Discover the Top 8 Destinations to Visit This Rainy Season: India offers several beautiful destinations to visit during the monsoon season, each with its own unique charm and experiences.
Discover the Top 8 Destinations to Visit This Rainy Season
1. Munnar, Kerala
India boasts a plethora of enchanting destinations that come alive with unique beauty during the monsoon season. Among these, Munnar in Kerala stands out for its sprawling tea estates that transform into a verdant paradise under the refreshing showers. Cascading waterfalls like the Athirappilly Falls add to the allure, making it a haven for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it’s surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Eravikulam National Park, a habitat for the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri tahr, is home to the Lakkam Waterfalls, hiking trails and 2,695m-tall Anamudi Peak.
Transportation
1. Road
Munnar is well connected by both National highways, state highways and rural roads. The town lies in the Kochi – Dhanushkodi National highway (N.H 49), about 130 km (81 mi) from Cochin, 31 km (19 mi) from Adimali, 85 km (53 mi) from Udumalpettu in Tamil Nadu and 60 km (37 mi) from Neriyamangalam.
Distance from major cities & tourist destinations.
- Aluva – 109 km
- Varkala – 245 km
- Trivandrum – 280 km
- from Kochi – Ernakulam – 150 km
2. Railway
The nearest railway station is Bodinayakkanur (68 km) in Tamil Nadu and nearest major railway stations in Kerala are at Ernakulam (126 km) and Aluva (110 km).
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus stand is in walking distance from Aluva Railway Station, and buses are available for Munnar every hour.
3. Airport
The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is 110 kilometres (68 mi) away. The Coimbatore and Madurai airports are 165 kilometres (103 mi) from Munnar.
2. Coorg (Kodagu), Karnataka
Coorg, nestled in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, offers another captivating retreat during the monsoon. Known for its coffee plantations, Coorg dazzles with emerald landscapes dotted with glistening streams and mist-covered hills. Trekking enthusiasts can explore trails leading to spectacular viewpoints and secluded waterfalls like Abbey Falls, while those seeking tranquility can relax amidst the serene ambiance.Kodagu is located on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It has a geographical area of 4,102 km2 (1,584 sq mi).
Kodagu is rated as one of the top hill station destinations in India. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Kodagu include Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Nisargadhama, Abbey Falls, Dubare, Nagarahole National Park, Iruppu Falls, and the Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple
3. Goa
Goa, famous for its vibrant beaches, reveals a quieter and more serene side during the monsoon. The rain-kissed beaches exude a tranquil charm, perfect for leisurely walks and soulful contemplation. Goa’s lush green countryside comes alive with vibrant foliage, and the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, in their full monsoon glory, offer a breathtaking sight.
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Goa is a state in western India with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. Its long history as a Portuguese colony prior to 1961 is evident in its preserved 17th-century churches and the area’s tropical spice plantations. Goa is also known for its beaches, ranging from popular stretches at Baga and Palolem to those in laid-back fishing villages such as Agonda.
4. Udaipur, Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, Udaipur takes on a romantic allure as the monsoon brings relief from the desert heat. The City of Lakes becomes even more enchanting with the rain-washed palaces reflected in the serene waters of Lake Pichola. The Aravalli hills surrounding the city turn a vibrant green, providing a picturesque backdrop to its historic architecture and cultural heritage.
Udaipur, formerly the capital of the Mewar Kingdom, is a city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, it’s set around a series of artificial lakes and is known for its lavish royal residences. City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola, is a monumental complex of 11 palaces, courtyards and gardens, famed for its intricate peacock mosaics
Places to Visit in Udaipur City Palace, Udaipur, Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Kesariyaji Tirth, Monsoon Palace, Jagdish Temple & Many More Places.
5. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Further east, Darjeeling in West Bengal offers a misty retreat amidst its famous tea estates and panoramic views of the Himalayas. The Toy Train chugs along through lush green valleys, while the mist-shrouded peaks of Kanchenjunga beckon adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Darjeeling is a town in India’s West Bengal state, in the Himalayan foothills. Once a summer resort for the British Raj elite, it remains the terminus of the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or “Toy Train,” completed in 1881. It’s famed for the distinctive black tea grown on plantations that dot its surrounding slopes. Its backdrop is Mt. Kanchenjunga, among the world’s highest peaks.
Darjeeling experiences two peak tourism seasons: from September to November and from April to May. According to a 2014 study, domestic tourism forms the cornerstone of the town’s tourism industry. The Chowrasta serves as a popular shopping and gathering spot, where tourists often pose for photos dressed in vibrant local attire. Foreign tourists especially enjoy visiting the tea plantations nestled below the town. Some of these plantations feature old bungalows that have been converted into luxurious accommodations, commanding high prices by international standards.
For many tourists, Darjeeling holds a special place as a destination offering a peaceful, unspoiled, and picturesque landscape, reminiscent of the setting portrayed in Satyajit Ray’s iconic 1962 film, “Kanchenjungha.”
6. Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
In the north, Ladakh stands as a stark contrast with its arid landscapes untouched by the monsoon rains. This high-altitude desert offers a surreal beauty with its rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and ancient monasteries, making it an ideal destination for trekking and cultural exploration.
Ladakh is a region administered by India as a union territory. It forms the eastern part of the broader Kashmir region, which has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan since 1947 and India and China since 1959.
Top Places to visit in Ladakh are Pangong Lake, Khardung La Pass, Nubra Valley, Bactrian Camel Ride,Shanti Stupa, River Rafting & Many more places.
7. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
For a botanical wonderland, the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand blooms with a riot of colors during the monsoon. This UNESCO World Heritage Site bursts into life with a myriad of alpine flowers carpeting the meadows against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks, offering a dreamlike setting for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian national park which was established in 1982. It is located in Chamoli in the state of Uttarakhand and is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora
Reaching the Valley of Flowers involves a trek of approximately 17 km (10.5 mi). The closest major town is Joshimath in Garhwal, which enjoys convenient road connections from Haridwar and Dehradun, situated roughly 270 km (168 mi) to the south of Joshimath. From Delhi, travelers typically take a train to Haridwar and then proceed by bus to Govindghat via Rishikesh. Govindghat is situated around 24 km before another significant destination, Badrinath. Alternatively, one can opt to drive directly from Delhi to Govindghat, covering a distance of about 500 km.
8. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Lastly, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide a tropical escape with their azure waters and palm-fringed beaches. While some islands experience rainfall, others offer clear skies and tranquil seas, perfect for underwater adventures like diving and snorkeling amidst vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands form a union territory of India, consisting of 836 islands, with only 31 of them inhabited. These islands are divided into two main groups: the northern Andaman Islands and the southern Nicobar Islands, separated by a wide channel spanning 150 km (93 mi). Port Blair serves as the capital and largest city of the territory, located approximately 1,190 km (740 mi) from Chennai and 1,255 km (780 mi) from Kolkata on mainland India.
Tourism plays a pivotal role in the economy of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In 2016 alone, the islands welcomed over 400,000 visitors, predominantly from within India, with domestic tourists accounting for 94% of the total. Recognizing the potential for further growth, the Government of India initiated plans in 2018 to develop tourism infrastructure across various islands through the National Institute of Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, aimed at boosting tourist arrivals.
Foreign tourists visiting the islands are required to obtain Restricted Area Permits (RAP), which grant access to specific areas under certain conditions. In contrast, domestic tourists can freely explore accessible parts of the islands without permits, although entry into tribal reserves is strictly prohibited without special permission.