Hi, im after some advice. I have a WHV for NZ and im looking at travelling either on the way there or way back from the UK. I was looking at India (i.e. Bombay surface to Colombo/Calcutta/Khatmandu) and Bangkok surface to Singapore with Saigon thrown in somehow. I was thinking of doing this on the way back from NZ but now think it would be better to do it on the way to as I can recover funds in NZ. I am also planning a few weeks in the south pacific.

First am im expecting to do too much? which way round should I do my trip? and how long should I plan to spend travelling the surface legs?

Any help with this would be great. I intend to buy the lonely planet guide to India to help in my decision.

Hi Gary,

You're not asking too much at all. In fact a jouney to the other side of the World without checking out some of the places on the way would be an opportunity lost.

I've travelled to Nepal and south India and also to Bangkok-Singapore. Both areas are worth visiting, with the latter being easier to arrange.

One thing I would do is check out the temperature / precipitation of the places you are heading to and figure out which area will fit your schedule the best. For example, Nepal gets really cold in December-Feb and also gets a summer monsoon. Southern India gets a summer monsoon ending in September so visiting in august might not be much fun.

Bangkok has its highest level of rainfall from August to October, though temperatures will always be hot.

India is a madhouse and can seem like hard work sometimes getting around. It is though an amazing country with incredible temples, coastline and people.

Thailand is set up for tourists and you don't have to try as hard to get around. I've taken the train from Bangkok to Malaysia a couple of times and it is comfortable and cheap. Exploring the highlands and islands will be awesome.

Which ever you choose try to get off the tourist trail a bit and you'll be rewarded with freindly people and lower prices.

Needless to say if you can manage to travel light you'll be thanking yourself.

Nick