Monsoon has a magical essence to it. The rain, the petrichor, and the greenery add beauty to our usual, otherwise mundane surroundings. The appraisal for Monsoon does not stop there, as we have noticed that in the past few years, Monsoon Tourism is a new idea that is beginning to gain considerable traction. People are planning their future trips centred around the particular climate. When it comes to Indian Tourism, there’s no exception. 

Therefore, we shall look into some of the best Indian destinations to pay a visit to during the monsoon and experience a heavenly time on earth. 

1. Coorg, Karnataka

Number one on the list of places to visit during monsoon in India is, without an inch of a doubt, Coorg, situated in Karnataka. It is one of the most serene hill stations not only in Karnataka but also in the entirety of India. There perhaps is not a single person alive who has known about Coorg and the thought of giving it a visit has never lingered their mind. It is an abode to some of the most beautiful sceneries a man can ever lay his eyes on. It is also known to be a biodiversity hotspot. 

While it is a place that has a balanced climate throughout and can be visited at any time of the year, Coorg is practically transformed during the monsoons in India. When the monsoon season arrives, the deep forest, which is home to a great variety of flora and fauna, becomes even more enchanting. The downpour and the greenery are enough to leave a remarkable impression in anyone’s mind. 

• Best for: Nature lovers, people who hold an interest in nature photography
• Tourist Attractions: Abbey Falls, Bylekuppe, Madikeri Fort, Chiklihole Reservoir, Raja’s Seat, Harangi Dam, Honnamana Kere Lake, etc.
• Things to do: Plantation visits, adventure sports, interaction with wildlife, hill station visits, etc. 
• Best months: July to August

2. Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand 

The Valley of Flowers National Park was established by the Indian government in 1982, and UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site in 2005. Monsoon is the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers, requiring not much explanation. Monsoon is the only time when all the flowers are in complete bloom following the aftermath of the rain. 

The picturesque scenery including different and hundreds of varieties of bright, colourful flowers is a must-see and should be added to everyone’s bucket list. It is truly an elated endeavour to have. 

• Best for: Nature lovers, Adventure seekers, Photographers
• Tourist Attractions: Ghangaria, Hemkund Lake, Hemkund Sahib.
• Things to do: Sightseeing, adventure sports, trekking, etc.
• Best months: July to mid-August

3. Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

Cherrapunji, the second-rainiest region on Earth, is one of the locations tourists must visit during the monsoon season. There’s a reason this location specifically made it on this list. It is centred around monsoon tourism, to begin with. Likewise known as Sohra, it is a high-altitude town in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya state of northeastern India. It is one of the only places in India that receives rainfall throughout the year, making it a special attraction indeed. 

Every year, Cherrapunji receives 11,777 mm of rainfall. Cherrapunji is home to some of the most ethereal waterfalls. The cuisine of Meghalaya accompanied by extremely pretty, extraordinary scenic masterpieces makes Cherrapunji an enjoyable experience altogether. Cherrapunji also has many caves that people may opt to explore. 

• Best for: Nature lovers, Monsoon lovers
• Tourist Attractions: Double Decker Living Root Bridges, Nohkalikai Waterfalls, Dawki, Seven Sisters Falls, Mawkdok Dympep Valley, Wakaba Falls, etc. 
• Things to do: Sightseeing, boating, trekking, visiting caves, etc. 
• Best Months: October-February

4. Lonavala, Maharashtra

In western India, close to Mumbai, is Lonavala — a hill station in the Sahyadri Mountains of the Western Ghats that is surrounded by lush, green valleys. For most Mumbaikars, Lonavala offers an exquisite weekend getaway. It is considered a thrilling experience for many road-trip enjoyers. A perfect place to visit during the monsoon in India, extending forward an overall romantic ambience. 

The scenic beauty is enhanced when the clouds descend down the earth, and seem closer than ever, almost as if one can touch them. Exceptional place of relaxation for people who actively seek solace and escapism. 

