India got really amazing natural beauty to offer. With it's diverse natural landscape which includes rivers, mountains, hills and forests it has amazingly mesmerizing waterfall all across India. Monsoon is the best season to experience the nature and explore gorgeous waterfalls around India. After the burning heat of summer, the rains bring much needed relief to the human life and also the nature. We're sharing 20 amazing places that you must visit in monsoon in India.
1. The Splendid Munnar, Kerala
Mist induced rolling tea gardens and spice plantation with dewdrops rolling from the leaves and branches, Munnar in August is a nothing short of a nature lover's paradise. The high mountains half covered in mist while the rain revitalizes everything it can touch. It's an ideal escape if you're looking for some quiet time amidst the mountains. Not being a tourist season in August, you can enjoy all of this without any rush and the off season prices!
How to Reach:
Munnar does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport, which is 110 kilometres away by road. From Cochin, you can hire a cab to get to Munnar. The Madurai International Airport is 140 kilometres away from Munnar. In case you de-board at the Madurai International Airport, you can hire a cab or board the state transport or private buses to get to Munnar..
Best Time:
June to September:This is the monsoon season in Munnar and even though many tourists avoid Munnar during the monsoons, this is a great time to visit the hill station if you're looking for a quiet vacation. Covered with lush green foliage, monsoons in Munnar have a charm of their own.
2. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
From south, move up to north and you will come across one of the most exquisite places on Earth: The Valley of Flowers! This valley is surrounded with high altitude mountains and houses atleast 300 variety of flowers that bloom at their best between April to October. For the rest of the year, this valley remains covered with snow. Valley of Flowers National Park is one of the most scenic places in India, situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It was declared a National Park in 1982 and was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2004. It is perched at an altitude of 3600 m and is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora.
How to Reach:
You can reach Haridwar from New Delhi by road or by train. Air-conditioned Volvo buses are available from New Delhi to Haridwar. You can take bus from Anand Vihar Inter State Bus Terminus at New Delhi. If you are not so particular about Air-conditioned bus then you may get a bus every ten minutes from New Delhi. It takes almost 5-6 hours from New Delhi to Haridwar by bus.
Best Time:
Valley of Flowers is snow clad for most of the year and it becomes accessible only in the month of June. Officially Valley of Flowers opens First June every year. Valley of Flowers is always beautiful. It depends upon your taste that what you would like to see.
3. 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.
How to Reach:
The nearest railway station is Guwahati. It is 104 km from Shillong and very well connected with all major cities of India. Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) has bus services coordinated with train arrivals at Guwahati.
Best Time:
September to May are the best months to visit Shillong and other parts of Meghalaya as the weather is very pleasant and rains are relatively lesser. Monsoons (June-August) experiences heavy rainfall and it might be very difficult to pursue your travel plans in such weather.
4. 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.
How to Reach:
The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra which is approximately 95 km away from the city. There are some direct flights from the cities like Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati to Darjeeling. From the airport, one can reach the city by hiring taxis. It will take almost 3 hours to reach Darjeeling from the airport.
Best Time:
October to March: October is when the monsoon season ends and a slight chill is observed in the weather. Winter season begins in full swing and it is during the months of mid-November to January, when the average temperature ranges between 7 and 5 degree Celsius. Snowfall is rarely seen in Darjeeling.
5. Coorg, Karnataka
If you are in Coorg during rainy season then it is natural to have a million dollar smile! Dare to step out and get drenched by the pour just not to miss some spectacular views of Coorg. Cool breeze, pleasant weather, mist covered surroundings, and fresh green views are some of the admiring results of dewy period in the area. Don't miss the rich aroma of hot coffee!
How to Reach:
The nearest domestic airport is the Mangalore International Airport, about 160 kilometres away. The nearest international airport is in Bengaluru, which is approximately 265 kilometres away.
Best Time:
Coorg is an evergreen place. No matter which time of the year to choose to spend your holidays here, the place will leave you breathless with the pleasant climate that this hill town offers all around the year. Although, the weather differs in different seasons of the year. Best time to visit Coorg is the summers when the temperature doesn't go any higher than 40°C and winters when the temperature does not fall below 10°C.
Storm Festival, a camp-out music festival also takes place in Coorg in the month of February, though it's best to check the dates and tickets beforehand.
