India is world famous for its rich biodiversity and varied climate. A prime advantage of this specialty is that a traveler has more options to explore in the same destination in different seasons. In this blog, we are going to describe some of the best places for summer vacations in India which are popular all over for their tourist attractions and activities.
Winters gone and summer’s on! But still you have no idea where to go this summer? Don’t worry because this post on best places for summer vacations in India is dedicated to keen vacationers. Just scroll down to take one step ahead to plan your summer trip now!
Top Places for Summer Vacations in India
Manali
Manali gets first rank in the list of best hill stations to visit in India that can be visited in summers and winters both. So if you like snow then we would like to suggest Manali in winters, however, if you like less snow but much greenery then summer season is inexpressible because at that time climate will be pleasant and you have full freedom for sightseeing with children in Manali. If you like adventure, you can go for river rafting in Beas River but you have to be strong hearted before you pay the fees for rafting. Trekking is also available for those who have dream to capture snow and greenery covered Himalayas.
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This is not enough for adventure lovers because you can enjoy river crossing, paragliding and so on. When it comes to relaxed trip to Manali, Just head towards to the religious sites of Manali like Manu temple, Vashist temple and Hidimba Devi temple etc. Rohtang Pass and Solang valley will be your choice because snow can be found there in summers also. If you are planning to travel with children, who love snow and want to play in snow then Rohtang pass or Solang valley are must- visit in Manali trip.
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal, located in the Palani Hills at an altitude of 2,133 m above sea level is one of the best getaways in India’s southern region. The best part about Kodaikanal, one of the popular hill stations in South India, is that it is very much possible to enjoy summer holidays at this hill station even during monsoon, located as it is on the eastern spur of the Western Ghats.
The month of March and June is the best time to visit Kodaikanal but this hill station remains very cool and salubrious throughout the year.
The places you can visit in Kodaikanal are Berijam Lake, Palani Hills, Coaker’s Walk, Bryant Park, Kurinji Andavar Temple, Pillar Rocks, Telescope House, Solar Physical Observatory, Dolmen Circle, Shenbaganur Museum, Pambar Falls, and Chettiyar Park. Kodaikanal is a ideal family summer holiday destination in South India and one of the popular weekend getaways from Bangalore.
Also check out some more weekend getaways from Bangalore.
Nainital
Known as the City of 60 Lakes, this picturesque hill station and one of the popular summer getaways in India is located in the Kumaon Hills. April through June is the ideal time to plan a trip to this place. Alternatively, you can also plan a trip to this place anytime of the year excluding the winter months.
Nainital has many wonderful sightseeing places you can visit. These places are Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Snow View Trek, St John’s Church, and Governor’s House. The sleepy hills, ropeway ride, picturesque surroundings and plenty of adventure activities like nature walks, hiking and camping etc. makes Nainital one of the popular weekend getaways from Delhi.
Also check out our list of top 10 summer holiday destinations for families in India.
[Plan your trip to hill stations in Uttarakhand with over 60 tour packages]
Ooty
If you are traveling to Ooty, make sure you plan a trip to the following tourist attractions. They are Mini Garden, Rose Garden, Kalhatty Falls, Government Museum, Botanical Garden, Kandal Cross Shrine, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, and Ooty Lake.
You can also be there when the Tea and Tourism Festival is on. Annual summer festival of Nilgiri Hills is also organized in Ooty. Toy Train ride aboard the Nilgiris Mountain Railways, inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the popular things to do in Ooty and a romantic way to reach this hill station in South India. The best time to visit Ooty is between April and June.
Also check out best destinations for family holidays in India.
[Plan your trip to Ooty with over 20 tour packages featuring Ooty]
Gangtok
Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim and one of the popular hill stations in India. Located at an altitude of 1,870 meter above sea level, it has many tourist spots to offer to its guests. The ideal time to visit this summer getaway in India is between February and May.
Phoodong Monastery, Menmecho Lake, Tashi View Point, The Ipecac Garden, Kabi Longstok, The Ridege, Tsomgo Lake, Yaksey, White Hall, Phurchachu Reshi Hote Springs, Dul Dul Chorten, Deer Park, and Research Institute of Tibetology are prime attractions in this capital city of Sikkim.
Also check out some exotic destinations in Northeast India.
