ShashwatAs India deals with EXCESSIVE HEAT temperatures and too many heat-stroke cases to not be overwhelmed, here are some places to beat-the-heat and visit in India.
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Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is the perfect choice for best places to beat the heat in India for Summers 2024 due to its super cool climate, stunning landscapes & adventure activities.
Manali offers something for everyone – every person of every age group. Those who follow this blog since a few years know how much Manali actually means to me.
Explore the lush valleys, visit the infamous Hidimba Temple or take a thrilling trek to the Solang Valley with family to have some amazing snowy-fun with kids as you relax, enjoy the adventure activities and have that amazing Pahado wali Maggi with Tea while watching hordes of Yaks, 4×4 Bikes and many happy faces with the backdrop of pointy snow-mountains.
Manali’s charming cafes and vibrant bazaars add to its appeal, making it a top summer destination in 2024.
Why Manali?
- Perfect backdrop for photos, relaxation and nature walks.
- Cool and pleasant climate makes it a perfect spot for beating the excess heat in the country.
- From River Rafting to Paragliding and Trekking, Manali offers plenty adventure for your thrill-seeking soul.
- Old Manali is home to numerous cafes with interesting vibes, live music and just the right ambiance for a getaway.
- The town boasts of some of the most culturally and historically significant attractions like Hidimba Temple, Old Manali and the Vashisht Hot Springs.
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The second best places to beat the heat in India for Summers 2024 is none other than the Himachal’s very own QUEEN OF HILLS – SHIMLA.
Surrounded by lush forest of pine, oak and rhododendrons, Shimla has a unique colonial charm along with the obvious pleasant, cool weather.
It offers a refreshing break from the scorching heat we experience these days in many states of India, and provide the visitors with not just a pleasant place to be – but a place to roam around as well.
From the Mall Road to The Ridge, there is plenty space to stroll around Shimla and indulge in the breathtaking views of the mountains.
Historical attractions like the Viceregal Lodge and the Christ Church showcases the town’s rich heritage.
Why Shimla?
- Shimla offers a pleasant escape from the excessive heat of India with the cool temperature and fascinating cold breeze.
- Shimla boasts of breathtaking landscapes and stunning mountain views.
- It’s colonial charm is well-preserved and makes Shimla one of the most incredible places to visit in India’s snowy wonderland.
- The Ridge & Mall Road are bustling with activities throughout the evening – from fancy diners, stunning cafes, so many shops and entertainment scenarios.
- Trekking, paragliding and camping are available to explore if you want to add more adventure to your travel venture.
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Perched in the Himalayan foothills, Darjeeling is a charming little hill town in West Bengal, renowned for its cool temperature, breathtaking views and oh-so incredible toy train venture.
The ambiance and beauty of the city makes it 3rd on our list of the best places to beat the heat in India IN 2024 summers.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers some of the most stunning scenic ride through the lush landscapes.
Famous for its tea and tea gardens, Darjeeling is said to produce some of the world’s finest teas.
Experience the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga at Tiger Hill or explore the vibrant local markets – to witness the mornings of this mesmerizing town.
Why Darjeeling?
- Renowned for its world famous tea plantations, visitors are attracted to Darjeeling’s tea gardens and learn about their tea-making process.
- Just visit this place for breathtaking views of the tea gardens and mist-covered valleys surrounded by the Himalayan snow-peaked mountains.
- Darjeeling and its visitors enjoy a cool climate throughout the year.
- Being a melting pot of diverse cultures, Darjeeling offers many vibrant markets, stunning monasteries and so much more for people wanting to know more about different cultures and their traditions.
- From trekking, hiking to rafting and paragliding, the surrounding hills of Darjeeling offer numerous outdoor activities to enjoy.
Munnar, Kerala
Kerala’s very own serene hill station, Munnar, is known for its cool climate, rolling hills and sprawling tea plantations.
The picturesque landscapes and lush greens make Munnar a perfect place to beat the heat in Indian Summers.
Explore the Eravikulam National Park – home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, or enjoy a boat ride on the Mattupetty Dam. Or, you can go trek the highest peak of South India – the Anamudi Peak.
Munnar’s aromatic spice gardens and stunning Attukal Waterfalls also add on to the charm, ensuring a refreshing and fascinating experience for one and all.
Why Munnar?
- Munnar enjoys a cool and pleasant climate throughout the year.
- Munnar is renowned for rolling hills, tea plantations, lush valleys and spice gardens
- Offers a plethora of activities: from trekking, camping, star gazing and more.
