Most of the tourists traveling to India are familiar with the extreme heat they face in the holiday time of summer. But some of them opt for a cooler time of the year that follows the crowded summer.
August is a wonderful time to plan a trip to see the greenery and the beauty of nature. Always remember to check any climate news or weather report before going to any places that face heavy rains during this time of the year.
As we welcome the early showers, here are the best places to visit in India in the monsoon month of August.
Also see: Best Places to visit during Monsoon in India
Best Places to visit in August
1. Munnar, Kerala
One of the most popular tourist spots in Kerala, Munnar hosts a good number of adventurous travelers each year, especially in the summertime. But visiting in August means escaping the heat of the summer and the season of peak rains, and arriving right in time to enjoy clean and fresh views of the lavish landscape. Munnar is home to the best of tea and coffee plantations in Kerala, with chilly waterfalls, rivers, and wildlife sanctuaries to explore during your stay.
Either by driving along the twisty roads around the green hills or hiking your way through some of them, Munnar offers stunning views in August of endlessly green and often misty mountains. The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport located at a distance of 110 kilometers but the best and the most convenient way to approach Munnar is by car.
2. Wayanad, Kerala
Another place from God’s Own Country of Kerala, the honeymoon destination Wayanad offers a balanced experience in refreshing natural sights, wildlife, and relaxing resorts. Tourists can visit Chembra Peak, Pookode Lake, and the Kuruadweep waterfalls to experience the effect of the August rains on the greenery around this town.
For a look at the rich wildlife, they can visit the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and take a safari there; with an option to visit the Bandipur National Park and the Mudumalai National Park. The nearest airport is the Kozhikode airport at a distance of about 97 kilometers but like other locations, to experience nature to the fullest, it is best to travel in a car to this place from the airport.
3. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Mussoorie is located in Uttarakhand with a fascinating backdrop of the foothills of Himalayan ranges. These Himalayan hills offer scenic and green views in August when even the weather is cool and supportive of travel if untimely rains don’t bother you.
You can visit Mussoorie via road from Dehradun which would be an incredibly scenic ride with ascending mountains and a cool climate. In addition to being a hill station and offering natural attractions like sunset points and waterfalls, there are some temples and churches too within and around the city, which would be engulfed in calmness after a rainy season.
4. Auli, Uttarakhand
Auli shows all kinds of seasons around the year and has thus become a popular destination for a natural adventure in India. The Himalayan hill station is a popular skiing destination during the snow seasons, hiking in the summer, and misty romantic atmospheres in the monsoon. Along with side lush green beauty, it is also the site of Hindu pilgrims to the colorful Badrinath temple and a sanctuary for wildlife in the Valley of Flowers National Park.
Temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius and cheaper rates make August a favorable time to visit this valley town. Trishul Peak, Chenab Lake, and Joshimath as well as cable car rides, trekking, and paragliding are major attractions here.
5. Jaipur, Rajasthan
The crown city of Rajasthan is a major traveling destination for foreigners and nationals alike as they both share a zest to experience the royal state and its grand sights. The Pink City is quite cooler in the atmosphere in August, compared to the desert-like heat that comes before it and the incredible price surge that follows it.
While you’re there, you can marvel at plenty of attractions including Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort, Chokhi Dhani, Jantar Mantar, and many other royal spots with plenty to do on the spot like riding a camel or an elephant. A Jeep safari is also a staple there in the desert region, and transport to-and-fro is quite efficient since Jaipur is a major tourist spot.
6. Pondicherry
Puducherry (a more recent name) is a quaint and relaxing holiday place that still reminisces its French colonial past. Located along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal next to Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry offers calm and crowd-free golden sand beaches and the architecture intact from the French rule.
Colonial bungalows turned into cafes, French desserts, aesthetic streets, and starry nights to gaze at are some of the many romantic getaways Pondicherry offers year-round. But especially in August when the prices are grounding down from the summer surge and the monsoon has, hopefully, retreated, one can enjoy this place in the best climate during the monsoon.
7. Bikaner, Rajasthan
A city surrounded on all sides by the Thar desert, Bikaner is Rajasthan is accustomed to sky-high temperatures and deadly heat. But the mild showers in August cool the city down and make the famous palaces and temples fresh to visit. Once you’re there, you can visit the famous 16th century Junagarh Fort, the Palace of Junagarh, Gajner Palace, Lalgarh Palace, and even try out the camel safari in the desert, and boating in the Gajner Lake.
The nearest airport is in Jodhpur but at a distance of 251 km, but the better way to travel is by rail as there are two railway stations connecting the city, Lalgarh Railway Station and Bikaner Junction.
8. Diu
Similar to Pondicherry, Diu too was a colonial retreat for the Portuguese, and it also shaped the small town into what it is today. Located in Gujarat, this Union territory is often the soothing escapade for many of the state’s residents seeking a vacation away from the crowd. But the charming beaches, resorts, and markets feel even better in the calm August weather when the summer holiday crowds have thinned out and you can enjoy the discounted rates too.
The most popular beach here is Nagoa Beach which has an array of resorts right next to it just across the street. In addition to that, you can visit the Shell Museum, Diu Fort, and the Gangeshwar Temple. The airport connects major Indian cities with the island, and is also reachable by train to nearby towns, from where you can take a car ride.
9. Kumarakom, Kerala
Probably the most famous spot to experience the famed backwaters of Kerala, Kumarakom is known for its luxurious houseboat services, exotic resorts, beaches, and calm boat rides. Because of such serene activities, it has become a popular honeymoon destination, accompanied by other towns in Kerala.
The Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom Beach, and Birds Sanctuary, are some of the things to do here other than admiring the vast green and misty forests of monsoon. It is reachable from Cochin Airport and the Kottayam Railway Station.
10. Goa
Another Portuguese colonial retreat on this list, Goa is famous globally for being the ultimate and diversified vacation for beachgoers. If you think summer is the best time to go to the beach, you may be right except that the heat rises to astronomical levels on a crowded Goa beach. Nothing beats the vibrant and colorful beaches after a mild shower of rain, that too in a backdrop of freshly washed colonial bungalows and Europe-like neighborhoods.
Accompanying the beautiful beaches are the wild parties, nightlife, and the liveliest casinos in the country. You can reach Goa via air or take a scenic train ride through the Deccan Plateau and to travel like a royal you can opt for the luxurious Deccan Odyssey Train.
11. Panchgani, Maharashtra
Read More, Best Places To Visit In India In September
Most of India receives its rain in July, August, and September, but even hiking and tourism are on the rise during these time periods. Being a mixture of all kinds of terrains including tropical, it is advisable to wear cotton clothes and carry rain gear and mosquito repellant.
