The monsoon season in India is always a much-awaited season of the year after the scorching summer most places experience across the country.
The rains - beginning in the western ghats and working their way up towards central India, followed by north India, before reaching an impasse at the Himalayas, bring solace to the parched earth and drop the skyrocketing temperatures by a few blessed degrees.
This is also the time when people finally emerge out of their summer stupor and decide to travel. If you’re of the opinion that the more rain the better, then here are some of the best places in the country to visit during the monsoon season.
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu that is surrounded by the western ghats and hence gets ample amounts of rain from the months of June to September.
The monsoon season is the perfect time to visit this town as the rains add an element of freshness and life to the area. Take a boat ride on Kodaikanal Lake and go horseback riding if there’s a light drizzle.
If it starts to pour, enjoy a hot cup of tea and the best mutton burgers you will ever eat at Nias Treats. Of course, the best time to take a long walk through the Coakers Walk or Bryant Park is after a shower.
If you’re looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating monsoon vacation, Kodaikanal is the place to be!
Coorg
Coorg also receives the most amount of rainfall in the months of June to September, when most places in the south first get the barrage of rainfall that makes the surrounding areas lush, green and beautiful.
A welcome break from the heat of the summer, the monsoon season brings many tourists to Coorg who come to enjoy visits to places like Lakshmana Tirtha Falls, a tributary of the Kaveri river that is at its peak during the monsoon season.
The Madikeri Fort, built in the 17th century, is also an interesting and historic site to visit. Visitors also enjoy watching the sunrise at Bisle view point, from where you can see the four peaks of Doddabetta, Pushpagiri, Yenikallu Betta, and Kumara Parvatha.
If you don’t want the rainy weather to hinder your adventures, never fear - because this is the ideal time to go river rafting down the Barapole river or go for a trek to Chelavara Falls. Coorg has a host of activities and sites to see, no matter what the weather. But the monsoon experience is always incomparable!
Munnar
Munnar is an idyllic hill station in Kerala, that usually gets an abundance of rainfall in the months of June and July. While the roads are slippery and the rains make it a bit difficult to get to Munnar, once you do, you’ll never want to leave.
A tour of the tea estates that populate this area should be a must-see item on your to-do list, as should visits to Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam and the Attukal waterfalls. Munnar is also host to the neelakurinji flower, a brilliant purple bud that only blooms every 12 years.
When these flowers bloom, the Munnar hills are covered with them, making for a truly picturesque sight. Munnar is also one of the few places that is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a type of mountain goat endemic to this area. Munnar is also conveniently located just 20 kilometres from Thekkady, which is a popular tourist destination and wildlife reserve, an easy trip for nature and animal lovers during this season.
Ladakh
As one of the most popular tourist spots in the country, Ladakh is a great place to visit all year round - however, it certainly does have its own special charm during the months of July to September - where Leh and other areas don’t have to deal with heavy rainfall, but do get bursts of downpours at various unpredictable times.
However, the skies are generally clear and the weather would be perfect to enjoy Ladakh.
Leh is the best for all forms of adventure activity - from white water rafting on the Indus and Zanskar rivers, to taking part in challenging treks in the region from the Markha Valley trek to the Kang Yatse trek. Visitors should also enjoy a nice steaming bowl of thukpa during one of the brief thunderstorms that occur.
You can also relish some of the local festivals like the Hemis festival in June or the Karsha Gustor in July.
Udaipur
Unlike most places in Rajasthan, Udaipur is pleasant and cool during the monsoons, and so the perfect time to enjoy this dreamy romantic city of lakes is between the months of July to September.
As befitting the season, a trip to the Monsoon Palace, or Sajjan Garh Palace is a must. The palace's location provides a magnificent view of the city and the Fateh Sagar Lake.
Calm, serene boat rides on lake Pichola are also a great way to unwind, and don’t worry, most boats are covered so even if it does rain during your boat ride, you’ll remain dry.
The monsoon season is truly the best time to explore the countless stunning historical palaces and marvel at the city of Udaipur.
