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Best Places to Visit in India in Summers

The coffee country of India is a sprawling stretch of lush green vegetation and is a natural hideaway for city dwellers. The rural district has myriads of popular locations, one of which is the Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery which was surprisingly established ages ago and is home to more than 5000 lamas today.

Besides this unusual settlement down south, natural beauties like falls, river, caves, and lakes are well-preserved in Coorg.

Things to do: Angling, River rafting, canoeing, and kayaking

Places to visit: Pollibetta, Madikeri, Abbey falls, Raja’s seat, Kushalnagar, Golden temple, Nagarhole National park,  Virajpet, Tadiandamol peak, Talacauvery, Somwarpet, and Gonikoppal

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Mangalore-152 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Mysore- 120 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 27° C (day)  to 13°C (night).

Manali is the most frequented hill station of India. There is no dearth of fun in Manali, from being an adventure capital to be the buzzing town offering endless luxurious holiday options. The hill station is encircled with mighty Himalayan peaks and is blessed with the wild currents of River Beas.

Manali is one of the undeniably famous and ideal places to visit in summers in India.

Things to do: Paragliding, Rafting, Kayaking, Camping, Trekking

Places to visit: Rohtang Pass, Hadimba temple, Solang valley, Manu temple, Kullu, Nehru Kund, Van Vihar, Manali sanctuary, Nagger etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Bhuntar- 50 KM; Chandigarh- 310 KM; Ambala- 300 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Jogindernagar- 162 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 10° C to 25°C.

The capital city of Himachal Pradesh is a timeless beauty which bestows visitors with scenes no less than some landscape paintings. It serves all kinds of travelers in full throttle. Be it an adventure enthusiast, honeymooners, families or solo backpackers; Shimla is a bliss.

The toy train from Kalka to Shimla is one of its kind experience. At 7467 feet above sea level, Shimla was also celebrated as the summer capital by the Britishers.

Things to do: Toy train ride to Kalka, Camping, trekking, hiking, shopping, ice skating, rafting, photography, and skiing.

Places to visit: Kufri, Jakhu temple, Theog, Mall road, Christ church, Mashobra, Scandal point, Tattapani, Lakkar Bazaar, Shimla reserve forest sanctuary, Naldehra, Green Valley, Himachal state museum, Chadwick falls, Annadale, Kalibari temple, Bantony castle, Gorton castle etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Jubbarhatti Airport in Shimla- 23 KM from the city center.

Nearest Railway Station: Solan and Dehradun- Approximately 230 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 26° C (day)  to 15°C (night).

At 7000 feet above sea level, Mussoorie is also known as the “queen of hills.” An authentic Garhwali retreat with several breathtaking falls and hills to enchant you. Mussoorie has ample fun to satiate you for a short weekend if you are looking for some lively summer holiday destinations in India.

Things to do: Paragliding, trekking, camping, zip line, sip swing, skywalk, rock climbing, rappelling, caving, shopping etc.

Places to visit: Lake Mist, Lal Tibba, Gun Hill, Kempty Falls, Dhanaulti, Benog Wildlife sanctuary, Jharipani falls, Bhatta waterfalls, George Everest’s house.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun- 60 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Dehradun- 35 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 30° C (day)  to 10°C (night).

Chikmagalur is a land of coffee, culture, and greenery. This tiny hill station is set at around 3576 feet above sea level, enabling some scenic trek routes marked with amphitheatrical landscapes.

Famous for its undulating coffee estates, Chikmagalur is an ideal destination for carrying out an adventurous summer vacation in India, especially if you live in the southwestern part of the country.

Things to do: Hike, Waterfall trek, pool splash, jungle safari, camping etc.

Places to visit: Kudremukh, Ghali kere, Hebbe falls, Kalasa, Mullayanagiri, Horanadu, Kalathgiri waterfalls, Baba Budangiri range, and Kemmangundi etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Mangalore airport- 110 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Kadur- 40; Hasan- 60 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 35° C (day)  to 32°C (night).

