Your Travel Guidance To Places In India For A Monsoon Vacation

Monsoon is the best season of the year. India is a country that heavily depends on its agriculture for the economy. Monsoons in India are quite long, four months is a long time. The monsoon winds first hit the west coast of the country, usually around 31st May. By the second week of June, the entire western coast is hit by the monsoon. This results in heavy rainfall. In India, seasons do not change gradually, it happens in an instance. So, when the land experiences its first shower, the weather cools down forming a pleasant atmosphere.rnApart from the pleasant atmosphere and relaxing weather, the other reason for vacations during the monsoon is that there are no declared holidays in the month of July. In fact, there is only one holiday in June i.e. Eid al-Fitr, celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Not necessarily, Eid al-Fitr occurs in June, it depends on the lunar calendar.rnIn this article we have a short list of places that are apt for monsoon holidays. Some places are fit for a weekend getaway and some need a mini-vacation. None of the places in this list require more than 4 days.rn1. Munnar, KeralarnThis place is also known as Kashmir of the South. A beautiful hill station in the Western Ghats that has a view which can kill your soul in a look or give you a lifelong thrill. Lush green mountains and gorgeous tea plantations. The altitude of this picturesque destination is 1532 m above the sea level. A destination that gives the tourists a glimpse of the heaven. Cloud covered hills, exotic tea plantations, tea cafes throughout the city and a shopping market i.e. no less than an authentic bazaar. • How to reach: Being a hill station, so above the sea level, there is no direct connectivity via railways or air. By Air: The nearest airport is Kochi. Kochi International Airport is 110 km from Munnar. By Rail: The nearest railway stations are located at an equal distance of 140 km from the exotic hill station. The railway stations are Ernakulam & Aluva. By Road: A prepaid taxi or taxi on-hire can be used to reach Munnar from the railway station or airport. • Places to visit: Munnar is known for its extraordinary landscapes and weather. The town is well maintained, neat and clean. There are a few hiccups in the town, which city doesn’t have, but there are many places in the town and nearby locations that can take your breath away. The places to see are: o Tea Plantations: Munnar is famous for its tea plantations and the fresh production of tea. The tea leaves are green coloured with a shining dew on the edge that makes it a scenario hard to forget. This picture doesn’t require a real camera, just the beauty of human eye and the memory are enough to capture it. o The Green Carpet: The green carpet is nothing else but the view of tea plantations from a distance. The hill looks like it is covered with a green carpet. A place of interest for all the tourists, those who visit during the blooming season. o Rose Garden: The Rose Garden in Munnar is an extensive preserved nature that is shaped by man. A dedicated garden for all types and colours of roses. The sweet aroma in the air with some naughty pollens gives a euphoria required on a vacation in the monsoons.rno Lockhart Tea Plantation & Museum: One of the biggest and most amazing tea plantations in Munnar. Hugh variety of tea is produced every year. Lush green tea gardens that attracts the evil and gives peace. Lockhart Tea Museum is one of the most iconic place to visit in the town. A museum dedicated to all kinds of tea produced by Lockhart Tea Plantations and around the world. Some of the most exotic and enigmatic teas can be found here. o Munnar Tea Museum: Very similar to Lockhart tea museum, but this museum has tea from all over Munnar. Finest collection of rare tea can be found in this museum. The tea museum has a cafeteria serving one of the finest tea in the country. From local tea to international teas, every type of tea can be found here. • Things to do: The place is perfect for all the tourists. Couples can find peace and romantic atmosphere around them. Individuals can relax, refresh and rejuvenate in the heart of nature. This place is apt for backpackers, giving them all the necessities like nature, hills, a small town, market place and exquisite local food. Families can enjoy leisure and sight-seeing. • Best time of the year to visit: June and July are the best months of the year to visit Munnar. It is technically considered as off-season. Due to fewer tourists and chilly yet humid atmosphere makes it the best time to visit. • Ideal for: Couples, Backpackers and Families. rn2. Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya: Cherrapunjee is a town in the Indian state of Meghalaya. This town is the wettest place on the planet, experiencing above 150 inches of rainfall every year. Cherrapunjee is a delight for those who love to spend their time in the warm of nature. Continuous rainfall, peaceful environment and no worries of the world. Cherrapunjee is a perfect place for a getaway. • How to reach: It is difficult for the government to construct transport facilities in the wettest place. So, there is no direct connection form of transportation. o By Air: The nearest airport is Umroi Airport (91 km) which has flights only from Kolkata, making it expensive and the frequency is less. Guwahati airport is 181 km far. Taxi can be hired from the Paltan Bazaar. o By Rail: The nearest railway station is Guwahati – 181 km. o By Road: Bus from Sohra Bus Stand in Bara Bazaar area of Shillong can be boarded. • Places to visit: o Double Decker Living Root Bridge: The Khasi tribe of Cherrapunjee rainforest have been using the nature’s resources efficiently. They have re-directed the