Changing weather and the much-awaited end of school exams are perhaps the two deciding parameters marking the holiday season in India. Summer vacation is that time of the year when most Indians are out in trains, planes and buses, ready to enjoy a holiday and forget about the monotonous daily life. If you too are thinking of the best travel destination to take your family to this year, let me lend a helping hand. Spread across the sub-continent, here are the ten best picks for a promising summer holiday.
Rohtang Pass
Rohtang in Himachal is a great option for a snowy summer | Photo Credit: Saad FaruqueCall it a cliché but making a snowman and posing with it is a must-do in snow-capped hill stations. An excellent way to beat the heat and enjoy family time too, snow remains one of the best choices this summer. And Rohtang in Himachal has plenty of it. This holiday season enjoy adventure sports in Manali, ice-skiing in Rohtang and submit yourself to the lush beauty of the valley in Kullu.
Havelock Island
Enjoy the white sand beaches and the beautiful ocean at Havelock IslandThis summer travel to the beautiful and romantic Havelock Island. Imagine staying in a wooden lodge with windows opening to the endless sea. Or picture walking on the white sand watching the sun set. Indulge the water baby in you with unlimited water sports and activities. It’s time to take out those pretty summer dresses and pack your bags for Havelock for a memorable island vacation.
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Bandhavgargh National Park
Come June, when the monsoons have settled in, and every nook and corner of India begins to bloom with exotic tropical beauty. This is the best time to explore India’s rich biodiversity and the best place is Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh National Park. Take your kids to Mowgli’s home of dens, lakes and treehouses and watch them gaping in wonder and amusement.
Meghalaya
Head to Cherrapunji, the wettest place on EarthFor those who have never been to this part of the country before, Meghalaya is the perfect destination for an introduction to magnificent North East India. Hills carpeted with tea plantations, little rivulets meandering here and there, a floating lake, peaceful monasteries and the wettest place on earth – Meghalaya has it all.
Munnar and Kodaikanal
Go down south for a picturesque vacation in MunnarIf South India is on your travel list this summer, Munnar and Kodaikanal are the best bargains. Being on the hills these picturesque towns offer pleasant climate and plenty of interesting activities like boating, golfing and trekking. Come close to nature with trips to Eravaikulam and Palani National Parks and with home stays being an excellent option for a taste of local life.
Explore the untouched beauty of BhutanTucked away along the North East border of India, this small country is fast becoming a major tourist attraction. From the peaceful monasteries to vibrant festivals, from a unique culinary style to exotic beliefs and practices, Bhutan is a different world altogether. A unique culture and pleasant climate wait to be enjoyed in Bhutan this summer. Also, Bhutan offers visa on arrival to its guests.
Fruit orchards of Maharashtra
Every summer, India indulges in a wide variety of tropical fruits like mangoes, chikoos and musk melons. This holiday, why not plan a tour to nature’s cradle of these succulent fruits? Ratnagiri, Mahabaleshwar and Matheran in Maharashtra are not just breathtakingly beautiful and eco-friendly towns but also home to the fragrant Alphonsos, strawberries and other fruits. Spend days picking fruits, learning about farming and relishing delicious jams and squashes while at your comfortable hotels away from the hassles of city life.
Himachal’s luxury resorts
Spend your holiday in the stunning Himachal valleyWhile Himachal is one of popular places to vacation, it also offers an offbeat, relaxed holiday away from the crowd, in its luxury family resorts sprawling in the beautiful valleys. Pleasant early mornings, trekking, lakeside picnics and camping on the river side, if these tempt you enough, buy yourself time and relaxation at Himachal Pradesh and discover nature your own way.
Rishikesh
Plan a weekend getaway to RishikeshKnown as the yoga capital of the country, the holy town of Rishikesh offers relaxation to adults and some thrilling adventure sports to kids. Trying out bungee jumping and rafting here and pamper yourself with spa sessions and yoga camps. Just 230 kilometres away from Delhi, you’d be surprised at how rewarding and rejuvenating this quick weekend getaway to Rishikesh can be.
Rajasthan
Shocked to see Rajasthan on this list? Don’t be. Though temperatures are high during the day, mornings and evenings are surprisingly pleasant and beautiful in Rajasthan. Unlike most coastal and inland regions, summers in Rajasthan are dry and not humid, making the heat quite bearable. If you want to make the most of a holiday in Rajasthan during summers, just tweak your itinerary a little. Spend early mornings, bird watching and trekking and sleep away the hot afternoons in your comfortable air-conditioned hotel rooms. In the evening, set out for some sightseeing, shopping and cultural shows or even a late night ice-cream by the lake. Mount Abu, Udaipur and Jaisalmer are some of the places you can travel to during summers.