August is a month of gentle showers and lush greenery in almost every part of India. Some areas become drenched and soggy, while others bloom like heaven itself after two months of rain. A trip in August is sure to bring you unparalleled joy, with carpeted mountains, crisp fresh waterfalls, nature treks, monsoon adventure activities, and plenty of delicious comfort food to accompany it. With the showers and festivities in mind, here are some of the best places to visit in India in August.
1. Cherrapunjee
Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, also known as Sohra, was once the wettest place on Earth and is famous for its double-decker living root bridge. This sub-divisional town, about 50 kilometres from Shillong, is well-known for its diverse flora and natural attractions. Even though Mawsynram is now the wettest place on the planet, Cherrapunji still holds the record for the most rainfall in a calendar year. It is one of the best places to visit in India in August , as the misty valleys and waterfalls in the region make a long drive through Cherrapunji ideal for those who enjoy road trips. During the sunny winter days, the breathtaking panoramic views of the valley and waterfalls such as the famous Nohkalikai Waterfalls are wonderful experiences.
Places to Visit in Cherrapunjee
- Double Decker Living Root Bridges
- Nohkalikai Waterfalls
- Mawsynram Village
- Krem Mawmluh
- Mawsmai Nongthymmai Eco Park
- Wakaba Falls
- Dainthlen Waterfall
- Mawlynnong Village
- Mawsmai Cave
- Mawkdok Dympep Valley View
- Mawsmai Falls
- Dawki
How to Reach Cherrapunjee
The Guwahati Railways Station is the nearest railway station to Cherrapunji. This station is very well connected with the rest of the parts of the country and there are several trains plying to and from this railway station. Shillong the capital of the Meghalaya state has the nearest airport to reach Cherrapunjee. The distance between Shillong and Cherrapunjee is around 60kms. There are several bus services which connect Cherrapunjee with both Shillong as well as with Guwahati. One can also avail taxi services to enjoy the scenic views.
2. Tinchuley
Tinchuley is a tiny hamlet tucked in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in the Darjeeling region of north Bengal. Sprawled across vast stretches of mountains and tea gardens, the lush pastoral landscape of this place makes it a pristine locale and a destination with endless natural beauty. With fresh mountain air, serene ambience, and panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas, it is one of the best places to visit in India in August with monsoon showers. It is akin to a live painting that you would want to step in and never leave. Here’s a guide to Tinchuley, with comprehensive details on activities and things to do here, to make the most out of your trip.
Places to Visit in Tinchuley
- Sunrise View Point
- Lover’s Point
- Gumba Dara
- Tinchuley Monastery
- Chhota Mangwa
How to Reach Tinchuley
There is no railway station or train service in Tinchuley. The nearest major railway station is in New Jalpaiguri, about 70KM away. Tinchuley is well-connected to the rest of North Bengal and other parts of the state via NH10 and NH110. There’s a handful of local buses from Siliguri to Darjeeling or Kalimpong which stop at Tinchuley. There are also options for shared taxis. But there is no local transport available in the area. So, the best way to reach Tinchuley is to book a cab or rent an outstation car from Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri city, or NJP station and drive to the village.
3. Ladakh
Ladakh is the land of monasteries and rugged mountains, a perfect holiday destination for bikers and adventure junkies. With renowned towns like Leh and Kargil, passes like Khardung La and Rohtang, and lakes like Pangong Tso, this marvel of opal blue skies over brown hills is a dream on earth. It is one of the best places to visit in India in August, as this place becomes even more special as the rains have washed the landscapes and left them clean and gleaming. Cool-weather with a 20-30°C temperature range prevails. Check out this guide to Ladakh, with comprehensive details on activities and things to do here, to make the most out of your trip.
Places to Visit in Ladakh
- Pangong Lake
- Nubra Valley
- Magnetic Hill
- Hemis National Park
- Nimu
- The Leh Palace
How to Reach Ladakh
There are no direct routes by which Ladakh can be reached by train. There are a number of direct flights to Ladakh. The region is served by Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. There are flights to Ladakh from Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi. From Leh, rent a car or an airport taxi to go anywhere in the region.
4. Sangla Valley
Sangla Valley or Sangla is one of the most charming locales of Himachal Pradesh. Located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal, at the foothills of the Greater Himalayas, Sangla is the closest accessible valley region near the India-Tibet border. The name Sang-la comes from the Tibetan word which translates to ‘pass of light’ (in Tibetan, ‘La’ refers to a mountain pass). The valley starts at Karcham, ends in Chitkul, and is surrounded by smaller villages flanked by dense forests of pines, cedar, and apple orchards, with sparkling waterbodies cutting through them. It is one of the best places to visit in India in August with endless natural wonders in the monsoon. To experience local culture, you can visit the Fulaich Fair, a local flower festival that is held every year, between August and September. At the festival, Kinnauri women dress up in traditional attires and perform folk dances. This handy Sangla Valley travel guide details out the gems of the place that every traveler must experience.
