As the heat rises and people in cities start sweltering under the relentless rays of the summer sun it is only natural to want a vacation. With such a rich topography and variety of climatic zones in India, cool places to escape the heat are plentiful. From the heights of the Himalayas to the Western Ghats, from tranquil lakes to misty valleys these treasures not only offer respite from the scorching heat but also boast cultural richness, adventure and picturesque beauty. Here is your ultimate guide to cool, calm and refreshing places to visit during summer in India perfect for planning a solo trip or a romantic getaway or a family vacation, with lush green surroundings.<\/p>\n
Manali:<\/strong> Hidimba Temple, Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass and Vashisht Hot Springs to visit Hidimba Temple is associated with the Pandavas and is famous for its beautiful architecture. Solang Valley is a paradise for adventure lovers, where you can enjoy snowboarding, paragliding and skiing. Rohtang Pass is known for its spectacular views and snow-capped mountains. Bathing in the hot springs at Vashisht Hot Springs is a relaxing experience. Nestled in the lap of Kullu Valley with the majestic Himalayas all around, it is one of the popular hill stations in North India. It offers a perfect blend of beauty, adventure and spiritual places, becoming a paradise for travelers in summer.<\/p>\n Best For:<\/strong> Offbeat explorers, bikers, and spiritual travelers<\/p>\n Some of the major tourist places in Ladakh<\/a> include Hemis, Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri Lake, Leh, Nubra Valley, Kargil. Tourists enjoy trekking here. Ladakh is a fascinating hill state located in the northern part of India. It is a region of Jammu and Kashmir and is located in the western part of the Himalayas. Remote, rugged and breathtakingly beautiful, Ladakh is a land with no comparison. It remains inaccessible in winter due to heavy snowfall, but summer brings forth rich scenery like any other dramatic-filled landscape with turquoise lakes and Buddhist monasteries.<\/p>\n Best Time to Visit: <\/strong>June to September.<\/p>\n Temperature Range: <\/strong>5\u00b0C to 25\u00b0C.<\/p>\n Travel Tip: <\/strong>Carry altitude sickness medication and hydrate well.<\/p>\n Best For: <\/strong>Tea enthusiasts, families, and cultural tourists.<\/p>\n Known as the “Queen of Darjeeling Hills”, it is a blend of colonial places and spectacular mountain views. Victoria Waterfall is one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Darjeeling. Here tourists will get to see beautiful views of nature all around. Tiger Hill is the most beautiful place to visit in Darjeeling. Situated at an altitude of 8442 feet, this place will captivate your heart. This hill town, famous for its tea, toy train and pleasant summer weather, is peacefully nestled against the backdrop of Kanchenjunga, one of the highest peaks in the world.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Best Time to Visit: <\/strong>April-June<\/p>\n Temperature Range: <\/strong>8\u00b0C-20\u00b0C<\/p>\n Perfect for: <\/strong>Nature lovers, honeymooners, and eco-tourists<\/p>\n Located in the Western Ghats, Munnar is a vibrant place surrounded by rolling hills, tea plantations and misty mornings. It offers a refreshing change from the heat of coastal Kerala<\/a>, where the scenery is calm and serene and the pace of life is much slower. Eravikulam National Park is the most important tourist place to visit in Munnar. Located around 28 km from Munnar town, this park is home to the endangered mountain goat, the Nilgiri Tahr. Anamudi, the highest peak in the Munnar forest area, is located inside this famous park.<\/p>\n Best Time to Visit: <\/strong>March-May<\/p>\n Temperature Range: <\/strong>15 25<\/p>\n Best For:<\/strong> Families, couples, and garden enthusiasts<\/p>\n One of the most beautiful hill stations in South India, Ooty or Udhagamandalam is known for its flower gardens, boating lakes and an aura of antiquity. Nestled in the Nilgiri Hills, this place remains cool even during the peak summer months. The beautiful Ooty Lake, also known as Ooty Boat House, is a very popular tourist attraction located amidst serene greenery. Ooty Lake is an artificially constructed lake, built in 1824 by John Sullivan.<\/p>\n Best Time to Visit:<\/strong> March to June Best For:<\/strong> Coffee lovers, nature enthusiasts, and peace seekers<\/p>\n Coorg (Kodagu) is often called the “Scotland of India”. It is a hill station famous for its coffee plantations, misty mornings and lush forests. The place is a perfect blend of adventure and peace for travellers. There are many places to visit in Coorg that couples can enjoy. Some of these include Tadiyandamol Peak, Dubere Elephant Camp, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Brahmagiri Hill, Barapole River, Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls and more.<\/p>\n Best Time to<\/strong> Visit:<\/strong> March to May Best For:<\/strong> Offbeat travelers, photographers, and spiritual seekers<\/p>\n Tawang, located in the northeast of India, is a hidden beauty blessed with monasteries, alpine beauty and snow even in early summer. It remains pleasantly cool and is a wonderfully quiet escape from the crowded tourist centers. Tawang<\/a> Valley is surrounded by Bhutan in the southwest, Tibet in the north and Sela Range in the east. Summer or a few months before the monsoon is the best time to visit Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Tourist places to visit in Tawang include Bumla Pass, Tawang War Memorial, Sela Pass, Tawang Buddhist Monastery, Nuranang Waterfall, Jaswant Garh.<\/p>\n Best Time to Visit:<\/strong> April to June Best For:<\/strong> Music lovers, backpackers, and monsoon chasers<\/p>\n Rich in indigenous tradition, catchy indie music and beautiful nature, Shillong is popularly known as the ‘Scotland of the East’. On the other hand, while the rest of India is drenched in the heat of summer, Shillong is blessed with cool breezes and light drizzle. There are many places to visit in Shillong such as Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Shillong Golf Course, Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park, etc. Apart from these, there are other attractions like Nongjrong, Umiam Lake, Laitlum Canyon and Mawkdok Dimpep Valley on the outskirts of Shillong.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Best Time to Visit:<\/strong> March to June2. Leh-Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Darjeeling, West Bengal<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4. Munnar, Kerala<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5. Ooty, Tamil Nadu<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nTemperature Range:<\/strong> 2 degrees Celsius to 23 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n6. Coorg, Karnataka<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nTemperature Range:<\/strong> 15\u00b0C to 28\u00b0C<\/p>\n7. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nTemperature Range:<\/strong> 5\u00b0C to 22\u00b0C<\/p>\n8. Shillong, Meghalaya<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nTemperature Range:<\/strong> 12\u00b0C to 24\u00b0C<\/p>\n9. Mount Abu, Rajasthan<\/strong><\/h2>\n