Shimla’s Mall Road in May
In summer school holidays, the Mall and the Ridge are packed shoulder to shoulder and the roads up are jammed. Instead: Chail or Kasauli nearby, or Landour above Mussoorie. If you do go to Shimla, go in March, April or October.
Manali town on a long weekend
Hours of traffic, crowded snow points and touristy Mall Road. Instead: stay in Old Manali or further up the valley, travel midweek, or head into Lahaul through the Atal Tunnel. See Manali.
North Goa’s busiest beaches in peak season
Calangute and Baga between Christmas and New Year are loud, crowded and expensive. Instead: South Goa (Agonda, Palolem, Patnem), or Gokarna a few hours south. See Goa.
The Taj Mahal at midday
It’s still the Taj Mahal, but the light is flat, the marble glares and the crowds peak. Instead: go at opening time, or see it at sunset from Mehtab Bagh across the river. See Agra.
Rushing Varanasi in one night
People fly in, see one evening aarti and leave. You miss what makes the city special. Instead: stay two or three nights, take a sunrise boat and walk the ghats early. See Varanasi.
“Snow points” sold by taxi drivers
Many hill stations have a commercialised snow area with costume rentals, long queues and very little snow. Instead: go in the right month, and ask locals about quieter spots. Check road status before you set off.
Ooty town centre
The centre is busy and built up. Instead: stay in Coonoor or on a tea estate outside town and ride the toy train. See Ooty.
Lonavala on a monsoon Sunday
Waterfalls are beautiful, but the highway and viewpoints are gridlocked on weekends. Instead: go on a weekday. See Lonavala.
Our rule of thumb
If a place is famous, go early in the day, early in the season, or midweek. That fixes most of it.
