Summer In India

People lookout for a long getaway as soon as it is summer vacation in India. They plan to find some relief by leaving behind the scorching heat and hustle-bustle of the city life. India is blessed with mountains, hills, beaches, exotic forests, and other places to visit in summer which provide an amazing heartwarming experience. With the lofty peaks in the north and the mesmerizing islands in the south and lush green forests that cover the north-eastern states, you will never get bored planning your summer holidays in India. In this article, we present to you the top 30 places to visit during the summers in India, with your family and friends. Start picking your favourites from this list of the best summer destinations in India. All these summer tourist places are incredibly beautiful and will surely add value to your holiday experience.

“Mountains are the first call when it comes to the best places to visit during the summers in India”

Top Summer Destinations in North India

1. Manali

With green mountains surrounded by snow-covered ranges, fairytale-like sceneries, soothing and fresh fragrance of pines, Manali is a perfect camping and vacation spot with family and friends. The nearest airport is Bhuntar and the nearest railway station is the Jogindernagar railway station. The ideal duration to visit Manali is 4-5 days. You can do various adventure sports such as paragliding, zorbing, quad biking in Solang Valley, skiing in Rohtang Pass, etc. The temperature at this place ranges from 10 to 25 degrees celsius. Tibetan Momos is one of the best dishes to try here.

2. Gulmarg

The ageless alluring beauty of Gulmarg makes it one of the best summer destinations in India. Previously it was known as Gauri Marg. It got renamed to Gulmarg which means “meadow of flowers”. It has been developed as an adventure hub by the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM). A lot of courses on trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding are offered by IISM. The temperature at this place ranges from 11 to 28 degrees celsius. The nearest airport is Srinagar and the nearest railway station is Jammu. The ideal duration to visit this place is 2 days. The biggest attraction here is the Gondola ride. You can also trek from the Gondola to Alpather Lake. Some of the best dishes you can try here are Tamatar zaman, Nudur Yakhin, and Gushtaba.

3. Leh, Ladakh

This place is a dream paradise for every biker. The contrasting landscapes make it one of the best places to visit in the summer in India. Leh has its own airport and the closest railway station is Jammu Tawi. A road trip from Delhi to Ladakh is 1300 km. You can spend around 5-7 days here. Chutagi, Thukpa, and Butter Tea are some of the famous cuisines here. You can take a tour of the mesmerizing beauty of Zanskar Valley, Pangong Tso Lake, and Tso Moriri Lake here.

4. Haridwar and Rishikesh

Haridwar is amongst the seven holiest cities in India and Rishikesh is the adventure capital of India! Haridwar and Rishikesh are the best options for people in Delhi to plan a weekend getaway. The ideal duration to stay at this sacred place is 4-5 days but can be managed over the weekend. The nearest airport is in Dehradun while the nearest railway station is Haridwar junction. One can also take a road trip from Delhi to Haridwar (233 km). The enormous number of adventure sports such as bungee jumping, river rafting, and others make it one of the best summer tourist places in India. When you are in Rishikesh and Haridwar, do visit Lakshman Jhula, Gita Bhawan, and Triveni Ghat as well. The temperature varies from 33-39 degrees celsius during summer.

5. Auli, Uttarakhand

In Uttrakhand, a blanket of snow covers the mountains, the apple orchards, the oaks, and the deodars, during summers! It has pleasant weather all year round and is considered as the coolest place to visit during summer in India. It is a popular skiing destination and is also known for its renowned dishes like Kachmauli, Bal Mithai, and Singhori. Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport and Haridwar is the nearest railway station. A road trip from Delhi to Auli is 500 km. You can spend 2-3 days here. You can also see majestic views of the Nanda Devi ranges from here. And also have a fun time trekking at Gorson and Kuari Pass.

6. Nainital

Shining like a glittery jewel, Nainital has been famous for its luxuriant scenic views, lakes, and nature’s bounty. It has plenty of accommodation options and has pleasant weather all year round. The nearest airport is Pantnagar and the nearest railway station is the Kathgodam Railway station. A road trip from Delhi to Nainital is 300 km. The ideal duration for tourism is 2-3 days. Some of the activities in Nainital include boating in Naini Lake, trekking to the Tiffin Top Sunset Point, bird watching in Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary.

7. Mount Abu

Being the only hill station in Rajasthan, this place is a perfect combination of nature, architecture, culture, and serene sunsets. The nearest airport is in Udaipur and the nearest railway station is Abu Road. The ideal duration to visit Mount Abu is 2-3 days. The weather during summers is quite pleasant with temperatures ranging between 23-30 degrees celsius.

