The monsoon season in India is a beautiful time when the country transforms into a lush paradise. This is the perfect opportunity for travelers who love the rain to witness nature in its full glory. Imagine waking up to the sound of raindrops gently tapping on your window, the air filled with the earthy scent of wet soil, and the landscape around you bursting with greenery. 

 

Traveling during the monsoon in India is not just about witnessing the beauty of nature; it’s about embracing the adventure that comes with it. So, pack your rain gear, prepare for some adventure, and explore the best places to visit in India during the monsoon.

10 Best Monsoon Destinations in India

The monsoon offers a unique and unforgettable experience for seasoned travelers and those looking to explore India’s diverse landscapes. Here are the best places to visit during the monsoon in India from June to September.

Goa

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Goa is one of the best places to visit during the monsoon season in South India. From June to September, the landscape turns green with full rivers and waterfalls. Fewer tourists visit, so it’s perfect for those who want a quiet experience.

Why Visit Goa in Monsoon

The São João Festival on June 24 adds excitement to the season. People jump into wells to celebrate the rain. It’s also cheaper to travel and stay during this time.

Activities in Goa During Monsoon

  • Trekking to Dudhsagar Falls
  • Exploring spice plantations in Ponda and Savoi
  • Adventure sports like cliff jumping and kayaking
  • River cruises on the Mandovi River with a misty atmosphere

Best Hotels in Goa:

  • ITC Grand Goa
  • Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
  • Grand Hyatt Goa

Munnar, Kerala

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Munnar is one of the best monsoon destinations in India. Located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, the tea plantations and misty mountains look magical when it rains. You can wander the tea plantations and visit the Tata Tea Museum to learn about tea production. 

Why Visit Munnar in Monsoon

For trekking enthusiasts, the Eravikulam National Park is perfect. It offers excellent views and a chance to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The monsoon makes waterfalls like Attukad and Lakkom even more stunning for nature photography.

Activities in Munnar During Monsoon

  • Boating on Kundala Lake and Mattupetty Dam
  • Pedal boating experiences
  • Elephant spotting in the surrounding forests
  • Tea plantation walks and tastings

Best Hotels in Munnar:

  • Spice Tree Munar
  • Le Celestium Hotel
  • Monsoon Grande

Coorg, Karnataka

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Coorg, or Kodagu, is a beautiful place to visit during the monsoon in India. The Western Ghats are covered in mist, and the air smells of coffee and spices. The weather is favorable, with temperatures between 15 and 25°C (59 and 77°F), making exploring comfortable.

Why Visit Coorg in Monsoon

The heavy rain makes the landscape look amazing. Lush green coffee plantations and misty hills are everywhere, making the scenery incredibly photogenic during this season. You can see stunning waterfalls like Abbey Falls and Irupu Falls, which are great for photos and refreshing dips.

Activities in Coorg During Monsoon

  • Tadiandamol Trek through dense forests
  • Misty mountain hiking (4 hours and 30 minutes to reach the peak)
  • Coffee plantation tours

Best Hotels in Coorg:

  • Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa
  • Coorg Wilderness Resort & Spa
  • Coorg Marriott Resort & Spa

Shillong, Meghalaya

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Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is an amazing place to visit during the monsoon. The city becomes a green paradise with misty hills and stunning waterfalls. The high altitude keeps flooding away, so you can enjoy the cool, gentle rain. Temperatures drop to around 12 and 16°C (54 and 61°F), making it a refreshing getaway.

Why Visit Shillong in Monsoon

Join the Khasi community in festivals like Behdienkhlam (July 11 to 14). You’ll see lively dances and music performances. This offers a unique look at the area’s cultural wonders.

Activities in Shillong During Monsoon

  • Visit Elephant Falls (especially impressive during the rains)
  • Boating on peaceful Umiam Lake
  • Trekking to Laitlum Canyons for misty valley views
  • Explore living root bridges and sacred forests

Best Hotels in Shillong:

  • Vivanta Meghalaya
  • Courtyard Shillong
  • Hotel Polo Towers

Udaipur, Rajasthan

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Udaipur in Rajasthan is a fantastic place to visit during the monsoon. This royal city features magnificent palaces, serene lakes, and rich cultural heritage. Try local dishes like Dal Baati Churma and Laal Maas to get an authentic taste of the region.