- Interact with friendly locals, visiting tea factories, learn the tea making process – there’s just so much to do.
- It offers a tranquil ambiance with serene surroundings, Munnar provides the perfect setting for a relaxing getaway.
Coorg (Kodagu), Karnataka
The Scotland of India, Coorg is one of the more interesting destination on our list of the best places to beat the heat in India – due to the tranquil weather, coffee plantations, scenic landscapes and picturesque ambiance that it has in store for all visitors.
With the cool breeze and the lush greens, Coorg or Kodagu can be a special choice to make for this summer vacation with family.
Explore the Abbey Falls, trek to the Tadiandamol Peak or enjoy a serene, relaxing boat ride over the Cauvery River.
With a rich heritage and natural excellence, Coorg promises to perfectly blend relaxation with adventure for this summer.
Why Coorg?
- First and foremost, the weather is why you must choose Coorg for your next vacation in this scorching heat.
- Another attractive element of the destination comes from its natural beauty: from lush green valleys to rolling hills and stunning waterfalls.
- Being the Coffee Capital of India, Coorg also witnesses tourists and travelers coming in for visiting the coffee plantations, trying out the infamous coffee from the place and learning more about the cultivation process.
- When it comes to adventure activities, Coorg has made its place in many hearts of people seeking just that. One can indulge in popular treks, zip-lining and river rafting while roaming around this beautiful destination.
- The largest teaching center of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world.
Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Another very popular and interesting hill station towards the southern parts of India – Ooty is known for its botanical gardens, tea plantations and the infamous Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
Ooty is a charming hill station situated in Tamil Nadu – famous for its cool temperature, mesmerizing landscapes and colonial architecture.
Few must-visit attractions when exploring Ooty include: The Ooty Botanical Gardens, Rose Garden, Ooty Lake.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Nilgiri Mountain Railway provides visitors with a scenic journey through the Nilgiri hills in a vintage-themed train from the British era.
Why Ooty?
- Ooty is an ideal escape from the recent heat we’ve all been suffering through in India. It provides you with not only some of the most stunning landscapes in Southern India, but also with a perfect cool climate for relaxing with nature.
- The vibrant flora of the city, somehow manages to glorify the already glorious ambiance and scenic views for travelers and explorers to witness.
- One of the major attractions in Ooty is the Botanical Garden, showcasing a vast array of plant species – including exotic and indigenous flora.
- To experience a unique and memorable train journey through the blue hills of the Nilgiri – do not miss the opportunity to ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Ooty.
- Just like other places mentioned in the list, Ooty is another popular tea plantation destination for people to visit, explore and witness the tea-making process.
Nainital, Uttarakhand
Nainital is a pretty famous option to travel to for North Indians and considered to be one of the favorite if not the best places to beat the heat in India.
Surrounded by the picturesque mango-shaped Naini Lake, the city offers a refreshing escape with the cool climate it has mostly throughout the year.
One can go get a boat or yacht to explore around the lake, visit the Naina Devi Temple, explore the infamous Mall Road for some amazing stalls, street food, fancy cafes and more.
Other activities include visiting the Snow-View Point, indulging in the various fun sports like drifts, horse riding and more.
The charming landscapes of Nainital, the tranquil ambiance which it offers and the chance to roam nearby to find some of the most stunning camping sites in North India – all make it a top spot for beating the 2024 summer heat.
Why Nainital?
- One of the most interesting and attractive reason to choose Nainital is none other than the heart of the city: the Naini Lake. People from Lucknow and nearby cities tend to go there for a weekend and spend most of their times sitting near the lake, reminiscing life and enjoying peace.
- The cool and pleasant weather conditions in Nainital, especially during the Summer months make it a top priority for people wanting to enjoy some time off of their duties and house-chores and enjoy the cool breeze in this beautiful city.
- Other than the relaxing atmosphere, Nainital also provides when one looks for some adventure. From paragliding to trekking, horse riding and more – one can experience various activities while in the city.
- The panoramic views from Snow-View Point and Tiffin Top offer stunning vistas of the Himalayan mountains and make for some amazing picture-perfect moments to capture while on a trip.
- The most perfect spot for shopping souvenirs, clothes and have a perfect eating experience in Naitnial is none other than the MALL ROAD.
Gangtok, Sikkim
The capital city of Sikkim is the next destination on our list of the best places to beat the heat in India. And it has all the right reasons to be here – due to its picturesque landscapes, vibrant culture and pleasant weather conditions.
