There are hundreds of cool destinations in this country to escape from scorching heat of May & June. My top 5 are scattered from east to west to south. I have not gone to any north Indian summer destination however I have plan do that from next year. After reading few travel reviews of Anirban I an tempted to do so. May be a trip to Nepal if Maoist hide there guns or even to Kashmir if there is peace.
This year we are not planning any long holidays due to my new assignment and preparation for 12th exam of my elder son. Of course, short weekend visits to Mahabaleshwar, Harihareshwar are on the card and Monsoon trip to Vira Dam. Well, let me comeback to the main topic. My preferred five -
A. Mahabaleshwar is very well known tourist place. During summer there is always rush of tourist from nearby metros but you will find tourist round the year. This is a hundreds of years old historical place however developed by the British. Its proximity from Mumbai and Pune made it a very popular summer destination.
You may read my review on Mahabaleshwar at –
https://mouthshut.com/readreview/23966.html
B. Mysore & Ooty – I love Mysore and Ooty. I am ready to go there anytime of the year if time permits. I have not written any review on these two places because there some excellent review and I cannot add anything new to this topic.
Ooty is great summer destination and just before monsoon it’s heaven on the earth. I am brought up in the midst of tea estates in Assam and tea estates around Ooty takes me to my childhood.
I personally do not prefer a guided tour. However, guided tours are good and cheap for someone going there for the first time. There are too many tour operators in Bangalore. One may also hire tourist taxi and they are normally reliable and economical.
Not lucky enough to have a glimpse of Veerapaan but encountered wild elephants(twice) while going to Mysore from Ooty – escaped twice. No more traveling at night.
Useful links – For Ooty
https://mouthshut.com/readreview/30547-1.html(happyz)
https://mouthshut.com/readreview/18570-1.html(just_did_it)
For Mysore
https://mouthshut.com/readreview/28821-1.html(jayantbabu)
https://mouthshut.com/readreview/7719-1.html(jilmil)
C. Darjeelingis a hill station on the foothill of Himalayas. This place cannot miss from my list. One can go to Siliguri by air, train or road from Kolkata(Calcutta) and from there, one can go to Darjeeling by the Toy Train. This unique toy train is a meter gauge train operating over magnificent hilly surroundings. You might have seen this in many Hindi movies. Traveling time by this toy train is about seven and half hours. One can also go by Taxi / Bus and traveling time is about four hours.
Darjeeling is famous for Rappelling / Mountaineering. One can get training and avail the facilities of Tenzing Norgay Mountaineering Institute. This is a Training Center for would-be climbers. It also has a museum displaying items used by famous mountaineers.
To know more about Darjeeling read the article of Anirban at –
https://mouthshut.com/readreview/29311-1.html
D. I am from Northeast so have special affection for those Blue Hills, Humming Mountain Rivers and Evergreen Forests. I will recommend restricted travel due to security reason.
During summer plains of Northeast is not that comfortable due to very humid atmosphere. But its Blue Hills cannot be ignored. I will recommend Arunachal Pradesh, one of the seven sisters of Northeast. Itanagar is the capital and one can plan trekking from there with the help of local guides. One can also plan day trips to places like Bomdila or Foothills from Tezpur(my home town). Last visited this places in 1989. Thing must have changed a lot and infrastructure must have improved. Please contact tourism department for latest information.
One should not miss Shillong, my childhood summer destination, when you go to Northeast. You may read a latest review by arupa on Shillong -
https://mouthshut.com/readreview/38202.html
E. Harihareswar is about two and half hour drive from my place so you need about five and half hour from Mumbai. You have to take right turn from Mangaon on the Bombay – Goa Highway. Nearest town is Shreevardhan. From Mumbai you get state transport buses for Shreevardhan,
This is not a hill station but a fantastic sea beach on the west coast of India. Of course, you will be driving through the ghats of Syahadri Mountain range to reach that place. This is one of my most favorite destinations any time of the year except monsoon. I like its beautiful landscape with the sea at the back.
One to two night stay is enjoyable. For accommodation, I prefer the tents of MTDC. Nowadays private hotels are also available. Food is not a problem but you do not get too much of options. I prefer the cafeteria of MTDC for food. It is better to book MTDC tents in advance during season time especially during weekend.
What I do there?
Its sea front is not that risky like Murud but better to be careful. After breakfast, we prefer to be in water for very long time. In the afternoon, we prefer to have fish in lunch(chilled beer and cold drinks are also available in the cafeteria.) and a long nap under the tree. Evenings are great so prefer to walk on that clean and long beach.
Life is different at night. A place much away from busy civilization. I prefer to play cards with the family inside those cozy tents with one my favorite whiskey and yummy seafood snacks.
Last year MTDC was constructing some small cottages. May be ready for use by now.
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These are my preferred 5 but you may skip all these destination and go straight to London. London is the best destination in this season. Do you know the reason?
Karan is there at the airport to welcome you.
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Enjoy life and have fun