The May story

Let's be direct: May is for travelers who've run out of other dates or specifically want rock-bottom prices at luxury properties. Taj Lake Palace and Oberoi Udaivilas can drop to half their winter rates — if air-conditioned luxury is your priority over outdoor exploring, there's an argument here. Lake Pichola often looks more like a puddle than a lake. The heat creates a strange, shimmering quality over the city that some photographers actually seek out. Practically speaking, confine outdoor time to before 8AM and after 5PM. The old city markets are slightly cooler due to narrow lanes providing shade. Rajasthani thali restaurants become your refuge — dal baati churma tastes the same at 43°C. But seriously, come another month if you can.