Known For : Munnar Tea Plantations Atukkad Waterfalls Rose Garden Munnar
Mist induced rolling tea gardens and spice plantation with dewdrops rolling from the leaves and branches, Munnar in August is a nothing short of a nature lover’s paradise. The high mountains half covered in mist while the rain revitalizes everything it can touch. It’s an ideal escape if you’re looking for some quiet time amidst the mountains.
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Chandratal Lake Key Monastery Kunzum Pass
The Valleys of Lahaul- Spiti are blessed with nature’s best. It is one of the sparsely populated areas and is ideal for a place for some solitude. It also offers a lot of adventure activities such as Skiing along with Yak Safari and exciting wildlife trails. There are beautiful monasteries that command a visit alongside some unique shrines that speak of the customs and faith of this region.
Best Time: Mid May to Mid Oct
Known For : Mussoorie Mall Road Kempty Falls Camel's Back Road
Nestled in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, Mussoorie is quite a scene in August in India. The drive from Dehradun to Mussoorie itself is breathtaking, add to that the undulating hills of Mussoorie and the spectacular view of the Himalayas, you’ve for yourself a holiday of perfectly quiet ambience.
Best Time: September to June
Known For : Pangong Lake Khardung La Nubra Valley
Stunning Gompas, fluttering prayer flags, whitewashed stupas, Ladakh is a riot of intricate murals and red-robed monks. Dominated by dramatic landscapes, Ladakh is known as the world's coldest desert. It is said that only in Ladakh can a man sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time. August is one of the best times to visit Ladakh.
Best Time: Jun to Sep
Known For : Valley of Flowers National Park Nanda Devi National Park Fauna & Flora
A World Heritage site, the Valley of Flowers is situated at the meeting point of the Zanskar and Western and Eastern Himalayan ranges. The high, tranquil Himalayan peaks nestle this virtual paradise on Earth. While it is mainly known for it sprawling meadows of numerous species of flowers, the fauna here is also rich including rare and endangered animals like the snow leopard, musk deer and the brown bear.
Best Time: May to October
Known For : Green Valley View (Suicide Point) Kodaikanal Lake Bear Shola Falls
One of the most visited hill stations in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal receives moderate rainfall. Often, you’ll find the clouds and sun playing hide and seek with the mountains during your stay in Kodaikanal in August during monsoons. The otherwise hot climate is quite pleasant during the monsoons with the rain swept valleys and misty mountains. This is the only time when the region is sploshed with waterfalls.
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Abbey Falls Raja's Seat Coffee Plantations in Coorg
Coorg, a popular hill station located in the Kodagu district of Karnataka is widely known as the Scotland of India, owing to its picturesque hilly setting. During the monsoon season, especially in July and August, the entire town transforms into a lush green paradise. The weather becomes quite pleasant and cool because of the heavy rains. August is the best time to visit the splendour of the seasonal waterfalls of Coorg.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Nilgiri Mountain Railway Ooty Lake Emerald Lake, Ooty
Nestled amidst Nilgiri hills, Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, is a hill station in Tamil Nadu, and a top-rated tourist destination. Once regarded as the summer headquarters of the East India Company, the Queen of the hills is a picturesque getaway, especially in August.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Double Decker Living Root Bridge Dawki Nohkalikai Waterfalls
Second wettest place on the planet, Cherrapunjee practically receives rains throughout the year. If you love the ferocity of the rains, then you have to visit Cherrapunjee during monsoons, covered with vast landscape and hills, it makes for an exciting monsoon trekking trip. You can also find the unique orange flower honey here and don’t forget to try the Meghalaya tea which is quite different to the Assam or Darjeeling tea.
Best Time: September to May
Mawlynnong is a small village situated around 90 km from Shillong in the East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. It was declared as the cleanest village in Asia in 2003 by Discovery India which certainly makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Indian state. Mawlynnong is the most picturesque during the monsoon in August.
World's oldest living city, Varanasi - also known as Kashi (City of Life) and Benaras, is the spiritual capital of India. It is one of Hinduism's seven holy cities. The old city of Varanasi lies along the western banks of the Ganges, spread across a labyrinth of narrow galis. Be prepared to walk on foot and encounter some holy cows! Temples at almost every turn engulf Varanasi but the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most visited and the oldest of the lot. Benaras is known as the city of Lord Shiva for a reason, and rightfully so.
Athirapally falls are the largest water falls in Kerela, which makes this place to be one of the best places to visit in august in India. In monsoon these waterfalls are amazingly beautiful. These water falls are located 5 km from Vazhachal. Athirapally waterfalls open at 9.30 am and closes at 5.30pm. Apart from water falls there are many tourist places likeKauthukapark, Thumboormuzhy Dam & Riverview Garden.
