Rishikesh · Uttarakhand
Rishikesh
Best Sep – Nov, Feb – May
Monsoon waterfalls and green landscapes
When the monsoon arrives, rivers that trickle all year turn into roaring falls and the hills go electric green. Go with good shoes, a rain jacket and respect for the water.
How we chose these: Places tagged with waterfalls, plus green places whose best season falls in the monsoon (June–September).
19 places
Anantnag · Jammu & Kashmir
Pahalgam
Best Apr – Oct
Munnar · Kerala
Munnar Tea Gardens
Best Sep – May
Thrissur · Kerala
Athirappilly Falls
Best Jun – Jan · Stay behind barriers near the falls, especially during monsoon flow.
Sonaulim · Goa
Dudhsagar Falls
Best Jun – Dec · Jeep safaris can be suspended in heavy monsoon.
Ganderbal · Jammu & Kashmir
Sonamarg
Best May – Sep · Heavy snow can limit access in winter.
Chamoli · Uttarakhand
Valley of Flowers
Best Jul – Aug · Open roughly June to October.
Alappuzha · Kerala
Alappuzha Backwaters
Best Sep – Mar
Ooty · Tamil Nadu
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Best Mar – Jun, Sep – Nov
Cherrapunji · Meghalaya
Nohkalikai Falls
Best Jun – Oct · Fog often hides the falls in the monsoon — mornings are clearest.
Lower Subansiri · Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro Valley
Best Mar – Oct
Bastar · Chhattisgarh
Chitrakote Falls
Best Jul – Jan · Stay behind barriers at the edge, especially in high flow.
Umaria · Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh National Park
Best Oct – Jun · Core zones are closed from July to September.
Jabalpur · Madhya Pradesh
Bhedaghat Marble Rocks
Best Oct – Mar
Kohima · Nagaland
Dzükou Valley
Best Jun – Sep (lilies), Oct – Nov · Steep sections and leeches in the monsoon; carry food and warm layers.
Ranchi · Jharkhand
Hundru Falls
Best Jul – Nov · Rocks are slippery; avoid swimming near the falls in the monsoon.
Serchhip · Mizoram
Vantawng Falls
Best Oct – Mar
Satara · Maharashtra
Kaas Plateau
Best Aug – Oct
Bastar · Chhattisgarh
Tirathgarh Falls
Best Jul – Jan