As the summer hitting hard in India, May is the beautiful time to explore the amazing beauties and rich experiences of this incredible country. Here you’ll find everything, from cool hill stations of North India to lush greenery of South India where every place offers a unique experience.
In this perfect guide to India, you’ll find best places to visit in India during summer which is made in order to refresh you and make your vacation amazing. If you’re an adventure lover of calm and refreshing gateways these perfectly selected destinations serve all your tastes.
So here are top 10 places to visit in India during summer for a perfect vacation mixed of relaxation, culture and thrilling activities.
1. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is in the Beas River Valley, and it is a beautiful destination for those who are looking for bother relaxation and adventure activities. Summer is the ideal time to visit here as the weather is relatively mild and with a good tourist which makes the vacation more interesting and perfect for outdoor activities. There are many activities are adventure lovers such as paragliding and river rafting, while for those who love nature there is an option of trekking through the beautiful Solang Valley or explore the snow covered Rohtang pass (your car will need permit to go there). This mixture of thrilling adventurous activities and breathtaking scenery make sure that Manali is best to visit in summers.
Top Locations to explore:
Solang Valley: famous for its adventure sports, including paragliding and skiing.
Rohtang Pass: Have amazing views of snow-covered mountains and glaciers.
Hadimba Temple: An ancient cave temple surrounded by cedar forests.
Manu Temple: located in Old Manali is dedicated to the sage Manu.
Vashisht Hot Springs: It has Natural hot water springs with therapeutic properties.
2. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is famous for offering unique experiences with spiritual rejuvenation and adrenaline-pumping activities. It is known as ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, and attracts tourists who are looking for spiritual Yoga and meditation retreats at the best location. There are many adventurous activities as well which can be done such as white-water river rafting on the Ganges. You can also camp along the riverside which is a perfect escape from city hustle.
Top Locations to explore:
Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula: These are unique suspension offering amazing views of the Ganges and the surrounding landscape.
Triveni Ghat: A sacred ghat where pilgrims gather for the evening Ganga Aarti, which is a breathtaking ritual with chanting and spiritual vibe
Parmarth Niketan Ashram: One of the largest ashrams in Rishikesh and in the world, offering yoga and meditation sessions with spiritual lectures.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: A sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located between the picturesque surroundings.
3. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
A unique experience in itself, Spiti Valley is often called ‘Little Tibet’. It is a remote village which is extremely beautiful. In summers the weather here is moderate which is ideal for trekking and mountain biking. This valley has ancient monasteries like Tabo and Key which is a sneak peek into rich Buddhist traditions. It is isolated from surroundings which makes it one of the best places for vacations in summers with peace and adventure.
Top Locations to explore:
Key Monastery: This is located on hilltop and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valley. It is famous for Buddhist learning and culture with rich ancient murals and books collections.
Tabo Monastery: it is also nown as the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas’. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Spiti. It has amazing Buddhist art.
Chandratal Lake: It is known as the ‘Moon Lake’. It is a high-altitude lake which is famous for its clear blue waters. It is a picturesque spot which makes it a popular spot for trekkers and campers.
Dhankar Monastery: it offers a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. It has historical significance and ancient forts.
4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
For water sport lovers these islands are paradise. It has cleat turquoise water where tourist can experience scuba diving and snorkeling. Here there is rich marine life and well-preserved coral reefs which are the highlights of this island. Here are many historical sights such as Cellular jail. These are best spots for summer vacations in India since they’ve relaxed vibe and beautiful beaches.
Top Locations to explore:
Havelock Island: it is famous for its beautiful beaches like Radhanagar and Elephant Beach. It is also a prime spot for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Neil Island: It has coral reefs and clear waters. It has less tourist crowd which makes It more peaceful.
Cellular Jail: it is a historic site in Port Blair, which also shows sacrifices made by freedom fighters.
Ross Island: it is once the administrative headquarters for the British. Now it has historical remnants and beautiful scenery.
5. Leh-Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
For travelers looking for adventure and peace, the serene landscape of Leh-Ladakh offers another world beauty. Summers is the ideal time to visit Leh-Ladakh as the roads are clear after the long winter. It has breathtaking Pangong Lake which changes hues of blue and a perfect gateway for summers. It has beautiful mountains and sand dunes of Nubra Valley which is a adventurous activity for tourists like camel rides Bactrian camels and ATV rides. There are many historical sites and serene monasteries such as Hemis, Thiksey, and Diskit which offers a sneak peek into spiritual life of local which is decorated with prayer flag and ancient Buddhist artifacts.
Top Locations to Visit:
Pangong Lake: Famous for its breathtaking blue waters and views. This lake longs from India to Tibet and offers amazing environment which is perfect for camping and photography.
Nubra Valley: it is famous for its landscapes, sand dunes, and Bactrian camels. It offers unique experiences like camel safaris and ATV rides This valley also have ancient Diskit Monastery.
Leh Palace: It is a beautiful this nine-story palace overlooking the town of Leh and offers panoramic views of the Stok Kangri mountains and the Ladakh mountain range
Hemis Monastery: This is the largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. It is famous for its annual festival consisting masked dances and cultural performances. This monastery has a vast collection of ancient relics and artifacts.
