Monsoon holidays in India are surely a lifetime experience as the exotic locations leave you spellbound with its beauty. The hills and mountains get carpeted with lush greenery, the lakes overflow with sparkling water, the waterfall sceneries become heavenly to make you fall in love with Incredible India.
If you are one of those who don’t mind getting a wee bit wet, then these 10 amazing places to visit in monsoon in India are perfect for sipping a hot coffee and enjoying the hot pakodas:
1. Lonavala – Maharashtra
Living in Mumbai and thinking of the best places to visit in India during rainy season? Well, there’s one right
beside you – Lonavala! With the onset of monsoon, the Sahyadri mountain ranges and the ghats revive with alluring
greenery, breath taking waterfalls and pleasant climate. For a quick escape from the bustling city, plan a trip to
the quaint hill town of lonavala.
Ideal for: Nature lovers
Things to do: Trekking, sightseeing, camping, horse ride
How to reach: It’s 1 hour 45 minutes (83.6 km) from Mumbai & 1 hour 26 minutes (67.1 km) from Pune by road.
Lonavala
has its own railway station & almost all the trains running on this route, halt here.
Attractions: Enjoy the extensive view of a stream flowing by at the cliff top called The Tiger point and
relish in
the tranquillity of Karla caves built by the Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century BC. There’s a famous waterfall
near Bushi dam which is a very popular spot for all the monsoon lovers.
2. Goa
Goa will be amongst the best places to visit in rainy season in India.The land of beaches is surely worth a visit
during monsoons to enjoy sand, drizzle and picturesque sceneries. It’s the perfect place to get soaked in the rains
and enjoy some truly delicious Goan delicacies.
Ideal for: Nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, beach lovers, party animals
Things to do:Jet skii, scuba, trekking, heritage tour, shopping, birdwatching
How to reach: Goa is well connected by roads and a Mumbai to Goa road trip is worth everything in monsoons.
Goa is well connected to other cities with Madgaon & Vasco-da-gama stations and Goa international airport in
Dabolim.
Attractions: Go trekking or hiking at Dudhsagar waterfalls, visit Aguada fort for a scintillating view,
Dolphin show, Cruize amid the beautiful sea bordered by the beaches, feel rich as a gambler at the Casino and get
the thrilling experience of water sports in Baga beach.
3. Kodaikanal – Tamil Nadu
Known as the “princess of hill stations” this is one of the best monsoon destinations in India. Situated in the
Palani hills of western ghat it offers enchanting waterfalls, lakes and lush greenery and spectacular views of the
ghats and hills.
Ideal for: Nature lovers
Things to do: Boating, sightseeing, trekking
How to reach: The nearest airports are Madurai which is 135 km away, Coimbatore which is 170 km away and
Trichy at
200 km. It is about 9 hours (~450 km) from Bangalore via road. The nearest railway stations to Kodaikanal are Palani
station at 64 km.
Attractions: Stroll around the Berijam lake and visit the Kodai lake which is the man-made lake surrounded by
rocks
and trees and enjoy the scenic view of the hills at Palni hills.
4. Andaman and Nicobar islands
A group of nearly 570 islands, this exotic location has amazing wildlife, thrilling water sports, pristine silver
sand beaches, mountains, breath taking natural beauty and tribal tour. This place will never seize to amaze you and
you are sure to fall in love with its incredible beauty. it has to be a must on your list of best monsoon
destinations in India.
Ideal for: Beach lovers, nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts
Things to do: Jet skiing, sightseeing, scuba, snorkelling, trekking
How to reach: Regular passenger ship services are available from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam. There
are
direct or connecting flight to Port Blair airport which is the capital city.
Attractions: Experience and know the history at the historic Cellular jail, Havelock island for scuba diving,
snorkeling and other water sports and surfing at little Andaman.
5. Coorg – Karnataka
Known for its dense forest cover, it also serves as a biodiversity hotspot showcasing wide variety of flora and
fauna. This romantic destination offers enchanting waterfalls, lakes, vast coffee plantations and delicious cuisines
to treat your taste buds.
Ideal for: Nature lovers
Things to do: Trekking, bird watching, elephant interaction, horse ride, coffee plantation tour
How to reach: 5 hours (~270.4 km) from Bangalore via road if you are planning to go on a road trip. The
nearest
airports are Mysore at 120 km, Mangalore which is 135 km far and Bangalore at 260 km. Coorg doesn’t have a station
by itself but the nearest railway stations are Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan.
Attractions: Explore the wildlife at Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuary, experience an exhilarating hike at
Kotebetta and
visit the Jog falls in Karnataka which is the second highest in India.
6. Munnar – Kerala
Munnar is truly a paradise in God’s own country. With silvery mist, incredibly vast tea gardens, lush green hills,
romantic atmosphere and pleasant climate, this hill station is truly one of the favourite tourist places in India
during monsoons.
Ideal for: Nature lovers, honeymooners
Things to do: Trekking, plantation tours, sightseeing, birdwatching
How to reach: 3 hours 40 minutes(130.1 km) via road from Cochin if you take the NH49. The nearest railway
station
are Aluva and Ernakulam which are the major cities in Kerala. The nearest airport are Cochin at 110 km and Madhurai
international airport which is 140 km away.