Known For : Calangute Beach Fort Aguada Cruise in Goa
Though August is the time of monsoon in Goa and one can't really indulge in the usual beach and water sport activities, there is much to do there apart from these usual activities. There are quite a few trekking zones along the western ghats and the Karnataka border which interested folks can visit. But most of the people visiting Goa in August prefer to just chill and relax and enjoy the rains.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Cellular Jail Elephant Beach Neil Island
Rains are usually on and off in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while the other days are mostly sunny. If it’s sunny, you can visit the Beladaru beach at Batarang Island. When it rains there are a many indoor activities to indulge you as well. Other places to visit here are Radhanagar, dolphin resort, Cellular jail and Phoenix Bay Jetty which is quite a sight in the rains.
Best Time: October to Jun
Known For : Tringalwadi Fort Vihigaon Waterfall Kalsubai Peak
Igatpuri is a hill station and a city in the Western Ghats located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, 130kms from Mumbai. Located on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway, Igatpuri is a heaven for nature lovers. It also has some of the highest peaks of the Sahyadri range. Igatpuri is exceptionally green and beautiful during the monsoons, in August.
Best Time: July to September
Known For : Nakki Lake Guru Shikhar Toad Rock
Mount Abu prides on being the only hill station in Rajasthan. This place acts as an oasis retreat from the extremely hot climate of Rajasthan. It is known for it's beautiful hilly landscape and the architectural marvel of the Delwara Jain Temple. In the month of August, it receives less amount of rainfall but the scenic beauty of this pretty hill station doubles as the surroundings are filled with mountain mist and lush green vegetation.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Tiger's Leap Rajmachi Fort Imagicaa
Situated at very navigable distances from both Pune and Mumbai, Lonavala is a favourite weekend destination for people in the western coast in August in India. The hill town comes alive with green during the monsoons and is a delight during Maharashtra’s ample wet months.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Stay in Houseboat Marari Beach Alappuzha Beach
Officially called Alappuzha, Alleppey is a city in the South Indian state of Kerala. Bordering the Laccadive Sea, it is known for its wide network of interlinking, palm-fringed canals called backwaters and rejuvenating Ayurvedic resorts.
Best Time: June to March
Known For : Elephant's Head Point Chinaman's Falls Dhobi Waterfall
Located in the in the Satara district of Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is one of the most popular tourist places to visit in August in India and the largest hill stations in the Sayadri range. Most of the tourists usually avoid this place in the monsoon season due to the torrential rains. But this is also the time when the beauty and greenery of Mahabaleshwar is enhanced.
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Skiing in Auli Trishul Peak Auli Ropeway
Dotted with the apple orchards, old oaks and pine trees there is no dearth of natural beauty in Auli. Apart from skiing you can also go for numerous treks in the hills of Garhwal Himalayas and enjoy the spellbinding views of the snow-draped mountains. Auli is a popular hill resort in the Himalayan range dating back to 8th Century AD.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Tiger Hill Batasia Loop
Jaw-dropping locales, mesmerising sunrises, the untouched beauty of the hills, the old-world charm of the past, and the welcoming smiles of the local people all add up to make Darjeeling one of the most beautiful hill stations in Eastern part of India. Spread over a steep mountain ridge, nestled amidst acres of lush green tea plantations, Darjeeling stands at the height of 2,050 meters above sea level, thus boasting of cool climes all year round.
Best Time: February to March, September to December
Known For : Baba Budangiri Mullayanagiri Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Popularly known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’, Chikmagalur is situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range and is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Karnataka. Chikmagalur has a perpetual fragrance of coffee lingering in the air with it plenty of coffee plantations. Famous for its tall mountains, lush green forests and its tranquil environment (apart from its coffee production), Chikmagalur is a very popular tourist destination and is a quick retreat for the people of Karnataka.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Rudradhari Falls and Caves Gwaldam Trek to Pinnath
Very few places in the Himalayas come close to the beauty of Kausani. It is a well known hill station in Uttarakhand known mainly for providing a spectacular panoramic view of the 350 km stretch of snow clad Himalayan peaks, which include the likes of Trishul, Panchchuli and Nanda Devi. Though it's a year round destination, it comes to life during the months of July and August when the monsoon reaches this place.