6. Alleppey, Kerala
Like other tourist places in Kerala, Alleppey too dress up a very greeny look during monsoons but still it is counted as one of the top places to visit in monsoon. Then what separates it from others? Step into this picturesque city and you will soon realize this as swiftly as monsoon water merge with lake ripples. Watch the transforming shades of the surroundings while enjoying a Kerala fish curry and spicy Karimeen fry. A ride in shikara is another interesting and never to miss attraction of monsoon in Alleppey.
How to Reach:
The Cochin International Airport, located at a distance of 75 kiolmetres is the nearest airport to Allepey. The airport is well connected to major cities in India as well as abroad. From the Cochin International Airport, one can book a taxi or a cab to get to Alleppey.
Best Time:
November to February: Winters are the best time to visit Allepey as the weather is mild and pleasant. The average temperature during this time is between 17 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius. This is the perfect time to go on a houseboat ride and explore the backwaters of Allepey.
7. Manali
It is really a good idea to start India's monsoon exploration from northern region. And your foremost stopover will definitely be Manali. No one can escape the perfect harmony of green landscapes and snow-covered peaks. Though it is little bit difficult to travel to Manali during rainy season but for adventure seekers it is the best time to trek the destination.
How to Reach:
The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, located approximately 50 kilometres away from Manali. Domestic flights connect Bhuntar with Delhi and Chandigarh. Once at the airport, you can take a pre-paid taxi to Manali. However, owing to weather conditions, flights are not the most reliable option for getting to or out of Manali.
Best Time:
The monsoon starts to fade away by September and the winter starts setting in from October. Manali starts witnessing snow and the temperatures go down to as low as -1 degree Celsius. December to January is the ideal time to enjoy the snowfall and the spectacular beauty of this place.
8. Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
Kasol is perhaps one of the best places to visit in India during July-August. Nestled in sylvan hills, this small village is today quite famous with backpackers, trekkers and nature lovers. During monsoons, this village becomes resplendent with green color making it one of the havens on earth.
How to Reach:
The only and the best mode of reaching Kasol is by Road. The nearest airport, Kullu Manali airport, Bhuntar is about 32kms from Kasol. But from there on, you have to catch hold of a bus or hire a taxi to reach Kasol. The bus ticket will cost you Rs60-90 while a cab driver may charge up to Rs 700 or more.
Best Time:
October to June are the best months to visit Kasol. Although Kasol experiences good weather throughout the year, the ideal time to explore the wilderness of the place is from March to May. At this time of the year, the weather is pleasant and the temperature varies from 15 - 22 degrees Celsius.
9. Dalhousie
Nothing can beat the quaint British charm of Dalhousie that turns more surreal during monsoons. As it is Dalhousie boasts of a beautiful weather, monsoons further add a touch of winter chill after the sunny days of summers here.
How to Reach:
There is no airport in Dalhousie. However, the nearby airports are Gaggal which is 140 km away and Satwari Airport in Jammu which is 106 km away. You can find car options to reach Dalhousie from both the airports. To reach Dalhousie by rail you have to take a train to Pathankot, which is the nearest railway station.
Best Time:
The summer season in Dalhousie starts from the month of March till May and it is generally the most-preferred time when tourists from different parts of India visit this hill-station as the weather is pleasant and the temperature is less than 30 degree Celsius.
10. Kodaikanal
Another fascinating monsoon destination in India, Kodaikanal symbolizes its name "The Gift of Forest" in true sense. With sun and clouds playing hide and seek with each other, and sometimes hammering down the pour heavily, it is really spectacular to watch the fresh look of this hill station of Tamil Nadu as well as smell the aroma of rain-washed mud. But plan your visit during rains only if you are daring enough to handle monsoon's madness.
How to Reach:
The airport nearest to Kodaikanal is Madurai, about 120 kilometres away. Others in line include the Trichy airport and the Coimbatore airport, 150 kilometres and 175 kilometres away, respectively. From the airport, you can easily get a bus to Kodaikanal.
Best Time:
Kodaikanal is a famous and finest hill station in Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal can be visited any time of the year, but the best time to visit is September to May; when the weather is at its best.
11. Mahabaleshwar Waterfall
Mahabaleshwar is one of the popular hill stations of Maharashtra. Situated at an altitude of 1,353 m in the Western Ghats range, Mahabaleshwar is one of the top monsoon destinations in India. This is the source of the Krishna River that flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This pretty hill station is often referred as the queen of hill stations in Maharashtra. It offers panoramic view of the plains with the imposing sloppy peaks and surrounding woods.
