Summer has arrived! Fortunately, India is blessed with the Top places to visit in the summer that will allow you to escape from this massive ball of fire that is at its most intense during the months of April to June.
When it comes to summertime places to visit, most choices are influenced by the type of person you are!
Do you prefer to spend your time in the mountains, or are you an adventurer who wants to spend your days exploring tropical rainforests?
Considering everyone’s choice of place, we have shortlisted the best Summer Holiday places to visit in India during the summers. These are ideal for anyone looking to take a break from their busy schedule and spend time with their loved ones.
Table of Contents
For a memorable vacation, try visiting these Top 10 places in India this summer!
Shimla: Queen of Hill Stations
Manali: Unparalleled Beauty and Limitless Adventure.
Ladakh: Land of the Highest Mountain Passes
Munnar: The Valley of Gods
Rishikesh: The BirthPlace of Yoga
Unwind Your Mind in Sikkim (Gangtok)
Ooty: Lush Green Woodlands
Mahabaleshwar: The Goodness of Nature
Rain-obsessed Individuals
Auli: Excellent for hiking and skiing.
Shimla: Queen of Hill Stations
Shimla also called the “Queen of Hill Stations”, is the perfect place to spend your summer holidays. The weather is clear, the flowers are blooming, and all the places are open for exploring with a rich historic culture. Moreover, there are lots of accommodation options, sightseeing, and a delicious food menu to choose from. Do come with your friends, family, or neighbors to the town and enjoy one of the top-listed Best Hill Station places this summer.
Things to do in Shimla
- Ride a toy train to see the mist-shrouded hills.
- If you are a shopaholic, visit Lakkar Bazaar.
- Show off your skating abilities at Asia’s only open-air ice skating rinks.
- Enjoy a walk to see the Chadwick waterfall, 7 km outside Shimla.
- Trek to the Jakhu Temple, the highest peak in Shimla.
- Capture beautiful sunset photographs at Scandal Point.
- Visit and explore the cultural hubs like Christ Church at Shimla Ridge (near the mall road).
- Relax and enjoy good food and shopping on Mall Road.
- Drive to Kufri, Chail, and Mashobra for some beautiful beauty.
Things to know before you visit Shimla
During the summer holiday, the days are warm while the nights are cool with occasional showers. So, pack accordingly – you might need shorts, a raincoat, and a jacket.
Manali: Unparalleled Beauty and Limitless Adventure.
Manali is the perfect combination of scenic beauty, beautiful riverside stays, and adventurous activities that will make your summer vacation unforgettable! So go out and indulge yourself in activities like trekking, paragliding, skiing, river rafting, and more. And if you’re a trekker, don’t forget to visit Rohtang Pass—it’s the highlight of this whole trip!
Things to do in Manali
- Sightseeing at Hadimba Devi Temple, Manu Temple, Mall (even better during the night), Van Vihar.
- Relax and meditate at Von Ngari Monestry.
- Take part in adventurous activities at Solang Valley.
- Enjoy river rafting in the Beas and even in Kullu.
- Get yourself lost in the beauty of Rohtang Pass.
- Make short trips to Kullu, Hampta Pass, Parvati Valley, Great Himalayan National Park, Jogini Falls, and Vashisht Baths.
- Hot water springs in Manikaran
Things to know before you visit Manali
When hunting for accommodation, check for internet services. Old Manali has the best internet access in town, so that’s a good area to find a place. And central Manali is good for ATMs.
Ladakh: Land of the Highest Mountain Passes
Ladakh is now on every travel lover’s list of dream destinations in India. The stony region of Ladakh, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, is famous for being the only cold desert in India as well as bordering Pangong Lake, the highest saltwater lake in the world. The region can be so cold sometimes that it sets records for the coldest temperature ever recorded in the world. If you are planning to visit a place this summer, then we very much recommend you visit Ladakh and experience something you have never felt before.
Things to do in Ladakh
- Visit the Hemis festival in Ladakh and enjoy the true magnetism of the region.
- Don’t miss a ride on double-humped Bactrian camels in the Nubra Valley.
- Enjoy 2-minute Maggi at Khardungla Pass, the highest cafeteria in the world.
- Stay overnight at Hemis Monastery and enjoy early morning prayers.
- For thrill-seekers, try riding your bike down a rocky trail.
- When you visit Leh, enjoy the breathtaking views of Zanskar Valley, Pangong Tso Lake, and Tso Moriri when you visit.