Why Visit Udaipur in Monsoon

The monsoon fills Udaipur’s lakes, creating stunning reflections of palaces and hills. Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake become particularly beautiful. The typically arid landscape turns green, offering a rare sight in Rajasthan.

Activities in Udaipur During Monsoon

  • Boat rides on the full Lake Pichola with palace views
  • Visiting the aptly named Monsoon Palace for panoramic city views
  • Exploring the magnificent City Palace complex
  • Trekking in the lush Aravalli Hills
  • Enjoying authentic Rajasthani cuisine like Dal Baati Churma and Laal Maas

Best Hotels in Udaipur:

  • Taj Lake Palace
  • The Oberoi Udaivilas
  • Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Spa

Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

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Ziro is a beautiful place to visit during the monsoon. The valley maintains traditional sustainable farming practices unchanged for centuries, while the rains make the terraced rice fields of the Apatani tribe look even more vibrant.

Why Visit Ziro in Monsoon

From September 25 to 28, the Ziro Music Festival attracts music lovers who enjoy performances by artists and local youth groups. For adventure seekers, the monsoon is perfect for trekking through bamboo groves and pine forests with amazing views of the Eastern Himalayas.

Activities in Ziro During Monsoon

  • Exploring the UNESCO-listed Apatani Cultural Landscape
  • Wildlife spotting, including rare red pandas, in Talley Valley Sanctuary
  • Trekking through bamboo groves and pine forests
  • Learning about traditional Apatani farming and bamboo house construction

Best Hotels in Ziro:

  • Ziro Valley Resort
  • Siiro Resort
  • KASA Resort“

Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

Photo by Kandarp Gupta from Canva

Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, is one of the best places to visit during the monsoon in North India. Located in the Kangra Valley, this hill station sits at an elevation of 1,220 meters. Famous for its tea gardens, this monsoon destination also offers stunning views of the snow-capped Dhauladhar range.

Why Visit Palampur in Monsoon

The monsoon rejuvenates Palampur’s tea gardens, making them incredibly lush and green. Streams and brooks flow fully while the Dhauladhar peaks create a dramatic misty backdrop. The weather remains pleasant and cool throughout the season.

Activities in Palampur During Monsoon

  • Walking through verdant tea gardens with tasting sessions
  • Trekking and hiking in the surrounding Kangra Valley hills
  • Paragliding in nearby Bir Billing (weather permitting)
  • Visiting the historical Baijnath Temple and the Tashi Jong Buddhist Monastery
  • Learning about tea production processes and local culture

Best Hotels in Palampur:

  • RS Sarovar Portico
  • Fortune Park Palampur
  • Infinitea Dakbungalow

Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

Photo by Danielrao from Getty Images

Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth, is an incredible monsoon destination in India for adventure enthusiasts. From June to September, this hill station receives massive amounts of rainfall, creating a dramatic landscape of cascading waterfalls and verdant valleys.

Why Visit Cherrapunji in Monsoon

Cherrapunji experiences its most intense rainfall from June to September. Cool temperatures of 13 to 18°C provide relief from the plains’ heat. The monsoon brings Cherrapunji’s famous waterfalls to life, including the spectacular Nohkalikai Falls, which plunge 1,115 feet into a turquoise pool below.

Activities in Cherrapunji During Monsoon

  • Witnessing the spectacular 1,115-foot Nohkalikai Falls
  • Exploring the magnificent Seven Sisters Falls cascading down cliff faces
  • Trekking to the famous Double Decker Root Bridge in Nongriat village
  • Adventure caving in the mystical Mawsmai Caves
  • Photography from misty viewpoints overlooking the Bangladesh plains

Best Hotels in Cherrapunji:

  • Cherrapunji Holiday Resort
  • Polo Orchid Resort
  • Coniferous Resort

Alleppey, Kerala

Photo by Mohit Jain from Pexels

Alleppey, known as the “Venice of the East,” transforms into a monsoon paradise from June to September. This coastal town features an intricate network of canals, lakes, and rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea. Traditional houseboats called kettuvallams navigate these waterways, which are surrounded by coconut groves and paddy fields.

