Think monsoon, mountains and marches. Who vacations in July, you ask. Monsoon lovers, that’s who. Despite the rain, you must visit Meghalaya’s hills. Despite the leeches, you must tour Karnataka’s coffee plantations. And despite the rush, you must conquer Ladakh. Here’s our pick of places to visit in India during this month:
Puducherry - this charming town doesn’t hold back in celebrating France’s National Day, which commemorates the Storming of the Bastille, an important chapter of the French Revolution. Catch the parade march on the streets and the fireworks show above Goubert Avenue.
Shillong, Meghalaya - The monsoon. Sixty kilometres from the Scotland of the East lies the wettest place on Earth. The truckloads of rains Mawsynram receives paints its rolling hills in impossible shades of green. Visit the forests and the numerous seasonal waterfalls around, or find solitude by Umiam Lake.
Coorg, Karnataka - The monsoon. For a break that includes misty hills, forest lodges and a piping hot cup of joe, drive to India’s coffee country. And when it isn’t raining, go to the elephant camp, the Tibetan settlement, the Harangi dam and the gushing Abbey Falls. Stay in a bungalow or cottage at Plantation Trails by Tata Coffee and add a bean-to-cup coffee-plantation tour, a round of white-water rafting and a game of golf to your holiday.
Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir - The season. We know it’s crowded, but this is the time when the weather is on your side. Watch a game of Ladakhi polo, ace the Leh–Manali terrain by bike, and gorge on thukpa and momos.
Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand - The flowers. A 5km trek from Ghangria base camp ends at this gorgeous meadow, carpeted by 500+ species of alpine flowers in an array of colours. Watch out for the Himalayan maple, Himalayan blue poppy, rhododendrons, daisies and brahmakamal. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the Asiatic black deer, red fox, brown bear, blue sheep, and probably the elusive snow leopard.
Udaipur, Rajasthan - The rains + off-season discounts. The July downpour fills up the lakes here, making the city a sight to behold. With fewer tourists, you can weave your way around the havelis and bazaars, minus the jostling. Also, think rock-bottom tariffs, so you can enjoy the city without pinching your pocket.
Goa - The monsoon + rock-bottom tariffs. Never mind if the beaches are red-flagged and the shacks shut. You can still drive through lush greenery to Fort Aguada, Panjim and Old Goa and do an interactive tour of the Sahakari Spice Farm in Ponda that ends in a wholesome organic meal. Choose from any of thesedreamy stays, or take advantage of the off-season rates at a plush resort of your choice.
Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu - Monsoon treks, lakes and waterfalls. Known as the ‘Princess of Hill Stations’, this town is set on a plateau surrounded by beautiful mountains and deep valleys. The monsoon rains bring with it lush greens and a cold breeze, best enjoyed with a hot cup of filter coffee. Walk around the Pine Forest, take a boat across the star-shaped Kodai Lake, and visit the cascading Pambar Falls.
Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand - White water rafting and bird watching. While most of the park is closed during the monsoons, the Jhirna Zone remains open through the year, offering visitors a unique glimpse at monsoon life in these dense jungles. Both jeep and elephant safaris are open through the season (although they may be closed on days with heavy rainfall), and the birds and herbivores of the forest are at their playful best—thanks to an abundance of food and water. And when you’re done with the day’s safari, there’s always white-water rafting on the Kosi River – available only during the monsoons.
Kalsubai Peak, Maharashtra - A stunning monsoon trek. For the more adventurous kind, head to Kalsubai Peak—the highest peak in the Sahyadris and a prominent feature on every trekker’s bucket list. A mix of easy slopes, rocky patches and metal ladders make the trek both challenging and fun. Once you’ve reached the summit, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges, along with a small temple that has an interesting story attached to it.
