Best Ever summer vacations destinations in India

The big ball of fire, our very own Sun is at its full might. What better way to escape the summer heat than to find some relief, away from the plains. Thankfully, India is blessed with mountains, hills, beaches, exotic forest, and other places to visit in summer that provide some respite from the scorching heat wave.

The summer holidays are round the corner. For those looking to break free & gather some memories with your friends and family during these summer holidays in India, there are some amazing hill stations. In addition to these mountainous regions, there are some other cool places to visit in India in summer.

The weather of July is hot plus it’s the beginning of rainy season. This is a preferred season to go on vacations and enjoy. The beginning of monsoons makes some places especially hill stations worth visiting. Some people prefer going on vacation in the month of July as there is a change in weather and even there are fewer people due to the beginning of schools and colleges. So these are the perfect places to visit if one is planning a July month vacation.

Here’s a list of the best places to visit in India in summer. Have a look at the list before planning a holiday in India.

1. Gangtok

A not-so-frequented tourist destination, Gangtok is one of the most beautiful places to visit in India in May and June. The capital city of Sikkim is snuggled in the clouds and enclosed by the lush vegetation, profound valleys and picturesque backdrop of Khangchendzonga.

How to Reach:

• Nearest Airport is in Delhi Bagdogra 124 Kms away
• Nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri, 148 Kms away

Ideal duration: 3-4 days

Things to do:

1. Visit the Rumtek Monastery which displays ethos and sanity of Buddhism
2. Gangtok is a home to various species of wildlife which you can see in the zoological park
3. Let the alpines flora and fauna leave you spellbound along the Indo-China Route
4. Tashi View Point has to be on your itinerary for the gorgeous views
5. Trek to Chhangu Lake and Tsomgo Lakes & for a perfect bird’s eye view of Gangtok take a ropeway to the highest point of the city

2. Majuli

Also known as the cradle of Assam civilization, Majuli is the largest river island in the world. Located calmly along the waters of Brahmaputra, it is a unique mixture of culture and heritage. If you’re in search of an offbeat place somewhere in the peace of northeast, then you can’t go wrong with Majuli. So if you’re making a list of summer destinations in India for your upcoming trip, Majuli must be there. 

How to Reach:

1. Jorhat Town railway station is the nearest one at a distance of 25 km.
2. Rowriah airport is the nearest one at a distance of 28 km.
3. Pay a visit to Kamalabari Satra and Dakhinpat Satra which is the center of culture, literature, art, music in Majuli.
4. Go on a picnic with family at Tengapania, which is a popular picnic spot.

Ideal Duration: 2-3 days

Things to do:

1. Pay a visit to Kamalabari Satra and Dakhinpat Satra which is the center of culture, literature, art, music in Majuli.
2. Go on a picnic with family at Tengapania, which is a popular picnic spot.

3. Cherrapunji

The wettest place on earth, Cherrapunji is one of the most unique and gorgeous places you will ever visit. This stunning piece of land is mostly covered by thick clouds and mists and receives a lot of rain. If you’re someone who loves monsoon, then this is a must-visit place for you. Having said that, it’s also great during summers. You can see streams, cold water springs, and many gorgeous waterfalls in this lovely hill town.

How to Reach:

• Guwahati railway station, at a distance of 181 km is the nearest one from Cherrapunji.
• Shillong airport is the nearest one to Cherrapunji.

Ideal Duration: 4-5 days

Things to do:

1. Do visit and walk on the gorgeous and naturally built Double Decker Living Root Bridge. It’s a UNESCO Heritage Site, which is a must-visit.
2. Witness the incredible beauty of Seven Sister Waterfall and Nohkalikai Falls.
3. Go and explore the uniqueness of Mawsmai Cave, which is a limestone cave and one can find many fossils here.

4. Shillong

Another North Eastern gem is Shillong that comfortably makes its way to the best places to visit in India during summer. There are striking similarities between the panorama of Shillong and the landscape of Switzerland, and thus it is also known as Scotland of East. The hill-station well developed but the colonial charm hasn’t faded!

How to reach:

• Shillong has its own airport, named Shillong Airport.
• Guwahati Station is the nearest railhead from Shillong, located at a distance of 100 km.
• Road trip: Kolkata is the nearest metropolitan city from Shillong, 1100 km away.

Ideal duration: 3-4 days

Things to do:

1. Boating on Umiam Lake. There are other activities to try here too, including skiing and water scooter.
2. Relax by the roaring and glistening waterfalls Elephant Falls, and Nohkalikai Falls.
3. Visiting the famous Living Root Bridges.

5. Matheran

Average cost/couple 15 thousand to 17thousand only per- day.

How to reach  The nearest airport to Matheran is in Mumbai which is 100 km away from it. The closest railhead to Matheran is in Neral which is 21 km away from the destination.You can hire a bus or taxi to Matheran from there. But since Matheran is a vehicle-free zone, all petrol and diesel vehicles are stopped 2.5 km away from the city. You will have to cover this last stretch on a horseback, a rickshaw or foot.

Major attractions Harf Point, Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir, Irshalgad, Shivaji’s Ladder and Prabalgad are the most popular attractions here.

6. Spiti valley

Average cost/couple 10 thousand to 15 thousand only per- day.

How to reach  If you are traveling by air than Kullu Airport is the nearest one which 85 km from the Spiti Valley. If one is planning to go by train than Shimla Railway Station is there which is 428 km away from Spiti Valley. Buses and cars could be preferred to reach the destination. 

Major attractions  Ki Monastery, Tabo monastery, and Bara-Shigri glacier are the major places to visit in the Spiti Valley.

7. Chandoli National Park

A World Heritage Site, Chandoli National Park is a gem for nature-lovers. Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bear, and Indian bison are some of the animals you can expect to spot here. Other than wildlife Chandoli National Park, the park has historic landmarks as well; like Prachitgad and Bhairavgad.

How to reach:

1. Nearest airport from Chandoli National Park is located in Kolhapur, at a distance of 80 km.
2. Sangli Railway Station is the nearest railhead from Chandoli National Park. The difference between the two is 75 km.
3. Road trip: Mumbai and Pune are the nearest major city from Chandoli National Park. Both are at a distance of 355 km, and 215 km from Malshej Ghat respectively.

Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Things to do:

1. Go wildlife spotting.
2. Spend the day bird-watching.
3. Find luxury in the wilderness, staying in various resorts in Chandoli.

8. Malshej Ghat

Mulberry orchards, rugged ruins, and blooming grassfields; Malshej Ghats is a picturesque getaway in Maharashtra. Many famous trekking trails, like the route to Shivneri Fort, make for an adventurous yet rejuvenating experience here.

How to reach:

1. Nearest airport from Malshej Ghat is located in Pune, at a distance of 115 km.
2. Kalyan Railway Station, at a distance of 85 km, is the nearest major railhead from Malshej Ghat.
3. Road trip: Mumbai and Pune are the nearest major city from Malshej Ghat. Both are at a distance of 130 km, and 120 km from Malshej Ghat respectively.

Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Things to do:

1. Visit Pimpalgaon Joga Dam for bird-watching.
2. Try rock climbing at Ajoba Hill Fort.
3. Trek to Harishchandragad Fort.