July is the month of monsoons in India and monsoons in India are incredibly beautiful. Most people cringe at the thought of traveling in the rains and prefer to cancel all their plans to curl up in bed with a cup of hot tea. But for the most part, monsoons are one of the best times to travel across the length and breadth of the country. Besides making everything beautiful, monsoons also bring with them amazing off-season discounts and the perks of traveling in the off-season are far too many. For eg, less crowded places, no ques, no more waiting at the restaurants for a table etc etc. So for those of who you want to enjoy the rains with a stunning view, here is a list of places you must visit this monsoon -
Agumbe, Karnataka
Known as the Cherrapunji of South, Agumbe lies in the heart of Shimoga district in Karnataka. This quaint little hill town would take you back to the Malgudi days. While the pristine beauty of Agumbe would take your breath away at any time of the year but with the dark clouds rolling in from the Arabian Sea indicating the arrival of monsoon, the soul of Agumbe is awakened. The entire landscape is painted in emerald green with beautiful flowers dotting the terrain making it look like a fairy tale land. What makes Agumbe so magical is the sheer remoteness of this place. There is no cellular network here which makes it a perfect hideout spot. So head out to Agumbe to relive moments from the Malgudi Days, appreciate the monsoon’s glory, explore the rainforests and be prepared to get soaked.
Places to visit: Kundadri Hills, Sunset Point, Barkana Falls, Koodlu Theertha Falls.
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Rajasthan being a desert state receives the lowest rainfall in all of India. Unlike most other cities, Udaipur becomes a bit more pleasant and less humid during the monsoons. It also becomes a tad-bit more romantic with the rains - be it enjoying a windy evening on the rooftop of City-Palace, or a boat ride in Lake Pichola; Udaipur has its own way of adding the romantic flavor. Monsoons in Udaipur are all about pleasant temperatures, windy evenings, no scorching heat of the sun and an ambiance full of love for making the most of your time in Udaipur. If anything, rains add more life to the gorgeous city of lakes.
Places to visit: Lake Pichola, Monsoon Palace, City Palace, Bagore ki Haveli, Raas Leela
Goa
This internationally famous beach in India is everything leisurely tropical holidays are made up of. Goa is the smallest state in the country snuggled between the lush Western Ghats and the bright blue waters of the Arabian Sea. While most people like to visit Goa from September onwards, but the rains add a certain charm here. Rains make Goa look exceptionally beautiful. The beaches look more enchanting. And this is not even the best part. The best part about traveling to Goa during the offseason is, the beaches are deserted. So go enjoy the beautiful beaches all by yourself, write your names on the sand, run around the beach and have a great time without anyone else around. Most hotels would also offer incredible deals during the offseason so you get to enjoy Goa without spending a fortune. So, what are you waiting for? Christmas? One of the best ways to travel to Goa is by availing the services of car rentals in from Bangalore. Car rentals are convenient, comfortable, and budget-friendly if you’re travelling in a group.
Places to visit: Drive on the inner Goan roads, the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem National Park and the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, Aguada Fort, Singuerim beach
Bhandardara, Maharashtra
Bhandardara is a small hill station amidst the Sahyadri ranges. It is a peaceful and quaint monsoon trekking destination in Maharashtra. Bhandardara is still in its pristine form and has so much to offer to its visitors. Surrounded by mountains, lush greenery, lakes, waterfalls, dams etc, this place is pleasant all throughout the year. The rains add to the natural beauty of this hill town and make it quite ideal for enjoying the rains with a stunning view. While the nature lovers sit back and enjoy the rains from the comfort of their homestays or resorts; the adventure junkies indulge in scaling the highest peak in Maharashtra, Mt Kalsubai.
Places to visit: Umbrella Falls, Arthur Hill Lake, Randha Fall, Wilson Dam, Ghanchakkar.
Saputara, Gujarat
Saputara or the abode of serpents is a charming hill station perched at an altitude of 1000m above the sea level. It is the only hill-station in Gujarat which offers its inhabitants an escape into the beauty of nature. Situated on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border in the Dang district, Saputara is gifted with incredible waterfalls, a pleasant climate and everything else to make your monsoons memorable. The best time to visit Saputara is during the monsoons when the entire landscape is drenched in rain and a thick blanket of mist engulfs the valley giving it the look of a fairyland straight out of a storybook. Saputara also hosts a monsoon festival every year in August to give a boost to tourism here. It is the best time to enjoy water sports and get a better insight into the culture of the tribals inhabiting the region.
Places to visit: Saputara Lake, Sunset Point, Gira Waterfalls, Townview Point, Saputara Tribal Museum, Pandava Caves, Rose Garden.
Munnar, Kerala
Kerala receives very heavy rainfall during the month of July. While most would consider this an inconvenient time to travel, but Munnar has the most amazing monsoon experience for you in its kitty. Its high altitude and forest like landscape give it the most amazing weather all throughout the year. Holding the epitome of nature’s beauty, the lush green valleys, magnificent waterfalls and, the picturesque lakes appear as paintings straight out of a Monet canvas and the mist makes the experience all the more surreal. It rains consistently in Munnar during the monsoons, therefore, making it a perfect destination for short adventure treks and walks across the tea plantations. The best part about Munnar is that you can try a lot of other fun stuff too while enjoying the rains.
Places to visit: Photo Point, Pothamedu View Point, Kundala Lake, Carmelagiri Park, Eravikulum National Park, Lockhart Gap, Mattupatty Dam, Attukal Waterfalls.
Pelling, Sikkim
A small hill station located in the mountain state of Sikkim, Pelling offers a stunning view of the magnificent Kanchenjunga. For the most part of the year, Pelling is covered in snow and thick fog. It is only during the months of July and August that Pelling’s natural beauty is seen in all its glory. The alpine forests, the hidden waterfalls, the numerous trekking trails and the beautiful monasteries make Pelling look like a piece of heaven left behind on earth. The peace and solitude experienced here are unmatched. Whether you are looking to relax or ticking things off your bucket list, there is something for everyone in Pelling.
Places to visit: Pemayangtse Monastery, Darap Village, Kanchenjunga waterfall, Khecheopalri Lake, Rabdentse Ruins, Kanchenjunga National Park
Leh
For adventure lovers, July is the perfect time to pack some bags and leave for Leh. It is the most favorable time to be visiting the Himalayas. The snow clears making the roads accessible for people to travel to Leh. The cold desert is one of its kind. The vast stretches of this desert has absolutely no vegetation, the stunning landscape is devoid of rain, the beautiful monasteries hang equally beautiful prayer flags around it which flutters in the wind, and a road trip to the gorgeous Nubra Valley make Leh one of the best destinations to visit in the month of July.
Places to visit: Leh Old Town, Lamayuru Monastery, Shanti Stupa
We hope you enjoyed reading this answer and it helps you plan your monsoon getaway this year. Tell us where you are heading to enjoy this year’s rains.