Best Places To Visit In June In India

India is a tropical country, home to three distinct seasons in a year, with monsoon being the most awaited for it brings a soothing relief to the weather and great fortune to the farmers and their crops. June is really one of the hottest months in the whole year but because of the impending monsoon in some places and an outright deluge of rains in most, June is made cooler, happier and greener. It also becomes a highly coveted time to celebrate a relaxing, rejuvenating holiday; and what better way to do that than choose from some of the best places to visit in June in India? There is Kovalam, Dharmasala, Nubra Valley, Shillong, Gulmarg, Gangtok and many more from different corners and different geographical landscapes of India. Read on to find more.

Nubra Valley

The Valley of Nubra is said to have been originated from the Tethis sea, from where the Himalayas are also believed to have risen. Situated in the lap of Ladakh, Nubra Valley holds such a strong myth to its origin and mystifies the travellers that come to its gates. It is a white desert stretching for miles on end and makes for some great trekking opportunities. In the month of June, the temperature here is anywhere between 8-20°C, making this the summer time and the most ideal one at that.

Things to Do:

Among the many things to do in Nubra Valley, the camel rides are a must, taking you across all the rugged white landscapes and into a magical place. Another great place to visit here is the Hundar Sand dunes, suffused with local dance and musical performances. A nearby village named Panamik is famous for its hot sulphur springs, their relaxing and curative properties as well as the culture of the place. Head to the Siachen Glacier for a first-hand peak into what went into the Kargil war and buy pashmina shawls and socks, almonds, walnuts and pistachios from Panama markets. Visit the Diskit village for the Buddhist Monastery housing the Maitrey Buddha statue. The classic Nubra Valley trek is the most famous here and undertaken with great gusto in the summer months of May and June.

How to Reach:

With no direct flights or trains, you will have to take a flight to Leh and drive up the 5-hour route to Nubra Valley. No buses ply to the valley so the best bet is to hire a car with a chauffeur or drive yourself. Most adventure tourists come with their own dirt bikes too.

Dharamsala

The little Tibet in India, Dharamsala is a city nestled in the state of Himachal Pradesh. With cedar forests fringing it and little cottages and block-paved roads, Dharamsala is home to the Dalai Lama as well as the Tibetan government in exile. The place is freezing in winter and hence summers are the perfect time to enjoy a holiday here. June, being the peak of summer, sees a temperature range of 22°C to 38°C and marks some great long sunny days for your activities.

Things to Do:

Visit the Thekchen Chöling Temple Complex, which happens to be the spiritual centre of Tibetan Buddhism. You can also visit the Kangra Fort, Dal Lake, Jwalamukhi Devi Temple, fragrant tea gardens and the famous Bhagsu waterfalls. There are various sports and adventure activities like paragliding, trekking up Triund, the famous Kareri lake trek, camping under the stars and taking a tour of the HCPA cricket stadium. You can also explore Gyuto Monastery and spend an evening meditating there. Also head to see the Mani Lhakhang Stupa. Dharamsala is otherwise a very scenic city and filled with greenery, crisp warm air and amazing views through summer.

How to Reach:

Gaggal is the airport closest to Dharamshala (15 km), while Pathankot is the nearest railway station (85 km). Cars on hire and cabs are readily available from either. Buses also ply from Pathankot (88km), Shimla (241 km), Amritsar (200 km) and Delhi (490km) to Dharamshala. These road trips are pretty scenic and a good way to travel.

Nainital

Nainital is a little city built with many lakes in its lap, including the beautiful Lake Naini. June is the peak of summer in this town of Uttarakhand, with temperature that falls between 14°C - 30°C. The breezes are cool and make up for the heat, bringing your trip the best of both seasons.

Things to Do: 

Explore the many lakes in Nainital, go boating in Lake Naini and picnic on its banks. Chandi Chowk is known for great food joints and cafes so head there for a roadside feast. Snow Point here gives some great views of the Himalayan mountains. Also, do visit the Eco Cave Garden for its flora and fauna. For adventurers, you can also do a 7 day rock climbing course, bouldering as well as river-crossing. Hike along some scenic trails and watch the sunset from Hanuman Garh. Trek up the Naini peak or go horse trekking up the Tiffin Top. You can also cross the valley on an aerial ropeway. For children, take them to Appu Ghar to explore some fun rides. 

How to Reach: 

You can fly into Pantnagar Airport, which is 65 km away from Nainital. Cabs and cars on hire are readily available outside the airport. Some of the major airlines coming here are GoAir, Jet Airways, Spicejet, Indigo and Air India from major Indian cities. For trains, there is Kathgodham Railway Station only 34 km away that receives trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Mathura, Agra etc. You can also drive up from Delhi or Dehradun.

