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Why You Should Travel in the Monsoons Month
Travelling in the monsoons has its charm, since rains in itself have a beautiful feeling to it, and it increases the beauty of a place, with the scenery even more green and breathtaking.
If you’re someone who likes to travel in the monsoons, then this article is for you. We’ve listed down 10 Favourite Holiday Destinations across the country which will give you a beautiful travelling experience.
You also must know that Travelling in the Monsoons comes with some risks, which you must be aware of, and also prepare for. This is why we’ve also listed down certain tips for you that you must keep in mind for a Safe Travelling endeavour in the monsoons.
Scroll below to know everything about Travelling in the Rains!
10 Best Places to Visit During the Monsoons
Since rains have already begun, we decided to list down some travel getaways for you which must be visited during the monsoon season. We’ve covered different places all across the country, to ensure you all have a place closeby to pick from. Scroll below to read about them:
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Valley of Flowers is located at a high altitude in the Northern State of Uttarakhand and completely lives up to its name, wherein the valley is popular for the 300 variety of alpine flowers. It offers a pristine view and is considered to be a very sightful place, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To reach the Valley of Flowers, one has to embark on a trekking journey for 18 km, which starts from the village of Garhwal. Most of the time, the valley is covered in snow and is only accessible from June to September.
The best time, however, to visit the valley is from mid-July to mid-August as this is when the flowers are in full bloom, and you will get to witness the valley of flowers at its blooming peak, with its breathtaking beauty.
To reach here, you can either take a flight till Dehradun or a bus via Delhi to Dehradun and then make your way till Garhwal.
The important thing to note is that trekkers are not allowed post 2 pm and there is an entry fee and charges, which are Rs. 150 for Indians and Rs. 650 for foreigners, for a three-day pass.
Munnar, Kerala
Kerala is another place which is extremely beautiful during the monsoons, with some beautiful views and time to relax, enjoy what the place is made up of while you unwind.
One such place in Kerala which you must visit during the monsoons is Munnar, which is a beautiful hill station, and it is during the monsoon that you will find the place blooming with plantations at its peak, and mountains covered in mist after the rain showers, and with some beautiful waterfalls and less crowded experience.
Goa
Even though Goa is popular in the winter months, with its parties and tourism, but one of the very unique times to visit Goa and enjoy everything that the city has to offer before the hustle-bustle of the tourism kicks in is during the monsoons.
You must visit Goa during the monsoons to enjoy the place when its not crowded and immerse yourself into the local culture. You can visit the church, read a book in a cafe, enjoy the local markets among others.
Other reasons as to why Goa should be in your Monsoon travel list is because everything will be cheap, and you will get to look at and enjoy Goa from a different vibe.
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Darjeeling is a popular tea estate, in the state of West Bengal, situated amidst the beautiful Himalayas. Darjeeling is a great monsoon getaway where you can get the solace or some simple old school adventure like cable car rides.
Darjeeling is popularly known as the Queen of Hills, and when here in the monsoons you can sit back and enjoy the very popular Darjeeling Tea, and also get an immersive cultural experience by visiting the local monastery. Apart from the tea estates which this place is popular for, you should also visit Tiger Hill, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Singalila National Park.
Moreover, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and you must experience the joy of travelling in the very popular toy train. It would be even more beautiful during the monsoons where you will get to enjoy serene views during your train journey.
Pushkar, Rajasthan
When it comes to Rajasthan, Pushkar is another destination that you must visit during the monsoons. The state of Rajasthan is known for its tradition which is reflected in different aspects of the city, the place and the people. The reason we picked Pushkar is that this colourful Blue city would look even more vibrant during the monsoons, allowing you to look at the city in a very different way.
Moreover, the city of Pushkar is always brimming with the colourful Rajasthani culture and traditions which can be seen through the colourful houses and many markets filled with local handicrafts. Pushkar is a hidden gem in Rajasthan which has many cafes for you to enjoy the local food and you can also take camel safaris to enjoy the sunset at the desert.
Pushkar witnesses from low to medium rainfall resulting in pleasant weather, which means you could also enjoy the popular sights like the Pushkar Lake and Brahma Temple which are considered extremely auspicious. You could also trek to the Savitri Temple to witness a beautiful sunrise with a panoramic view of the entire city.
Ladakh
Ladakh, in general, is a place which is in everyone’s bucket list. We, however, suggest that you visit this serene place during the monsoons since it is when you can satisfy for the adventurer, and culture seeking traveller in you.
You can embark on challenging treks, and also enjoy the festivals which take place during the monsoon months to get an in-depth experience of the local life. Some of these festivals which you must attend in Leh are Karsha Gustor and Korzok Gustor, which showcases a unique amalgamation of Tibetan, Chinese and Indian Buddhism during the celebrations.
If you are into trekking, then you can indulge in the challenging trekking routes like Spituk to Stok, Markha Valley trek and the Kang Yatse trek.
Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Also known as the Princesses of Hill Stations, Kodaikanal is another place which is loved by the travellers for everything it offers during the rainy season.
You can sit back and enjoy the beautiful views while you sip a hot cup of tea, or could step out and find yourself in the middle of a mystical forest, making you feel like you’ve entered a magical land. There are various such places in Kodaikanal where you can enjoy the serene views like Green Valley View, Pillar Rocks, Berijam Lake, Dolphin’s Nose, Coakers Walk and Bryant Park.
You can also enjoy the beautiful lakes in Kodaikanal like Berijam Lake and the very popular Kodai Lake.
Moreover, you can also enjoy some authentic south Indian delicacies during the monsoons which are a perfect accompaniment of rains, especially the very popular filter coffee.
Wayanad, Kerala
A small town located in the north-eastern part of Kerala, Wayanad is an extremely popular destination for travellers in the monsoons due to its amazing landscape filled with its tea estates, green lush forests and beautiful meadows.
If you’re a nature and wildlife enthusiast, then Wayanad should definitely be in Monsoon Travel list. It is also an adventurer’s delight with the popular Chembra Peak Trek, which is one of the most popular treks in Kerala which would take you through beautiful landscapes filled with different flora and fauna.
Another reason to visit Wayanad in the monsoons is to enjoy its very own monsoon festival called ‘Splash’, which is very popular among tourists and travellers.
Apart from this, there are beautiful lakes and waterfalls around the region which you can enjoy.
Wayanad is a great weekend getaway from well-known places like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mangalore and Kochi.
Lonavala, Maharashtra
If you’re in Pune or Mumbai and looking for a quick getaway during the monsoons, then you have one right beside you - Lonavala, a quiet hill station away from the busy city life, which is around 2 hours away from both Pune and Mumbai.
Lonavala offers lush green views during the monsoons, where you could sit back and enjoy the serenity of nature. You must also visit the Tiger Point to enjoy the breathtaking waterfall from the top of the cliff.
Shillong, Meghalaya
Surrounded by the Khasi and Jayanti Hills, which bloom at their peak during the monsoons, Shillong should be on your list to enjoy the lush green mountain views, while enjoying the local delicacies.
Monsoons in Shillong would be a very different experience since it receives heavy rainfall, and you will have panoramic views of the valley.
When in Meghalaya during the monsoons, you should visit the Elephanta Falls to see the water gushing down at its peak, enjoy the unparalleled valley views from Laitlum Canyons and experience the popular hanging bridges.
Bonus Tips: Things to Keep in Mind when Travelling During the Monsoons
Even though travelling in the monsoons has its own beauty and charm, but there are certain safety tips you must be aware of and follow them properly. Here are the things you should know and remember for safe and smart travel during the rains.
Pack Smart for the Rains
When travelling in the rains, make sure you pack everything which will prevent you from getting drenched when its raining heavily.
- Clothing: Carry a waterproof jacket or a raincoat, along with an umbrella. Also, make sure you have the right kind of footwear since it can get extremely slippery when raining. Moreover, if you’re someone who is planning on going on treks, then make sure you have good quality trekking shoes to keep you safe from slippery trails and it is always a good idea to keep an extra pair in case your first pair gets drenched.
- Other Items: Carry a mosquito repellent, and some plastic bags to keep your phones and other accessories safe. Also, make sure that your side bag or the everyday backpack is waterproof so that you can keep your phone and cash inside it when it's raining.
Also, carry some extra pair of clothes just in case you ruin some clothes because of the rains.
Prepare Yourself for Unexpected Delays
This is for those who are planning on commuting via flights or trains. Usually the rains can cause unexpected delays and flight cancellation, so make sure you already are prepared for that circumstance rather than getting annoyed.
You could prepare a good playlist, or carry a good book for you to enjoy in between these delays.
You should also make flexible bookings with options like Pay at Hotel or similar, so that you don’t have to deal with any hassles even if your train or flight is cancelled or delayed.
Put Your Safety First: Avoid the Road Less Travelled
This one is very important since even though the Road less Travelled has its tempting glare, but avoid this during the monsoons especially when going to a hill station because a heavy downpour could also lead into a landslide or any other hazard. Which means, it is always safe to stay on popular and accessible roads, where you can find help easily if the need be.
This also applies if you’re planning on trekking during the rains. Trekking during the rain is a risky affair because of how slippery the paths can be. So, make sure you’re always with a guide or a group, and you do not take the extra risk and stay on the trail rather than trying unknown ways since you never know when the weather will change, and you can be stuck.
So make sure you keep these tips in mind and travel safe!
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Check the Weather Report and News
If you’re going to be on the road while travelling, especially in hilly regions, you might want to check out the news or the weather update before you step out. Hilly regions tend to have mudslides and landslides during heavy rainfall and low lying areas have a tendency of flooding up. So it’s best to check the news before you decide to venture out.