India has a number of destinations where you can spend your summer vacations. We bring to you the best summer destinations in India. Read through this article and take your pick. We are sure you will enjoy the cool bracing climate despite the sultry summer months.
1. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang is in the northwest of Arunachal Pradesh situated at an elevation of 3,048 meters. The Tawang Monastery is the largest in India and Tawang remains an important Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage destination.
Tawang has a number of tourist places. You can visit the beautiful waterfalls from a height of 100 feet known as Bap Teng Kang. The Pankang Teng Tso Lake is serene and a good picnic spot. You will be awestruck to see one of the world’s unique passes. The Bumla pass is at a height of 16,000 feet above sea level. Indians need a permit and foreigners are not allowed to see the Bumla pass. Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary has a beautiful flora and fauna. Another place the animal lovers always visit is the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary. You will be delighted to hear from among the trees many unusual sounds like chirping, hooting and whistling as it abounds in a rich fauna.
Tourists visit the many gardens and picnic spots in Tawang. They boat around the Ganga Lake surrounded by dense forest. You can shop for locally made things and relish the local cuisine at its many restaurants. Tezpur is closest to Tawang by rail, road, and air.
2. Wayanad, Kerala
Wayanad is a natural tourist’s place with scenic beauty. It has hills and valleys for the adventurer. The visitors are mesmerized by the mist capped mountains, lush green meadows in the many valleys, the wild forests and the shimmering blue waters of the lakes. Time flies in Wayanad and before you realize your summer vacation is coming to an end. There are many waterfalls, boating facilities, caves, and the only earth dam known as Banasura Sagar Dam. You can trek up to the Banasura Peak and get an unbelievable display of green wilderness. It is a melody to your ears as you listen to the meandering streams and take a pleasure ride on an elephant back. The tourists explore Wayanad and find many hidden treasures in its bosom. Ooty, a beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu, is at a distance of 2h 35min from Wayanad.
3. Horsley Hills, Andhra Pradesh
Horsley Hills is a beautiful little hill station with a cool bracing climate. It lies at an altitude of 4,100 feet. The approach road to Horsley town is tree lined which gives you extremely charming and panoramic views all along till you reach Horsley. Dense and verdant forests surround it. Horsley is a nature lover’s hideout in summer away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Sports enthusiasts will get an opportunity to go rock climbing, trekking, zorbing, and rappelling. It is thrilling to do these adventure activities in the midst of nature that envelopes Horsley Hills. Book your accommodation at one of the many resorts run by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department. The tourists enjoy the authentic and exotic cuisine of Andhra Pradesh. They shop here for the locally crafted articles before leaving this tucked away hill station known as Horsely Hills.
4. Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh
Pachmarhi is a quaint hill station. It is at a height of 1000 m in the valley of the Satpura Range. Pachmarhi is surrounded by dense forest and within it flow a number of streams. The surroundings of Pachmarhi are picturesque, and it is a lovely summer vacation destination for tourist.
Wildlife abounds in the two forests known as the Pachmarhi Biosphere Preserve. There are paintings in the Pandava Cave some as old as 10,000 years. Pachmarhi has a rich flora and fauna.
The famous tourist spots are the BeeHive falls and a 300 feet height precipice with steep sides known as Handi Khoh. There are a number of pools and waterfalls where the whole family can enjoy. You can visit Chotta Mahadeo in the rocks with a stream and a spring cascading down. Pachmarhi has all around it a touch of unspoiled nature.
The Satpura National Park has forests full of Sal, teak, and bamboo. The park is beautiful with its unique and breathtaking flora and fauna. Pachmarhi has a number of decent hotels and restaurants. It is approachable by air via Bhopal and Jabalpur, by train from Pipariya railway station, and it is well-connected by road. The tourist can get going from Pachmarhi to Pench National Park. It takes about four and a half hours to reach Pench.
5. Kadmat Island, Lakshadweep
The tourist visiting Kadmat Island have an unforgettable and thrilling journey as they cruise on high-speed catamarans. You come across many uninhabited islands with coral reefs, marine animals, and sandbanks while on your way from Agatti to Kadmat.
Kadmat is surrounded by beautiful lagoons on its eastern and western sides. It has long and attractive sandy beaches. The tourists have a calm, peaceful summer vacation on this unspoiled island. The vacationers can avail of the many tour packages from Kadmat to view the Lakshadweep Islands from close quarters. Kadmat Island has a number of resorts with meals included in the tariff.
6. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh lies at the foothills of the Himalayas. The holy river Ganga flows through this peaceful town. Rishikesh is world famous for its yoga thus attracting many tourists to its folds. The people of Rishikesh are simple, God fearing, adventurous and have a firm belief in meditation and yoga.
Rishikesh is the starting point for Char Dham pilgrimage. Ganga and Chandrahaga rivers meet here, and it is surrounded by the beauty of hills. There are a number of temples here. Trekkers find it a good point to begin their trekking in the Himalayas in the Gharwal region. Sightseeing points here are Ram Jhula and the Rajaji National Park. This national park occupies an area of over 820 sq km and is home to a number of mammals and birds. Every season here has its charm.