Attractions: Spot some exquisite wildlife at Anamudi which is also the highest peak in the western ghats,
enjoy some nature walk at beautiful lakes in Devikulam and visit the Attukal waterfalls.
7. Ladakh – Jammu and Kashmir (Towards the end of September)
*The Ladakh Festival takes place from 17th to 27th September. It’s a spectacle of a show and a must visit!
This cold desert of India is sure on the list of many travelers and it truly lives up to its expectations. With its
numerous mountain passes, sparkling lakes with crystal clear water surrounded by snow covered mighty mountains, it
is simply magical. This place is a must visit in summers and post-monsoons as the roads are clear for travel unlike
in winters.
Ideal for: Culture-vulture, adventure enthusiasts
Things to do: Sightseeing, bike rides, monastery visit, wildlife viewing
How to reach: 12 hours (1262 km) from Delhi via road. The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi. The nearest
airport
is in Leh.
Attractions: Ladakh Festival Tour, Stroll around the Pangong lake which rightly means long, narrow, enchanted
lake
in Tibetan, play with snow at Changla pass, and seek blessings at the Thiksey monastery
8. Udaipur – Rajasthan
This place truly reflects its glorious past of the maharajas with umpteen number of palaces and bazaars and beautiful
lakes. It doesn’t leave a single chance to give you that royal feeling. During monsoons, this place revives with a
hint of greenery around its pristine lakes and palaces to give you breathtaking views.
Ideal for: Heritage lovers, honeymooners
Things to do: Boating, sightseeing
How to reach: Udaipur has its own railway station. The nearest airport is the Maharana Pratap airport in
Dabok which
is at a distance of 22 km from the city of Udaipur.
Attractions: Feel royal and know the glorious past of the Indian rajas and maharajas at the City palace,
monsoon
palace, lake palace, and enjoy the alluring beauty of the Fateh sagar lake.
9. Spiti Valley – Himachal Pradesh
Also known as “little Tibet” this place is untouched by man and hence retains its mystical and mesmerising beauty.
There’s truly magic in the air of Spiti that is sure to make you fall in love with this place. Spiti is one of the
best offbeat places to visit in monsoon in India (for the real bravehearts).
Ideal for: Nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, culture vultures
Things to do: Camping, wildlife viewing
How to reach: The nearest railway station is in Shimla. The nearest airport is the Kullu airport at
Kullu.
Attractions: Spot exquisite flora and wildlife at Pin valley national park, and appreciate the calmness and
peaceful
atmosphere of the Lhalung monastery.
10. Shillong – Meghalaya
One of the best places in India during monsoons is the city of Shillong which receives heaviest rainfall during the
rainy season. Surrounded by picturesque valleys of Khasi and Jayanti hills, adorned by numerous waterfalls, Shillong
offers a panoramic view of green natural scenery.
Ideal for: Honeymooners, nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, culture vulture
Things to do: Wildlife viewing, trekking, boating
How to reach: By train- The closest railway station from Shillong is in Guwahati. It’s about 100 kilometres
away and you can easily take a taxi from there. The Guwahati railway station is connected to New Delhi and other
major cities across the country.
Attractions: David Scott Trail is an old trekking route that is counted amongst the most famous ones in
Meghalaya.
11. Pondicherry
Mustard-yellow tinted villas, old colonial houses, cobble-stoned streets and a surfeit of seafront cafes and bars—the
postcard-perfect city of Pondicherry lures you in with its old-world beauty and quaint charm. The wet months add a
dash of romance and create a cool ambience in the city making Pondicherry a must visit monsoon destination in India.
Ideal for: Honeymooners, beach lovers, families
Things to do: Scuba diving, meditation, cafe hopping, party, shopping
How to reach: The nearest rail station from Pondicherry is Villupuram, which is about 35 kilometres away from
the
town. Or you could fly down to Chennai and go for a road trip to Pondicheery, it takes about 2 hours.
Attractions: Walk along the pristine serene yet wild beaches, visit Auroville and try delectable French
delicacies.
12. Darjeeling – West Bengal
The perfect monsoon getaway of India, is the well known for tea industry along with a popular tourist destination,
also known as The Queen of Hills, is situated at the foothills of the great Himalayas. Due to surrounded hills, it
receives heavy showers during the monsoon.
Ideal for: Nature lover, honeymooners, families
Things to do: Tea plantation visit, monastery visit, toy train ride, shopping
How to reach: The nearest railway station in Darjeeling is at New Jalpaiguri (62 kilometres from the main
town)
which connects major Indian cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar and
Cochin. Or take a flight to Kolkata.
Attractions: Rangeet valley passenger cable car, Darjeeling monastery, adventure sports and the toy train.
Don’t
forget to try some authentic Darjeeling tea.
13. Pushkar – Rajasthan
When it rains heavily in other parts of India, plan a wonderful trip to Pushkar not to let the sultry sun give you a
tan, but to explore the beautiful and soothing side of Rajasthan. Imagine what is more romantic than an awakening
peacock call, an early morning camel ride, a stroll around the market. Pushkar should definitely be on your bucket
list of places to visit in monsoons in India.
