Best Places to Visit in India During Summer: Uncover 10 Surprising Places Across the Country to Cool Off

If you have stayed in India, then you must be well aware of the summers and its impact in different parts of the country. Though the scorching heat is more evident in the northern and southern part, the western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat also have their own share of the heat waves, thanks to the Thar Desert in the northwest whose 60% of area inside India lies in the state of Rajasthan and the remaining extends up to Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab. Due to the vast area covered by India, the start and end of the summer season has variations in various parts of the country. While the northwestern part of India experiences summers from April to July, the rest of the country embraces summers from March to May. In the northern parts of India, mercury crosses 50 degrees centigrade in few areas and it’s difficult to survive in the strong, hot and dry winds along with the blazing sunlight.

However, there is some respite in the form of hill stations and few places which are either cold or relatively colder even in summers. Most people plan to go out in summer vacations to a cool and breezy place; but due to excess of visitors, most of the hill stations and summer destinations are getting overcrowded, polluted and losing their natural beauty. Hence, we have decided to pick the best places to visit in India during summer which are little less-visited destinations and haven’t turned into a picnic spot yet. You can check about these places in this handy guide and plan your next summer travel to get the much-desired break from the hustling urban life and also to get respite from the sweltering temperature.

Even if you are travelling to a relatively cold place in India, there are chances that you have to face the burning sun rays and harsh and dry air during the course of your journey. Also, few hilly areas have sunlight reflecting from mountains which can make you uncomfortable. So, carrying certain items like a thermosteel water bottle, folding umbrella, a cap that can cover your face, sunglasses, scarf, sunscreen cream (SPF 35) and cooling spray in your handbags is a wise idea.

Moreover, carry anti-acids along with your regular medicines and wear light coloured, full-sleeved cotton clothes as they will protect you from the harmful UV rays. Avoid going out during peak hot hours between 12 – 2 p.m., keep yourself well hydrated, avoid heavy and oily food and eat fresh fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber, etc. And lastly, never go out on an empty stomach, especially in the hot and dry gust.

Have you already started dreaming about your next summer destination and all the activities you have planned for and can’t hold your excitement? Well, check out this guide of the best places to visit in India during summer and we’re sure you’ll have at least one location ticked for your next summer journey.

Ladakh is now a Union Territory of India (since Oct’19) and has an interesting geographical location as it’s been surrounded by Tibet in the east, Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan (under POK) in the west, Xinjiang (part of China) across the Karakoram Pass in the north and Himachal Pradesh in the south. The Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram Range in the north and the Great Himalayas in the south also add to its beauty, mystery and grandeur. Ladakh has spread in an area of approx. 60,000 km sq. while the population is merely 2.80 lakhs due to the harsh living conditions in this region.

Leh district (containing Indus, Nubra and Shyok river valleys) and Kargil District (containing Dras, Suru and Zanskar river valleys) are the two largest and important towns of Ladakh. These two towns, along with the river valleys are where the majority of the population resides. One can find the cultural impact of Tibet on that of Ladakh as 40% of the population is of Tibetan Buddhists. Ladakh has natural beauty in abundance in the form of clean water rivers, snow-laden mountains, flora and fauna, grasslands and valleys. Summers in Ladakh last for four months when the temperature is in the range of 15 – 25 degrees Celsius and this is the best time to visit Ladakh. For more information on Ladakh, you can visit here.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also a Union Territory of India located at a place where Bay of Bengal (on the west) and Andaman Sea (on the east) waters meet, it comprises of 572 islands out of which only 37 are inhabited. The total area of these islands is 8,250 km sq. and around 4.30 lakh people live here. Andaman and Nicobar are two distinct island groups separated by 150 km wide ‘Ten Degree Channel’.

Few mention-worthy places to visit in Andaman & Nicobar Islands are Havelock Island, Radhanagar Beach, Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Ross Island, Barren Island Volcano, Wandoor Beach, Rutland Island, Parrot Island, Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, Elephant Beach, Saddle Peak National Park and many such beaches. Adventure enthusiasts can participate in scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, various water activities and sports in Water Sports Complex like rowboats, paddle boats, banana boats, parasailing, sea walking, etc. and you can shop for little souvenirs from the Port Blair market. The summer months of April to June are the best time to visit as the average temperature is between 26 – 32 degrees and the weather is sunny and pleasant.

Officially known as Kodagu district, Coorg is located in Karnataka near Mysore and spread in an area of 4100 km sq. The nearest airports are Kannur International Airport in Kerala (81km) and Mangalore International Airport (137 km) and the nearest railway station is Mysore Junction. Famous for its coffee plantation, hills and streams, the misty land is full of scenic beauty. Coorg is popularly known as the ‘Scotland of India’ due to its rich history, adventurous places and tempting cuisines.

