Let’s get one thing out of the way first!
August is the peak monsoon season in India, Granted!
Rains gush down from heaven in the plains and coastal regions of India. The monsoon weather system that originates from the Indian Ocean in mid-June and early July hit its climax in the month of AUG.
So, if you are the sort that loves rain, waterfalls, and the petrichor that mother earth exudes, August is not a bad time to travel in India.
If you do not like the rains much and can’t stand the humidity of the Monsoon, India has still got you covered. Nestled in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas in the North, and the Western Ghats in the Southwestern and western parts of India are some of India’s greatest hill stations that offer the perfect escape from the wet plains of India.
These hill stations are typically connected to the nearby metropolitans through an excellent network of highways, trains and airports. So, getting around is not a problem, even if you are traveling with your family.
August is also the month of Indian independence, of India’s “tryst with destiny.” You will find an air of jubilation and a vibe of renewed hope and promise everywhere you go as the nation looks to stride confidently into the Brave New World.
All of that is great cultural immersion and learning!
Looking to travel to India in August but not sure where to go?
DON’T WORRY, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!
Here is a list of the best tourist destinations in India to travel in August.
15 Of The Best Places To Visit In August In India
1. Auli, Uttarakhand
The Most Perfect Place to Visit in India in August
We start our list of the best places to visit with none other than the Himalayas.
Along with Himachal Pradesh, the northern Himalayan state of Uttarakhand arguably gets the most number of visitors during the summer and monsoon months.
There are good reasons for it! It is one of the best places to be in the hot months.
When the mercury rises above 90°F in the low lying flat plains of India, the heat becomes unbearable. The arrival of humidity with the Monsoon season making things even harder. It is a difficult time to travel or check off tourist attractions in popular cities like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, or Jaipur.
So what do you do?
You head to Uttarakhand.
The weather is pleasant, the skies are mostly clear, and the sights are utterly mesmerizing.
Uttarakhand is the land of snowcapped peaks and the divine Ganga River. It is also the land of meditation, spirituality and yoga. Some of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimage sites are situated here on the side of the holy river. Rishikesh, THE YOGA CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, draws seekers of healing and inner strength all year round. Its Ashrams (holy communities) are open to people of all beliefs and persuasion.
There are so many great places to see in Uttarakhand. These include Rishikesh (Yoga Capital of the World), Kedarnath (Holy pilgrimage site for Hindus in Rudraprayag), and Dehradun.
But our first pick in August is the small town of Auli which is often described as the ski capital of India.
August is the perfect time to visit Auli. The weather is perfect for sightseeing. Popular tourist attractions in Auli include picnics, outdoor adventures and hiking.
2. Zanskar, Kargil
Your first reaction to spotting Zanskar on a map would be …. “na! too remote. I’ll skip this one.”
But hear us out.
Ladakh, where the district of Kargil is located, used to be a part of the Jammu and Kashmir region. It is now a separate Indian Union Territory that is getting special attention from the Indian authorities. The infrastructure in this region has been revamped with a tourism-centric approach.
That means great highways and networks of smaller roads connecting remote parts. And, there are airports as well. So getting around is not a problem.
Ladakh has many attractions that draw tens of thousands of tourists every month.
These include the capital city of Leh, which is home to many heritage sites like palaces and monasteries. Idyllic valleys like Nubra and lakes like the color-changing Pangong Tso lakes are also major attractions. For jeeping and off-road attractions, the Khardung La (the highest jeepable mountain pass in the world) offers quite the allure. Hemis National Park is a godsend for wildlife and nature lovers.
Zanskar, on the other hand, is the path less taken, and we are here to tell you, it is well worth the trouble. If you are the kind that loves vast wildernesses, serenity, white mountains, and soothing rivers, Zanskar is the ideal place for you for an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
It is a high-altitude semi-cold desert terrain that makes it ideal for 4×4 jeeping and offroading adventures—if that is your thing as well!
