Originally Posted by knit-in
The OP did say that the heat wasn't an issue, but rain was.
I have to say though, I was in Delhi in May last year-- my first experience of the Delhi summer in eight years-- and it wasn't all that bad. Granted that I am originally from there and was only there for a week, some might say even lucked out weather-wise, but prepared as I was to face the worst, I did not find the heat stifling.
Then again, when I lived there I really did love the Delhi summer.
Mangoes and long, lazy summer vacations-- what could be better!
But Sikkim sounds like a great suggestion. Never been there but have heard some good things about the local rum they brew in the North-east (amongst other things of course).
I also hear that Kashmir (Srinagar mostly) is again becoming a destination of choice for foreign tourists. Can't say how bright an idea that might be, but could be worth researching.
Best,
May 2005 was an anomaly. It was much cooler than usual. I had to attend to a few functions in DEL last May and the weather was very pleasant, especially at night. It was even decent in the daytime in the first and second week of May. We wouldn't count on it being so nice in May, right?
Kashmir is becoming very popular again, with hotels and houseboats apparently selling out for the better part of the summer. For the first time in around a decade, regular scheduled non-stop service will exist from Bombay to Srinagar. (I do have safety concerns about it too, such that wandering around the old downtown area or going hiking is not advisable in most areas due to the odd incident here and there.) There may be tourist charter flights starting from Dubai to Srinagar in summer 2007 or 2008 ..... if the central government can get immigration/customs facilities (and arrangements needed thereunto) done reasonably quickly. Tourists from China and Israel are amongst the two biggest contingents of tourists in Kashmir; also seeing a lot of Germans and Brits and other Europeans again. Some European tourist brochures are even selling it as a destination for "extreme skiing" and the sort. In Kashmir the valley itself, Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam have picked up considerably. In the Leh part of the state, things have picked up too, and I recommend checking out Leh too.