I am going India with my family in the month of July and I believe it is very hot during this time of the month. We will be in Ahmedabad where my grandparents live. I would prefer to actually go some place which is cooler for a week or two and it would give me a chance to see another part of India. Please give a list of the places to visit in July in India, so my family can plan the place to visit before we arrive in India.
Hello, @Sanjana, welcome to the forum! (Images from Travel Twosome, Northeast Tourism and My Gola) Overview July is actually part of the monsoon season in India so rainfalls are inevitable during this month. Still, the humidity and high temperatures in the plains are still rampant. The first state to be hit by the monsoon season is Kerala, followed by Mumbai and then Delhi. July is one of the wettest months of the country and by this time, almost all regions are struck by moderate to heavy rainfalls, although there's a few that remains dry and only have light to moderate rainfalls. Northeast India, also known as the Seven Sister States, receive the most abundant rainfalls, which is why Cherrapunjee in the state of Meghalaya is known as one of the wettest places on Earth. If you compare North India with South India though, the latter receives more rainfall than the former. However, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, in South India, generally receives less rainfall during this month as their main monsoon season is from October to November. On the side of North India, regions such as Ladakh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab generally receive lesser rainfall as compared to the other states. Depending on your interests, you can find certain places to visit in India even in the humid and wet month of July. If it's cooler places that you want, you can go for hill stations. If it's places where you want to enjoy the greenery and the rains, then head on to the northeastern part of India or even Kerala. If you want to totally avoid the rain, then the states of Rajasthan and Ladakh might work well for you. Places to Visit in July in India Pleasant and cool hill stations... 1. Munnar (Kerala) - A favourite hill station in the state of Kerala is Munnar, a place where pure bliss can be found. During the month of July, temperatures here barely exceed 24°C, which is why it is a good choice for those who want to escape the heat from the plains. An added bonus is that the hill station is enveloped in lush greenery during this month, since there are numerous tea plantations here that bloom during the monsoon season. If you're thinking of what you can do while in Munnar, well, there are plenty! You can enjoy a relaxing boat ride amidst the Mattupetti Dam, one of the prime attractions of the hill station. Or even spend a little picnic just beside the dam, surrounded by the mountains, the views are exhilarating and mesmerising. The Kundala Lake also offers the same activities and views, although it's a bit more commercial than the former. For taking shots that are Instagram-worthy, there's the Top Station, where you can view the Western Ghats on a clear day. If the weather permits you can also visit the Attukad Waterfalls, which becomes fuller during the monsoon season. The Rajamalai National Park is yet another must visit here, which is a part of the Eravikulam National Park. The endangered Nilgiri tahr resides in the national park although it takes a bit of luck to be able to spot it. It is also one of the few national parks that allows trekking within its premises, a must do experience when in Munnar. Despite being a popular tourist destination in the state, Munnar has maintained its pristine beauty, which comes out even more during the monsoon season. Must visit attractions - Mattupetti Dam, Kundala Lake, Top Station, Attukad Waterfalls and Rajamalai National Park. Related thread - Munnar Travel Guide 2. Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu) - While most of Tamil Nadu experiences a hot and humid climate during July, Kodaikanal is an exception. This hill station has pleasant climate all-year round, including the month of July. Temperatures don't even reach beyond 20°C which means that you might need light woollens especially during night time. Much like the rest of the state, it doesn't receive much rainfall during July too, as October is the main month when heavy rainfalls occur. Kodaikanal is not as commercialised as well so you can truly enjoy the serenity of the hill station. There are three lakes in the hill station which are very scenic and you're bound to find one every few minutes since they are located close to each other. The Kodaikanal Lake is the main lake, where there are boating facilities for within the lake and also bicycling