Cherrapunji is one of the wettest summer holiday destinations in India which receive great volumes of rainfall every year. The land of some of the highest waterfalls and longest caves, the town is also famous as Sohra among locals.

The crowd pulling living root bridge in Cherrapunji is weaved out of Banyan aerial roots; a marvelous example of human architecture in the most natural forms.

Things to do: River canoeing, caving, waterfall treks, river surfing etc.

Places to visit: The Seven Sisters Falls and Nohkalikai Falls, Dain Thlen Falls, Nohsngithiang Falls, Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Limestone caves like Mawsmai and Krem Mawmluh etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, cab, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Guwahati airport- 168 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Guwahati- 150 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 23° C (day)  to 14°C (night).

Out of the many places to visit in India in summers, Nainital tops the’ weekend destination’ list near capital cities like Delhi, Lucknow, and Chandigarh. A quaint Kumaouni town fringing the massive Naini lake has a perfectly laid mall road, boating facilities, and colorful markets etc.

It was British hill station in the bygone era which is still loud and evidential in some of its architecture.

Things to do: Boating, paragliding, trekking, camping, photography, jungle hikes etc.

Places to visit: Naini lake, eco cave gardens, The mall road, Naina Devi temple, Tiffin top, Snow view point, Jeolikot, Pangot, Governor’s house, Himalayan viewpoint, Land’s end.

How to Reach: By train, air, cab, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Pantnagar airport in Pantnagar- 65 KM

Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam railway station- 34 KM

Temperature: Ranges between 30° C (day)  to 14°C (night).

Ranikhet is an Army regiment and that’s the beauty of this place. The serene green cantonment town of Uttarakhand is mainly known for its devotional temples and a 9-hole Golf course.  If you are looking to get lost at some really placid summer holiday destinations in India, picking Ranikhet would bring you the best deal of calm and cool locations, in and around, to beat the heat.

Things to do: Pilgrimage, zip lining, nature walks, boat rides etc.

Places to visit: Mankameshwar temple, Jhula Devi, Majkhali, Bhalu Dam, Chaubatiya gardens, Cantonment Aashiyana park, and Upat Golf course.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Pantnagar- 119 KM; Dehradun airport- 244 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam- 88 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 22° C (day)  to 8°C (night).

Away from the hustles of all the hill stations is this one- Darjeeling. Not even close to serenity but the chaotic slopes and the ageless toy train chugging alongside your vehicle is an ecstatic sight.

Experience the best views of Kanchenjunga peak from Darjeeling and do buy some finely plucked tea leaves as souvenirs.  

Things to do: Take the toy train ride, trekking, tea garden exploration, tea tasting, sunrise view of Kanchenjunga from Tiger hill.

Places to visit: Batasia loop, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Tiger Hill, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Nightingale park, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling ropeway, observatory hill, rock garden, Kalimpong, New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Bagdogra airport, West Bengal- 96 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: New Jalpaiguri- 62 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 24° C (day)  to 8°C (night).

It would be wrong to equate the beauty of Pachmarhi with other Himalayan summer holiday destinations in India. The charm of Pachmarhi can also be recalled from many Bollywood movies like Ashoka. Perched at around 3555 feet above sea level, Pachmarhi is a quaint hill station in Madhya Pradesh that leaves people awestruck with its plateaus and waterfalls.

Popular as the “queen of Satpura,” Pachmarhi also served as the erstwhile summer capital to the British.

Things to do: Trekking, Camping, rappelling, forest safaris.

Places to visit: Pandava caves, Jata Shankar cave, Bee falls, Dhoopgarh, Handi Khoh, Mahadeo hill, Duchess falls, Satpura National Park, Rajat Prapat waterfall, Apsara Vihar, Forsyth point etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal- 195 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Pipariya- 47 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 35° C (day)  to 20°C (night).

Perched at around 5387 feet above sea level, Almora is a highly famous hill station throughout, but especially during summer vacations in India. The city charms lie in its crooked slopes of old markets, ancient temples, and handicraft.

Almora is a town in the hills that can cater to all your needs and also be able to impress you with its quaint shops, houses and nature points.