Gangtok offers some of the country’s most incredible monasteries – such as the Rumtek and Enchey, along with magical views from the Tashi View Point.
Another very popular spot in Gangtok is the MG Marg pedestrian street – which is perfect for leisurely strolls and shopping.
As for the adventure seekers, Gangtok does not disappoint as it offers thrilling experience near the Nathula Pass and Tsomgo Lake.
This blend of adventure, natural beauty, cultural richness and pleasant weather make it an ideal spot for spending your summers in.
Why Gangtok?
- The climate of Gangtok make it an ideal place for visiting during the massive summer heat wave.
- Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas, Gangtok has some of the most beautiful natural creations of God to witness on your visit.
- The local markets, vibrant monasteries and traditional festivals in Gangtok make it a perfect culturally rich place to explore.
- Gangtok offers very interesting trekking opportunities and other than that one can also experience river rafting and paragliding if you seek adventure.
- Gangtok is said to be a haven for food lovers and shopping enthusiasts. The main street (MG Marg) is lined with absolutely brilliant cafes, restaurants and local shops selling beautiful handicraft products, clothes and souvenirs to take back home.
Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s only hill station – Mount Abu comes next on our list of the best places to beat the heat in India for Summers 2024.
And the reason for that is simple: it is a cool and serene escape from the heat which the state is known for, it offers some of the best rock formations, and offers a deep dive into the unique cultural heritage of the region.
A perfect spot for boating and family picnics, the Nakki Lake is a pretty famous place for spending your weekend getaway in.
If you want to witness two of the most beautiful sunsets in Rajasthan, make sure to visit the Sunset Point and Guru Shikhar (the highest peak of Aravallis) in Mount Abu.
Other than that, one can visit the Dilwara Temples, which are renowned for their exquisite marble carvings.
With this unique blend of natural and historical attractions, Mount Abu becomes a unique and ideal summer retreat for your 2024 vacay.
Why Mount Abu?
- Being the ONLY hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu provides an oasis which one cannot find anywhere else in the entire state. That’s one reason why people are attracted to this gem of a place.
- The Dilwara Temples of Mount Abu are architectural gems, dating back to 11th and 13th centuries, which adds a profound historical dimension to your visit.
- The beautiful landscapes form Guru Shikhar, Sunset Point or the Nakki Lake and the lush green forests of the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary all come together to make it an ideal vacay spot for people who love pleasant weather along with being as close as possible to nature.
- Mount Abu offers rugged terrains, rock climbing opportunities and stunning vistas which attracts the adventure-driven travelers to this beautiful place in Rajasthan.
- Mount Abu is pretty well connected to cities of Rajasthan as well as Gujarat. It offers pretty amazing hotels and resorts for staying – that too on a budget. This makes it an easily accessible destination for a visit.
Auli, Uttarakhand
Last but never the least, everybody loves Auli. Even if you haven’t yet been there – the stories, the stunning photographs, the videos of people skiing through white winter wonderland are all enough to get anyone to fall in love with a place, right?
Although, still considered a lesser-known or hidden gem (which it’s not as of now) – Auli is perfect to visit no matter it’s during the summers or winters.
The ski capital of India is known for its ski resorts, absolutely stunning snow-filled locations and the breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
Auli had to be in the list of the best places to beat the heat in India for summers 2024 due to it being a perfect escape from the recent rise in temperatures.
Why Auli?
- The most obvious reason to choose Auli is due to its pleasant, cool weather and it being surrounded by snow during the major time of the year.
- The Auli Ropeway is also pretty incredible reason to visit and witness this place at least once in a lifetime. It offers stunning views of the Himalayan ranges.
- Of course, being the ski capital of India, people visit this place for trying out skiing for the first time in such a magical surrounding with a relaxing and fun ambiance throughout.
- Just imagine waking up, opening the windows to a stunning views of the snow-covered Himalayan mountains as the sun peeks from behind – rising up in the horizon and you are their to witness this magic happen!
- The people or locals in Auli are said to be some of the most humble people you’d meet while traveling. You can visit and talk to them and they would happily tell their stories to you.
Wrapping it up
So, there it is – our list of the best places to beat the heat in India for Summers 2024!
You think we missed a place which must be included? Feel free to comment the destination down below.
Share the blog with friends and family so we can all go around to try and escape the excessive heat wave running around just outside our homes!
That’s All Folks!
