Summer in India - Climate, Nature, Places to Visit, Things to Do and More

Summer in India extends from April to June or July and is a season renowned for hot, tropical climate. Thankfully, India boasts of extremely diverse geography and some regions are blessed with comfortably cool weather in summers. Verdant mountains with lush forests, cool beaches and snow-bound peaks offer respite from heat waves and are coveted holiday destinations during summer in India.

India’s summer destinations are not only about cold weather but also the awe-inspiring landscapes unique to the subcontinent. There are exquisite places for those who seek low temperatures as well as those with a knack for sun on their skin. With serene getaways on the lap of the Himalayas to bustling cities of heritage, you will be spoilt for choice deciding which locations to explore while summer lasts in India. 

1. Summer in North India - Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

• Time of the Year - April to June
• Best Places to Visit -

1. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
2. Kasol and Manali, Himachal Pradesh
3. Auli, Uttarakhand
4. Sonamarg and Gulmarg, Kashmir

North India is known best for its ecotourism regions and year round cold weather. Kashmir, India’s summer capital, boasts of the sprawling Dal Lake. You can ride a shikara boat here while admiring scenic Himalayan peaks around. The tropics and wildlife of Dachigam National Park evoke your flair for adventure. Rhododendrons and tulips at Uttarakhand’s valleys and Sonamarg surprisingly grow above lines of no vegetation. There are picturesque hills, trekking routes and religious sites in Himachal Pradesh where Tibetan influence on culture and architecture is strong.

2. East Indian Summers - West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam and Sikkim

• Time of the Year - April to July
• Best Places to Visit -

1. Darjeeling, West Bengal
2. Gangtok, Sikkim
3. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
4. Shillong, Meghalaya

Owning fair shares of both hill stations and captivating plains to explore during summer, North India has one of the most varied landscapes ranging from the lively Digha and Mandarmani beaches to Cherrapunji, a hill-town in Meghalaya receiving the highest rainfall in the world. As the Brahmaputra river brings relief to Meghalaya, tourists flock to its shores for camping and boating on valley-bound waters. Darjeeling and Gangtok are beloved landmarks, known for their lush deciduous forests, rare wildlife and mesmerizing views of Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest.

3. Summer in South India - Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu

• Time of the Year - April to June
• Best Places to Visit -

1. Wayanad, Kerala
2. Paradise Beach, Pondicherry
3. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
4. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

A major part of the South Indian coast is spanned by the lofty Western Ghats, a mountain range with lush tropics and cool summers. Travelling during summer in India is incomplete without trekking the hill stations of Wayanad, Munnar and Kodaikanal, known for their vast stretches of coffee plantations. South India is also home to iconic temples and Ayurveda hubs. In Pondicherry, upscale beaches and grand Portuguese architecture dazzle tourists and offer refreshing water activities, delicious seafood and crafted drinks.

4. Summer in West India - Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa, Maharashtra and Diu

• Time of the Year - April to June
• Best Places to Visit -

1. Palolem Beach and Calangute, Goa
2. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
3. Marine National Park, Gujarat
4. Jaipur and Udaipur, Rajasthan

Mahabaleshwar is a summer wonderland with its strawberry farms and scenic campsites in tropical forests and riversides with white-water rafting facilities. Goa does not fail to amaze with its lavish beaches, mouthwatering cuisine and India’s biggest music concerts. Often mistaken for a dry region, Gujarat and Rajasthan have beautiful summer retreats. Marine National Park provides a unique safari experience where dolphins, whales and porpoise play at your feet! Udaipur, the Venice of East, is full of beautiful gardens and unbelievably large man-made lakes.

5. Exploring Lesser Known Summer Destinations - Nagaland, Dehradun, and Chattisgarh

• Time of the Year - April to July
• Best Places to Visit -

1. Dzukou Valley, Nagaland
2. Mussoorie, Dehradun District
3. Jagdalpur, Chattisgarh

Nagaland, the falcon capital of the world, is a place of rare tribal culture, exotic forests and prominent urban settings. At 2,438 metres of elevation, Dzukou Valley is Nagaland’s best treat and guards the border between India and Myanmar. Summer brings beautiful seasonal flowers to this highly coveted trekking spot. Mussoorie sits at the Garhwal Himalayan foothills and boasts of lofty green peaks, aesthetic skyline views and a robust pre-independence British presence. The turquoise waterfalls of Jagdalpur, cascading out of rugged hills are very rejuvenating to watch and camp beside. The city is also a premium shopping spot for handicrafts.