Why Visit Alleppey in Monsoon

The monsoon swells Alleppey’s backwaters with fresh rainwater, creating magical reflections and lush surroundings. Pleasant temperatures of 24 to 29°C make exploration comfortable. Don’t forget to catch the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which takes place in August and showcases traditional snake boats racing through the waters.

Activities in Allepey During Monsoon

  • Romantic houseboat stays with rain drumming on traditional roofs
  • Watching the thrilling Nehru Trophy Boat Race 
  • Witnessing traditional rice cultivation during the monsoon season
  • Exploring vibrant local markets and spice trading centers
  • Birdwatching at nearby Pathiramanal Island

Best Hotels in Alleppey:

  • Ramada Resort
  • Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort
  • Backwater Ripples

Matheran, Maharashtra

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Matheran, Asia’s only automobile-free hill station, is a perfect monsoon retreat just 100 kilometers from Mumbai. Located at an elevation of 800 meters in the Western Ghats, this eco-sensitive zone prohibits motor vehicles. The hill station features red laterite soil and numerous scenic viewpoints.

Why Visit Matheran in Monsoon

The monsoon brings Matheran’s numerous viewpoints to life, including Panorama Point, Echo Point, and Sunset Point, where you can witness dramatic cloud formations and misty landscapes. The monsoon also makes the nearby waterfalls more impressive for photography and nature walks, with comfortable temperatures of 20 to 25°C.

Activities in Matheran During Monsoon

  • Taking the scenic heritage toy train from Neral to Matheran
  • Visiting dramatic viewpoints like Panorama Point and Echo Point
  • Enjoying peaceful moments at the serene Charlotte Lake
  • Horse riding on traditional red earth paths
  • Exploring the ancient Pisarnath Mahadev Temple

Best Hotels in Matheran:

  • Brightlands Resort
  • Horseland Hotel
  • Verandah in the Forest

Takeaway

The monsoon season in India turns the landscape into a lush, colorful paradise. It’s a great time to visit different places, with fewer crowds and cheaper places to stay. Embrace the monsoon magic and explore these amazing spots to see nature at its best and make wonderful memories.


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*Banner photo by shylendrahoode on Canva

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time is from June to September, with July and August offering the heaviest rainfall. June and September provide a more moderate monsoon experience with pleasant temperatures and dramatic landscape transformations.

Hill stations like Munnar, Coorg, Shillong, and Matheran are safest due to elevation and good drainage. Udaipur is also safe with moderate rainfall. Always check weather forecasts and avoid flood-prone areas.

Yes, monsoon season offers 30-50% discounts on hotels, cheaper flights, and fewer crowds. Popular destinations like Goa and Kerala provide their best rates during this period.

Pack waterproof clothing, quick-dry fabrics, waterproof shoes, an umbrella, mosquito repellent, and waterproof electronics bags. Include warm layers for hill stations.

Waterfalls like Dudhsagar in Goa, Nohkalikai in Cherrapunji, and Abbey Falls in Coorg are most spectacular during the monsoon season, when water flows more freely and dramatic cascades occur.

Yes, trekking in Coorg and Ziro offers scenic, misty trails. River rafting, kayaking, and paragliding are available in suitable conditions. Always check local weather and follow safety guidelines.

Munnar in Kerala is ideal for first-timers because of its well-developed infrastructure, moderate rainfall, and stunning tea plantations. Udaipur offers cultural experiences with good connectivity and accommodation.

Train travel is generally reliable, with possible delays. Road travel requires caution, especially in hilly areas. Avoid driving in heavy rain and check road conditions before traveling.