facilities for around the lake. The Berijam Lake is less touristy and is inside a reserve forest so you can enjoy the jungle views from the lake itself. The last lake is the Mannavanur Lake is about 40 kilometres away from Kodaikanal itself, but it's best visited during the monsoons when it is fuller. Around Kodaikanal, you can indulge in walks in parks like Coaker's Walk, Bryant Park and Chettiar Park. Places that the adventurers can explore are the Pillar Rocks, pillar-shaped rocks off a cliff, and Guna Cave, narrow pathway between two caves or rocks, outlined with growths of roots of trees. Must visit attractions - Kodaikanal Lake, Berijam Lake, Mannavanur Lake, Coaker's Walk, Bryant Park, Chettiar Park, Pillar Rocks and Guna Cave. Related thread - Kodaikanal Travel Guide Embrace the rains... 3. Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya) - If you love the monsoon season, you must visit Cherrapunjee, known as the second wettest place on Earth. In fact, July is its wettest month and so experiencing rain everyday here is not a rare occurrence. Still temperatures don't exceed 30°C so you can enjoy the moderate climate. Cherrapunjee is not your usual tourist destination though because it has been attracting tourists only for the past couple of years. It has remained quite beautiful and the culture of the locals have remained intact for many years. A must see attraction here are their Living Root Bridges, which are fully living trees made into bridges. There are also plenty of caves around the region, with the likes of Mawsmai Cave, Mawmluh Cave and Arwah Cave. However, do exercise some caution when visiting these caves in the monsoon as they can be very slippery and also filled with water. Around the region, there are also stunning waterfalls, that are best visited during the monsoon season. Noteworthy of mention are the Nohkalikai Waterfalls and the Seven Sisters Waterfalls which can be viewed safely from a distance. Cherrapunjee is one of those places that cannot be compared to any other destination and you're quite lucky that is right in India. Must visit attractions - Living Root Bridges, Mawsmai Cave, Mawmluh Cave, Arwah Cave, Nohkalikai Waterfalls and the Seven Sisters Waterfalls. Related thread - Meghalaya Travel Guide Living Root Bridge of Cherrapunjee (Image Courtesy of Cherrapunjee) 4. Belgaum (Karnataka) - Did you know that Belgaum received the lowest temperatures ever recorded in the state of Karnataka? Thus, the region is a good destination for those who enjoy cooler climates. Although summers here are a bit warm, winters and monsoons are very pleasant. During the month of July, the region receives the highest rainfall for the year. Temperatures remain on the 34°C mark so they are still very bearable. Belgaum also has plenty of waterfalls that become more alive during the month of July, or simply during the monsoon. While the Dudhsagar Waterfalls is known as a waterfall in Goa, it actually falls close to the border of both Karnataka and Goa in Belgaum. The trek to reach the waterfalls is quite challenging but every bit worth it. Another must visit is the Gokak Waterfalls, the site for the first hydroelectric plant in the country. During monsoon, the waterfalls are in full force and is a stunning sight to view. There's also the Godchinamalaki Waterfalls, although it's a it further away from Belgaum, but its cascades of every few metres look quite beautiful set amidst the lush greenery of the mountains. Lastly, you must also visit the Belgaum Fort, built around the 13th century by the Ratta dynasty, but it did undergo several renovations under other rulers. It is a highly protected fort, occupied by a part of the Indian army so no photography is allowed inside. Inside the fort, you can find a few mosques and shrines dedicated to Hindu deities as well. Enjoy the monsoon with its glorifying effects on the waterfalls of Belgaum. Must visit attractions - Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Gokak Waterfalls, Godchinamalaki Waterfalls and Belgaum Fort. Related thread - n/a Or maybe avoid the rains... 