Things to do: Cave exploration, shopping, trekking, camping, bird watching, photography.

Places to visit: Katarmal Sun Temple, Jageshwar Temples, Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum, zero point, Binsar, Dunagiri, Jalna, Dwarahat village, Govind Ballabh bhai museum.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Pantnagar airport in Dehradun-  115 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam- 82 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 28° C (day)  to 10°C (night).

The small hill station in the Satara district of Maharashtra is the largest producer of strawberries in the state. Mahabaleshwar boasts of some captivating scenic view from around 4430 feet above the sea level. Mahabaleshwar is one of the easy to reach places to visit in summer in India.

Things to do: Trekking, camping, shikara ride on Vennu lake, jungle walk, bird watching.

Places to visit: Chinaman's fall, Elephant's Point, Arthur’s seat, Venna lake, Wilson point, Dhobi waterfalls, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar temple, Pratapgarh Fort, Connaught place, Elphinstone point, Lingmala falls etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Pune- 120 KM;  Mumbai-265 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Wathar- 60 KM; Pune- 120 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 30° C (day)  to 16°C (night).

The only hill station in Rajasthan is an arid upland located at an altitude of 5650 feet above sea level. The major hill range is formed by the Aravallis which make up for some encaptivating trek routes. It also houses several lakes, temples and some sightseeing points to enjoy the vacation.

Things to do: Lake tour, trekking, day hikes, camping,

Places to visit: Mount Abu wildlife sanctuary, Dilwara temple, Guru Shikhar, Nakki Lake, Toad rock, Trevor's tank, Shri Raghunath temple, Honeymoon point, Sunset point, Achalgarh village etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Ahmedabad- 230 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Udaipur- 210 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 36° C (day)  to 20°C (night).

The land of chants and temple bells, ashrams and yoga; Rishikesh once used to only cater hordes of pilgrims visiting from around India. Today, it is called the international center for Yoga and is the hotspot for adventure sports in India.

People from around the world visit Rishikesh for soaking in the art of Yoga and relaxing by the banks of river Ganges. The famous Ganga aarti on the ghats of Ganges is a sight to behold.

Things to do: River rafting, canoeing, cliff jumping, surfing, rock climbing, river kayaking, bungee jumping, flying fox, mountain biking and camping.

Places to visit: Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula,  Parmarth Niketan, Neelkantha Mahadeva temple, Geeta Bhawan etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport - 15 KM

Nearest Railway Station: Haridwar- 20 KM

Temperature: Ranges between 27° C (day)  to 14°C (night).

Kalimpong is located at an elevation of 4091 feet above sea level at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas. Famous as a paragliding hub, Kalimpong also intrigues travelers with its many colonial-era edifices and hilly peaceful gardens.

Kalimpong is a lesser-known alternative of Darjeeling.

Things to do: Paragliding, camping, trekking.

Places to visit: Deolo hill, Morgan house, Durpin Dara hill, Galingka, Jang Dong Palriffo Brang Gompa, Thongsa Gompa, Teesta Bazaar, Crockety, St. Theresa Catholic Church, Tharpa Choeling Gompa, Neora Valley National park.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Bagdogra- 80 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: New Jalpaiguri- 50 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 25° C (day)  to 16°C (night).

If you admire strolling across hilly botanical gardens and tea estates then Coonoor aka Kannur is an exceptionally pretty district in Tamil Nadu. The place is a delight to writers and poets which can also be reached in an hour-long ride from Ooty.

The Catherine falls and Law’s falls attract hordes of tourists from around the state.

Things to do: Tea garden exploration, waterfall hikes, trekking, Nilgiri rail ride, camping.

Places to visit Dolphin's Nose, Laws Falls, Sim’s park, Lamb’s rock, Rallia dam, St. George’s church, Droog Fort, Hidden Valley, All Saints Church, Ketti valley, Wellington Golf course, and Catherine falls.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore- 100 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Coonoor- 0 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 37° C (day)  to 22°C (night).

