Best Monsoon Getaways in India
Monsoon isn’t just a season - it’s an emotion. India's monsoon season offers a welcome change with its mild air, undulating clouds, and lush landscape. The earthy aroma of moist soil, the distant sound of rushing waterfalls, and the sound of rain combine to create a soundtrack that asks you to stop, take a moment, and explore. Here are some best monsoon destinations waiting for you, regardless of whether you enjoy chasing waterfalls or finding tranquility in the mountains.
1. Coorg, Karnataka
Coorg enchants tourists with its natural beauty, temperate climate, and rich cultural legacy. This place is often referred to as the "Scotland of India." Coorg has the ideal fusion of dense forests, rolling coffee estates, foggy highlands, and quaint villages. Time stands still there, and the natural surroundings invite you to take a deep breath and re-establish your connection.
Why visit during monsoon: Rain brings Coorg's greenest surroundings to life and enhances the majestic beauty of waterfalls like Abbey and Iruppu. The cool, refreshing weather is ideal for a monsoon getaway.
How to get there: Mangalore (150 km away) is the closest airport, and Mysore is the nearest train station. Both have easy access to buses and taxis.
Popular dishes: Akki roti, Bamboo shoot curry, Pandi curry (pork), and filter coffee.
Fun fact: Coorg is also known as the “coffee capital of India”.
2. Munnar, Kerala
Munnar is a scenic hill station situated 1,600 meters above sea level in Kerala's Idukki district. Munnar, one of Kerala's best hill stations, is a true treasure in the monsoon season and is well-known for its extensive tea plantations, colonial bungalows, mist-draped valleys, and wandering roads. Munnar provides a peaceful haven from the bustling city. The scent of fresh tea leaves, the soft embrace of chilling mountain air, and slopes covered in every shade of green greet you as soon as you reach the town. This town is genuine, clear, and relaxing.
Why visit during monsoon: The waterfalls flow in their full glory, and the rain adds to Munnar's natural beauty. For those who enjoy the outdoors, it's a peaceful haven.
How to get there: Cochin (110 km) is the closest airport, and Aluva is the nearest train station.
Popular dishes: Malabar parotta, Kerala sadya, Appam and stew, and regional tea.
Fun fact: The Neelakurinji flower only blooms once every twelve years in Munnar, one of the few locations on Earth where this occurs.
3. Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra, is a place where nature reigns in its purest, most magnificent form, the rain sings all day, and the clouds reside low. Cherrapunji, considered as one of the wettest locations on Earth, is more than simply a record-breaker; it's an unforgettable experience. Lush green valleys, limestone caverns, tumbling waterfalls, and a wide variety of plants surround this place. For photographers, nature lovers, and anybody else who wishes to experience the majesty and beauty of the Indian monsoon, it provides the ideal getaway.
Why visit during the monsoon: The best time to observe Cherrapunji's waterfalls, verdant forests, and unique living root bridges is during the monsoon season.
How to get there: Guwahati (150 km) is the nearest airport and train station.
Popular dishes: Smoked meat, Bamboo stalk chutney, and Jadoh (rice with pork).
Fun fact: Rubber tree roots are naturally carried over streams to create the living root bridges of Cherrapunji.
4. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Darjeeling becomes more beautiful during the rainy season. The town is covered in shadow and mist as the rains start. The views from Tiger Hill or Observatory Hill are like a glimpse into a fantasy world, the air gets crisp and chilly, and clouds softly caress the undulating tea estates. Sipping hot Darjeeling tea while observing showers fall on the verdant slopes below has an unquestionable pleasure, and the streets shine from the rain.
Why visit during the monsoon: The town's charm is enhanced by the misty weather, and the tea gardens appear idyllic when it rains.
How to get there: Bagdogra is the nearest airport, and New Jalpaiguri is the closest train station.
Popular dishes: Churpee, Darjeeling tea, Thukpa, and Momos.
Fun fact: The Toy Train, also known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Lonavala, Maharashtra
Lonavala is a popular monsoon weekend destination for residents of Pune and Mumbai. It's a short drive from the city's rush, where the temperature cools, the sky grows gloomy, and nature takes center stage. Every road drive feels like a scene from a movie in Lonavala, which is surrounded by green hills, historic caves, beautiful lakes, and waterfalls.
Why visit during the monsoon: The area is covered in greenery, and popular destinations include the Bhushi Dam and Kune Falls.
How to get there: 67 kilometers from Pune and 83 kilometers from Mumbai, it has its train station.
Popular dishes: Lonavala chikki, Corn pakora, and Vada pav.
Fun fact: Lonavala's well-known chikki, which is now a regional trademark, was created only for British soldiers.
India's monsoon season is more than just a time of year; it's an emotion. An impression of new beginnings, of the beauty of nature returning, of moments that last long after the rain has stopped. Every place on this list has a different monsoon story to tell, from the foggy highlands of Coorg to the living root bridges of Cherrapunji, and from the charming coziness of Darjeeling to the striking cliffs of Lonavala. These top monsoon tourist spots in India offer an experience unlike any other, whether you're looking for romance, adventure, isolation, or simply a change of pace.
