Maps for India and SE Asia?

by Tobias
(Sweden)

Hi! I'm planning to go biking in Asia. I'm gonna begin cycling in Southern India - Kerala and Karnataka and then I'm interested in Myanmar and Southeast Asia.

Now I'm looking for good maps. Are Nelles detailed enough or are there any better? Is it better to buy maps when you arrive there?

Thanks for advice!
/Tobias

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Maps for India and SE Asia?

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Jan 13, 2010

Maps in India and south east Asia
by: Peter

Maps are easier to bring for India and south east Asia. However, it depends on where you start. Should you start in Chennai (for India), you will be able to pick up maps. Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai (Madras) have a wide range of excellent bookstores. But outside don't expect to find any.

Myanmar, as you most likely will fly in from Bangkok you can get maps at Kao San Road in Bangkok. But In Myanmar you will not find a map easily, so bring it from Bangkok or home.

I have used the Nelles maps and they were good enough for cycling. I have also used Ravenstein, 1:1.3.750.000 which is good for backpacking, and will do for some areas, but I felt it was too rough for cycling. For India there are maps of South India, so use them. I've used the same for Myanmar. The south India Nelles map is good enough even though it's 1:1.500.000.

Should you go further in for example Thailand, you will find in for example Chiang Mai or Krabi excellent local maps.

Malaysia has good local produced maps but you need to be in Kuala Lumpur or Penang to find them (and still with difficulty).

Depending what the whole journey looks like, I advice maps with a scale of 1:500.000. Nelles has them but it can be a pack of maps you have to carry.

All in all, Bangkok is a great place to pick up maps. In India, Chennai, Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay (although I haven't been in Bombay) are excellent places to pick up maps and books (whole series of penquin books, Lonely Planet and any book you want).

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Jan 13, 2010
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Submitted by: Peter

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Maps are easier to bring for India and south east Asia. However, it depends on where you start. Should you start in Chennai (for India), you will be able to pick up maps. Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai (Madras) have a wide range of excellent bookstores. But outside don't expect to find any. Myanmar, as you most likely will fly in from Bangkok you can get maps at Kao San Road in Bangkok. But In Myanmar you will not find a map easily, so bring it from Bangkok or home. I have used the Nelles maps and they were good enough for cycling. I have also used Ravenstein, 1:1.3.750.000 which is good for backpacking, and will do for some areas, but I felt it was too rough for cycling. For India there are maps of South India, so use them. I've used the same for Myanmar. The south India Nelles map is good enough even though it's 1:1.500.000. Should you go further in for example Thailand, you will find in for example Chiang Mai or Krabi excellent local maps. Malaysia has good local produced maps but you need to be in Kuala Lumpur or Penang to find them (and still with difficulty). Depending what the whole journey looks like, I advice maps with a scale of 1:500.000. Nelles has them but it can be a pack of maps you have to carry. All in all, Bangkok is a great place to pick up maps. In India, Chennai, Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay (although I haven't been in Bombay) are excellent places to pick up maps and books (whole series of penquin books, Lonely Planet and any book you want).

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