Monsoons are not just for sitting by the window and enjoying chai-pakoras. It’s also the season when everything is a little greener and prettier. You can plan an exciting vacation and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If that sounds exciting to you, read on, as we’ve drawn up a list of 5 places you can plan a monsoon holiday to.
Udaipur, Rajasthan
The monsoons are a great time to visit the ‘City of Lakes’ Udaipur as the weather is pleasant and the city is a lot prettier. The Monsoon Palace or the Sajjan Garh Palace looks absolutely breathtaking during the rainy season. It’s located about 3000 feet above sea level and offers you a stunning view of the whole city. This palace was built to watch the movement of the monsoon clouds, hence the name Monsoon Palace.
The grand City Palace should be another must-visit place on your Udaipur itinerary. It’s nothing short of an architectural marvel and houses a number of courtyards and gardens that look very beautiful in the monsoons. Jag Mandir, Lake Palace, Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake are some other places that will give you a glimpse into Udaipur’s glorious and regal heritage.
Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
There’s a certain mystical and magical quality about Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh that perhaps no other place in India can match up to. During the monsoons, this place experiences low to medium rainfall and the weather is unbelievably charming. Given that Spiti Valley separates India and Tibet, it’s also known as ‘The Little Tibet’. It’s a heaven for nature and adventure lovers with several long-winding roads and trekking trails.
Spiti Valley is surrounded by the Himalayas on all sides. As a result, a lot of the treks there promise you spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Photography enthusiasts, rejoice, as there’s plenty of exotic flora and fauna that will leave you mesmerised. A large part of Spiti Valley is untouched and undiscovered, which is what makes it such a desirable destination. So if you want to submit yourself to the unadulterated beauty of nature, Spiti it is!
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
If a water vacation is what you’re looking for, then head to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A cluster of over 500 islands, this archipelago boasts of unending stretches of sand, pristine blue waters, incredible beauty and exciting water sports. The rains here are usually intermittent and won’t stop you from enjoying your vacation. The adventure lover in you can indulge in scuba diving, snorkelling, jet-skiing and lots more.
There are several beaches to choose from, but some of the places you must visit are Havelock Island, Radhanagar Beach, Baratang Island and Cellular Jail. Since Airtel launched 4G services in the capital city of Port Blair, you can even enjoy fast internet there. It makes travelling super easy as you can search for restaurants, find directions, look up local experiences and even stay in touch with your loved ones without having to worry about patchy internet.
Ranikhet, Uttarakhand
A scenic hill town nestled in the Himalayas, Ranikhet in Uttarakhand makes for a perfect monsoon getaway. While Ranikhet has stunning natural beauty all year long, it’s in the monsoons that the town gets a special kind of charm. All that you will see around you are green forests, stretches of lush meadows, carpets of grass and freshly bloomed flowers. The occasional monsoon showers ensure that the weather is pleasant throughout the day.
Bhalu Dam, Chaubatia Garden, Upat Golf Course and Majkhali Village are some of the places in and around Ranikhet that you must visit. You can even try your hand at adventure activities including trekking, mountain climbing and camping. If you’re not in the mood to do anything particular, you could just walk around the town and watch the majestic Himalayan ranges play hide and seek with the clouds. All in all, Ranikhet is your chance of getting one with nature.
Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
If you want to treat the history nerd in you to a monsoon holiday, then head to Orchha in Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the Betwa river, this little town will strike you with its old-world charm and take you back in time with its palaces, temples and forts. During the rains, the weather is ideal for you to discover the town on foot.
Ram Raja Temple, Jahangir Mahal, Chaturbhuj Temple, Laxminarayan Temple, Raj Mahal and cenotaphs are the primary attractions in Orchha. It’s hard to not surrender yourself to this town that almost looks like it belongs to some other age. Make sure you carry your camera along to capture all the architectural beauty that Orchha has to offer.
Now that we’ve made it easier for you, all you need to do is zero in on a place and make that vacation happen. And if you're wondering about the internet, you won't have a problem because Airtel ensures you get super fast 4G even when it rains. So hurry up. What are you waiting for?
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