In the North of the Indian sub-continent, say from Delhi and beyond, these are the cold months. In the daytime the sun is generally warm but when the sun dips, it quickly becomes cold. During these months it is nice to ride in the central-west or southern India.
During these months we are heading north. The heat on the plains (read ‘Delhi and south India’) can be exhausting in April and May. Northern Hill Rides are best during these months, riding in warm sunshine with cool to warm nights.
The monsoon starts in the south of the sub-continent before June. If you are heading north across the Himalaya by mid-June it’s possible to avoid (heavy) rain. Although the rain provides refreshing relief from the heat, landslides often leave roads damaged or blocked for days, particularly in Nepal (including the road to Tibet through Nepal – The Arniko or Friendship Highway).
The high passes on the Manali Leh Highway start to get snow by mid-September, ruling-out rides in Ladakh and Zanskar. By November, evenings in the north Indian hills are cold. We are heading back south again for rides in central and western India. In Nepal rides are possible until mid-November.
My travel in North India was an experience that has affected my approach to life. I know this because my wife of 40 years tells me so. I went on a 26 day motorcycle ride from Delhi ...to the Nubra desert and across to Srinagar. We crossed passes at about 18,000 to 19,000 feet. Here I experienced altitude sickness, though it seems this is nothing to do with age or fitness or heath of the sufferer. My guide was Peter Francon.