Best Time: April to June, September to December
Known For : Kaas Plateau Table Land Mahabaleshwar
Like all pretty places situated at high altitudes in Maharashtra, Panchgani too is a Queen of Love and Beauty during the monsoons. Blessed with a great relief system and amazing sights and sounds all around, Panchgani is a blissful monsoon experience. If the visual treat is insufficient to persuade you for a trip, Panchgani is also a Strawberry godown in every sense of the word. C’mon, go on and plan that road trip!
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Kumarakom Backwaters Visit to Toddy Shops
Situated in the verdant land of Kerala with its varied landscapes and unmatched charm, Kumarakom is widely known for its beautiful possibilities of backwater tourism. Blessed with Kerala’s amazing tropical climate and monsoons of plenty, Kumarakom experiences moderate climates all year long. The largest freshwater lake in Kerala, Vembanad Lake, is located in Kumarakom, making it a beautiful holiday place to visit in August in India during the abundant rains.
Best Time: September to March
Known For : Aru Valley Chandanwari Baisaran
A world famous hill station in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Pahalgam is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder river, it is one of Kashmir's premier holiday and health resorts. Out of all hustle bustle of city life, this place really offers a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere which makes it an ideal vacation spot.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Banasura Sagar Dam Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Chembra Peak
Wayanad is just 76km from the Kozhikode ocean shores, that’s why it is the best mound station in India. The concept of monsoon tourism is getting famous in Wayanad, because experiences good rains. Monsoon in Wayanad makes it good place to visit in august in India. People come Wayanad just to enjoy the monsoon as some of the areas of wayanad get one of the hinghest rain in India.
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Mehrangarh Fort Umaid Bhawan Palace Camel Safari
Also known as the "The Blue City", "Sun City" and "Gateway to Thar", Jodhpur is famous for its Mehrangarh fort, blue houses, temples, sweets and snacks. Apart from the fort, there are multiple temples, lakes, shopping streets that are like a mirage from a bygone era.
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Thirparappu Falls Kanyakumari Beach Vivekananda Rock Memorial
The southern most tip of the Indian subcontinent, Kanyakumari forms an essential part of almost every trip to South India. Surrounded by water on all three sides, the weather here is usually cool and pleasant, the usual seaside climate. It is the first place in the country to receive the monsoon showers. If you're a fan of rain, then experiencing the monsoon at this place in August in India should be a part of your to-do list.
Best Time: October to February
Known For : City Palace, Udaipur Lake Pichola Sajjangarh Palace
Udaipur is considered to be one of the most romantic cities of the world and has rightly received the tag of the Venice of the East. Also known as the City of Lakes, this is also a historically significant place as it remained the capital of Mewar for several centuries. The main attractions of the city are the City palace and the Udaipur Lake Palace located in the middle of the Pichola Lake.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Reckong Peo Kalpa Sarahan
One of the twelve districts of Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur is located on the Indo-Tibet border. Situated at a distance of 235 km from Shimla, Kinnaur hosts the views of Zanskar Valley, snow-draped Dhauladar range, Chitkul - The last village on the indo-Tibet border and have Satluj, Baspa and Spiti rivers meandering through it.
Best Time: April to October
Known For : Light and Sound Show, Khajuraho Dulhadev Temple Kandariya Mahadev Temple
The Khajuraho group of temples are renowned Hindu and Jain temples which represent a distinctive yet rich form of art and architecture of the Chandella period. They're also one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in India and are famous for their nagara style architecture and the erotic sculptures and carvings on the temples. In August, the place becomes even more beautiful due to the heavy rainfall it receives.
Best Time: July to March
Known For : Junagarh Fort Karni Mata Temple Gajner Palace
With little rains, the climate in Bikaner is more bearable than the otherwise hot seasons. The rain splashed majestic palaces of Junagarh, Lallgarh, Gajner and the famous Jain Temple and Karni Mata Temple are some of the must see places in Bikaner. While there is much to see here don’t forget to indulge in some shopping in the famous streets on Bikaner.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : India Gate Qutub Minar Akshardham Temple Delhi
The capital of India, Delhi is a cosmopolitan city with a historic old Delhi and the modern New Delhi. From historical monuments to crowded shopping malls, from an extensive network of the modern metro system to Delhi University campus, Dilli has multiple personalities and is considered to be the city with a heart.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Amer Fort Chokhi Dhani Jaipur City Palace, Jaipur
Jaipur is a vibrant amalgamation of the old and the new. Also called the Pink City, the capital of the royal state of Rajasthan, was ruled by the Rajputs for many centuries and developed as a planned city in the 17th century AD. Along with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur forms the Golden Triangle and hails as one of the most famous tourist circuits of the country.
Best Time: October to March
Which of these are the best places to visit in India in August? Let us know in the comments below!