6. Coorg, Karnataka
It is a small-town famous for its coffee plantation and breathtaking landscapes. It has cool climate which makes it perfect during summers. Here you can do many activities such as trekking through lush greenery or visiting Abbey Falls. Here are some must try local cuisines which are dominated by Kodava specialties which adds flavors to your food experience. Besides all of these it has also rich culture and history. It has ancient temples and forts like Madikeri fort and Omkareshwara temple offering peeks into past. Here you can also indulge in many activities such as River rafting in Barapole river and Exploring Dubare elephant camp where you can engage with animals.
Top Locations to explore:
Abbey Falls: It is a breathtaking waterfall situated between coffee plantations and spice estates. It is beat for nature walks and photography.
Dubare Elephant Camp: Here you can have unique experience of interacting with elephants which includes feeding and bathing them.
Madikeri Fort: It is a historical fort which offers panoramic views of Coorg. It also has museum which showcase the region’s history
Raja’s Seat: it is a beautiful garden with amazing views of the sunrise and sunset.
7. Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Ooty has vast tea gardens and misty mountains and is also known as Udhagamandalam. It has a pleasant weather in summers which makes it an ideal time for visiting. Ooty has many colonial heritage sites like St. Stephen’s Church or Ooty club. You can also enjoy boat rides or a walk amidst the greenery o a scenic ride on Ooty lake which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has Botanical Garden which offers various flowering colors among which Rose Garden has thousands of varieties of roses. It also has an amazing peak, Doddabetta Peak which ensure it is beat to visit during summers.
Top Locations to explore:
Doddabetta Peak: This is the highest point in the Nilgiri Mountains with breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and hills.
Ooty Lake: it is a human made lake surrounded by Eucalyptus trees. It is perfect for boating. It has adjoining amusement park and toy train which is best for families.
Botanical Gardens: These gardens has a variety of plants which includes 20-million-year-old fossilized tree. It hosts the annual flower show in May which is a major highlight and attracts thousands of touriss.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway: This is a heritage toy train which shows a scenic journey through tunnels, bridges, and lush green landscapes, making it a memorable experience for all age groups.
8. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Know as ‘Queen of Hills’, Darjeeling is a picturesque town which is situated between the Himalayas. It produces world’s beat teas and has amazing tea gardens. It is perfect for summers since it has cool climate and lush greenery. You can take morning trips to Tiger Hills for breathtaking sunrise views over Kanchenjunga range which is the third highest peak in the world. You must travel through iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site providing a unique travel experience.
Top Locations to explore:
Tiger Hill: It is famous for its amazing sunrise views over the Kanchenjunga Range.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: This is also famous as ‘Toy Train,’ offering scenic rides through the hills making it a unique travel experience
Batasia Loop: it is a spiral railway track where the train makes a loop around a beautiful garden which offers amazing views of Darjeeling.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: It is home to endangered species such as the red panda and snow leopard, this zoo focuses on conservation and education.
9. Auli, Uttarakhand
It is also known as ‘Skiing Destination of India’. During summers it transforms into amazing green meadow which offers beautiful views of Nanda Devi range. If you’re a nature lover and adventure enthusiast, it is the perfect spot for you. In summer it has pleasant weather making it perfect for travelling and trekking and camping. Its snow covered mountains with lush green landscape which makes its really beautiful for tourists. Anyone looking for natural beauty and peace, Auli is the perfect destination.
Top Locations to explore:
Auli Artificial Lake: It is one of the highest human made lakes in the world. It is a perfect spot for relaxation and photography.
Gurso Bugyal: it is a popular trekking destination offering offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
Chattrakund: its is a small lake located near Gurso Bugyal, Chattrakund and has crystal-clear water and beautiful surroundings.
Kwani Bugyal: It is a beautiful grassland popular for trekking and camping.
10. Shillong, Meghalaya
It is also known as ‘Scotland of the East’ with cool climate and unique cultural experiences which attracts tourist. Shillong is also famous for its vibrant and hospitable Khasi culture. It has beautiful markets full of handcrafted goods with lively atmosphere. Shillong also hosts various music festivals and events that attract artists from all over the country.
It has picturesque landscape, lush green forests, serene lakes which is perfect escape form summer heat and ideal for summer vacations.
Top Locations to explore:
Elephant Falls: it is a three-tiered waterfall offering amazing views and a pleasent environment.
Umiam Lake: it is also called Barapani. It is expansive lake is perfect for water sports, picnics, and enjoying serene boat rides.
Shillong Peak: it is the highest point in Shillong which offers breathtaking views of the entire city. It’s famous for photography and picnics.
Don Bosco Museum: it offers history about cultures and lifestyles of the Northeast Indian people.
Plan your perfect summer trip to India and make them your dream destinations with India Heritage Travel ensuring memorable experiences tailored just right according to your preferences – because there’s nothing like exploring new destinations and country!
So why not start planning now? Your adventure awaits just around corner!