Swarmed with backpackers and tourists throughout the year, Kasol is one of the evergreen summer holiday destinations in India. With a sweeping view of some mountain scenery, Kasol has turned into an upbeat getaway, mostly for youngsters.

A throng of cafes, shops, and campsites have emerged in large numbers in the last few years. Kasol is also famous as “mini Israel,” after the surging population of Israeli people in the valley.

Things to do: Trekking, camping, rock climbing, river rafting, and stargazing.

Places to visit: Chalal village, Manikaran, Tosh, Bhuntar, Kheerganga trek, Tosh, Rasol, and Malana.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Bhuntar airport- 31 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Joginder Nagar- 145 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 32° C (day)  to 13°C (night).

Spiti is a desolate valley flanked by the barren Himalayas beautified with sporadic vegetation and continuous flow of mountain streams in a most natural setting. People riding their bikes in Spiti valley are more or less ride on the dry riverbeds and shepherd trails because the tarmac roads are intermittent and rightly so, the valley needs to be left that way.

Things to do: Mountain biking, camping, trekking, river rafting, monastery visits, trekking.

Places to visit: Kaza, Nako, Tabo, Ki Kibber, Chandratal, Losar.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Bhuntar- 245 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Joginder Nagar Railway Station- 360 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 15° C (day)  to 0°C (night).

Set apart and above by high-mountain passes on all sides, Malana is a rural settlement at around 9938 feet above sea level in the Parvati valley. It is famed for its quality cannabis and hash production. The village is highly restrictive when it comes to tourism and the idea of getting in contact with the outside world, they seem to believe that their race is superior.

Keeping all the taboos aside, Malana is one of the worthy places to visit in summers in India.

Things to do: Trekking, camping.

Places to visit: Kheerganga, Tosh, Manikaran, Kasol, Jari, Bhuntar, Rasol etc..

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Bhuntar airport- 40 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Joginder Nagar- 152 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 32° C (day)  to 13°C (night).

Munnar, Kerala: Munnar is a picturesque hill station in the southern corner of India that is also home to some indigenous animal species which are well protected in the green belts of Munnar. Producing some of the world’s finest tea, Munnar is a place of rippling tea gardens, jagged Nilgiri peaks dotted with idyllic lakes and waterfalls.

Situated at around 5026 feet above sea level, Munnar is the pride of Kerala.

Things to do: Rock climbing, trekking, rappelling,

Places to visit: Pothamedu viewpoint, Atukkad waterfalls, Rajamalai National Park, Kundala dam and lake, Echo point, Top station, Lock heart gap, Mattupetty Dam, Photo point, Chinnar wildlife sanctuary, Marayoor, Rosegarden, Chinnakanal waterfall, Lakkam waterfalls, Meesapulimala,

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Cochin International airport- 110 KM

Nearest Railway Station: Aluva and Angamaly- approximately 120 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 20° C (day)  to 15°C (night).

Kamshet village falls on the Mumbai-Pune route and is a well-known paragliding station in Maharashtra. The spectacular stretch of western ghats in the region and the well-connected trains and buses from the nearby cities makes it one of the easily accessible places to visit in India in Summers.

Things to do: Paragliding, hiking, camping, and trekking.

Places to visit: Pawna lake, Visapur Fort, Lohagad Fort, Kondeshwar Temple visit, Lonavala, Pune, Bhairi caves etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, cab, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Pune airport- 55 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Kamshet; Lonavala- 15 KM; Pune- 56 KM; Mumbai- 118 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 40° C (day)  to 22°C (night).

Trying to find words to describe the beauty of Tawang is extremely difficult however to put it simply, Tawang is a controversial town that even forms the border of India and China. Nestled at around 10,000 feet, one can find the ancient roots of Buddhism in Tawang through its age-old monasteries and culture.

It definitely falls under the list of “offbeat places to visit in India in summers.”

Things to do: Attend Losar festival in February, shop at Tibetan Settlement Market, meditate at Taktsang Gompa, and hike peaks like Gorichen etc.

Places to visit: Tawang Monastery, Penga Teng So Lake, Jang waterfalls, Nuranang waterfalls, and Sela Pass.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Tezpur (Salonibari Airport)- 387; Guwahati airport- 443 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Rangapara Railway Station- 383 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 21° C (day)  to 5°C (night).

