12 best monsoon getaway destinations in India, from Maharashtra's Mulshi to Coonoor in Tamil Nadu

Coorg, also known as the Scotland of India, is a hill station well-loved for its coffee plantations and picturesque natural landscapes. (Image by Deepak Srinivasan via Unsplash)

The much-awaited monsoon season has finally arrived in some parts of the country, and we can’t help but daydream of our next monsoon getaway. If you are like us and want to plan a fun monsoon vacation, you are in the right place. Here's our guide to 12 fine monsoon getaway destinations in India. Bookmark this guide for your next long weekend break!

1. Mulshi, Maharashtra

About a four-hour drive from Mumbai, Mulshi is an excellent destination for a monsoon getaway. The Western Ghats encompassing Mulshi come alive with a striking green hue during the monsoons.

In Mulshi, visitors can also check out the Flying Baba Zipline Adventure, Mulshi Dam, Kailasgad, and Ghangad Fort.

Moreover, the monsoons bring several waterfalls to life around Mulshi. Our favourite waterfalls include the Tamhini Falls and the Lohagad Valley Waterfall.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Mulshi (Photo credit: Ajit Sandhu via Unsplash)

2. Udaipur, Rajasthan

Udaipur, the City of Lakes, boasts a dreamy, romantic vibe in the monsoon season.

Travellers can take boat rides on Lake Pichola amidst the misty ambiance, explore the regal City Palace, and indulge in the culinary delights of Rajasthan.

Furthermore, Udaipur is home to numerous boutique heritage hotels that offer impeccable service, delectable food, and arresting vistas of the city’s lakes.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Udaipur (Photo credit: Lavish Prajapat via Unsplash)

3. Wayanad, Kerala

A tourist favourite, Wayanad is perched in the Western Ghats, offering a relaxed or adventurous monsoon getaway.

Visitors soak in the scenery or check out the camping and trekking trails, breathtaking waterfalls, caves, and bird-watching sites. The majestic Meenmutty Falls, the largest waterfall in Kerala, is a must-visit during the monsoons.

Wayanad has a number of charming hotels that provide a unique living experience immersed in nature.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Wayanad (Photo credit: Ravi Dwivedi via Wikimedia Commons 4.0)

4. Coorg, Karnataka

Coorg, also known as the Scotland of India, is a hill station well-loved for its coffee plantations and picturesque natural landscapes.

You can stay at properties that are surrounded by abundant vegetation, coffee plantations, and majestic waterfalls.

Visitors can go on coffee plantation tours, bird-watching walks, and forest therapy sessions that include walking trails and a meditation session, which ends with relaxing foot massages.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Coorg (Photo credit: iMahesh via Wikimedia Commons 4.0)

5. Kovalam, Kerala

Kovalam, while a beautiful beach destination throughout the year, transforms into a different kind of paradise during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September.

In the monsoons, Kovalam’s backwaters become a visual treat, brimming with colourful flora and fauna.

Additionally, the monsoons are the off-season for Kovalam, resulting in significant reduction of stay and travel costs.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Kovalam (Photo credit: Dipanshu Daga via Unsplash)

6. Khandala, Maharashtra

Khandala, situated in the Western Ghats, alongside its twin hill station Lonavala, becomes a striking sight during the monsoons. Khandala’s verdant hills and misty mountains create a spectacular backdrop for cherished memories..

Visitors can unwind or go on monsoon hikes to Kune Falls, and Duke's Nose, and visit Rajmachi Fort and ​​Khandala Park.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Khandala (Photo credit: Zoshua Colah via Unsplash)

7. Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

Palampur is home to cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, and a bed of clouds dotted with the Himalayan ranges.

Travellers can visit the tea estates, local monasteries, temples, forts, and museums that offer a number of activities.

In Palampur, stay at a boutique hotel or homestay that offers unobstructed views of the Dhauladhar mountain range and the Kangra valley.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Palampur (Photo credit: Jon Connell from Cambridge, UK via Wikimedia Commons 2.0)

8. Darjeeling, West Bengal

Darjeeling, the Queen of Hills, is a wildly popular hill station in West Bengal, well-known for its natural beauty. The monsoon season makes the town even more captivating, as the clouds are low and the rain adds to the ambience.

Often enveloped in mist during the monsoons, this town offers sweeping vistas of the Himalayas, towered over by the majestic Kangchenjunga—the third highest mountain in the world.

Visitors can check out the local shops, partake in tea tasting sessions or go for guided hikes with naturalists.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Darjeeling (Photo credit: Joy Amed via Unsplash)

9. Coonoor, Tamil Nadu

Coonoor is enchanting in every season, but the monsoon season is particularly special. Travellers can take guided walks through plantations, forests, and villages of the Nilgiri Hills, go on bird watching sessions and experience gourmet tea tasting.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Goa (Photo credit: Gaurav Gupta via Unsplash)

10. Goa

The beach destination of Goa is a tranquil oasis in the monsoons. While the sea might be rough for sports activities, travellers can chase hidden waterfalls and indulge in Ayurvedic treatments and the relaxed Goan vibe.

In addition, in the monsoon, Goa’s beaches that are typically bustling with activity, take on a tranquil ambience. There are less crowds, and the landscape is enveloped by a blanket of lush greenery.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Goa (Photo credit: Alok Kumar via Wikimedia Commons 3.0)

11. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra

​​Mahabaleshwar is a popular tourist destination, but the crowds thin out during the monsoon season. This makes it an ideal destination to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature in peace.

Moreover, the view from several vantage points, such as Arthur's Seat and Wilson Point, becomes even more awe-inspiring during the monsoons.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Mahabaleshwar (Photo credit: Ravi Bhardwaj via Unsplash)

12. Alleppey, Kerala

Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, is frequented by Indian and international tourists for its quaint backwaters.

During the monsoons, the backwaters are even more aesthetically pleasing, with the greenery reflected in the still waters.

Tourists can sail through the backwaters in a traditional houseboat, taking in the spectacular natural landscapes and indulging in delectable Kerala cuisine.

Best Indian monsoon destinations: Alleppey (Photo credit: Kunal Kalra via Unsplash)