We highly recommend Zanskar.
3. Ladakh
For the dream bike tour that you have always been dragging your feet on.
If Zanskar is too remote for you. LADAKH, and its center Leh have their own offerings.
Are you a biking enthusiast who has dreamed of a biking expedition of a lifetime?
Then the “land of the mountain passes” Ladakh is the ideal place for you for such an adventure. The weather is just about perfect in August in the region. The rains tend to stay away, and the monsoon does not make it to this part of India. The skies are clear. Clear enough for you to go biking and enjoy the sights.
Ladakh’s landscape consists of vast cold desert wilderness dotted by lakes, rivers, and snow-capped peaks in the outer distance. All of these things, coupled with a fine network of highways, form the perfect background for a bike and camping tour.
4. Spiti, Uttarakhand
If you are still not sold on Zanskar, and think that it is too remote and inaccessible for you, we give you Spiti “the middle land.”
That is what Spiti means. It is a vast track of flat terrain surrounded by mountains and adorned by rivers and streams. It gets its name, the middle land, because it separated Tibet from India. Hence, “Spiti,” the middle name.
So why should you travel to Spiti?
First thing first: the sights of the cold desert. Picture a ruggedly beautiful valley of flat raw terrain with rivers and streams meandering through. Now add a background of snow-capped mountains in the outback and small rugged hills in the near distance. Throw in some beautiful lakes and high mountain passes. That is Spiti for you.
But wait, there is more!
Due to its proximity with Tibet, the region is characterized by a strong Tibetan religious and cultural influence. This land of Buddhism is a great place to explore Gompas (monasteries) that are typically nestled on hilltops. This seclusion makes for ideal meditation.
The villages and rural outback where people live in a state of nature in sync with mother nature are great places for cultural exchange and learning.
But that is not it!
The Pin Valley National Park is another great place for wildlife adventures. The Tabo caves are ideal for spelunking and cave exploring enthusiasts.
5. Kausani, Uttarakhand
If you are still not sold on Auli, Zanskar, and Spiti, we have got other more popular path-most-taken options for you.
IF you are not up for an adventure in the wilderness and just want a quiet mountain holiday in a well-connected destination that is easily accessible from major cities like New Delhi or Agra.
Fair enough. Fret not. We present you with the popular hill stations of Himachal Pradesh that are easily accessible from major Indian cities.
If you are still not convinced about Auli, Zanskar and Spiti as they might be inconvenient for you, we have got other more popular well trodden options for you.
Uttarakhand has so many popular hill stations that are thronged by tourists in the hot months. These include Mussoorie (Queen of Hills), Nainital (land of mountain lakes), Almora, and Landsdowne.
You can be sure of a great holiday experience in any of these places.
But for August, when the rains really pelt down in the plains, we recommend the small hill town of Kausani in Uttarakhand.
What is so special about it? A lot!
It is quiet, serene, beautiful, and you get exclusive views of Nanda Devi and Trishul. These are some of India’s most iconic mountain peaks.
6. Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
Among all the Himalayan States of Northern India, Himachal Pradesh is arguably most visited in India.
The British Raj, after it moved its capital from Kolkata to New Delhi chose this region to act as its summer capital (in Shimla) in the hot summer months.
Among the most popular hill stations of Himachal Pradesh are SHIMLA, DHARAMSHALA, BIR BILLING, DALHOUSIE AND MANALI. These are all-year-round destinations. Perfect in the summer for a pleasant holiday. Perfect for the winter to enjoy the snow.
But in the month of August, we recommend Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.
Kinnaur is a great place for a quiet holiday in the Himalayas with your loved ones.
7. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The capital of Himachal Pradesh is one of India’s favorite hill stations. Ever since it became the capital of British India, it has grown in stature and importance as the primary destination in the Himalayan. Tens of thousands of Indians visit this state every month all year round.