The revered town of Haridwar is where most of the pilgrims begin their ‘Char Dham journey.’  If your idea of a peaceful summer vacation in India includes placid temples and ghats then there isn’t a better option than Haridwar.

The first receiver of river Ganges on the planes grants an exceptional Ganga Aarti to its devotees and visitors at Har ki Pauri Ghat.

Things to do: Attend Ganga aarti, wildlife safari, trekking, camping, rafting, river surfing, swimming, pilgrimage.

Places to visit: Har ki Pauri, Chilla wildlife sanctuary, Chandani Devi temple, Mansa Devi temple, Maya Bazaar, Vaishno Devi temple, Sapt Rishi ashram etc.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Dehradun airport- 27 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Haridwar railway station

Temperature: Ranges between 35° C (day)  to 20°C (night).

The heart goes pitter-patter as one thinks about Shillong. The capital city of Meghalaya is marked with the East Khasi range and is famous for its rain index, just as the entire region. The station is rooted at an altitude of approximately 4908 feet above sea level.

The hill station is dotted with lakes, waterfalls, and prominent peaks; which also earned Shillong its title as “Scotland of the East.”

Things to do: Boating, kayaking, cliff jumping, camping, trekking, rock climbing, wildlife safari.

Places to visit: Umiam lake, Mawylnnong, Elephant falls, Shillong peak, Mawsynram, David Scott’s trail, Sweet falls, Lady Hydari park, Mawphlang.

How to Reach: By train, air, cab, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Shillong airport in Umroi- 40 KM from Shillong main city.

Nearest Railway Station: Guwahati railway station - 105 KM

Temperature: Ranges between 24° C (day)  to 15°C (night).

Kanatal is a petite hamlet in the Tehri-Garhwal is accessible from the famous tourist hotspots like Mussoorie and Dehradun. Tucked away at around 8498 feet above sea level, Kanatal is quite an offbeat location to spend the summers.

Things to do: Nature walk and Jungle safari in Kudia Jungle, Surkhananda Temple visit, hiking, rappelling, rock climbing, camping, and valley crossing.

Places to visit: Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, Chamba, Tehri, and Mussoorie

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Dehradun- 85 KM

Nearest Railway Station: Haridwar

Temperature: Ranges between 24° C (day)  to 13°C (night).

The paradise on earth is an incomparable beauty and is a timeless treasure which encompasses every sort of geographical wonders. From Dal lake in Srinagar to the breathtaking vistas of Sonamarg; Kashmir is the pivot of unbelievable landscapes, statue-still lakes, emerald green mountain rivers and streams, and snow-clad Himalayan peaks.

Things to do: Trekking, pilgrimage, wildlife safaris, boat rides, river rafting, camping, rock climbing, gondola ride, skiing, mountain biking, sled etc.

Places to visit: Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Poonch, Kathua, Doda, KIshtwar, Jammu, Leh, Kargil, Srinagar.

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Srinagar airport- 14 KM from the city center.

Nearest Railway Station: Jammu- 305 KM

Temperature: Ranges between 18° C (day)  to 4°C (night).

Wayanad is among the many ideal spots in Kerala where one can go to unwind. It is a forested stretch situated at about 2300 feet above sea level and is home to Asiatic Elephants.

A rural settlement oodles with historic caves, gorgeous waterfalls, lush jungles and endemic animals living in their habitat.

Things to do: Trekking, jeep safari, camping, birdwatching, photography, watersports.

Places to visit: Meenmutty waterfalls, Neelimala viewpoint, Chembra peak, Banasura Dam, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Pookot lake, Soochipara falls, Edakkal caves, Sulthan bathery, Kuruva Dweep, Banasura hills, Chethalayam waterfalls, and Kalpetta etc. 

How to Reach: By train, air, and bus.

Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport in Calicut- Approximately 100 KM.

Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode- 110 KM.

Temperature: Ranges between 29° C (day)  to 15°C (night).