- Don’t forget to explore Magnetic Hill, an anti-gravity hill.
- If you ever find yourself in Leh, check out Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, and the markets.
- Rafting from Phey to Nimmo on the Indus River.
Things to know before you visit Ladakh
- Most prepaid phones don’t work, so buy a BSNL postpaid sim for your whole trip.
- Carry a good amount of cash with you as most places or restaurants don’t accept cash.
- Wifi connectivity is extremely slow, so be prepared for that.
- Because almost all tourist attractions are spread out, keep toilet paper in your bag.
Munnar: God’s Own Country
Kerala, also known as God’s Own Country, is a place in India that has some of the best summer Holiday destinations: lush green forests where people can escape from the scorching heat and take a deep breath in the fresh air. It is famous for its large tea plantations, welcoming people, delightful activities, peaceful weather, and beauty. With all these things to do, it offers visitors a variety of activities.
Things to do in Munnar
- Get yourself lost in the beauty of lush green tea plantations.
- Stay at a treehouse (in Plantation Resort), which is made of only eco-friendly products.
- Visit Kundala Lake, Echo Point, Lakkam Waterfalls, and Blossom International Park.
- Go on a trek to Echo Point, Lakshmi Hills, Cheeyaparra Waterfalls, or Matthiketan Shola Rainforest.
- For thrill-seekers, go camping or ride an ATV at Dreamland Fun and Adventure Park.
- Explore Munnar’s markets and restaurants. Kerala cuisine and shopping
- Trek to Chokramudi and Anamudi peaks.
- Take an elephant safari at Carmelagiri Elephant Park.
- Seek blessings at Chithirapuram and CSI Church.
- Explore the history of tea at the Tata Tea Museum.
Things to know before you visit Munnar
If you are driving all by yourself, try to avoid it at night because of the lack of street lights.
Rishikesh: The Birthplace of Yoga
Rishikesh, located at the foothills of the Himalayas, is a great place to spend your summer holidays in India. In this top destination for yoga enthusiasts and the birthplace of the ancient mind-body practice, you can immerse yourself in spiritual activities such as learning yoga and exploring the area’s temples. There are also lots of exciting and adventurous activities, such as river rafting, bungee jumping, and fox flying.
Things to do in Rishikesh
- For adventure enthusiasts, go river rafting on the Ganges.
- Enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery while staying at riverside camps.
- Learn all aspects of yoga and indulge yourself in meditation at ashrams.
- Go for a giant swing, much like Bunjee Jumping.
- Fox, Flying between two cliffs.
- Hot air ballooning.
- Attend Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat.
- Sightseeing: Lakshman Jhula, Beatles Ashram, Ram Jhula, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Tera Manzil Temple.
- Come see Neer Gaddu Waterfall.
Things to know before you visit Rishikesh
There is an International Yoga Festival held every year in the month of March. If possible, plan your trip around that time.
Relax Your Mind in Gangtok
Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, is a popular summer holiday destination in the lush green Northeast of India. From paying homage to its beautiful monasteries to embarking on treks and other adventure activities, there are many things to do on your trip. The best time to visit
Gangtok is during the summer season when the weather is at its best; you can soak up the wonderful outdoor views while relaxing in one of the town’s many idyllic cafes!
Things to do in Gangtok
- Yak rides on Changu or Tsomgo Lakes.
- Helicopter ride in Gangtok Valley
- Seek blessings at Ravangla Buddha Park.
- If you are planning a long trip, consider the 10-day Goecha La trek.
- Indulge yourself in activities like Gondolo Ride, Hand Gliding, Singalia Trek, Mountain Biking Tour, Paragliding, and Rafting.
- For snow-lovers, Zero Point in the Yamthang Valley is a must.
- Enjoy the culture and festivals of Gangtok.
- Sightseeing at Bakthang Waterfalls, bird watching at Kewzing.
- Caving in the North Lha-Ri-Nying Phu, a spiritually inclined place.
Things to know before you visit Gangtok
- Remember to bring your woolen essentials because Sikkim is cold all year.
- Carry less cash and opt for card payment modes.
- When you travel to Sikkim, respect the culture and landscape.
Ooty: Lush Green Woodlands
Ooty, or Ottakal Mandu (in earlier times), situated in the Nilgiri Hills of South India, is a popular summer vacation spot for both tourists and residents alike and is home to several posh resorts and hotels. The weather in Ooty – ideal for a summer vacation – is much cooler than that of the southwestern coastal areas of India, such as Goa.