August is a good time to go to Shimla. With the JUBBARBHATTI (Shimla Airport) receiving daily flights from major cities like New Delhi and Chandigarh, Shimla becomes a very accessible region to get to by air.
There is so much to do Shimla.
Not only can you take nature walks in pine forests and hike up to scenic viewing points, but you can also go on heritage tours to explore the British Raj era churches, mansions and palaces. You can also explore the old Hindu temples of the region.
8. Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Rajasthan is a desert territory. It is nestled like a vast oasis in the massive Thar Desert. Summers are hot, and the monsoon season (July-Aug) is humid. This is why this time of the year (from April to September) is considered the off season or should season for tourism during these months.
Outside of these months, places like JAIPUR, UDAIPUR, PUSHKAR, JAISALMER and JODHPUR are most visited regions of India.
But one of the top places in Rajasthan that you can still have a memorable time in the summer, and that is the hill station of Mount Abu.
This gem is located in the hills at a height of 1,220 meters above sea level.
It has everything you need for a pleasant vacation: great weather, beautiful lakes, lush green landscapes and excellent food.
So, if you are in India in August, and still do not want to miss out on your Rajasthan experience, we recommend that you plan a trip to Mount Abu.
- Do not forget to pay a visit to the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary that is home to many exotic animals, birds and reptiles.
9. Mawlynnong Village, Meghalaya
Now that we have covered the Northern Himalayan hill stations, let us move to the northeast and look at a few options for some August adventures.
Mawlynnong is a small village in the East Khasi Hills of Himachal Pradesh. It has earned itself the distinction of being the cleanest village in Asia.
This idyllic part of Meghalaya is famous for its lush green jungles, rivers, streams, fruit orchards, palms and the indigenous culture of the EAST KHASI TRIBE that has inhabited this region for centuries.
The most cherished attraction in this land of biblical rainfalls, Mawlynnong, however, is the famous Nohwet Living Root Bridge which is a testament to the indigenous genius and engineering of the Khasi people.
A LIVING ROOT BRIDGE is formed when the roots of a Ficus Elastic Tree (popularly known as the rubber tree) are trained to weave around and form a bridge over water streams and rivers.
It is going to be quite wet and rainy in August in Mawlynnong. But that makes it the best time to enjoy the waterfalls, rivers and plant life of this lush-green village. As a certified clean village, Mawlynnong also boasts eco-tours and environmentally-conscious tours.
You can add these tours with some cultural tours to the villages of the Khasi Tribal people known for their warmth and hospitality.
10. Igatpuri, Maharashtra
Now that we have covered the Himalayan regions and the Aravalli Hills (Mount Abu) in Rajasthan, it is time now to look at some hill stations in the WESTERN GHATS mountain regions that run through the western and central parts of India.
We begin in Maharashtra, the economic and commercial nerve center of India. No trip to India is complete without a trip to Maharashtra.
In AUG we particularly recommend the small hill station of IGATPURI, that is located in the Nashik Region, THE WINE CAPITAL OF INDIA.
August is a great time to visit IGATPURI and enjoy the sites and sounds. The waterfalls, streams, the Bhatsa River and Arthur Lake are a joy to behold.
There are so many historical hill stations that you can explore as well. Some of the most popular Maharashtrian states are Mahabaleshwar (the land of Strawberries), PANCHGANI, KHANDALA, LONAVALA and BHANDARDARA.
MUMBAI and other Maharashtrian cities (PUNE, NAGPUR, AURANGABAD) are usually in the proverbial eye of the storm during the monsoon months. It gushes down on the city. Therefore, a good option is to escape to the hill stations of the Western Ghats.
11. Andharban, Maharashtra
Are you up for some more adventure and hiking in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra?
In the Maharashtra language, Andharban means the ‘DARK FOREST.’ The famous Andharban jungle trek features a lush-green dark jungle with dense foliage that teems with tremendous plant life. If you love nature and jungle trails, Andharban is the Holy Grail for you. We can’t recommend it enough in the monsoon.