• Best for: Nature lovers, Explorers 
• Tourist Attractions: Tiger’s Leap, Visapur Fort, Aamby Valley, Bhushi Dam, Duke’s Nose, Pawna Lake, Ryewood Park, etc. 
• Things to do: Camping, sightseeing, exploring, trekking, road trip, etc. 
• Best months: June-September

5. Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Anyone who has visited Ooty before is accountable for the fact that it is the best place to visit during the monsoon in India. Ooty, the Queen of the Nilgiris, is a monsoon haven for those who love exploring the outdoors. The rainy season makes the place ever-so-charming and an attraction to the eye. Although there are people who may be wary of visiting the place during monsoons, it’s absolutely at its peak during the rainy season. 

Monsoon allows everyone to experience a much greener Ooty. It is also coincidentally the time when the crowd is relatively less, which means that hotel fare is also typically low. Hence, it becomes the perfect time to make a fun, quick getaway. 

• Best for: Nature lovers, people on a budget 
• Tourist Attractions: Ooty Lake, Avalanche Lake, Kamraj Sagar Dam, Ooty Rose Garden, Ooty Toy Train, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Ooty Botanical Gardens, etc. 
• Things to do: Boating, sightseeing, etc.
• Best months: July-September

6. Goa

The Western India’s state of Goa has coasts that reach the Arabian Sea. In the monsoons, this abode to some of the beautiful beaches becomes a picturesque wonderland with gentle downpour and drizzle. India’s Konkan coast, where Goa is specifically located, experiences heavy rainfall. Hence, there is continuous rain mixed with sporadic thundershowers. 

In the earlier days, people had an overall preference for visiting Goa during the winters. However, that is increasingly changing with Monsoon Tourism gaining popularity. The rain, accompanied by the exquisite drinks and delicacies of Goa makes for a favourable atmosphere to enjoy and relax in. 

• Best for: Adventure seekers, beach lovers, nature lovers
• Tourist Attractions: Vagator beach, Divar Island, Butterfly Beach, Baga Beach, Thalassa, etc.
• Things to do: Scuba diving, trekking, heritage tours, shopping, etc. 
• Best months: Usually Mid-November or Mid-February, but to experience the Goa monsoon, the ideal month would be July-August. 

7. Munnar, Kerala

Kerala is the epitome of beauty in the truest sense. Munnar is no such exception, especially during the monsoon. Because of its exceptional beauty, the hill station has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in India during the rainy season. Munnar, which is usually uncrowded making it a great place of respite and break, is renowned for its trekking trails, tourist attractions, tea estates, spice plantations, and the pure ability to mesmerize people with the beauty of its nature, accompanied by the most wonderful Kerala delicacies. 

It takes nearly 3 hours via the NH49 route from Cochin, to reach the destination. The closest airports are Madurai International Airport (140 km) and Cochin International Airport (110 km). It has the ideal climate during monsoons, with temperatures ranging between 23-34°C. 

• Best for: Weekend getaways, people on budget, nature lovers
• Tourist Attractions: Lakkom Waterfalls, Echo Point, Devikulam, Blossom Park, Meesapulimala, Anamudi, Mattupetty Dam, etc.
• Things to do: Sight-seeing, plantation tours, trekking, animal interactions, etc.
• Best months: July-September

Conclusion

While there are numerous places on Earth and specifically in India that serve to be heaven-like, the places particularly listed are great tourist attractions and have become some of the best, most trusted places to visit during the monsoon in India. 

Besides these destinations, some other notable places in India that favour the monsoon climate and become ethereal points of visitation are Wayanad (Kerala), Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), Darjeeling (West Bengal), Gangtok (Sikkim), Mount Abu, Udaipur and Jaipur (Rajasthan), respectively. No matter which place you end up choosing for an ideal getaway, we wish you safe and happy travelling.