5. Udaipur (Rajasthan) - While you cannot completely avoid the rains when in Udaipur, you are well assured that there would be more sunshine than rains here. In addition, the rains actually add some touch of greenery to the mountains and fullness to the lakes of the city. Udaipur has a tropical climate all-year round but the month of July is a bit pleasant with temperatures not exceeding 35°C. Known as the City of Lakes, you can take a boat ride amidst any of the lakes of Udaipur and relish in the surrounding serenity and beauty. Of course the most popular lake is the Lake Pichola, but even the lesser known ones like the Lake Fateh Sagar and Jaisamand Lake are worth visiting. Around Lake Pichola, you can visit the different islands that also have attractions like the Jag Mandir Palace, Mohan Mandir Palace and Lake Palace. On the banks of the lake is the City Palace, the greatest example of the grandeur of the different dynasties of Rajasthan. A bit further from the city centre of Udaipur is the Monsoon Palace and here, you can observe the clouds, as that is what the palace was made for. The Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located just outside the palace, where you can view the rich wildlife and forest of the region. Must visit attractions - Lake Pichola (Jag Mandir Palace, Mohan Mandir Palace and Lake Palace), Lake Fateh Sagar, Jaisamand Lake, City Palace, Monsoon Palace and Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Related thread - Places to Visit in Udaipur City Palace of Udaipur (Image Courtesy of Wikimedia) 6. Leh (Ladakh) - Since the roads to Leh open up only from May or June up to October or November, July is one of the best months to visit the region. Leh receives one of the least rainfalls in India and as such, is a perfect monsoon destination. July is not as rampaged by snowfall so you can enjoy your road trip to Leh, although the regions of Rohtang Pass and Manali can still be slippery and bumpy due to rainfalls. Beyond these two, roads are usually clear. Temperatures in Leh remain below 34°C during this time as well so it's not as warm or as cold. Around Leh itself, there are plenty of ancient monasteries that you can explore. If you love history, then Leh might work well to your advantage. The Sankar Monastery is located close to the city centre of Leh and is dedicated to Goddess Dukkar. It has an assortment of ancient paintings and sculptures that make the monastery even more fascinating. The Spituk Monastery is a large complex comprising of several temples within it but its main temple is dedicated to Goddess Tara. Another must visit here is the Shanti Stupa, quite stunning with its white facade which reflects the sun during daylight. The views of the distant mountains are picturesque from here. The Leh Palace is a prime example of the architectural style of the Namgyal dynasty but many of its sections are in ruins now. If you have the time, excursions out of Leh can lead you to naturally beautiful places like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. The best part? You won't need to worry whether rains will delay your trips as they are uncommon in Leh. Must visit attractions - Sankar Monastery, Spituk Monastery, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. Related thread - Leh Travel Guide Greenery around you... 7. Ranikhet (Uttarakhand) - One of the best destinations in Uttarakhand is Ranikhet, also known as the Queen's Meadow. The combination of green meadows, mountain views and fruit orchards along with the onset of monsoon season means that the entire place is teeming with lush greenery during the month of July. Ranikhet receives snowfall during the months of December and January so it can be difficult to visit during that time. Summers and monsoons are the best times to visit the region. The Chaubatia Gardens is worth exploring here, which becomes in full bloom during the monsoon months, including July. Here, you can spot fruit orchards of apples, peaches and plums, an ideal attraction for nature lovers. You can also purchase freshly picked fruits, during season, and even some shakes and fruit juices. The Naukuchia Tal is another must-visit place, where you can indulge in boating activities while enjoying the lush greenery around you. Another must visit is the Ranikhet Golf Course, which again, provides one with a full view of the green landscapes of the region. If you love temples, there are plenty around the region too, with the Jhula Devi Temple being the most popular one. It is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is believed to be a wish-granting temple, wherein bells are exchanged for the supposed wishes of the devotees. If you have the time, you can also visit the Valley of Flowers, about 250 kilometres from Ranikhet. This national park only opens for a short time between June to October each year and July is one of the best months since the flowers are in full bloom during this time. Must visit attractions - Chaubatia Gardens, Naukuchia Tal, Ranikhet Golf Course, Jhula Devi Temple and Valley of Flowers (Excursion). Related thread - 20 Weekend Getaways from Delhi Ranikhet (Image Courtesy of Euttaranchal) 8. Lonavala (Maharashtra) - Lonavala can be visited all-year round but the monsoons are lend a bit more of beauty to the place. The region has lush mountains and during July, they are much fuller and greener. Temperatures in July don't exceed 26°C and although the