The tourist spots here include boating in Nakki Lake, Dilwara Temple, sunset point, and hiking in Bailey’s walk. It is one of the safest towns to travel during any time of the day or night and hence is one of the best places to visit in the summer in India.

8. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

Known as the Queen of hills, the surreal beauty of these mountains will take your breath away. The nearest airport is Jollygrant airport and the nearest railway station is the Dehradun railway station. The road trip from Delhi to Mussoorie is 291 kms. The ideal time to spend here is 2-3 days. One can indulge in skywalks, zip lines, fishing, winemaking, rafting, trekking, etc. All and all, it is a perfect destination for mountain, adventure, and photography lovers.

Places to Visit in Summer in Western India

1. Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is an ideal hill station for a weekend getaway all year round with pleasing weather. Temples, lakes, vantage points, waterfalls, and the Pratapgarh Fort trek make it an exquisite summer destination in India. The nearest airport is Pune and the nearest railway station is Wathar. A road trip from Mumbai and Pune is 230 kms and 120 kms respectively. Pratapgad fort, Venna lake, strawberry gardens, horse riding in Panchgani, and Mapro gardens are some of the most popular tourist spots and activities.

2. Panchgani, Maharashtra

Panchgani is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the summer in India encircling five beautiful hills - hence also known as the Land of 5 hills. This is a popular weekend getaway for Mumbaikars and the people of Pune. Panchgani Wathar railway station is the nearest railway station and Pune airport is the closest airport. The ideal time to explore this place is 2-3 days. This place is famous for trekking, camping, horse riding, and other adventure activities. Do try different jams and marmalades, strawberry candies, and chocolates when you are at this place. You can purchase leather goods and great quality handicrafts here.

Places to Visit in the East and Northeast India in Summer Season

1. Gangtok, Sikkim

Known for its deep valleys, rich and abundant vegetation and picturesque background of Khangchendzonga, Gangtok is one of the best places to visit in India during summer holidays. The nearest airport is Bagdogra and the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri. The ideal duration suggested for tourism is 3-4 days. The temperature during summers varies from 20-25 degrees Celsius making it a perfect place to visit. The sightseeing places in Gangtok include Rumtek Monastery, Tashi viewpoint, Changu Lake, and Tsomgo Lake. You can take a ropeway for the perfect bird’s eye view of Gangtok. Gangtok is famous for its Tibetan food and the must-try items here include Momos, Thukpa, and Sel roti.

2. Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

The wettest place on earth, Cherrapunji is mostly known for its misty weather, profuse rains, streams, cold-water springs, and exuberant waterfalls. Shillong is the nearest airport and Guwahati is the nearest railway station to this place. The ideal duration for visiting here is 3-4 days. We highly recommend visiting the Double Decker Living Root Bridge which is a UNESCO heritage site. Some of the other tourist attractions include the Seven Sister Waterfalls, the Mawsmai Cave, and the tallest plunge waterfall in India i.e. Nohkalikai Falls. The weather here varies from 17-23 degrees celsius during summer which makes it an amazing place for summer holidays in India.

3. Darjeeling

Darjeeling pleases all its tourists with its scenic landscape and the soothing aroma of tea. The nearest airport is Bagdogra and Darjeeling has its own railway station which can help you reach here. A road trip from Kolkata to Darjeeling is 165 km. The ideal duration to get the essence of this place is 3-4 days. The weather during summer varies from 11-19 degrees Celsius. You can enjoy a toy train ride, get the surreal view of Kanchendzonga, and walk through the Batasia Loop, the Ghoom Monastery, and the Tiger Hill sunrise point. Overall, this is one of the most serene summer holiday places in India.

4. Pelling, Sikkim

This obscure place in Sikkim can astonish you with its sparkling waterfalls, lakes, monasteries, hamlets and so much more. The ideal duration to visit this place is 3-4 days. The nearest airport is Bagdogra and the nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. Some of the best places to explore in Pelling include the Rabdentse Ruins, the Kanchenjunga National Park, the Singshore Bridge, and the Sewaro rock garden. The weather here is really comfortable during summers, ranging from 7 to 28 degrees celsius.

5. Dooars, West Bengal

Famous for its tea gardens, forests, and river Teesta, Dooars is perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure lovers for a weekend getaway. White water rafting, trekking, and jungle safaris are highly recommended when you visit Dooars. One can reach here by taking luxury coaches from Kolkata or Siliguri. The weather here during summer hovers between 21 to 30 degrees Celsius making it a perfect place to visit in summer in India. Some of the tourist attractions here include the Jaldapara National Park, the Samsing, and the Suntalekhola.