Famous Summer Destinations In India

Kerala

Kerala is popularly known as God's Own Country. It stretches for 550km along India's southwest coast, divided between the densely forested mountains of the Western Ghats inland and a lush, humid coastal plain. The state of Kerala is swamped with tourists throughout the year. Kerala is one of the hottest tourist destinations on the international map and also has been declared as one of the ten Paradise on Earth. The lustrous state is blessed with long stretches of golden beaches, unnerving backwater for houseboat cruising, romantic honeymoon destinations, fragrant spice and tea gardens and plethora of flora and fauna in the various wildlife parks. Kerala is one of the coolest places to visit in South India!

Goa

The golden sandy beaches of Goa are an ideal summer destination. A diverse tourist locale, Goa is celebrated the world over for its laidback culture, sun kissed beaches, gothic churches and rocking nightlife. From north to south, the Goa coastline is marked by a number of beach towns, with relaxed ambience, seafood and water sports such as wind surfing, water skiing, sailing, water-scooters, and dolphin spotting cruises. The beaches of Calangute and Baga are the most visited while other famous beaches include Arambol, Anjuna, Candolim, Colva and Palolem. Cheap air travel to Goas airport, Dabolim, from the rest of India has spawned a dramatic rise in the number of domestic visitors holidaying here in recent years. Goa is the best place to visit for party in summers in India. 

Ooty

Ooty short for Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam is located in Tamil Nadu at a height of 2240m above sea level. It is one of South India's most popular hill stations and is also known as the  Queen of Hill Stations . Ooty draws a large number of tourists every year. It is nestled in the beautiful Blue Mountains or Nilgiris. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers. The sprawling tea and coffee plantations is a must watch in Ooty. In your stay in Ooty, you must visit the Botanical Gardens, the Government Museum, Rose Garden, Tiger Hill, Kalhatty Falls, Ooty Lake, Pykara and try some adventure sports as Trekking and Hang-Gliding.

Kashmir

Kashmir valley is a popular tourist destination for domestic (Indian) as well as foreign tourists. Among the popular tourist places in the valley are Gulmarg that has a ski resort, Dal Lake that has popular house boats, Pahalgam and Amarnath Temple. Let the white snow capped mountains, quaint shikaras, apple orchards, colorful flowers and simple people give you an amazing time. Also do not miss the chance of visiting the Ranbireshwar Temple, Lakshmi Narayan temple and Peer Baba Shrine at Satwari. Kashmir is rightfully said as the paradise on earth. With is amazing natural beauty and serene environment, this is one of the Most Popular Summer Destinations in India.

Manali

Manali is one of the main summer destination for backpackers, trekkers and honeymooners escaping the summer heat. Due to its scenic beauty, it is also known as the Switzerland of India. Lapped in the Kullu valley, it is surrounded by towering peaks offering a fine chance for the trekkers. The various Tibetan Monasteries, Naggar Castle, Roerich Museum, Arjun Gufa (Arjun Cave), Jagatsukh, Solang Valley etc. are the other places of interest in and around Manali. The place is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. It is one of the best hill stations to visit in North India.

Darjeeling

Located in the Eastern side of India, Darjeeling is a signature hill station with cloud covered valleys, wild streams, mesmerizing mountain views and something very unique-the world renowned Toy Trains. Don't skip the opportunity to jump in one of them as it moves in slow pace in the pristine forests on the hills to give you an experience that is hard to replace. Get up at dawn if you want to witness the sun rise from the Tiger Hills and shout out in excitement when the sun comes out from behind the hills and the first rays reflect upon the Kanchenjunga. Other major tourist sites are Batasia Loop, Botanical Gardens, Rock Garden, several monasteries, Chowrasta etc. One of the coolest hill stations in East India.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg is one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India located in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, also home to the world's highest green golf course. Gulmarg is also known as the "Meadow of Flowers" because of its scenic beauty. With the lush green slopes, flowers in different shades and the valleys, the backdrop is very much like a "dream fantasy" set of a movie. Owing to its pictorial charm, this is a famous honeymoon destination for couples.

Coorg

Nestled among the lush greeneries of the Western Ghats and exotic scenic environment, Coorg is one of the destinations that you should visit to beat the summer heat.Coorg offers you a fascinating past, captivating natural beauty, great cuisine and aromas of the coffee plantations, oranges and honey. Set amidst verdant valleys, imposing mountains and teak wood forests, this is one of the most beautiful hill stations you can visit. Madikeri Fort, Abbi Falls, Iruppu Falls, Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Padi Iggutappa Temple, Somwarpet, Little Tibet (Tibetan refugee's colony), etc. are the major tourist spots here. The major outdoor activities that one can indulge in this place are trekking, Angling, White Water Rafting and Golfing.