How to Reach:
By Train. While Wathar (60 km) is the nearest railway station from Mahabaleshwar, the most accessible and convenient one would be at Pune. There are plenty of trains going to Pune from Mumbai as well as other major cities across India and you can take a bus or a taxi from Pune to Mahabaleshwar.
Best Time:
March to June: March is when the mercury starts rising but it's still pleasant enough. The temperature stays between 15°C and 35°C. This is a popular tourist season for families who plan trips around summer vacations in schools. June to September: Mahabaleshwar experiences an average to heavy rainfall every year.
12. Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya
Meghalaya is a hill state located in the north – east India. Also known as the Abode of Clouds, it is one of the smallest states in India. Shillong is the capital city of the state and is situated at an average altitude of 1,496 m. Meghalaya receives heaviest rainfall during the monsoon season and rains usually last longer than rest of India. Cherrapunji and Mawsynram are the two wettest places on Earth with an annual rainfall of 11872 mm. The abundant natural beauty of Cherrapunji makes it one of the best places to visit in monsoon in India.
How to Reach:
It is located 181 km from the city. To get to Cherrapunji town, you can hire taxis from Paltan Bazaar bus stand in Guwahati or get a pre-paid taxi from the airport itself. Technically, the Umroi Airport (91 km) near Shillong is the nearest airport to Cherrapunji.
Best Time:
The best time to visit Cherrapunji is between the months of October and May, when the weather remains cool and pleasant.
13. Athirapally, Kerala
Athirapally Waterfalls are one of the best waterfalls in India and one of the top tourist places in Kerala state. Athirapally Falls are magnificent waterfalls formed on Chalakudy River located at the entrance to Sholayar hill range in Thrissur district. This waterfall drops from a height of 80 feet through several parallel streams offering a great scenic beauty. In monsoon season, the water gets strength and all the streams join together and appear like Niagara Falls. This is the biggest waterfalls in Kerala and one of the top places to visit in rainy season in the months of June, July & August as part of Kerala Package Tour.
How to Reach:
Chalakudy (32 km) is the nearest junction to Athirapally and it is connected by bus with Thrissur (55 km), Kochi (73 km) and Palakkad (110 km). One can take public/private vehicle from Chalakudy to reach Athirapally. Cochin Airport is the nearest airport to Athirapally which is 40 km away.
Best Time:
Athirapally falls never dries out and can be visited anytime during the year. Though the waterfall appears in its full glory during monsoons, heavy rains can cause great inconvenience. So, the best time to visit is from September to January. It usually takes 2-3 hours to explore Athirappally falls.
14. Jog Waterfalls, Karnataka
Jog Falls is the one of the highest plunge waterfall and also among the best waterfalls in India. It is situated in Shimoga district of Karnataka and is locally known as Geruoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi. This is formed over the Sharavathi River falling from a height of 253 m (830 feet). The Sharavathi River flowing over a very rocky bed about 250 yards wide, 253 m deep and the water comes down in four distinct falls known as Raja, Rani, Rover and Rocket. The four cascades merge to form the huge waterfall. The Raja Fall pours in one unbroken column sheer to the depth of 830 ft. Jog Falls can be seen in gorgeous form in rainy season in July, August & September and it is one of the top monsoon destinations in India.
How to Reach:
The nearest town Sagar is around 30kms from the fall. One has to take a deviation of about 2kms, from the national highway to reach the falls. Air : The nearest airport is Bangalore airport 378 kms away and Mangalore (180km). Rail : The nearest railway station is Shimoga (104 kms from Jog).
Best Time:
The best time to experience the Falls in its natural shade is the monsoons. Though the place is popular for winter picnics and outings, the beauty of the waterfall is suppressed due to the lack of rains in winter as well as summer.
15. Lonavala, Maharashtra
Lonavala is a beautiful hill station in Pune district of Maharashtra. It lies 622 m above sea level in the Sahyadri Ranges which separate the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan Coast. Lonavala and Khandala are the twin hill stations located near to each other and are very popular monsoon getaways in India. It is one of the top summer getaways in Maharashtra. Lord Elphinstone, who was the Governor of the Bombay Presidency, developed Lonavala along with Khandala in 1871.
