India is full of magic, and one of the best times to see its beauty is during the rainy season! It isn't just about getting wet, it's also about adventure, cozy vibes and watching the world turn fresh and green. From my own travels, I've found some places that truly come alive when it rains. Whether it's sipping chai by the hills, dancing in a sudden downpour or watching waterfalls roar to life, the rainy season brings me a lot of joy!
In this article, I'm sharing the best places I have visited in India during monsoon, and why you should totally experience them too.
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Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)1. Kurva Island in Kurva Dweep, Kerala
One of the most unforgettable places I visited during the rainy season was Kurva Island in Kerala. The adventure started with a peaceful bamboo boat ride across the river— the current was just right, and it was lightly pouring, which made everything extra magical!
As we reached the island, I walked across bamboo bridges surrounded by lush greenery, colorful flowers, and even some wild (and poisonous!) plants. The place was bursting with life and biodiversity. After a 25-30 minute walk through the forests, I reached the most breathtaking spot—a waterfall!
People were climbing the rocks, playing with water, and I was completely soaked from jumping stone to stone for nearly 20 minutes just to enjoy it all! It's a perfect place for taking nature pics, but a little warning: there are leeches! One bit me on the leg, and I bled for over an hour or so—but no worries, you should be a little more careful!
I'd love love love to visit again because that place gave me such a deep sense of peace!
The bamboo bridge on Kurva Island
Image credit: Sanskriti
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2. Coorg, Karnataka
If someone asked me where I'd go again in a heartbeat, I'd say Coorg without a doubt! My journey there was a wild adventure on its own! We were driving at almost midnight through the road near Mallalli Falls, and it was pitch dark with crazy twists and turns, and of course, with a good rain shower.
After about 50 minutes, we hit a wall of thick fog, so heavy that no vehicle could pass. We had to turn around and take a different route through the main highway, and honestly, that made reaching Coorg feel more special!
The next morning, the first place I visited was the Kunduru Motte Sri Chowtti Maramma Tayi Temple—it was honestly breathtaking. Right across was the Coorg Adventure Park, and I had the best time ziplining with a full-on forest view behind me. From the top, you could see endless green hills, soft fog floating around, and colorful birds flying everywhere.
Coorg is wrapped in miles and miles of tea and coffee plantations, and the smell of fresh coffee in the air just makes you feel alive (also do try the Coorg special filter coffee, you would love it!) and refreshed. Believe me or not— I ABSOLUTELY LOVE COORG!
Kunduru Motte Sri Chowtti Maramma Tayi Temple
Image credit: Sanskriti
3. Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand
Okay, hear me out—if there's ONE place I haven't been to yet but absolutely need to experience during the rainy season, it's the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand. Every time I see a photo or reel of that place, I just sit and wonder, "Why am I not there already?"
Picture this: a full valley in the Himalayas bursting with flowers—not just a few, but like an explosion of colors everywhere you look, and it only happens during the monsoon! The trek to reach it is a full-on adventure— walking through foggy mountain trails, crossing little streams, and getting soaked by rain while surrounded by nature at its absolute best. I have read that the tracking through the misty Himalayas itself is wild, around 10-12 km through forests, wooden bridges, gushing rivers, and steep hills.
Of course, the higher you go, the colder and more foggy it gets, while just feels even more majestic. The air? Pure. The vibes? Unreal. I just know I'd be standing there with my arms wide open, rain hitting my face, surrounded by flowers and mountains, feeling like I'm in a dream.
It's not just a trip I want— it's a full-on experience I need. Manifesting it is hard, but the day I go, I'll probably cry out of happiness.
Image credit: Raghuram from Wikimedia commons
4. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Darjeeling during rain? Next-level dreamy. The moment I got there, I could feel the cool, misty air hit my face—It wasn't just refreshing, it was like the hills were giving me a welcome hug! The entire town had a chill, peaceful vibe, with clouds casually floating between the trees as if it were no big deal.
Streets were slick with rain; the tea gardens were deep and lush with greenery. The best part? The toy train ride through the mountains!
As the little train chugged along, the fog rolled in, covering everything in a white haze—it felt like riding through the sky, and don't get me started on the view of Tiger Hill (yep, I woke up crazy early for it)—even though the clouds were being all moody and didn't show the sunrise properly, just standing there with the wind, looking out over layers and layers of hills? Worth it!
The tea? Warm, comforting, and served with a view that looks like a postcard. And the food?
Hot momos in the rain are always amazing! Every corner of Darjeeling in the monsoon felt like a soft, rainy movie scene, and I was living in it!
Photo credit: Sanskriti
5. Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
The sky was heavy and grey— and I knew I was arriving in Dharamshala. It had just rained, and the roads were glistening, and the mountains were covered in pine trees. Water dripped lazily from the rooftops.
The scent of rain mixed with the smoke from roadside stalls selling tea, coffee, and momos. By the time I reached McLeod Ganj, it felt like I was walking into a hidden forest pulled out of dreams—prayer flags fluttering, monks in maroon robes walking calmly in the mist, and the indie cafes glowing.
Everywhere, there was a deep, peaceful silence—enough to make you forget your worries (I forgot that I had a physics test coming up in the next two weeks!). We trekked to Bhagus Falls, and as we drew closer, the water roared louder. The rocks were wet, the climb was a little sketchy, but adrenaline+rain+mountain air?
Chef's kiss! I slipped once (twice!), laughed it off, and kept going till I felt the spray of the waterfall on my face. Later, we went to Shiva Cafe— walls covered in trippy art, the kind of place that makes you forget your phone even exists.
By evening, McLeod turned golden, the mist clearing just enough to catch a glimpse of the Dhauladhar peaks. I sat on my balcony with my hot Maggi, my coffee mug, my tablet, watching raindrops race each other while I journal this visit. This is the kind of trip that quietly becomes a part of you.
There's something about travelling in the rain— the way the world slows down, smaller sharper and feel more alive. Whether it was crossing bamboo bridges in Kerala, getting lost in foggy mountains or ziplining through the clouds, every moment felt unforgettable. Rain doesn't ruin adventure—it is the adventure.
And honestly? I'd do it all over again, leech bites and detours included.
More Suggestions :)
1. Agumbe, Karnataka
2. Shillog, Meghalaya
3. Lonavala, Maharashtra
4. Lakkidi View Point, Kerala