Ideal for: Honeymooners, families, culture vulture
Things to do: Camel safari, hot air ballooning, jeep safari, hiking, shopping, sightseeing
How to reach: You will need to take a train to Ajmer and then take a 30-minute drive to Pushkar.
Attractions: Camel rides, desert camping and sightseeing.
14. Ranikhet- Uttarakhand
Ranikhet, one of the most beautiful monsoon destination in India is situated in Uttarakhand. Ranikhet, The
picturesque location is surrounded by hills, blessed with a pleasant climate, lush green forests and famous for
majestic views of great Himalayan Ranges.
Ideal for: Honeymooners, nature lovers
Things to do: Trekking, temple hopping
How to reach: There is no direct train between New Delhi and Ranikhet. You can take Utr Samprk K Ex from New
Delhi
to Kashipur then take a taxi from Kashipur to Ranikhet.
Attractions: Valley of flowers, endangered animals including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard and birds.
15. Wayanad – Kerala
There is no doubt that Wayanad is one of the best hill stations and a picture perfect place to visit during monsoons
in South India. And to the much delight of vacationers, the place also hosts a special 3-day monsoon festival
‘Splash’ to portray Wayanad as the most popular place to visit in India in monsoons.
Ideal for: Nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, honeymooners, families
Things to do: Wildlife, nature walks, treks, plantation tours, camping
How to reach: Wayanad does not have an train station. Nearest option is Nilambur Road. Wayanad is 51 km away
from
Nilambur Road (NIL), Nilambur.
Attractions: Trekking, hiking, sightseeing and the monsoon carnival – Splash.
16. Mount Abu- Rajasthan
Being a hill station, Mount Abu is a round-the year place but it is eye-catching to watch this lovely destination
when clouds cover up the sky and water drops come down to the earth. Mount Abu is the right choice for those who are
looking for a perfect dose of nature, spirituality and adventure.
Ideal for: Honeymooners, nature lovers
Things to do: Boating, sightseeing
How to reach: Mount Abu railway station is well-connected to different cities in India like New Delhi,
Jaipur,
Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The Abu Road railhead lies on the long Delhi-Ahmedabad railway line.
Attractions:Sightseeing and trekking. Also, try boating in the lakes and relax under the beautiful weather.
17. Jog falls- Karnataka
The waterfall consists of four distinct cascades – known locally as Raja, Rani, Rover and Rocket. The four cascades
merge to form the huge waterfall. The beauty of the waterfalls is enhanced by the lush green surroundings, which
provides a scenic backdrop to the falls. A perfect place to drive to in the rainy season. This surely is one of the
best places to visit in India during Monsoon.
Ideal for: Nature lovers, honeymooners
Things to do: Nature walks, bird watching
How to reach:Jog falls are 430 Kms away from Bangalore, about 6 hours drive.
Attractions:Dabbe falls, Linganamakki Dam, Tunga Anicut Dam, Thyvare Koppa Lion and Tiger reserve and
Sharavati
River.
18. Orchha- Madhya Pradesh
Another one of the best places to visit in India in monsoons is this town, built by Raja Rudra Pratap in 1501. Ringed
by rising hills, Orchha sits on River Betwa and is crammed with sweet smell of custard apples. This undulating land
has towering temples and forts.
Ideal for: History-buff
Things to do: Sightseeing
How to reach: Nearest railway station to visit Orchha is Jhansi at a distance of 20 kms, about 40
minutes.
Attractions: Jahangir Palace, Riverside cenotaphs, Rai Praveen mahal, Phool Bagh
19. Kutch- Gujarat
And you thought what is there to see in Kutch? Monsoon clouds over Dhinodhar hill in Kutch and many such sights await
you at the salt lands of Rajasthan. The never-ending desert plains with surreal horizon in the monsoon give an
enticing view. Kutch is even more dreamlike as it gets submerged in the water.
Ideal for: Culture enthusiasts
Things to do: Sightseeing, camping
How to reach: Bhuj is the closest Airport. Kutch Express is available from Bombay via Ahmedabad upto
Gandhidham.
From here, one can reach this destination by road. State run bus service is efficient as well.
Attractions: The mighty beautiful sights.
20. Alibaug- Maharashtra
Alibaug is a beautiful town and is located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. The tourist population in this town
is growing because of its scenic beauty and the hinterland of the Israeli-Jews. Apart from being a popular tourist
hub, the town is also well-known for its rich history, appetizing seafood and culture.
Ideal for: Beach lovers, nature enthusiasts
Things to do: Jet skiing, banana ride, horse ride
How to reach: The nearest railway station is located at Pen. The railway station is connection to Panvel in
Mumbai through the Central Railway station. One can then reach Alibaug by local transport (buses, taxis,
auto-rickshaws).
Attractions: Kulaba Fort, Alibag Beach, Murud Beach, Khanderi and the 150-year-old Magnetic Observatory.
PS: Though these are gorgeous places to visit in India during monsoons, we request you to study the weather forecast first before planning the trip to any of these destinations.