[Plan your trip to Northeast with over 28 tour packages featuring Sikkim]
Mandu
Mandu in Madhya Pradesh is yet another place that is a good destination for summer holidays in India. The best time to visit Mandu is upon the arrival of monsoon when this sleepy little town dons the green hue. During monsoon the beauty of Mandu is at peak with verdant surroundings, filled up waterholes and favorable weather to explore the Monuments in Mandu
Mandu is best known for the love story of Rani Roopmati and Baz Bahadur. It is said that Azam Khan, the general of Mughal Emperor Akbar was so besotted with the beauty of Rani Roopmati that he invaded and captured Mandu thereby killing Baz Bahadur.
But before he could lay hands on the beautiful princess, she committed suicide. Thus was immortalized the love story of Roopmati and Baz Bahadur. One of the must visit places in Mandu is the Jahaz Mahal, a spectacular piece of architecture.
Ladakh
Ladakh is one of the finest summer destinations in India. Located in the Greater Himalayas within the Karakoram Range, Ladakh is renowned for its high mountain passes which also happens to be some of the highest motorable roads in the world. Then there are the spectacular high altitude lakes Pangong Tso, Tso Mori Ri and Tso Kar which beckons thousands of adventure lovers from around the world.
Ladakh is also renowned for several trekking routes inclusing Trans Himalayan treks as well as the sand dunes of Hunder also referred to as “Desert in the Sky.”
Also check out some interesting things to do in Leh Ladakh
Yet another major draw of Ladakh is the ancient Tantric Buddhism which is still practiced in this region. Ladakh is also home to several Buddhist Monasteries and every year festivals in Ladakh draw visitors and devotees from around the world to travel to this Himalayan Kingdom.
Monsoon is the best time to visit Ladakh as this region receives scarce rainfall. The route to Ladakh by road opens every year in late May or early June and remains open till late September or early October.
The approach by road is via Leh Manali Highway through Himachal Pradesh or via Leh Srinagar Highway via Jammu and Kashmir. The Rohtang Pass in Himachal and Zoji La in Kashmir are the two passes in question that have to be cleared to allow a trip to Ladakh by Road.
One of the best ways to reach Ladakh is on motorcycle via Leh Manali Highway an activity which has been rated as one of the top things to do in India.
Also check out some of the offbeat destinations in North India.
[Plan your trip to Ladakh with over 40 tour packages featuring Leh Ladakh]
Srinagar
Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir is yet another popular place for romantic honeymoon and family vacations in India during summer. The arrival of spring and summer see Srinagar don the myriad hues of green, golden and red. If not for snow, summer season from March till June is the best time to visit Srinagar.
Srinagar is renowned for its placid lakes, spectacular Mughal Gardens and religios sites like Shankaracharya and Hazrat Bal. One of the most popular things to do in Srinagar is Shikara Ride in Dal Lake. Nagin Lake in the outskirts is popular for houseboat accommodation in Srinagar.
Owing to its natural splendor, picturesque gardens and cool climate, Srinagar is considered one of the most romatic destinations in India. It was here that the great Farsi poet Amir Khusro smitten by heavenly beauty of Kashmir said these famous lines:
Agar firdous baroye zameen ast,
Hami asto, hami asto hami ast
It translates to: If there is paradise on earth, It is here, it is here, it is here.
Also check out our list of top 5 most romantic destinations in India in summer.
Excursions to Gulmarg, renowned as an international ski destination and for its lofty gondola ride and Pahalgam which is famous for its tranquil valleys like Betaab and Aru and for angling are also a popular amidst honeymooners and family vacationers alike.
[Plan your trip with our collection of over 30 Srinagar tour packages]
Also check out our list of top 10 honeymoon destinations in India.
Nikhil Chandra
Digital marketer by profession and a keen traveler, amateur photographer and avid book reader by passion, Nikhil Chandra’s writing and photographs have been published in various travel magazines and blogs including Travel & Leisure, Seat 61, Mode&Tendances, Oryx Magazine (Qatar air inflight magazine) among others. Holding a masters in Literature and Marketing Management, Nikhil Chandra applies his educational qualifications, professional experience, and wander wisdom to write on a range of topics that includes search engine, PPC, content marketing, photography tips and travel. He summarizes himself succinctly as a writer here and there and on this and that.
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