Rishikesh is not only the yoga capital of India but is also famous for white water rafting. You can avail of a number of adventure activities in the Ganga Valley like bungee jumping, jungle camping, and other tours. Many tourists relax before leaving Rishikesh by spending time in a spa. It has a number of satisfactory hotels and eateries.
7. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Mussoorie is a favourite summer destination for the vacationers. When the skies are clear one gets the view of the far off snow capped Himalayan peaks and the green Doon valley. Mussoorie is divided into two parts, the Library Bazar at the western end and Kulri Bazar at the eastern end. The traffic-free 2 km mall joins the two ends.
You can take a cable car to Gun Hill at a height of 2,530 m. A steep winding path leads you to the viewpoint where your eyes meet the several peaks and the incredible sunset. The air is bracing and pleasant. As you walk up the cable car station, you come to the Jawahar Aquarium. You reach here using the escalator and view the tiny sharks, red piranha, and other tropical fishes. It is very scenic all around.
Walk the path through greenery that leads to a rock shaped like a camel’s back. Other places to visit are the many falls, Christ Church, and the Lake Mist, which lies outside Mussoorie city. You can enjoy boat rides here.
Mussoorie has a varied flora and fauna. The highest peak in Mussoorie is Lal Tibba over 9,000 ft high. The mall area here has a number of hotels, eateries, and shops. It can be reached by rail and road via Dehradun.
8. Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Mount Abu is an attractive hill station that tourists visit for its natural beauty. The Achalgarh Fort is an ancient one encompassing a number of temples. The Dilwara Jain Temples are intricately carved marble temples. On your visit to the Nakki Lake do climb the Toad Rock to see the Maharaja Jaipur Palace and the Raghunath Temple.
Mount Abu has lush green forests that surround it, shimmering blue lakes, sunrise and sunset with a golden-pink hue, and beautiful landscapes. The adventurer in you takes you up the many trails and pathways enclosed with sheer natural beauty. You can enjoy rock climbing, rappelling and see the flora and fauna on your trails. Take an adventure tourism tour and view the hidden beauty of Mount Abu in its jungles and mountains. From close quarters see the wonders of Mother Nature as you camp in the wild places of Mount Abu. It has a pleasant climate with its dense forest cover even in summer.
It is easily reachable by rail from Abu Road Railway Station. The nearest airport is at Udaipur from where you can hail a taxi to reach the hill station. Road connectivity is excellent.
You can book your accommodation and while at Mount Abu enjoy the authentic desi Rajasthani meals and shop around for some artistically distinctive mirror work articles.
9. Nubra Valley, Ladakh
Nubra Valley lies to the north of Ladakh’s capital, Leh. It is sandwiched between Tibet and Kashmir. It is an unbelievably beautiful valley snugly cradled in the lofty, rugged mountains. It is one of the most spectacular valleys in Ladakh. The tourists journey to Nubra on the world’s highest motorable road. This ride leaves an unforgettable impression on the minds of the travelers. The valley offers spectacular views of hamlets, barley fields, ancient Buddhist temples, the land and rivers, and the camels grazing on the floor of the valley dune-like landscape. The Nubra Valley has many twists and turns as you unravel its hidden natural beauty.
Locals in the Nubra Valley produce fruits like apricots, walnuts, apples and almonds. In winter, the valley is completely snow covered giving it a moonlight landscape look. Nubra rivers crisscross the valley, and it has acquired the name ‘Orchard of Ladakh’.
Guesthouses, tented camps, family-run simple hotels make your stay comfortable. You enjoy the local food and relish its taste. If you have opted for an organized tour, all is prearranged for you. From Leh, one can go by bus or a taxi if you are traveling on your own.
10. Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Dharamshala is the seat of the Dalai Lama. It is surrounded by dense forests. The views all around are spectacular. Dharamshala with it’s snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar range and the vast green cover around it is breathtaking.
There are a few scenic places that the tourists can visit like the Dal Lake set amidst the Deodar forests. The surroundings are quiet and peaceful as it lies at an altitude of 1,775 meters. You can enjoy a boat ride in the serenity of the lake. A visit to the Kangra Art Museum will give you an insight into the Tibetan and Buddhist cultures as you view the artifacts. It is located close to the Dharamshala bus station. Bhagsunag Falls are a delight to watch as the cascading water falls from about 20 meters. It is a charming picnic spot where one can enjoy with the entire family.
A must visit place in Dharamshala is the Namgyal Monastery, home to the Dalai Lama. It is the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet. The whole complex around the temple has a calm atmosphere, and you see the imposing figures of Buddha.
The tourist can go up to McLeod Ganj, which is a suburb of Dharamshala. It is also known as ‘Little Lhasa’. Dharamshala is three km from McLeod Ganj amidst pine forests and brightly blooming rhododendrons. From here one gets excellent views of the Dhauladhar range. The Mountaineering Institute, St. John’s Church, and a trek to Triund are other things you can include in your itinerary.
By air, the nearest airport is Gaggal that is 11 km away from Dharamshala. The railhead closest to it is Pathankot at a distance of 85 km. Dharamshala is well-connected by road to the northern states and Delhi.