Places to Visit in Sangla
- Bering Nag Temple
- Kamru Fort
- Tibetan Wood Carving Center
- Baspa Riverside,
How to Reach Sangla
There is no railway station or flight connectivity in Sangla Valley. Sangla Valley is well-connected to Delhi, the rest of the state, and neighbouring cities and towns in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh via NH5. There are regular state-run and private buses from New Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Shimla, Rishikesh, Patiala, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, etc. The best way to travel to Sangla from any of these places is to rent an outstation cab or book a car and do a scenic road trip.
5. Agumbe
Often called the Cherrapunji of South India, Agumbe is known for its scenic beauty and biodiversity. Nestled on a plateau on top of the Someshwara Ghat, it is located at a distance of 380 km from Bangalore. It is situated in the Shimoga district of Karnataka and gets its sobriquet because it receives 7,640 mm of mean annual rainfall, the second-highest in India. The vast but fast-depleting biosphere is made up of dense forests, tropical hills, gushing streams, and torrential waterfalls, replete with rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, making it a holistic ecosystem in itself. Because of its rich natural resources, Agumbe forms a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In April, daytimes are pretty warm while nighttime lows are 29°C. The mild and dry weather around this time is perfect for hiking and viewing the rainforest. Check out this handy travel guide to experience all the treasures of this mystical forest land.
Places to Visit
- Jogigundi Falls
- Agumbe Sunset View Point
- Barkana Falls
- Gopalkrishna Temple
- Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
How to Reach
There is no flight service directly to Agumbe. The nearest airport is in Mangalore, about 95 KM away. Mangalore is well-connected to all major cities and towns in South India and other states. You can fly to Mangalore and then book an airport taxi to reach Agumbe.
6. Pondicherry
Pondicherry, also known as Paris of the East is the most visited, most popular, and one of the most scenic beach retreats near the metro city of Chennai. Whether you are looking for a quick weekend getaway or an elaborate beach vacation, Pondicherry is the answer to all your travel needs. The peaceful, old French town is blended with colonial heritage, millennial trappings, and the pristine beauty of the expansive bay and sparkling shores. Somewhere between the colonial French influence and the quirks of modern civilization, the quaint coastal town of Pondicherry is trapped. Pondicherry is one of the best places to visit in India in August, as the monsoons are almost subsiding and the weather Gods give relief from the scorching sun.
Check out this handy guide to Pondicherry, with comprehensive details on activities and things to do here, to make the most out of your trip.
Places to Visit in Pondicherry
- Promenade Beach
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Rock Beach
- Immaculate Conception Cathedral
- Paradise Island
- Pondicherry Museum
- French War Memorial
- Old Lighthouse
- Arikamedu
- Auroville
How to Reach
Pondicherry is connected by railways to all major cities like Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Mumbai and other major cities/towns nearby like Kanyakumari, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam and Mangalore. Pondicherry is well-connected to all major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. The East Coast Road directly connect Chennai to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram.
7. Shimoga
Shimoga, also known as Shivamogga, is a beautiful city in Karnataka’s central region. The name is derived from the term “Shimoga“. Lord Shiva drank the water of the Tunga river using a Mogge (pot), which is why this city was named after him. The city is located on the banks of the Tunga River. It has been nicknamed as “Gateway to Malnad” as it serves as a gateway to the hills of the Western Ghats. Read on to find out everything about Shimoga!
Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is a small island near Mandagadde village, around 30 kilometres from Shimoga. It is one of the closest bird sanctuaries around Shivmogga. The three most famous flocks of birds found in these sanctuaries are the Median egret, Darter (or snakebird), and Little Cormorant. The bird sanctuary in Shimoga houses over 5000 different species of birds in August. This handy Shimogo travel guide details out the gems of the place that every traveler must experience.
Places to Visit in Shimoga
- Gandhi Park
- Lion and Tiger Safari
- Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kunchikal Falls
- Chakra Dam
How to Plan a Trip to Shimoga
The Bangalore to Shimoga route is served by 7 weekly and 2 daily trains, covering approximately 235 kilometers. Taking a cab to Shivamogga, which takes about 6 hours, is a quicker and more convenient option to get from Bangalore to Shimoga by road. The distance is 300 km. You can easily book a Bangalore to Shimoga cab for a hassle-free commute.
Last Updated on August 23, 2022 by Shabari Shankar
