It’s that time of the year when clouds come crashing down and nature is at its full bloom. Destinations get concealed with lush greenery and the panoramic view during monsoons is just mesmerising. There are numerous ways to enjoy the rains but nothing can beat the thrill of going on a trip and enjoying the season’s beauty with a cup of hot coffee.
Here are 5 amazing places to explore during monsoons:
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
The view of gorgeous flowers covering the valley in a carpet of colours, formidable mountains and blue skies at the Valley of Flowers, would leave you speechless. Nestled in Western Himalayas, Valley of Flowers is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and can be explored only through trekking. During the months of monsoon, this valley gets concealed with beautifully-hued forests, making the colourful landscape even more fascinating.
Nearest airport: Dehradun – which is about 70 km away.
Darjeeling
Bounded by pristine Himalayan peaks and surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations, Darjeeling is rightfully West Bengal’s foremost attraction. From July to September, it’s high cropping time at Darjeeling’s tea estates, and the fresh and green scenery just make the state a must-visit.
Nearest airport: Bagdogra – about 70 km away.
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal means ‘the Gift of the Forest’. It is also called the ‘Princess of Hill stations’ owing to its abundance of mighty rocks, beautiful lakes and cascade falls. Monsoon adds to Kodaikanal’s beauty, and makes this gorgeous hill station even more serene.
Nearest airport: Madurai – about 120 km away.
Leh-Ladakh
Majestic Himalayan ranges, lush green landscape, sparkling blue waters, deep gorges, colourful Buddhist monasteries; Leh-Ladakh is nothing less than paradise. You are bound to fall in love with the serenity this place offers every time you visit. Tourists throng Leh-Ladakh during monsoon since it becomes accessible via road.
Nearest airport: Leh has an airport with direct flights from Delhi, Srinagar and Jammu.
Meghalaya
Hilly Meghalaya – the ‘abode of clouds’ – is among the wettest places on earth. Mesmerizing waterfalls and formidable mountain ranges make the state a natural adventure playground. It is a prime destination for trekking, caving and canyoning and tribal encounters. Though Meghalaya receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon months of June to September, the weather is at its mesmerizing best. The temperatures are never higher than 20°C in this season, and the cascading waterfalls are in their full might.
Nearest airport: Guwahati – about 160 km away
If you haven’t planned your trip yet, plan now and enjoy the splendour of this season!
