Anyone been to Darjeeling?
 

I was thinking of going to Darjeeling over Labor Day next year, but that seems to be on the edge of the monsoon season. I'm having a little trouble determining how much the monsoon even effects Darjeeling. Any other tips on that destination?

Otherwise, any advice on where in India would be good to visit around then? I've been to Dehli, Agra, and Mumbai recently, so I'm not really interested in one of them at this point. :)

End of August, beginning of September? I'd suggest Ladakh/Kashmir.

I've not been to Darjeeling in many years, but the worst I could imagine during the hardest part of the monsoon season would be flooded roads or a few mud-type slides.

This might help ... especially looking at precipitation and days of precipitation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/c...ml?tt=TT002200

Nice, thanks!

I've been considering Ladakh, but for some reason it just doesn't have the same pull. I'll have to do a little more reading on it this evening.

Must be the tea. :D

hey darjeeling should be beautiful at that time of the year. If you have the time, do the rail journey from calcutta to new jalpaiguri and then onto darjeeling.

I agree... I did my schooling from Loreto in darjeeling and early Sep should be nice with the weather clearing up and it not being too cold. Where will you be staying? You could take the toy train up to Darjeeling from Siliguri, however be warned that it takes a VERY long time. Let me know if I can help in any way or give any pointers. I am also planning a trip to Darjeeling end Jan ( trip down memory lane!) and cant wait to go back,

D.

If you have time, Rajahstan is a great part of the country, November (if I remember correctly) is the time for the Pushkar camel fair - great time. On the Northern side, a great place to get away from everything is Dharamsala. Views are gorgeous, hiking is great, and the local Tibetan community adds color and interest. Watch out for the monkeys though!

Watch out for monkeys wherever you find them in India. Most monkey attacks on tourists happen when they try to take a picture ... especially up close.

Don't go to Rajasthan around the US Labor Day (or even the Indian one earlier in the year). It's usually very hot and nasty (at both times). November through the end of March in Rajasthan? Yes. Other times? Only if compelled (or there is a serious break in the weather going into parts of October and April).

Thanks, everyone, for the additional input. I need to remember to check this forum more. :)

If we push our trip back to November, we probably won't end up going to India at all. I am definitely hoping to do the train if we ever do make it. I don't really have any thoughts on where to stay at this point - I find getting the airline tickets to be the challenging part of things. :) Rajasthan is definitlely on the list, too, for some future trip. That's the drawback of India. It has some many enticing destinations, I don't want to go anywhere else...