India is a favourite destination for people around the world, owing to its rich cultural heritage, amazing hospitality, beautiful landscape and delectable cuisine. Over 10 million foreign visitors arrived in the country in the year 2017; a 15.6% increase in number from 2016’s 8.89 million, according to figures on Wikipedia.
It is a huge country, and for someone who plans a visit, it is important to know about the difference in area-wise topography and weather conditions. Here is a season-wise list of places to help you plan your travel itinerary
In this article…
Winters – November to Mid-February
If you want to see Indian terrain in a beautiful blanket of snow, there are places like Kalpa in Himachal Pradesh, Sonmarg in Kashmir, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh or Zuluk in Sikkim that are famous for their breath-taking valleys. If you seek some adventure, go trekking in Pelling, Sikkim or you can go for a thrill in Nelong Valley in Uttarakhand. In case you aren’t up for hilly terrains, visit the backwaters of Alleppey in Kerala. Stay in a house boat among the green landscape. Kumily spice gardens and the beaches of Kovalam and Varkala are some of the other popular destinations in the same state. Immerse yourself in Dravidian temple architecture in Tamil Nadu, French colonies in Pondicherry or can see the stunning landscape of Rajasthan.
Spring – Mid-February to March
As Charles Dickens once said, “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light and winter in the shade”. Spring is the perfect season in India for you to have a romantic getaway. You can plan a trip to the epitome of love and an architectural marvel, the Taj Mahal and attend the Taj Mahotsav; a 10 day non-stop carnival celebrating India’s ethnic diversity. This is also the perfect time to go hiking and paragliding in Bir, Himachal Pradesh or plan a visit to the enchanting mountains of Darjeeling, West Bengal .If you want a jungle safari, the Kanha National Park is a must-see destination in spring-time.
Summer – April to June
Summers can be pretty harsh in India. Fortunately, the country offers diverse terrains where you can beat the heat of summer. You can run to hill stations in the north such as Kullu-Manali, Kasauli or Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Other valleys in north-eastern region of the country include Shillong, Gangtok etc. You can explore South India and visit Horsley Hills, Ooty or Munnar. If you want to escape the mountains, you can see the group of gorgeous islands in Lakshadweep.
Monsoon – July to Mid-September
Hills and mountains carpeted with lush greenery, overflowing lakes with sparkling water, spectacular waterfall sceneries; monsoon in India is a heavenly sight for the eyes, according to an article on Travel Triangle. Experience the vast coffee plantations embedded in the gorgeous scenery of Coorg, Karnataka; a perfect monsoon destination to escape to. Apart from that you can also explore lush greenery of Mahabaleshwar, waterfalls of Kodaikanal or lose yourself in the valley of flowers in Uttarakhand. Plan for a trek to the Dudhsagar Falls; a marvel of nature located adjacent to the land of beaches, Goa.
Autumn- Mid-September to October
The autumn marks the beginning of the festive season in India. A worthwhile experience would be to visit West Bengal, where the Durga Puja takes place in full swing for a period of 5 days. Get a glimpse of the sprawling tea gardens of Assam and take an elephant safari here.
Be it any season, India has plenty to offer for people having diverse tastes.