How to Reach:
At a distance of nearly 100 kilometers Mumbai airport is the nearest international airport to Lonavala. Railways is another important modes of transportation to visit Lonavala. The railway station of Lonavala lies on the railway line connecting Mumbai and Pune.
Best Time:
The best time to visit Lonavala is between the months of October and May. It is advised not to visit Lonavala in the monsoon season between the months of June and September, as it experiences heavy rainfall during this time.
16. Goa
There are many reasons to visit Goa during monsoon. Some of its popular festivals like Sao-Joao, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul and Bonderam Flag Carnival falls in the rainy season and thus brings a fresh breeze of liveliness in the surroundings of this tiny bliss. Along with this enthusiasm, rains cast a spell of magic on nature too with attraction like Mollem National Park, Dudh Sagar Falls and Mandovi River painting amazing views on Goa's sand cover.
How to Reach:
The Dabolim Airport lies just 29 kilometres from the state’s capital, Panjim. It is well connected by daily flights from Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Cochin and Bangalore.
Best Time:
Mid-November to Mid-February: These are the best months to visit the party capital since the weather is pleasantly cool and comfortable. It’s the perfect time to relax on the beaches amidst other tourists who make the most of these three months in Goa. December is the time when Goa witnesses one of its most popular festivals, Sunburn, besides extensive Christmas and New Year celebrations and is home to lakhs of visitors from across the world.
17. Andaman – 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.
How to Reach:
There are only two ways to reach Port Blair, capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands :- either by Air or by Sea. Flight : You have direct daily flights to Port Blair from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore. And some flights from Visakhapatnam on certain days.
Best Time:
Best time to visit Andamana and Nicobar Island is considered from November to mid-May. Monsoons are however recommended to be avoided because of the high tidal waves, incessant rains and strong winds.
18. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Mussoorie is a popular hill station in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. It is situated atop a horseshoe crest on the mountains of Garhwal at an average altitude of 1880 m. Mussoorie offers commanding views of the underlying Doon Valley and the magnificent Himalayas. The highest peak in the region is Lal Tibba in Landour, at an elevation of over 2,275 m. Mussoorie is called the gateway to the Yamunotri and Gangotri. This is one of the top hill stations in India and also one of the top places to visit in monsoon season in India. The famous Kempty Falls can be experienced at full flow in the rainy season in July & August and it attracts large crowd in this season.
How to Reach:
Dehradun Railway Station, located around 36 km away serves as the nearest railway station to Mussoorie. Number of trains from far and near of cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Jammu and Amritsar serve Dehradun city. After reaching Dehradun by train, visitors can board local taxis or buses for Mussoorie.
Best Time:
The months of April, May and June witness the peak season owing to the pleasant climate while those looking forward to see snowfall should visit Mussoorie during winters. August-September: Mussoorie usually sees heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.
19. Wayanad
There is no doubt that Wayanad is one of the best hill stations in South India. And this means, there is no lack of beautiful natural sights. But what makes Wayanad so special is its adventurous side. Its strategic location in between of Western Ghats' mountains gives travelers immense opportunities to trail trekking routes, mountain climbing, hiking etc. 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 monsoon place in India.
How to Reach:
The adjoining Rail station of Wayanad is Kozhikode. To reach here you have to cover a distance of 110 km from Wayanad. One can also hire taxi to reach the station. Kozhikode has nice and frequent connectivity that provides regular direct train services towards Trivandrum, Kochi, Chennai and Bangalore.
Best Time:
Although the temperature in Wayanad remains nearly constant throughout the year but the best time to visit Wayanad is October- May. The weather is extremely good during this period of time
20. Kumarakom
If you want to give yourself a monsoon treat then Kumarakom is the place for you to indulge. The advent of drizzle renovates the look of this emerald peninsula making it a series of green pictures. Feel the thrill and chill of standing drenched at Ashtamudi and Vembanad with heavy wind making you down on knees. But it is good to keep an umbrella along with you wherever you go in Kumarakom.
How to Reach:
Kumarakom is well connected with a number of major cities of India by air, railways and roads. Kottayam is the closest railway station is 16 km from here. You can take a cab to Kottayam to reach the tourists' paradise. Kochi is the nearest airport to Kumarakom.
Best Time:
September to March as the weather is pleasant. This area has moderate climate which allows tourists to enjoy the natural ambience.
