When the rains arrive, North India turns into a different kind of travel map — quieter roads, greener landscapes, and hidden corners worth discovering. While city roads flood and umbrellas bloom like mushrooms, the rest of North India quietly transforms. Hills breathe deeper, lakes brim with life and hidden paths get covered in greenery. If you have ever wanted to witness nature breaking into a dance, monsoon is the time to travel. If you are, what Instagrammers say, a Pluviophile, here are some of the best places to visit in monsoon – green, peaceful and ready to explore.
1. Manila, Almora( Uttarakhand)
Manila isn’t a tourist destination — it is like heaven. Located in the Land of Gods, tucked between Ranikhet and Almora, this tiny hamlet becomes mystical during monsoon. Clouds drift through the deodar forest, and the temples echo with wind chimes. If you are looking for a perfect morning, then just start with a cup of chai and watch rain curtaining the valley. Here you can visit the famous Golu Devta Mandir in Almora, one of the spiritual highlights in this region.
Manila is one of the rare, untouched and least known places to visit in Almora – a place where the journey itself becomes part of the story. So to summarize we can say that Manila is one of the best places to be explored during monsoon in North India.
Delhi to Manela (Almora) Distance: 394 km
Best Way to Reach: To reach such places, driving is best. Alternatively, you can take a train to Kathgodam, then continue via cab. The Delhi to Almora bus is available too, but slower during monsoon.
Check out: 6 Hill Stations Near Dehradun for a Quick Trip from Delhi
2. Jaipur, Rajasthan
Monsoon doesn’t just soften the heat in Jaipur, but it gives the Pink City a whole new personality. The sandstone palaces turn richer in colour, and thunderclouds gather, turning the place into a land of beauty. You can roam the wide courtyards of City Palace under darkened skies or watch raindrops slide off the Hawa Mahal. Take a drive to Nahargarh Fort for sweeping views of a rain-soaked city. When the clouds pour, find a rooftop café in the old city and sip kulhad chai while listening to folk music echoing in the lanes. A great place to visit during monsoon with family as well as friends.
Delhi to Jaipur Distance: ~276 km
Best Way to Reach: Simply book Cab from Delhi to Jaipur and travel effortlessly. If not that, then another option, like train, is always available.
3. Morni Hills, Haryana
Few know that Haryana hides a hill station that is one of the greenest escapes during monsoon. Morni Hills near Panchkula is a surprise package of rain-washed forests, glimmering lakes and surreal peace. The must-visit place, Tikkar Tal, comes alive with boating, birdwatching and monsoon reflections. The old Morni Fort offers the photo-perfect views, and the area nearby turns magical during light showers. If you are looking for a small weekend trip from Delhi, then this might be one of the best places to visit in monsoon for a peaceful break.
Delhi to Morni Hills Distance: ~254 km
Best Way to Reach: A smooth drive via NH44. Either you can ride yourself, or you can simply book a car.
4. Chail, Himachal Pradesh
If you prefer your monsoon moments in silence and pine-scented air, Chail is your place. Less crowded than Shimla, Chail gets wrapped in a smoky mist during July-August. Going for a hike would be one of the best activities to try here.
The historic Chail Palace and the surrounding forest trails are perfect for slow walks. Watch rain pass through cedar forests, visit the world’s highest cricket ground, or hike to Kali ka Tibba. This place becomes like an artist’s canvas that constantly changes with the monsoon mood, a picture perfect place to visit in North India during monsoon.
Delhi to Chail Distance: ~337 km
Best Way to Reach: Take a train to Kalka, then a cab uphill. Or drive all the way — monsoon drives here are rewarding.
5. Dal Lake, Kashmir
There is no doubt that this place will not look beautiful during the monsoon. In Srinagar, heaven on earth, monsoon paints a surreal scene. Here, Dal Lake becomes like a floating canvas as the rain ripples across the lotus garden, the houseboats rock gently, and snow-kissed peaks reflect in the grey waters. A shikara ride during soft rain is unlike anything else. The Mughal Gardens turn emerald green, and rain adds drama to the Zabarwan hills that frame the lake. Want something spiritual? Visit Hazratbal Shrine wrapped in a rainy hush. This is not just a trip — it’s a memory.
Delhi to Srinagar Distance: ~789 km
Best Way to Reach: Fly from Delhi to Srinagar. Cabs or autos take you from the airport to the lake area. For a complete Kashmir tour, include Pahalgam and Gulmarg in your monsoon plan.
6. Udaipur, Rajasthan
If there is one city made for rain-lovers, it’s Udaipur. As monsoon arrives in the Aravalli hills, the lakes and the palaces reflect off their rippling surfaces. This is one of the best places to visit in monsoon as Sajjangarh Palace, also known as the Monsoon Palace, perfectly lives up to its name and offers the best view of a rain-drenched city. Take a boat ride in Lake Pichola, explore the City Palace, and wind down with music at a lakeside café.
This city of lakes is a mix of royal grandeur and seasonal beauty that is irresistible. This city becomes more gorgeous then it is already, hence one of the most romantic cities to visit during monsoon.
Delhi to Udaipur Distance: ~ 729 km
Best Way to Reach: Fly from Delhi or enjoy a scenic road trip. For comfort and flexibility, opt for Innova Crysta on rent in Delhi — especially if you plan to stop at Chittorgarh or Ajmer on the way.
7. Kausani, Uttarakhand
Another wonder to visit in Uttarakhand. In Kausani, mornings begin with mist rising from valleys and end with sunsets melting behind Himalayan peaks. During monsoon, the slopes turn emerald, and the trails smell of wet pine and adventure. It’s the kind of place where you don’t need a plan. Take a walk through the tea gardens, visit Gandhi Ji’s Anasakti Ashram, or just sit and listen — the wind here whispers differently in the rain. Want something more active? Trek to Rudradhari Falls through rain-fed forests or explore nearby Baijnath Temple. There’s no crowd, no clutter — just you, nature, and the sound of rain.
Delhi to Kausani Distance: ~435 km
Best Way to Reach: Drive via Haldwani, or take a train to Kathgodam and hire a cab from there. Most of the people prefer Car Rental in Delhi with driver to enjoy the views while travelling.
8. Shillong, Meghalaya
If we are talking about the rain, and not talking about Shillong, then it will be illegal. Shillong doesn’t experience monsoon, it becomes monsoon. With waterfalls thundering down cliffs and mist rolling over the Khasi Hills, every moment feels cinematic. The Umiam Lake, bordered by dense rain-fed forests, is a must-visit. Shillong’s charm lies in its rhythm — the smell of pine and street food blending in the air, and the sudden clearing of clouds revealing hidden blue skies. Even if it is very Far from Delhi, this is one of the bucket list and best places to visit in monsoon.
Delhi to Shillong Distance: ~2,055 km
Best Way to Reach: Take a flight from Delhi to Shillong (via Guwahati), then a taxi to the city. Flights are the best way to reach quickly.
Final words
Monsoon transforms North India into a refreshing escape with green valleys, peaceful lakes and heritage towns. These 8 destinations in north India are a type that are meant to be explored during rain, offering you the perfect mix of nature and culture for a perfect trip near Delhi. Light traffic, off-season peace and rain-washed beauty make this the ideal time to travel. So take a road trip, hire a cab and plan a journey that will be as memorable as the destination. Don’t wait for perfect weather—some places are best seen through a rain-streaked window and a road that disappears into the clouds.