region does receive rainfalls, it isn't as heavy enough to dampen your sightseeing. The Lonavala Lake is a favourite here and its other name is the Monsoon Lake as it is fed by the rains during the monsoon season. The Bushi Dam, although a bit dangerous, becomes fuller during monsoon season too and looks picturesque amidst the backdrop of the mountains and forests. The Tungarli Lake is yet another must visit and beside it is the Tungarli Dam. Both areas are popular for their camping sites and trails which are good options for adventurous travellers. There are also several forts around Lonavala worth exploring although some of them require some trekking. The Rajmachi Fort comprises of two actual forts, the Shrivardhan Fort and Manaranjan Fort, with the former being the higher one. There are different trekking routes that you can approach to reach the forts although the one from Lonavala is the most challenging one. There's also the Lohagad Fort, which was mainly under the Maratha dynasty, and has several temples, tanks and other structures inside it. Much like the former fort, it requires a bit of trekking to reach from Lonavala. Located close to the hill station, about 15 kilometres away, is the Karla Caves. These are rock-cut Buddhist caves built between and around the 2nd to 10th centuries. If you have some more time, the nearby twin hill station of Lonavala, Khandala, is also worth visiting. Must visit attractions - Lonavala Lake, Bushi Dam, Tungarli Lake, Tungarli Dam, Rajmachi Fort, Lohagad Fort and Karla Caves. Related thread - One Day Trip Near Pune Off the beaten tracks even in monsoon... 9. Mandu (Madhya Pradesh) - Madhya Pradesh receives most of its rainfall during the months of July to September. However, certain regions receive more rainfall than the others. Generally, the state has a tropical climate all-year round, barring a few months in the winter. Monsoons have more bearable temperatures and the western region receives less rainfall than the eastern region. Such a place in the western region that's worth visiting is Mandu. The town is home to some of the grandest architectural ruins in northern central India. A prime attraction here is the Jama Masjid, built by Raja Bhoj but completed during the reign of the Mughals in the region. As such, the combination of Hindu and Mughal styles of architecture is very much apparent. The Jahaz Mahal, also known as the Ship Palace, seems as if it's floating between the two lakes it was built in. The incredible architecture of the water reservoirs and water systems here are also worth seeing. The Hindola Mahal is known for its uniquely sloping walls, a distinct feature of the Persian style of architecture. And lastly, there's also the Rani Roopmati Palace, known for its intricate acoustic designs and marvellous water purifying system. For the history buffs, Mandu should be at the top of your list during the monsoon season because these features, the water systems, the reservoirs and lakes become more apparent during this time. Must visit attractions - Jama Masjid, Jahaz Mahal, Hindola Mahal and Rani Roopmati Palace. Related thread - Tourist Places in Madhya Pradesh Jahaz Mahal of Mandu (Image Courtesy of Speakz Easy) 10. Tinsukia (Assam) - Last on the list is a city in the state of Assam known as Tinsukia. Now, this city might not be as known as other cities in Northeastern India but it does have one reason why it's worth going to. But first of all, keep in mind that it does receive rainfall and pretty much heavy since it is on the northeastern part of the country. The Dibru Saikhowa National Park is the prime attraction of the region. It is a hot spot for both migratory and resident birds. Do indulge in a houseboat stay within the national park for a true wildlife experience. You might be able to spot gangetic dolphins too, either while you're on the houseboat or on a boat safari. Species of birds that can be commonly spotted here are white-winged wood ducks, white-bellied herons, purple herons, open bill storks and many more. The national park is also home to the only hoolock gibbons in India, an endemic specie of monkeys to the region. So want an experience that's out of the ordinary? Why not include Tinsukia into your itinerary, it's an experience that you won't regret. Must visit attraction - Dibru Saikhowa National Park. Related thread - Wildlife Sanctuaries in India Conclusion Oh, such diverse India, that even in the monsoon season, there are places to explore. Isn't that just beautiful and fun? Make sure you bookmark this page and tick off the places that you have visited during the month of July. Keep checking until you've visited them all. How about you, guys, any recommendation for places to visit during the month of July in India?