Mount Abu

The only hill station in the desert state of Rajasthan, Mount Abu was developed by the royals at one time to enjoy a summer getaway. Today it serves the same purpose, albeit to beat the summer heat as well as enjoy the majestic monsoons from a height. June here is a buffer between summer and monsoon, hence makes for the best time to visit. The temperatures range from a 23°C minimum to 33°C maximum, warm days and cool nights; with light precipitation at the end of the month.

Things to Do: 

Mount Abu holds religious significance among the Jains of India and hence has a pilgrimage status too. You have other things to do here as well, including trekking through Aravali Hills, boating in Nakki Lake and picnicking down the Dhrudhiya waterfalls. The weather permits you to enjoy all outdoor activities and the landscape sways now and then with light breezes. Also worth watching is the sunset in Mount Abu by the Nakki Lake. Head to Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary to explore the indigenous wildlife of Rajasthan mountains. One of the greatest sites in Mount Abu is the Dilwara Jain Temple, one of the most admirable marvels of peace and tranquil charm. 

How to Reach: 

Fly into Udaipur’s Maharana Pratap Airport (185 km) away or choose Ahmedabad Airport (221 km) because it has better connectivity. You will find ample cabs, chauffeur-driven cars on hire and buses to travel to Mount Abu from either airports. You can also choose railways and disembark at Abu Road, from where Mount Abu is 28 km away. Trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai etc are frequent here.

Shillong

Shillong is a highly coveted hill station destination in northeast India. It is also the capital of Meghalaya and is known for its gardens, walking trails, waterfalls and lots and lots of thick forests. Its name literally means ‘abode of clouds’ and Shillong doesn’t disappoint. June is usually the month that sees the onset of monsoon here and hence becomes the shoulder season for a last visit before the state might become inaccessible. The temperature here averages at 27°C and rainy days make the weather very romantic.

Things to Do:

Explore the gardens at Lady Hydari Park, Ward’s Lake, the many walking trails surrounding it and the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures. The Elephant Falls to the southwest of the town make for another great spot for picnicking, while to the east you have the forested Shillong Peak for stunning views. Umiam Lake also makes for a great place to relax. Trekking, shopping, cycling and trail-walking are some of the best activities you can undertake in Shillong in this month. You can also climb up the Shillong Peak to get a bird’s eye view of the city, or check out the Laitlum Canyons for the stunning view of zig-zag hilly roadways. There is also the Mary Help for Christian Cathedral and All Saints Cathedral for architecture lovers, along with the Air Force Museum for automobile nerds. 

How to Reach:

Shillong Airport in Umroi is a small airport in Shillong and only operates flights via Alliance Air. It is located 40 km away from Shillong. Regular flights from Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi etc are plied to Shillong. Bus services are provided by Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) from the airport to various cities. Guwahati railway station is the nearest railway station (105 km) and is well connected to other cities of North East. For road travel, the ASTC or Assam State Transport Corporation and MTC or Meghalaya Transport Corporation ply regular buses from Guwahati to Shillong. You can also hire cars to travel.

Tawang

Tawang can be called a disputed land between India and China, but a beautiful one at that. On second thoughts, which disputed territory isn’t beautiful? A part of the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is home to the Tawang Monastery that makes it a paradise for Buddhists. Its beauty is unrivalled and it breathes new life into the summers of June. The temperature remains comfortably below 21°C and June makes a shoulder season before the onset of rains.

Things to Do:

Visit the great 17th Century Tawang Monastery on the hill top, pay a visit to the War Memorial made in the memory of soldiers who were martyred in the Indo-Chinese War of ’62 and spend a quiet leisurely evening beside the Penga Teng Tso Lake with its flocks of migratory birds. Go hiking up the Bumla Pass, to the place where McMahon Line demarcates India from China. For luxury lovers, seek out the Thingbu And Tsachu hot spring to relax and rejuvenate in the warm sulphur waters, while Bollywood lovers must visit the famous Madhuri Lake, named after Madhuri Dixit who shot her movie Koyla over there. Tawang is also home to an orphanage named Manjushree Vidyapith and it is a privilege to be able to go there and spend a fun, happy evening of games and laughter with the children. 

How to Reach:

Fly to Tezpur which is 387 km away from Tawang. You can hire a car or take a cab; or you can board the state run APSRTC buses. If you are willing to spend more, then you can also reach Tawang by helicopters which ply 4 days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays). The nearest railway head to Tawang is in Rangapara in Assam (383 km).

Guwahati

Also called the jewel of the Northeast, Guwahati is a city located on River Brahmaputra in the state of Assam. With its typical Assamese culture, hilly region and historical and religious sites, this place is a delight when it comes to tourism and has been a favourite on traveller radar for years now. June in Guwahati is summer before the onslaught of proper monsoons, hence the temperature is 32°C highs and 25°C lows, with around 16 rainy days. The warmth and lushness make for a wonderful time to explore.

