Are you scouring the internet for places to take your kids to this summer vacation? Even if you’re not a parent, you might be mentally picking out getaways that help you beat the sauna-like summer heat of Indian cities.
Since I did a bit of looking around, I thought sharing a few destinations with you might not be a bad idea.
So this summer, you could go skiing in Himachal Pradesh, white water rafting in Uttarakhand, pet elephants in Karnataka, enjoy a shikara ride in Kashmir, fuss over red pandas in West Bengal or just look out the window at glorious snow covered peaks in the North East.
Here are a few top destinations in India to beat the heat.
NORTH INDIA
Himachal Pradesh
I prefer Manali over Shimla – it’s just less crowded and touristy. So, go pose with yaks at the Hadimba Temple, scale the heights of the Himalayas with an adventure company, make snowballs at Rohtang Pass or just stroll in the Van Vihar National Park (close to Mall Road).
Ladakh
Admire the blue waters of Pangong Lake, where the movie ‘Three Idiots’ was shot. Feel the peace at Lamayuru Monastery or experience the contrast of sand dunes in Hunder amid the greenery of Nubra Valley.
Uttarakhand
Mussoorie stands out in my memory for its spectacular view over the valley. If you don’t mind the crowd, get wet in the Kempty Falls, else trek down to the less frequented Jharipani Falls.
The Dhanolti Eco Park near Mussoorie is worth the one and a half hour ride. Not only is it a birder’s paradise but it also has interesting activities for children like zip lining etc.
If you fancy lakes, Nainital beckons – after a cable car ride to Snow View Point, just stroll near Naini Lake or pay your respects at the Naina Devi Temple.
Kashmir
India’s little Europe. Kashmir’s peaks rival those in Switzerland and its shikaras mirror Venice’s gondolas. Visit Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg and Srinagar and you will be convinced that the Gods indeed live here.
Heliskiing (using helicopters to reach harder to access skiing spots) is all the rage these days.
SOUTH INDIA
Karnataka
Visit the Dubare elephant camp or chill at Nisargadhama island while in Coorg. The Iruppu Falls offer photo opps to all those so inclined, but if you are crowd averse you could go to the Unchalli Falls.
Wear those shoes out on a trek to Thadiyandamol Hills or put your feet up at a home stay in one of the several coffee plantations in this land of coffee.
Kerala
In Munnar, try your hand at picking tea at one of the plantations, rendezvous with the endangered Nilgiri Tahr or take a boat ride on the Devikulam Lake. If they don’t rejuvenate you, just head to the world famous ayurvedic spas.
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, you could spot elephants at Thekkady‘s Periyar Sanctuary, chase butterflies in the proposed Ranipuram National Park or watch tigers from the safety of a jeep in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Incidentally, Kerala is home to the highest number of hill stations in India – you can get the list here.
CENTRAL INDIA
Madhya Pradesh
If you’re in Central India, you could photograph a sunset at Dhoopgarh and see rainbow pools in the Duchess Falls when you visit Pachmarhi.
WEST INDIA
Maharashtra – Strawberries in Mahabaleshwar, spectacular sunsets in Matheran, visits to British and Parsi homes in Panchgani – that’s Maharashtra for you.
Else, just take off in a paraglider from Saputara in nearby Gujarat.
EAST INDIA
West Bengal
Make friends with the Red Panda and the elusive Snow Leopard at the Himalayan Zoo or catch some mountaineering action in Darjeeling.
Or just go watch a sunrise on the Kanchenjunga peak from the Deolo Hill in Kalimpong.
Sikkim
Take a dip in the Changu Lake near Gangtok, smell flowers at the Yumthang Valley of flowers in Lachung or let Mount Khangchendzonga in Pelling put the spell on you.
Meghalaya
Live in a Khasi (tribal) style hut in Shillong or chase the clouds in Mawsynram, the wettest place on this planet.
So this summer you don’t have to bother about the heat dragon sucking the life out of you – just head to any of these places and you’ll be just fine.
Oh, you were thinking of going somewhere else? Mind sharing your idea in that case?
44 comments
Snow in Kashmir? I would never have guessed.
It all sounds wonderful and I’ve an awful itch to visit a road less traveled, but am too Ga-ga to go myself (and it’s more expensive) and it’s hard to convince someone to live your kind of adventure with you. This all sounds fascinating. <3
Oh yes! Kashmir is the northernmost part of India – the Himalayas separate the valley from Ladakh and it has several glaciers.
I also find it convenient to travel with family but companies here now offer tours tailor made for women only groups – now that is an idea I’m willing to explore.
Women only groups or otherwise, staterooms, hotel rooms etc. are always cheaper when there are two of you. Sigh.
Yup, I agree. Even if one joins a woman only group, you can’t be sure that you will find the roommate and her habits bearable and vice versa. I’ll join you if you come to India Tess <3 <3
Would THAT be a lark!