Rated among one of the top hill stations in India, Coorg is located at an elevation of 3000 ft. Summers are pleasant with temperatures hovering between 15 to 35-degree celsius and March to May are the months to witness the hidden beauty and blooming flowers among the serene hills. Few famous places worth visiting in Coorg are Abbey Falls, Mallali Falls, Nagarhole National Park, Kutta Village, Namdroling Monastery and Madikeri Fort, etc. You can also play with baby elephants in the Dubare Elephant Camp, take a stroll in the coffee plantations or go fishing in the Kaveri River during your summer trip to Coorg.

If you are looking for a secluded and less crowded place for summer vacation, then Tawang is the place to visit. Located in Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is the smallest of the 16 districts of this state with less than 1 lakh people residing here. Tawang shares its borders with China, Bhutan and Tibet and the area is surrounded by breathtaking views of mountains, passes, gorges and majestic water bodies. Due to the presence of Tawang Monastery, this place has a strong religious significance to Buddhists as this is the second largest monastery in the world. From March to June, the weather is pleasant and the temperature is well below 25 degrees Celsius which makes it a good time to visit Tawang.

Located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is a small town that was developed as a hill station during the colonial era. Also known as the ‘Land of Strawberries’, Mahabaleshwar has a total area of 137 km sq. and is located at an elevation of 4400 ft with around 50,000 people residing here. Apart from the majestic peaks, breathtaking cascades, this town is also the origin point of the Krishna River which flows through four states of Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Mahabaleshwar accounts for 85% of the total strawberry production in the country and apart from the strawberry farms, one can enjoy the serene views of lush green dense forests, waterfalls, valleys and visit the ancient temples like the Mahadev temple in Old Mahabaleshwar. March to June is the best time to visit during summers as the temperature is within normal limits and one can enjoy the sightseeing as well as the outdoor activities.

Ooty is the short form of Ootacamund which is the ancient name of this place and this town is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu at an elevation of 7,350 ft. A sparsely populated town, Ooty is a popular summer destination due to its natural surroundings and scenic beauty with moderate temperature even during summers. Also known as ‘Blue Hills’, Ooty has beautiful gardens and parks, lakes and dams, reserve forests, museums and historic buildings which entertain and entice tourists. The popular places include Ooty Lake, Avalanche Lake, Ooty Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak, Deer Park, Mudumalai National Park, Kamraj Sagar Dam, Needle View Hillpoint, Mukurthi National Park, Ooty Toy Train and Ooty Rose Garden. Ooty is close to Coimbatore airport (96 km) and is not very far from Bengaluru (260 km) and Mysore (124 km) if you are travelling by road.

Located in the Baramulla district of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg is a small town and hill station in the Pir Panjal range (cup-shaped valley) in the western Himalayas. Located at an elevation of 8,690 feet, its original name was Gauri Marg on the name of Goddess Gauri. Gulmarg boasts of the world’s highest Golf Course and also a ski club where an annual skiing event takes place. Surrounded by snow-covered the Himalayas, deep ravines, meadows of flowers and forested valleys, Gulmarg offers a delight for the eyes and soul while giving you the much-needed relief from the rush of the daily urban life. The adventure enthusiasts can try their hands-on activities like skiing, trekking and mountaineering and can also pursue a small course in Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering. Summers are quite cold here, so check the weather forecast and take appropriate clothes before you leave for this place.

Shillong is the capital and hill station located in Meghalaya and is the headquarters of East Khasi Hills district. This small town is spread in an area of 65 km sq. and is situated at an elevation ranging between 5000 – 6500 ft. Shillong is home to lush green forests, lakes, parks and many famous educational institutions like IIM, NIT, NIFT, Shillong Law College and various other institutions that make it the education hub for north-east. The nearest air and train linked city Guwahati is just 100 km from Shillong. Few mention-worthy tourist places in Shillong are Lady Hydari Park, Ward's Lake, Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls, Ever-Living Museum and Elephant Falls. Being a hill station, the weather is cold even during summers i.e. April and May, after which the monsoon season begins.

Pahalgam is another hill station in Anantnag, which is located amidst the great Himalayan range at an altitude of 2200 meters in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on the banks of Lidder River. Pahalgam is also associated with the Holy Amarnath Yatra which happens in the month of July – August every year. Pahalgam is one of the only saffron growing area in Asia and the entire area presents panoramic view of the snow capped Himalayan range and the lush green pine forests. April and May are the summer months when the temperature is in the range of 3 – 21 degree centigrade.

Sikkim is a small state with four districts and Gangtok is the capital of this state. Spread over an area of 7,100 km sq. and surrounded by the Himalayas, Sikkim is a hilly state with elevations ranging from 920 ft near West Bengal to 28,000 ft in Nepal and Tibet. Sikkim receives regular snowfall across the year and the entire state is rich in natural beauty, flora and fauna and serene water bodies. For more information, you can visit here.