With monsoon season setting foot in our country, trekkers and travel enthusiasts are all packed and ready to set foot and make most of the weather. Or maybe some bookworms are just looking for a quiet place to read their book with a mug of coffee. This list is exactly for those people looking to leave the hustle and bustle of the cities and make the most of the best this weather has to offer –
Munnar, Kerala
Munnar is a hill station located in the Idukki district of Kerala; it is one of the top tourist destinations in India. From the Anamudi peak to the beautiful tea gardens, Munnar has everything that you expect from a hill station. There are various dams and caves that you can also visit. If you are a monsoon trekker and love nature, then this is the place for you.
The closest railway stations are Ernakulam and Aluva whereas the closest airport is Cochin Airport.
Coorg, Karnataka
Coorg is highly considered the Scotland of India because of its terrain. During the rain, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit as it is lush green and has a hint of fog. The waterfalls are a dream for trekkers and owing to be off-season as schools are on, one can enjoy with friends or family without having to be disturbed by a lot of crowds.
The nearest railway stations are Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan and the nearest airports are Mysore and Mangalore. If you are looking to drive from Bangalore it would take you around five hours.
Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya
Cherrapunjee basically receives rainfall throughout the year and hence any time can be considered a monsoon season. The beautiful place is a treat for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. If you love to get wet in the rain then this is definitely the place for you. After a wonderfully chilly day, you can also enjoy authentic Meghalayan tea to warm you up.
Probably the only taxing thing about Cherrapunjee is that the nearest major railway station and airport lie at Guwahati, Assam. Guwahati is 181km away from Cherrapunjee. Travellers from Kolkata can opt to go to the Umroi Airport near Shillong, but the frequency of flights is pretty low.
Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Mussoorie is best known for its waterfalls and its amazing view of the Himalayas. There is also a wax museum and a heritage centre which displays Himalayan art. If you’re a photography enthusiast, the scenic views here make for the most picturesque shots, for your gallery.
The closest station and airport to Mussoorie is in Dehra Dun.
Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
Mahabaleshwar is located south of Mumbai and is one of the most popular hill stations in Maharashtra. The Pratapgad Fort, the Venna Lake, the Mapro Garden provide for attractions other than the natural beauty like the waterfalls and the fauna. This is the place for people who like to trek under the blanket of chilling fog caused by the rain during the monsoon season.
The nearest railway station to Mahabaleshwar is White Wathar but the nearest major station is in Pune. Pune also houses the nearest airport.
Wayanad, Kerala
Wayanad is famous for not only its high altitude peaks but also its beautiful flora and fauna and its various national parks. The all famous Bandipur National Park is also located in Wayanad. The monsoon also allows for a stunning trek after which coffee lovers can enjoy the authentic Arabica coffee from Kerala.
The closest railway station is the Kozhikode railway station and the closest airport is the Calicut Airport.
Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Kodaikanal is not only a trekker’s paradise but it is also known for its chocolates. The lakes, hills and ghats can be enjoyed with a bite of delicious heavenly chocolates. And what time can be better to do so, than during the monsoon?
The closest station to Kodaikanal is Kodai Road and the closest airports are Madurai Airport, Trichy Airport and Coimbatore Airport.