If only you could find someone who is heading this way anyway and I could pick you up from Mumbai airport.
🙂
THAT would be an out-of-this-world dream but I get lost in our airport and haven’t traveled enough to make it on my own. My little heart is going pitter-patter though. 😉 😛 <3
i prefer Manali too over Shimla any day! 🙂 And yes absolutely loved The eco Park in Dhanaulty! 🙂
Soul sisters? Nice to have you visit Divyakshi.
absolutely! 🙂
Very nice virtual tour! Thanks for tips and sharing. Kamila
Thanks Kamila. It’s already hot in Mumbai -just putting these pictures up made me feel better. 😉
Very nice!
Thanks! Glad to have you around :-). Have you been to India?
No, I have only been out of the US once. My parents were missionaries in British Guiana (now Guyana, SA) back the early 1960’s. I was 12 to 14 at the time. I still have many fond memories of friends and places from then and write about them in my memoirs. I doubt I will ever have the chance to leave the US again but there is plenty here to photograph. I do enjoy your photography and you have an amazing eye. Thanks for sharing your travels! I have a few photos posted of around my home on andyoldhamphotography.wordpress.com if you would like to check it out. Just getting started with it though so it is only a few. I think we are using the same amazing theme. lol Have a wonderful day! 🙂
Hi Andy! I’m using the Fontfolio theme and it seems like yours is the Cubic theme. Both are good but you could perhaps check out other themes if you want the images to spread out over a larger area – you know what I mean?
A little sad that you can’t come over but I’ll try to make sure you see at least some bit of India – it’s too big for me to travel everywhere 😉 Btw, have corrected the link in your comment and checked out your blog. All the best!
Thanks so much Vibha!
Great list! My Ladakh trip has been continually jinxed! 🙁 Hope I can break it next year.
Hey thanks! I’m sure you’ll break the jinx – send me a post from Ladakh when you do 🙂
Thank you for the Cool information in these hot waves
You’re most welcome Raj. Hope to see you around. 🙂
Great recommendation. But, I must say, I loved the drawing of your daughter the most…summer dragon, so aptly said and drawn. Here, in Kolkata we are suffering from scorching heat…
Thanks Maniparna. Mumbai/Thane has never been so hot I feel – the sea breeze doesn’t seem to be bringing anything but sweat all around.
Yup, I love the drawing too. My daughter loves painting and other crafts – I use her creations wherever apt. Am planning to set up a separate flickr account to feature her creations/other stuff.
Yes, sweat is the most irritating thing here also 🙁
You should open a separate blog/account for her…she has THE skill… 🙂
I agree – only don’t want it taking too much time away from studies (she is 12 yrs old). So, thinking of a flickr account for now.
Btw, I showed her your comment and she was thrilled. Thanks for making her day 🙂
It was my pleasure, absolutely. Glad to make her happy…. 🙂
Very Informative post ! Have been to almost 70-80 % of the places mentioned by you.
Thanks for sharing with us.
That’s great. Wish you much more happy traveling. Hope our paths cross some day!
Hi,
I know Let’s Cut the Crap! Welcome to my blog. Thank you for the follow! I’m sorry I couldn’t get here to welcome you before now.
Janice
Hi Janice – we recently met you on the Blogger Meet and Greet #4 as well. Nice knowing you.
Wonderful photos Vibha! Particularly love your daughter’s drawing of the Summer dragon.
Thanks for appreciating the pictures Kalpanaa. Yes, my daughter is quite the budding artist. Will share your comment with her. This is on her behalf <3
Nice compilation. Although not many (other than people in east) consider Sikkim, I keep it in top 5! I can drop the bucket and run anywhere where there’s trace of the Himalayas :-))
Thanks for the appreciation Anunoy. Sikkim is definitely on my bucket list.
Have been to the North quite often – Nainital, Shyamkhet, Kausani, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti etc.
South India visits have mostly been before the digital camera advent – need to go back.
I may sound biased but south Indian hill stations fail to catch my wheels 🙂
Naah…Kodaikanal is beautiful. Did you know Kerala has the highest number of hill stations in India?
Then may be I missed many things at Kodai… I found it not so interesting :-/
Or it might have seemed beautiful when I was a child and is not so now or might not seem so to my adult eyes now. Who knows?
I think this makes more sense… Only your next visit can clarify this situation. If you liked Kodaikanal, Pokhara is the rightest place for you. Happy traveling 🙂
Thanks Anunoy!
You’ve captured it very well, there is so much to see in India any time of the year ☺️
Great info! India is the best for travelers. You can get the memorable expienece while travelling and surely will come again for the visit.
I agree, India has lots to see and experience.
dont miss Ooty. green, cool, calm .