Things to do in Ooty
- Take a fun ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train.
- Come and visit the botanical gardens, dolphin’s nose, Toda huts, tea museum, wax world museum, and honey and bee museum.
- Seek blessings at St. Stephen’s Church.
- Camping at Avalanche Lake
- Enjoy delicious chocolates from the main bazaar.
- Picnic spots for nature lovers: Emerald Lake, Kamaraj Sagar Dam.
- Attend a flower show held during the month of May.
Things to know before you visit Ooty
- Ooty works with a number of mobile networks like BSNL, Airtel, Jio,, and Vodafone. So, make good use of the GPS facility.
- Don’t carry enough cash as the ATM facility is good.
- The weather is unpredictable, so keep your warm clothes along with summer clothes.
Mahabaleshwar: The Goodness of Nature
The town of Mahabaleshwar, set in the Western Ghats, is one of India’s favorite summer getaways. The region is known for its mouthwatering mulberries, raspberries, gooseberries,, and golden sunrises. If you’re vacationing in Mahabaleshwar, be sure to stop at the scenic vantage points to enjoy the view of the forested hills.
Things to do in Mahabaleshwar
- Ride a Shikara at Venna Lake.
- For jungle trekkers, Tapola is the place to go.
- Sightseeing attractions like Pratapgarh Fort, Wilson Point, Rajpuri Historical Caves, and Arthur’s Seat.
- Seek the blessings of Lord Shiva at Mahabaleshwar Temple.
- You must attend the Mapro Strawberry Festival, held every year in the usual month of May, and treat yourself to strawberries.
- Enjoy a picnic at Connaught Peak.
- Indulge in exciting activities like rock climbing and horse riding.
Things to know before you visit Mahabaleshwar
Always avoid visiting during the monsoons.
Cherrapunji: For Rain-Lovers
The wettest place on earth, Cherrapunji is a unique summer getaway in India. Sunshine or mist, when you’re here it’s always wet-but that doesn’t mean it’s not wonderful. Packed with streams, waterfalls, and stunning green hills, this hill town is the ideal location if you love the monsoon.
Things to do in Cherrapunji
- Visit the Double-Decker Root Bridge, a wonder of nature and human innovation…
- Take a tour of Seven Sister Waterfall and Nohkalikai Waterfall (the tallest waterfall in India).
- Explore Krem Mawmluh cave, where you can see stalactite and stalagmite formations.
- Perfect picnic spot: Wakaba Falls, Dainthlen Waterfall.
- Visit Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church and learn about their culture.
- Sightseeing-Thangkharang Park, Khasi Monoliths, Ka Khoh Ramhah (looks like natural shivaling).
- Go and explore the uniqueness of Arwah Cave, a limestone cave where many fossils have been found.
Things to know before you visit Cherrapunji
Always carry an umbrella because, regardless of the month you visit, you will always find it raining.
Auli: Ideal for hiking and skiing.
Auli is a popular summer vacation spot in North India. It’s at an elevation of 3,000 meters and is popularly known as a ski resort. The town is covered in the charm of the Himalayas, with apple orchards, and pine trees. Auli gives many reasons why you should visit this place – an artificial lake, trekking routes, and the peaks of Nanda Devi tower over the area. If you ride in its chair cars, you’ll love the joy they bring!
Things to do in Auli
- Ski at India’s ski hotspot, which is 2500–3000 meters above sea level. In the summer, you can enjoy the same experience at the Auli Artificial Lake.
- Double the thrill with the Kuari Pass and Auli Gorsen trek.
- Visit Nanda Devi National Park, located at the second highest peak in India.
- Have a remarkable experience with the Ropeway Ride, Asia’s second-highest cable car ride.
- While camping, enjoy the majestic views of the snow-covered mountain range.
- Sightseeing: Joshimath, Chenab Lake, Chattrakund Lake.
Things to know before you visit Auli
Trekking from Joshimath to Auli is only for experienced trekkers and not for the faint-hearted.
Wrapping-Up
Summer is the perfect time to explore lush forests or visit cold places without worrying about roadblocks. Fortunately, in India, there are so many such places that you shouldn’t miss them. So don’t waste your summer vacations by just thinking and sitting at home!
Come on—let’s go outside and see what mother nature has in store for us!
If you plan to spend your summer vacation at any of the top places listed above, then don’t forget to share your experiences with us. We would love to hear your story!
I wish you a good summer vacation:)
