The monsoon is one of the best times of year to visit every exotic part of India that offers ecstasy, beauty, and heavenly pleasure while on vacation. Thundering clouds beat the drums, inviting everyone out, and then it appears as if water has washed everything clean to welcome those who have come. While the monsoons are on their way, it is the ideal time to plan a vacation away from the sweltering heat and embark on a rainy road trip. India comes to life with the rains. To begin with, the incredible beauty of enhanced, blessing us with incredible must-visit monsoon destinations in India. The lush greenery, dewy surroundings, sparkling water overflowing from lakes, and cascading waterfalls in all their glory encapsulate what monsoons are all about in India.
Monsoons are incredible for a variety of reasons. While the monsoon season is beautiful and pleasant, it is also a great time to travel if you want to enjoy the benefits of the off-season. Hotels are also significantly less expensive during this period. So, here is a list of monsoon destinations in India to have an unforgettable experience.
1. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
You don’t want to miss Mahabaleshwar during the monsoon season. The captivating beauty of Mahabaleshwar reaches a peak with the arrival of the monsoons. The rains are the perfect complement to this lovely hill town in the Sahyadri range. Foggy roads, the pitter-patter of raindrops, lush greenery, clouds descending from the mountain tops, and the smell of moist earth are all you need for a relaxing weekend away. Here’s a guide to Mahabaleshwar, with comprehensive details on activities and things to do here, to make the most out of your trip.
- Ideal for: Nature-lovers, romantic getaways
- Things to do: Photography, trekking, watersports
- How to reach: Mahabaleshwar, a popular weekend getaway in Maharashtra, is close to both Pune and Mumbai. The best way to get to the hill town is by car from any of these cities. Pune is the nearest city with both air and rail access. Pune is 120 kilometers away, while Mumbai is nearly 250 kilometers away. Driving in the rain is fun, but it requires caution.
[Also Read: Pune to Mahabaleshwar by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information]
2. Coorg, Karnataka
Who hasn’t considered visiting Coorg during the monsoon season? Coorg, a beautiful hill station in southern India, is known as a biodiversity hotspot. Its picturesque beauty has earned it the moniker “Scotland of India.” Coorg has pleasant weather all year, but during the monsoons it transforms into a green paradise. During the months of July and August, the fresh waters of the streams, the seasonal hidden waterfalls, the downpour, and the cool winds invigorate you. Check out this guide to Coorg, with comprehensive details on activities and things to do here, to make the most out of your trip.
- Ideal for: Nature lovers, photography enthusiasts
- Things to do: Trekking, camping, elephant interaction and coffee plantation tours
- 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.
[Also Read – Bangalore to Coorg by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information]
3. Wayanad, Kerala
The concept of monsoon tourism is getting quite popular in Wayanad because of the amount of rain it receives. This picturesque hill station in the south also hosts a 3-day monsoon festival, Splash, to give you more reasons to fall in love with the monsoons here. It is one of the best offbeat monsoon destinations in India. Enjoy the purest touch of nature in the form of cool winds tapping the windows in the night, the paddy fields half immersed in water, the gray skyline not penetrating sunlight through its thickness, and finally some hot brew to keep you company. The scenic beauty of Wayanad is not just limited to its greenery and hills but also includes the glass bridge. The Glass Bridge is a 100-foot glass bridge situated on the top of a hill at 900 Kandi, and is also the perfect place to capture the essence of the monsoon. This handy Wayanad travel guide details out the gems of the place that every traveler must experience.
- Ideal for: Nature lovers, monsoon lovers, honeymooners
- Things to do: Wildlife, nature walks, treks, plantation tours, camping
- How to reach: Wayanad is easily accessible by road. Most of the cities in Kerala are connected to the hill towns. Karipur International Airport at Kozhikode (Calicut), 100 km away, is the nearest airport in the vicinity of Wayanad. Kozhikode Railway Station is the closest train connection.
[Also Read – Bangalore to Wayanad by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information]
4. Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Mount Abu is well-known for several reasons. It is the only hill station in Rajasthan’s desert state. Mount Abu, which sits gracefully in the lap of the Aravallis, has a myriad of views that make monsoons look like something out of a fairy tale. It is one of the best places to visit in the monsoon in North India. The pleasant weather here is a welcome relief from the scorching heat and aridity of Rajasthan’s other cities, making it a popular weekend getaway destination. The rocky terrain, pleasant weather, windy breeze, and charming temples all work together to provide you with the best experience possible. Check out this handy guide to Mount Abu, with comprehensive details on activities and things to do here, to make the most out of your trip.
- Ideal for: Spiritual getaways, weekend getaways, honeymooners and nature-lovers
- Things to do: Boating, sightseeing
- How to reach: Mount Abu is easily accessible from not only Rajasthan but also Gujarat. The closest railway station is in the city itself, 28 km away. The nearest domestic airport is in Udaipur, almost 210 km away. The nearest international airport lies in Ahmedabad city.
[Also Read – Ahmedabad to Mount Abu by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information]
5. Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
Cherrapunji has the highest amount of rainfall in India and is one of the must-visit monsoon destinations in India. It always rains here, whether it’s the monsoon season or winter. Cherrapunji is nature’s little paradise, and its pristine beauty, combined with its rustic charm, draws tourists all year round, regardless of the weather. The clouds here play hide and seek, engulfing the entire landscape in pure whiteness and reducing visibility to nil. Allow the sound of rain to become your constant companion, almost as if it were an essential part of the journey.
- Ideal for: Nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts
- Things to do: Trekking, caving, sightseeing, bird-watching
- How to reach: Cherrapunji is well-connected through the roadways. Shillong is 2 hours and 55 km away. Guwahati railway station, 150 km away, is the nearest railhead. The closest airport, Guwahati is 170 km and 4.5 hours away.
6. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
If there is one place in the world where you can witness the most beautiful monsoons, it is in Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers. When we think of Uttarakhand, we think of unique ancient temples perched on hilltops, snow-clad mountains, rugged terrain, and low-hanging clouds. However, come monsoon, and the valley of flowers transforms into a rainbow of colors splashed here, there, and everywhere. The majority of the land, mountains, and even rocks are covered in carpets of flowers, making it one of the most incredible monsoon destinations in India. It would not be incorrect to say that when the rain comes, the valley of flowers transforms into scenery or a painting. Trekking and water sports are more enjoyable and adventurous during the monsoon season. Here’s a guide to Valley of Flowers, with comprehensive details on activities and things to do here, to make the most out of your trip.
- Ideal for: Nature lovers, adventure
- Things to do: Trekking, sightseeing, bird-watching
7. Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
If you enjoy the rain, Orchha is a wonderful place to visit during the monsoon season. Monsoons in Orchha, which is extremely dry during the summers, instill nostalgia in the air. The rain-soaked ancient forts, historical monuments, temples, and caves appear regal and divine. They stand tall and proud, as if recalling stories from a bygone era, making it one of the most gorgeous monsoon destinations in India. You’d want to record everything that catches your eye. This handy Orchha travel guide details out the gems of the place that every traveler must experience.
- Ideal for: Nature lovers, pre-wedding shoots, romantic getaways
- Things to do: Sightseeing, trekking, historical walks.
- How to reach: Orchha is easily accessible from anywhere in Madhya Pradesh. The nearest airport is in Gwalior, 123 km, 3 hours away and the nearest railway station is in Jhansi, 17 km away. Book a cab from Jhansi to Orchha for a wonderful vacation in the monsoon.
Last Updated on January 23, 2024 by Swati Deol