Srinagar

Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. Srinagar is set around the beautiful Dal Lake, where picturesque houseboats or shikharas carry tourists on boat rides around the lake. It is an ideal summer getaway. Srinagar basically has an alpine weather, as the summers are mild and winters are cold. The major tourist places are Shalimar Garden, Dachigam wildlife sanctuary, Nishat Garden, Shankaracharya Temple, Cheshma Shahi and Pari Mahal. One can even shop for indigenous crafts like hand-woven silks and embroidered shawls.

Shimla

Often referred as the 'Queen of Hills', Shimla is the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is perhaps one of the most popular tourist destinations. Loaded with natural beauty and scenic landscape, Shimla is an integral part of Indian history and heritage. The city of Shimla is blessed by the presence of seven different hills that houses some of the major tourist spots. Your stay in Shimla will be marked by visits to destinations like Christ Church, St Michael's Cathedral, Churdhar Sanctuary, Kufri, Gurkha Castles, Jakhu Hill etc. It is here where a traveller sees a happy co-existence of the modern facilities with the old world charm.

Leh-Ladakh

The sheer majesty and beauty of this ethereal place is evident from its location, that is graced by the commanding presence of the mighty Himalayas and the Karakoram range. Spread along the valleys where the altitude rises from 9000 feet to 25170 feet, Ladakh is a destination where time stands still and you won't want to come back again to the regular routine. Enjoy life to the fullest among the monasteries, valleys, lakes, glaciers, festivals and the simple locals. The main attractions of Leh-Ladakh are Zanskar, Sankar Gompa, Alchi, Baltoro Glacier, Lamayuru Gompa, Siachen Glacier, Hemis Festival and so on. The exquisite lakes of Pangong tso and Tso Morari are worth a visit as well as the almost surreal Nubra Valley with its sand dunes and wandering camels.

Mussoorie

 Its proximity to the national capital New Delhi has made Mussoorie a famous and much more accessible holiday hub. Located in the amazing Himalayan range, at an astounding 2500 meter height from the sea level, Mussoorie offers a happy weekend outing with attractions that keeps the traveller engaged and pre-occupied. The major of them are as follow: Gun Hill trekking, Kempty falls and trekking and a bit of shopping as the markets are full of traditional stuff like the wooden decorative and gift items, brass statues, ceramic vases, Garhwali Dresses and the ethnic Ladakhi Shawls.

Nainital

Nainital is a hill station located in the foothills of Kumaon range of mountains in Uttarakhand. Dotted with lakes , Nainital has earned the epithet of 'Lake District' of India . Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake and is surrounded by mountains. The high mountains and the vast stretches of green across the horizon add to the pictorial beauty. The name of this famous hill station is believed to have been taken from the Goddess Naina and a temple dedicated to Goddess Naina is also there. The major tourist places are Tiffin Top, Naini Lake, Naina Peak, Land's End etc. 

Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is a hilly retreat established by American missionaries in around 1845 in order to escape from the high temperatures of the plains. Kodaikanal, or Kodai owes its popularity to its hilltop position which is at an altitude of 2,195 m in Tamil Nadu. It offers breathtaking views over the blue-green reaches of the Vaigai plain. Raj-era bungalows and flower-filled gardens add atmosphere, while short walks out of the centre lead to rocky outcrops, waterfalls and dense shola forest. Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker's Walk, Green Valley View, Shenbaganur Museum of Natural History, Pillar Rocks, Guna caves, Silver Cascade, Dolphin's Nose and Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple are the major tourist attractions in and around Kodaikanal.

Munnar

Munnar is located in the Idduki district of Kerala state. Along with unique species of flora and fauna, the place also has an extensive stretch of tea plantations amidst the high mountains and unspoiled valleys, giving a pleasant feeling. The scented cool air is filled with the aroma of spices. The rising and falling terrain of Munnar is covered with forests and grasslands. Munnar is also paradise for bird watchers as rare species of birds are found in abundance. Anamudi Peak, Tata Tea Museum, Indo Swiss Dairy Farm, Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Lock Heart Gap etc. are the major tourist places in Munnar.