at end of April beginning of May. the problem we have is not only the requirement of having to be out of India for 2 months before returning (we dont have a multiple entry Indian visa) ...but also the monsoon period in both of these countries.

any advice out there as to where its best to be - India or Nepal? we are considering 'holing up' somewhere for the worst of it. Any advice on this? We have a lot of writing work to do and so this looks like it might be the time to sit and get it done.

advice and comments most welcome :-)
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  #2  
Old 20 Jan 2010
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Hi Lisa!
Monsoon and rains in the subcontinent are and percieved differently than Europe. They are a welcome respite from the summer heat which can be unbelievably tough.
Most of our members wait for the monsoons and then simply enjoy them eating mangoes and pakoras. Riding a bike (carefully) during heavy downpours has a very special charm. Enjoy it.
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  #3  
Old 20 Jan 2010
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Hi from Tiruvanamalai

Omie, I'm sure you are right but as you know riding a bike in rain and mud is no fun.

LT, I suggest Kathmandu then - but a few minutes checking the weather online there at the dates you want will allow you to decide.

Weather aside, it's cheaper in Nepal.

Some very nice diesel Enfields here in Tamil Nadhu- after looking for them for a while, 4 come all at once! - like buses....
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  #4  
Old 20 Jan 2010
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HI THERE

TO AVOID THE RAIN IN INDIA CROSS OVER THE ROHTANG PASS ... INTO LAHAUL, SPITI, FOR EXAMPLE. I SPENT THE SUMMER THERE A FEW YEARS AGO... ITS A GREAT RIDE TOO. BUT GOA IN THE MONSOON CAN BE GOOD TOO... YOU GET TO SEE IT FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE.

ALSO, IF YOU WANT TO RE-ENTER INDIA QUICKLY, THE MANY TRAVEL AGENTS IN KATHMANDU WILL BE ABLE TO GET HOLD OF AN INDIA BACK-TO-BACK VISA FOR YOU (THEY CHARGE OF COURSE).

I PERSONALLY LIKE THE MONSOON. AND IF YOU'VE LOTS OF WRITING TO DO, THEN WHY NOT SIT IT OUT? YOU CAN MEET SOME GOOD PEOPLE.

HOPE THIS HELPS. GOOD LUCK.
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Old 20 Jan 2010
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i am not sure if the way up rohtang pass is open now, its closed until july i think because of the snow. a nice place, though still very rainy, is mcleod ganj where the dalai llama is in exile. its up north and high up, so its a bit cooler. its very peaceful, tibetan, hilly territory, with great roads to ride about on. theres a nice guesthouse on top of the hill just above dharamkot when you get there, for about 200Rps a night double (take the upper fork in the road as you reach the turn off to dharamkot after coming up the hill. its a multi-story blue hotel with an old enfield parked in the courtyard. get the upstairs rooms). in the town below there's coffee shops with wifi if thats your thing, pizza restaurants and tibetan handicrafts centres etc. theres also a lot of volunteering with the tibetan refugees who have recently arrived, teaching english etc.
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Old 20 Jan 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caminando View Post
Hi from Tiruvanamalai

Some very nice diesel Enfields here in Tamil Nadhu- after looking for them for a while, 4 come all at once! - like buses....

Caminando, any chance of any pictures of them??
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  #7  
Old 20 Jan 2010
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Originally Posted by dave ede View Post
Caminando, any chance of any pictures of them??
Hi Dave

Would you believe I'm still in the process of learning to put pics online. I will try later when I get these pics on a disc.

So leave it a bit but I wont forget - tho' it may be a while.

These were in South India, and one had Greaves on the engine plate - Greaves of Aurangabad, I think, and not the Greaves I remember as a yoof. But maybe there'sa connection. Another had Royal Enfield on the engine as a transfer, but I think the transfer wasnt original - I dont think RE makes diesel engines. Incidentally you can visit the RE factory here for a fiver, but Madras is so shitty I left asap.

One was tatty as hell and another was immaculate - I asked the guy how many kms per litre and he said 70. It was very like the Enfield with the German diesel engine, which I saw at HU Germany. I forget the name of the engine - but they stick them into an Enfield frame. i saw 2 others just parked in the street.

I really fancy that new Dutch diesel but it's too dear for me. So I'll have to stick to my AT, tho' I like the bike. so no worries there.

Anyway i dont want to get off topic any more so good luck to the OP - tell us what you decided in the end; where did you hole up?
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Old 21 Jan 2010
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[quote=nico-la-vo;272613]i am not sure if the way up rohtang pass is open now, its closed until july i think because of the snow.

ROHTANG PASS IS OPEN MAY - OCTOBER. ONCE WE PASSED OVER IT WE DIDNT SEE A DROP RAIN FOR WEEKS, LISA.. ONE YEAR I ALSO SPENT HALF THE MONSOON IN CALCUTTA (WATER KNEE HIGH IN SUDDER STREET, BUT FUN!)
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  #9  
Old 21 Jan 2010
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+ 1 for Spiti valley, the monsoon seems to get halted south of the mountains so once over the pass, you've got clear blue skys etc, very nice riding and friendly locals with none of the hassle you get in the flat lands in India.
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  #10  
Old 21 Jan 2010
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The only problem with Spiti Valley is, you can get stuck there in monsoon season, due to Kunzum La and Malling Nallah. If you still want to go there, then take the Shimla route, instead of the Rohtang one. It is much easier, located at less altitude and is open 12 months (unless there is a landslide or flood).

Better option would be Ladakh. If you are going to be traveling in May, go via the Srinagar side (rains normally start in July in North India) and come back via Rohtang-Manali side, alternatively you can even head to Spiti Valley, instead of going to Manali.
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  #11  
Old 2 Feb 2010
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many thanks
thanks guys for all the suggestions.
Rain and mud is not a good option for us as we had enough of this when riding through the Amazon jungle Brazil. said never again......however.....never is a long long time and in the name of adventure we've done many things .......?!

I think we will be looking for space and peace and quiet after spending so many months travelling through India...so ideas are formulating.
cheers
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