Places to Visit During Summer in India

The following is a premier collection of hill stations and cities in India with ambient summer conditions where you would not have to break a sweat about scorching heat: -

• Manali - With freshly melted snow in the valleys, Manali in Himachal Pradesh flaunts lush green forests with subalpine delights and gorging rivers. This is the best hill station for exhilarating activities like hiking, skiing, paragliding, camping and zorbing. Parvati Valley houses several hamlets like Kullu, Rohtang and Kasol, frequented by hipsters and adventure aficionados.

• Ladakh - The beige terrain of Ladakh makes it a unique summer spectacle of India. This far-flung state on the Indus Valley is home to Zanskar Valley, the most popular trekking destination in India. River Zanskar is frozen year round and you can walk on its glacial water surrounded by Himalayan peaks. Ladakh has Buddhist monasteries where you can stay, enjoy northern cuisine and leopard sightings.

• Sunderbans - This delta region of West Bengal is best known as the world’s largest mangrove forest and preserves of endangered Bengal tigers. Sunderbans is also popular for river cruises, forest safaris and creative treehouse resorts. You can enjoy live cultural entertainment offered by native tribes who are also heartwarming people to sit around bonfires and chat with.

• Mount Abu - Mount Abu is a hill station in Rajasthan’s Aravalli Mountains, with semi-arid vegetation, rocky plateaus and cool climate. Nakki Lake here is a popular boating destination during summer in India. Alongside many hiking trails, there are centuries-old Jain temples of great religious importance.

• Chandipur beach - Known for bizarre natural phenomena where the sea can go back and forth up to 5 kilometers daily, this beach in the eastern state of Orissa has quirky Indian casinos, laid-back shacks serving fresh seafood, contrasted against ornate Hindu temples onshore. Since swimming is allowed here, travellers enjoy the relaxing weather and cool emerald waters when they visit Chandipur Beach during summer in India.

Contrasting Features of Summer in India

As pressure and wind belts change during summer in India, there are very distinct regional features to know about. Loo is one such wind type with gusts of heat that blow during daytime in many parts of north northwest India. If you encounter such a phenomenon, be sure to cover your mouth and nose. As you can tell, they are best avoided and left to blow on deserted grounds. In contrast to this, West Bengal experiences the heaviest rainfall and storms during the summer months of May and June. Known as “Kaal Baisakhi”, these rains are stronger than the monsoon ones and fill the state with enchanting cool weather and plenty of Alphonso mangoes.

Things to Do During Summer in India

• Riverside camping: India has abundant mountainous rivers, beaches and waterfalls, and pitching a tent next to them brings sweet breeze and tangible clouds onto your lap. You can find great seasonal deals on camp bookings at Dharamshala, Manali, Nainital and many more cozy locations on holidify.com.

• Trekking: The best way to explore any mountain, forest or cascading river is to trek along the landscapes. You can contact your accommodation hosts for itineraries and seek out suitable routes for trekkers of different aptitudes. India’s trek routes vary in elevation, scenery and culture, an opportunity you should utilize while slowly travelling on foot.

• Ice climbing: While this may require some expertise, steep Himalayan slopes and glazed rocks of northern peaks in Uttarakhand, Ladakh and Kashmir at sub-zero temperatures are well-suited for ice climbing. Most resorts and campsites offer professional assistance and equipment for you to venture into the wildest terrains of the subcontinent.

• Swimming and surfing: Come summer in India, tourists love to hit the beach and enjoy a revitalizing swim at Gokarna, Bekal in Kerala, Goa, Radhanagar at Andaman and Tarkarli in Maharashtra. Varkala and Kovalam beaches in Kerala are the most thrilling and scenic destinations if surfing atop high waves is your thing.

As most travellers look forward to summer in India and its exciting, picture-perfect locations, you can plan your next visit here and let us know in the comments about your queries.