roots of gum trees (found only in the north-east) to build a bridge over rivers. The trees are still living, and the roots continue to grow in horizontal direction. Some trees have double bridges, one above the other. It is a treat to watch, that even in the wild, there is excellent engineering using hand tools and nature. o Mawsmai Cave: This place is what you call a classic tourist attraction, a wide opening mouth of the cave, dim light entering through some ruptured rocks and natural formations of rocks inside the cave that is a result of underground water channel and natural abrasion. rno Seven Sisters fall: Seven Sisters Fall is a treat for waterfall viewers. An exquisite site of seven waterfalls simultaneously falling over the hills from a height of 320 m. This is a must visit attraction because the waterfalls are active only during the monsoons. o Arwah Cave: This cave in the Sohra district gives you a treasure thrill. Once entered in this cave, it seems like a location from the Indiana Jones. Unexpected twists and turns, pitch black atmosphere and an aura that creates a mysterious environment. A must-visit for all the adventure seekers. • Things to do: Retreat, rejuvenate and relive yourself in the nature because man-made is hard to find in Cherrapunjee. • Best time of the year: October to May • deal for: Families and Couples • Company or Solitude: Find complete solitude with your companion. rn3. Udaipur, Rajasthan: A city of palaces. Udaipur is one of the culturally and historically rich cities in India. The legacy of kings and kingdoms has been passed down for centuries. Pleasant weather, iconic palaces and a market that has everything makes monsoon the perfect time to visit Udaipur. • How to reach:rno By Air: Maharana Pratap Airport is situated 20 km from Udaipur. A domestic airport with flight services to and from Jaipur, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. o By Rail: Udaipur has two railway stations within the city namely Udaipur City Railway Station and Rana Pratap Nagar Railway Station, with train service from all over the country. Commute to Udaipur is much easier. o By Road: Udaipur is the intersection point of the East-West Corridor and the Golden Quadrilateral. It is well-connected by national highways and state highways. o For local transportation: Cars are available on rent, unmetered taxis, private taxis and radio taxis are available. Auto rickshaw and local bus transport services are also available. • Places to visit: o Lake Palace: Lake Palace is a major tourist attraction. A mainstream sightseeing that is supposed to be seen if you are visiting Udaipur. The palace is located on an island in the centre of the lake and has been house many kings notably Maharana Jagat Sing II. The palace used to be the winter resident of the king. Nowadays, the palace is operated by Taj Group of Hotels as one of their luxury hotels. o Monsoon Palace: Monsoon Palace in Udaipur is one of the most breath-taking attraction. Located on the cliff of Aravalli hill, just outside Udaipur. This palace was built just for one purpose, to view the monsoon clouds drifting across the Fateh Sagar Lake. o Mansapurna Karni Ropeway: A cable car ride that starts from Deendayal Park and travels to Karni Mata Temple at the Machhala Hill Top. It is one of the popular tourist destination in Udaipur.rno Local Markets aka Bazaars: Artistic handicrafts, rugs and mats are the most popular shopped products in Rajasthan. As the state is cultural capital of the country, there is no denying the fact that it still upholds bazaars and local markets with lots of local shops. • Things to do: Exploration, sight-seeing, relaxation and shopping. • Best time of the year: The tourist season from November (Post Diwali) to the start of March (On-set of summer). But, if you want to explore the city for yourself, then the best time to visit Udaipur is in the monsoon i.e. from July to September. • Ideal for: Couples, Families, Backpackers, Retreaters and Friends. • It is hard to find the right company, but it is easier to enjoy solitude. rn4. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand: • How to reach: Being a small tourist spot in the Himalayas, there is no direct transport service. o By Air: The nearest airport is Dehradun. From Dehradun Airport, taxi services and bus services are available. It is a 310 km ride. o By Rail: The nearest railway station is Haridwar, bus service and taxis are available to reach the start point of this beautiful trek, Govindghat. o By Road: Bus services and taxi services from Haridwar to Govindghat are available. The trek starts from Govindghat. The distance is 290 km. • Places to visit: As such there is no tourist attraction in Valley of Flowers. But, the valley whole is an attraction. Beautiful flowers blooming in the fog and colours spread on the green landscape that gives goosebumps. The insignia of the valley can be experienced at the start of the trek itself. Some of the most exotic and rare flowers bloom in this valley. • Things to do: Trek through the valley. The trek is 6 km long. The flora and fauna of this place is indigenous. Experience the weather, enrich yourself with the beauty made by God and get lost for few days from the real world to come back with a spirit. • Best time of the year: July thru September is considered the best time to visit is magnificent beauty. The temperatures are not severe, the weather is pleasant, and it is the blooming season of the flowers. The additional treat to your eyes during this time is the dew on the leaves that shine in the sunlight appearing to be pearls from a distance. • Ideal for: Adventure seekers, backpackers and friends. • Enjoy the ever-lasting solitude! Fall in love with yourself and let your thoughts direct you towards eternal glory.