Chasing Rains at Offbeat Monsoon Destinations in India

Since 7:00 am, we both are glued to our chairs in the hotel’s room Balcony with tea mugs in our hand. You know why? Because it has been raining since early morning and we can’t miss gazing at the formation of the raindrops, swaying trees, moving clouds, dancing flowers and that cool misty breeze on the face. You might think, we are crazy. Yes! We are because we love seeing, getting wet and jumping in rains at different places. So, as soon as monsoon set it foot, we start planning a trip to one of the offbeat monsoon destinations in India. Till now, we have covered many monsoon destinations in India and in this post, we will be covering our favorite ones.

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Breezy air, Blowing hair, With you by my side, Walking in the crisp morning sunrise, I gaze at you for a little while, Drawing ✍️ parallels from aesthetics of nature around, How beautifully you fit in the frame, Like a scenery painted with you as the main!! . . . . . . #allgudthings #travelindia #shetravels #lethergo #igramming_india #travelphotography #traveltheworld #travellove #wanderlust #indialove #indiapictures #travelpicture #earthpix #earth_shotz #cloudporn #hippieinhills #travelislife #visionofpictures #landscapecaptures #igcaptures #indiagram #naturephotography #naturelovers #natureshots #photogram #travelingram #uttarakhanddiaries #himalayas #travelgirl #uttarakhand_travel_diaries

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According. to AllGudThings, the best way is to take a self-drive road trip. There are two routes and we opted for route 1 because it is a highway and to avoid heavy traffic at Meerut and Saharanpur.

Route 1: Delhi – Panipat –Karnal – Yamunagar – Ponta Sahib – Chakrata

Route
2
: Delhi – Ghaziabad –
Meerut – Saharanpur –Dakpathar – Chakrata

Condition
of Roads
: Excellent, fully graveled highway
roads. The steep roads start only after Ponta Sahib

Binsar, Uttarakhand

Binsar, located at 7913 feet is a hidden sleepy place in the Kumaon Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Indeed, it is a less traveled forest, encircled by a vast wildlife sanctuary spreading up to 46km2. And today it is home to many rare animals, birds, and wildflowers.

As soon one
enters the Binsar
wildlife sanctuary the blanket
of green hangs all around. The rocks are covered with unusual moss and ferns,
and flowers and shrubs foliage is seen sprouting out of every conceivable nook
and corner of the hillside. The entire place looks from a different era. It seems time never touched this place and it has
been similar since years. In monsoons, Binsar becomes too exiting. If one
moment, there is a heavy rainfall followed by pitter – patter of raindrops than
other moment it will be misty with floating clouds in the valley.  Overall the place is adorable throughout and
looks super green, fresh, foggy and smells earthy.

Must Visit
–  
Zero
Point, Bineshwar Mahadev Temple, Kasar Devi Temple,

except few bad places. Also expect jams due to work in progress

Sikkim

Sikkim, is the least populous and second smallest mountainous state in North East India. The state is further divided into North, South, East and West Sikkim. The state has around 28 mountain peaks and also host the highest peak of India i.e. Kanchenjunga. Around 35% part of the entire state is covered by Kanchenjunga National Park & its capital is Gangtok.

Isnt that the best feeling. Also, the place turns to a chirpy heaven and one can even spot the rarest species of the birds at this time.

Must Visit – Gangtok, North Sikkim (Gurudongmar Lake, Lachen, Lachung, Katao), Rumtek Monastery, Zuluk, Pelling, Yuksom, Ravangla, Rabdentse Palace Ruins, Kanchenjunga National Park and waterfall, Khecheopalri Lake

How to reach Sikkim

Sikkim (Gangtok) lies at a distance of 1601 kilometers from
Delhi, 671 kilometers from Kolkata, 123 Kilometers from Bagdogra and 30 kilometers
from Pakyong. It can be reached via
air, road or rail. The nearest airport till 2018 was Bagdogra Airport but now
the nearest is Pakyong Airport. The nearest railway station is at Siliguri.
Further from here, the distance to Gangtok can be covered by shared or private
cabs or buses.

Condition of Roads from Bagdogra Airport- Highway with fully gaveled roads except for a few bad patches.

Goa

Goa, the smallest state of India is well known nationally and Internationally for its beaches, parties, sunsets and liberal culture. Just like Old Manali it too is listed under the Banana Pancake trail and is famous not only among the hippies and backpackers but also among the honeymoon couple.

Must Visit – Dudhsagar waterfall, North Goa Beaches (Candolim, Calangute, Vagator, Baga. Anjuna, Morjim), Chapora Fort, Old Goa Tour, Divar Island, Spice Plantations around Ponda, Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, Mollem National Park, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Panjim and Casinos. Also, check for the local Monsoon festivals like Soao Jao (celebrated in June) and Bonderam flag festival (celebrated in August).

How to reach Goa

Goa lie at a distance of 1902 kilometers from Delhi, 603 kilometers from Mumbai, 572Kilometers from Bangalore and 44 kilometers from Dabolim. It can be reached via air, road or rail. The nearest airport is Dabolim Airport whereas the nearest railway station is at Madgaon and Vasco – Da- Gama. Further from here, the distance to Panjim can be covered by shared or private cabs or local buses.

Condition of Roads from Dabolim Airport- Fully gaveled roads with potholes. Also, expect slow traffic due to work in progress.

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ज़िंदगी के मज़े लेने सीखो, वक़्त तो तुम्हारे मज़े लेता ही रहेगा !! . . . . monsoon in full swing at #oldgoa . . . . #goainmonsoon #goamonsoon #monsoonseason #rainyday #goarains #rainshower #rainyday☔ #goadairies #goadiaries #goadiaries❤ #goavibes #goanvibes #oldgoachurch #mypixeldairy #travelpicture #girlwhotravels #travelgirl #shewhotravels #travellingthroughtheworld #incredibleindia #picturesofindia #yourshot #natgeotravellerindia #photographers_of_india #india_everyday #travelindiagram #girltraveler #goatourism #iphonephoto

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Tips for Traveling in Monsoons

Remember the itinerary you planned cannot be completely followed during monsoons. Half of the time you will be just sitting in your room balcony, sipping tea, enjoying the rain or you might get stuck at a place for hours. So, keep a buffer day or two in your itinerary. Also, remember to be slow and go with the flow during the rainy season.

  • Rain-proof your entire luggage and your electronic devices
  • Carry an umbrella, raincoat, first aid box, extra pair of clothes, non-slippery floaters and slippers with you
  • Do keep windcheater, light jacket and a pair of socks as the weather gets cool after rains at all these places except Goa
  • Carry torch, mosquito repellants and some packaged food
  • Keep your ID proofs and photographs with you for the permits and a visit to North and East Sikkim
  • Make sure to keep your power banks charged as there are high chances of power failure or cut in monsoons
  • Travel safely as there are chances of landslides in hilly areas
  • Don’t go out if there is an alert by Metrological Department
  • Avoid going to the waterlogged areas
  • Stop if there are a heavy downpour and thunderstorm
  • Keep yourself hydrated and avoid exposing yourself to direct winds
  • In Goa, don’t go into the beach, as the high tides are really dangerous and can push you down hard
  • Don’t run in the hills as monsoons make the trails highly slippery and there are high chances of getting slipped and injured
  • Don’t opt for water activities, although you will see companies advertising and selling them in Goa

allgudthings

I am a traveler who loves capturing each moment which gives me happiness and reason to explore more.

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