Monsoon is the best season to experience nature and explore the gorgeous waterfalls around India. After the scorching heat of summer, rains provide much-needed relief to human life and nature as well. Ajay Modi Travels presents 7 of the best monsoon destinations in India that offer breathtaking views of nature and full-flowing streams that come alive during the rainy season.
Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
Mahabaleshwar is one of the popular hill stations in Maharashtra. Situated at an altitude of 1,353 meters in the Western Ghats range, Mahabaleshwar is one of the top monsoon destinations in India and is also one of the best places to visit near Pune. It is the source of the Krishna River which flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. This beautiful hill station is often referred to as the queen of hill stations in Maharashtra and is used to promote Maharashtra tourism. It offers a panoramic view of plains with majestic steep peaks and surrounding forests.
Mahabaleshwar attracts a large number of tourists for its scenic views, beautiful landscapes, and pleasant temperatures. Mahabaleshwar has many tourist attractions like forts, temples, lakes, and many more. Pratapgarh Fort, Venna Lake, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Krishnabai Temple, Lingamala Falls, Tapola, and Panchgani are some of the important tourist attractions to visit as part of the Mahabaleshwar tour. Several viewpoints are strategically located to capture the panoramic views created by the majestic Sahyadri Mountains and deep valleys. Arthur's Seat, Wilson's Point, Cat's Point and Elephant's Head Point, Connaught Peak, and Bombay Point are popular viewpoints. Mahabaleshwar is famous for strawberry and mulberry cultivation.
Lahaul-Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Lahaul and Spiti are two beautiful valleys located in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Rohtang Pass connects Lahaul-Spiti with Manali, a famous hill station in Himachal. It is one of the least populated areas and is one of the best monsoon destinations in India. Lahaul is blessed by nature and fed by the rivers Chandra and Bhaga while Spiti is a barren land at an average altitude of 4270 meters which is difficult to cross. The Spiti Valley is surrounded by high mountain ranges and the Spiti River flows through the southeast of the valley to meet the Sutlej River. The valleys are characteristically desert mountainous terrain and the average rainfall recorded here is 6.7 inches or 170 mm.
Leh - Ladakh
Leh is the former capital of the state of Ladakh and is now known as Leh district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the lap of the Himalayas at an altitude of 3542 meters and is the second largest district in the Republic of India. Due to the strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism, Leh is also known as Little Tibet or Land of Lamas. Leh is known for its stunning scenic spots, Buddhist temples, and pristine environment. Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Sankar Gompa, Pangong Lake, Hemis Monastery, Namgyal Tsempo Math, Hall of Fame Museum, Khardung La, Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, She Math, Zanskar Virgin Valley, and Likir Math are some of the popular attractions in Leh. Leh's landscape also offers many adventure activities including mountaineering, white-water rafting, and trekking in the Markha Valley.
Leh is one of the top monsoon destinations in India. White-water rafting on the Indus and Zanskar rivers is best experienced during the monsoons as the water level remains high. The monastery has several festivals from June to September, the most famous of which is the Hemis Festival.
Athirapally, Kerala
Athirapalli Waterfalls is one of the best waterfalls in India and one of the top tourist destinations in the state of Kerala. Athirapalli Falls is a magnificent waterfall formed on the Chalakudy River located at the entrance to the Sholeyar range in the Thrissur district. The waterfall cascades from a height of 80 feet through several parallel streams that provide a great natural beauty. During the monsoon season, the water surges, and all the streams together look like Niagara Falls. This is the largest waterfall in Kerala and one of the top places to visit during the rainy season in June, July, and August as part of a Kerala tour package.
Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Mussoorie is a popular hill station located in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. It is situated on a horseshoe peak in the mountains of Garhwal at an average altitude of 1880 m. Mussoorie offers commanding views of the underlying Doon Valley and the majestic Himalayas. The highest peak in the region is Lal Tibba in Landaure, at an altitude of over 2,275 meters. Mussoorie is called the gateway of Yamunotri and Gangotri. This is one of the top hill stations in India and one of the popular hill stations near Delhi. The famous Kempty Falls can be experienced in full flow during the rainy season in July and August, attracting large crowds during this season. Mussoorie is one of the popular tourist destinations in Uttarakhand.
Dudhsagar, Goa
This is a four-tiered waterfall formed by the Mandovi River in Goa. The falls are one of the tallest falls in India with a height of 310 meters (1017 ft) and an average width of 30 meters (100 ft) at its peak. This fall is located within the Lord Mahavir Sanctuary on the border between Karnataka and Goa. It is one of the best places to visit in Goa as part of a trip to Goa and one of the best places to visit in the monsoons in India.
Gangtok, Sikkim
Gangtok is known for its scenic beauty and breathtaking views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. The Seven Sisters Waterfall is a must-see during the rainy season. Gangtok has many tourist spots and is known as the land of monasteries. Himalayan Zoological Park, Kanchenjunga National Park, Tsomgo Lake, Saramsa Garden, Ganesh Tok Viewpoint, Tashi Viewpoint, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Nathula Pass, Changu Lake, Anche Math, Rumtek Math, Hanuman Tok, and Yumthang Valley are some of the places to visit.
Monsoon makes everywhere look heavenly when it rains everywhere, and this list of some of the best places to visit in monsoon helps you enjoy a refreshing road trip in the rain, the scenic beauty of these places, and an adventure of a lifetime.