10 Places That Get A Glow-Up During The Monsoon Season

Monsoon travel in India is perhaps one of the coolest, yet most underrated experiences. The hills and mountains flourish with greenery, lakes and rivers rush with sparkling water and the scent of fresh earth fills the air. But in the monsoon India also becomes a haven to some unique festivals and beautiful sights - which you can’t usually catch in other seasons. Cultures all over the country celebrate the rains with great pomp and show, and age-old monuments also look their finest under the expansive grey sky.

From the otherworldly view of rushing waterfalls in the rain, to flowery valleys that blossom in full bloom - here are 10 travel destinations in India that get a glow up in the monsoon ambiance.

1. Sao Joao Festival - Goa

Locals celebrating the vibrant Sao Jao in Goa at Siolim

Celebrated on the 24th of June all over the state of Goa, the Sao Joao festival commemorates the birthday of St. John the Baptist. On the day of Sao Joao, which stands for “St. John” in Portuguese, people celebrate by attending Mass, singing Konkani songs, eating delicacies like patoleos and sanna, wearing floral headgear called Kopel, and most interestingly - jumping into fresh water wells. Why, you ask? Well, the jump is a tribute to the” leap of joy” that St. John had done inside Elizabeth, his mother's womb when she met Mother Mary.

2. Kolukkumalai Tea Gardens - Munnar

Misty monsoon landscape of Kolukkumalai Tea Gardens

The rain makes all sights prettier, but some more than others - and the Kolukkumalai tea gardens is one of them. Standing at a height of 7900 ft, it is the world’s highest standing tea plantation, and offers a monsoon travel experience like none other. Misty, cotton-candy-like clouds cover the tops of the hill, and sometimes they descend lower, allowing you to look down at them. Take a jeep safari over the estate and enjoy the hills, shrubbery and waterfalls, or if you’re an adventure junkie - hike up to the viewpoints and catch gorgeous sights of the rising, or setting, sun. You can even get a guided tour of the tea factory, which was started in the 1900s and still produces tea in the traditional way.

3. Rajmachi Fort Trek - Lonavala

Hikers soaking in the rain kissed sight of Rajmachi Fort

Nestled amongst the robust hills of the Western Ghats, the Rajmachi Fort is a historical fort that is flanked by two fortresses, named the Shrivardhan and Manoranjan. Said to have been a major strategic advantage during the first Anglo-Maratha war, between the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company, the fort offers a breathtaking view in the monsoon ambiance of the surrounding vistas. The path from Lonavala to the fort is 15 kms, during which you can see the local greenery flourish under the rain, and gaze at the monsoon clouds overhead. If you’re a nature enthusiast, this moderately long but comfortable trek is a must-do experience.

4. Monsoon Palace - Udaipur

Aerial view of the stunning Sajjangarh "Monsoon" Palace

Also known as the “Sajjan Garh Palace'', the Monsoon Palace is a palatial residence that offers a beautiful backdrop to the glistening Fatehpur Sikri lake. Named after Maharana Sajjan Singh, the monument was built so that royals could watch the approaching monsoon clouds and witness the setting sun. Hence, its name. It’s a must-visit in the monsoon in India, if you’d like to catch soft grey clouds filling the expansive sky, along with panoramic views of its surroundings. Pro tip: stay till sunset and watch as the palace glows orange once illuminated.

5. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary - Chikmagalur

Tiger spotted in the wilderness of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary - Chikmaglur

Created as part of Project Tiger, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot in Chikmagalur and an unm issable experience if you’re there, especially during the monsoon. It is home to a large variety of fauna, including tigers, gaurs, Indian leopards, elephants, jackals, crocodiles, and more - all of which emerge out into the open during the monsoon, allowing to catch clear glimpses of all these beasts. It’s also home to almost 300 species of endemic birds including hornbills, fowls, sparrows, etc. Not just that, there’s over 120 species of plants, most of which thrive in the rain, making the monsoon India the best time to visit here. Take a Jeep Safari to witness this, boat across the Bhadra river or make your way to Sunset Viewpoint.

6. Valley of Flowers Trek - Rishikesh

Picture perfect view of Valley of Flowers

While all mountains flourish during the monsoon, the Valley of Flowers trek takes the cake when it comes to scenic beauty. Established in1980 by the Government and recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2002, the Valley of Flowers trek is about 10 kms long and 2-3 kms wide. As the name suggests, the entire area is awash with flowers of every colour, shape and size - but only during the monsoons, making it a sight in monsoon India that you just cannot miss. At a height of about 3600 ft above sea level, it is also mythologically revered as it is said to be the place where Hanuman bought the sanjeevani herb - a medicine meant to bring Lakshman back to consciousness.

7. Umbrella Falls - Bhandardara

Monsoon travel gem - Cascading Umbrella Waterfalls

Here’s a sight that you can only see during the peak of rains - Umbrella Falls. Formed by the presence of the Wilson Dam, it can be witnessed only when the monsoon causes the dam to overflow. The water cascades down in a shape similar to a semi-circle resembling an umbrella, hence the unique name. The dam is located about 500 ms from the Bhandardara Bus Station, and it is quite the seasonal treat during monsoon travel, so don’t miss out!

8. Beas River Rafting - Kullu Manali

Thrill-seekers rafting through the roaring Beas river

Want to feed the adventure junkie in you? Head to Kullu Manali for rafting in the rain, and get the adrenaline rush of your life. The bubbling rapids of the Beas river offer Grade 1, 2 and 3 intensity, which means there is something for everyone. Similarly, while the most popular route is a 20 km stretch that begins at Manaki and ends at Jhiri, there are a bunch of smaller stretches as well if you’d like to experience rafting in the rain, but tamer. Rafting over the rapids of the Beas under the sky of monsoon India, with a gorgeous backdrop of the surrounding flora, is an experience that you have to check out.

9. Dal Lake Sunset - McLeodganj

A peaceful evening sunset at the Dal Lake

If calmer waters are more your thing, then make your way to McLeodganj for a view of the setting sun in the monsoon, in Dal Lake. Surrounded by picturesque pines and deodars, the glistening waters mimic the orange-hued skies as the sun sets and creates a view that is like a painter’s dream. When it rains, the lake fills up and the sparkling water creates even more of a mirage. The surrounding foliage also flourishes and creates an altogether gorgeous scene.It is also considered a sacred place due to the small Shiva temple that is situated on the banks.

10. Chand Baori Stepwell - Jaipur

A perfect monsoon travel destination - Chand Baori, Jaipur

With a depth of 100 ft, the Chand Baori Stepwell is one of the deepest stepwells in India, with 3500 steps over 13 stories. Said to have been built in the 8th-9th century, this massive monument creates a sight to be reckoned with in the monsoon, with deep green waters. Visitors cannot help but marvel at the highly advanced water systems that existed even then, which came alive in the rains. It still serves a purpose - a playground for local boys who will often frolic in the water that collects. Next to the Baori itself, there is the Harshat Mata temple, which was built as an ode to the goddess of joy around the same time.

So the next time you’re itching for a vacation in the monsoon ambiance, or want a rainy day adventure, check out this list to know about the coolest spots in the country that became cooler (pun intended, of course!) under the clouds.