This pearl in the Sahyadri (Western Ghats) attracts many hikers and jungle enthusiasts. You pass through the famous Tamhini Ghat along the way and witness the beautiful Devkund Waterfall.
You do not have to be in peak physical condition to make this trail. Even if you do not rush, you can easily do this 8 miles trek in around 5-6 hours. Andarbhan is arguably one of the top places to visit in Maharashtra, especially in August.
12. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
It is not just hiking trails, jungles and forests that are on offer in the Western Ghats region. There is a lot of heritage as well. Hidden in the CHHATARPUR of MADHYA PRADESH, in the Central India State of Madhya Pradesh, is one of India’s greatest architectural wonders.
The KHAJURAHO (UNESCO World Heritage SITE) Temples are traced back to the Chandela Dynasty that thrived in these parts in the 9th and 19th century AD. The Khajuraho Temple Complex features temples that are adorned with intricate murals, rock-cut art, floral designs and human and animal sculptures. What makes them stand out is that gods, human and animals are featured performing intimate sexual encounters. Along with Ajanta and Ellora, Khajuraho is one of the most popular tourist attractions in India for lovers of arts, sculpting, architecture and heritage.
Ever since their discovery, these temples have caught the fascination of historians, archeologists, architects and artists.
As for the reasons for such graphic sexual depictions, theories abound. Some say, there are mere depictions of the sexual discourse of the ancient sacred text Kamasutra. Others say it was just a form of amusement. That the artists and creators of the CHANDELA DYNASTY created these bold sculptures as a form of entertainment for the gods and goddesses.
Whatever the reason may be, India and the world are richer for it.
KHAJURAHO is one of the most scintillating architectural sights in the world. It tantalizes you. You have to see it to believe it.
13. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
The Ideal South India Hill Station
There are so many hill station in the south of India but very few hill stations are as beautiful as the TAMIL NADU GEM, Kodaikanal.
It is the perfect place to run away to in the rainy seasons.
It is located at considerable height with mist covered mountains that make for ideal sceneries.
Its inhabitants affectionately call their home, THE PRINCESS OF HILL STATIONS. The claim is not misplaced.
IT HAS EVERYTHING YOU WANT FROM A HILL STATION! There are lakes, there are nature walks, there are waterfalls and there are so many birds. It is the perfect blend of nature and wildlife.
14. Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Karnataka also has its hill stations.
CHIKMAGALUR is famous for its coffee plantations. It is one of the major coffee producing regions in India. But in the summer months, it also doubles as a hill station for those people that are looking to get away from the humidity of the coastal parts.
It is located in the MULLAYANAGIRI sub-branch of the Western Ghat Mountains.
We highly recommends this part of Karnataka.
15. Coorg, “The Scotland Of India”
Also known as Kodagu, Coorg in the southern Indian state of Karnataka is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India in summer. Nicknamed, “the Scotland of India” by the officers of British Raj who made it a habit to escape to this idyllic destination in the hot months, COORG is famous for its green rolling hills, pleasant climate, lakes, tea gardens and waterfalls.
August is one of the best times to visit Coorg. The best way to reach Coorg is to take a train from the capital city of BANGALORE to MYSORE (known as the City of Palaces). You can use the stopover to go on a tour of palaces in Mysore, and then catch a taxi or bus to Coorg.
Once you are in Coorg, there are so many things you can do. The NAGARHOLE TIGER RESERVE is located in the district. While most of the other tiger reserves in the country are shut down in the monsoon months, Nagarhole stays open.
The royalty of Coorg like to go out to an exquisite spot called the RAJA’s SEAT to spend their evenings and relax. We recommend that you follow suit and enjoy the views of the Coorg landscape from this brilliant Vantage Point.
If you are interested in heritage immersion, the TALAKAVERTI TEMPLE and THE NAMDROLING MONASTERY GOLDEN TEMPLE are popular places to visit.