Things to Do:

Start with Guwahati’s famous hilltop Kamakhya Temple, a shrine of Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu. Kamakhya is also the Tantrik Shakti Cult centre of the Northeast. Then head to the 18th-century Navagraha Temple or the nine planets temple, which is an astronomical centre as well as a planetary shrine. Another great temple here is the Umananda Temple, which is built for Lord Shiva and has beautiful engravings. To explore the art and culture of Assam, visit Shrimanta Shankardeva Kalakshetra and Assam State Museum. Go star gazing at the Guwahati Planetarium and enjoy the Science Magic Show down at the Regional Science Centre. You can also go boating and cruising on Brahmaputra and drive down the Saraighat Bridge. For the contemporary souls, you can get a taste of beautiful Jazz music at Cafe Hendrix, while nature lovers will enjoy Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

How to Reach:

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport of Guwahati is only 25 km away from the city centre and is very well connected to Indian cities like Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai etc, as well as many International destinations. Taxi and bus services can be availed outside the airport. Guwahati railway station is 4 km away from the city centre and well connected to main cities of the east as well as metros. You can also drive to Guwahati from Gangtok (525km), Shillong (134km) or Darjeeling (490km).

Gulmarg

A heaven inside THE heaven, Gulmarg or the ‘meadow of flowers’ is a hill station town in Kashmir. Located in the Pir Panjal ranges of Himalayas, Gulmarg boasts of great sightseeing, amazing adventures and a great time in summers. The temperature doesn’t cross the 29°C mark and hovers in the 20s. With long days, sunshine and plenty opportunities, Gulmarg is a great June holiday idea. 

Things to Do:

Ski in Gulmarg, it is one of the best grounds for it. For seasoned skiers there is Aparwath Peak while the novice can learn on shallower slopes. You can also try snowboarding and sledging as the snow is still ripe on the mountains. Another great amusement here is the Gulmarg Gondola ride, the world’s second highest cable car project. Gulmarg in summer is especially famous for golfing as the town owns the world’s second highest golf course. Other tourist places here include Baba Reshi Shrine, St. Mary’s Church and Rani Temple. Explore Alpather Lake, undertake excursions around here, go for the boat rides and have a picnic basket. Animal lovers will like the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve with its collection of Red Fox, Brown and Black Bear and the Himalayan Musk Deer. 

How to Reach:

Srinagar Airport is 56 km away from Gulmarg and is connected to Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar with regular flights. You will get ready cars on hire from outside the airport as well as share-cabs. Bus services from Srinagar, Sonmarg, Pahalgam etc are also available to Gulmarg, while Jammu Tawi is the closest railway station (290 km).

Gangtok

The capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok is an established Buddhist pilgrimage as well. It is also a Tibetan base and serves as a base camp for hikers and trekkers in the Himalayas. That doesn’t mean Gangtok doesn't have its own touristy stuff to boast about. In the month of June, the weather in Gangtok is mild and pleasant, with a range of 13-22°C and the mountainous air is nice and cool. 

Things to Do:

If you didn’t do cable car rides in Gangtok then did you even go to Gangtok? This is one of the best experiences here and a must-do. Also must-do is a Yak safari through the trails of Dzongri and Lake Tsomgo. Photo sessions follow, making a great memory for your album. You can also try trekking here or mountain biking if your legs are not up to it. Some of the best trails are Gangtok-Temi, Gangtok-Melli and Gangtok-Rangpo. You can river raft in Teesta River and also paraglide down the Himalayan ranges here. Gangtok is also known for its Tibetan cuisine, best eaten at 9’INE Native Cuisine where you get lip-smacking Momos, Sikkimese Meals, Fermented Soybean and Dim sums. Also, don’t forget to tour the many monasteries here, from Tsuk La Khang to Pemayangtse to Rumtek Monastery. Shopping is good at Lal Bazaar.

How to Reach:

Bagdogra is the airport nearest to Gangtok, located 124 km away. You can avail a cab, taxi or a share-taxi to Gangtok. A drive up to Gangtok is pretty scenic with the Teesta River flowing in the backdrop. Helicopter can also be used from Bagdogra to Gangtok and is a 20 min ride, but an expensive one. The nearest railway station to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri, 148 km away.

Kovalam

Kovalam 

A small town by the coast of the Arabian Sea, Kovalam is a part of the beautiful state of Kerala in South India. The town hosts a beautiful beach with a lighthouse and has a hoard of other beaches, seeing platforms, promenades and tourist spots. Since Kerala is a year-round destination, Kovalam is basically great at any time. But June is special because it marks the arrival of monsoon, with rain washing all the summer dust off and the sand and mud giving out a sweet warm scent. Flora crop up everywhere and make the place prettier than you ever thought possible.

Things to Do:

Visit the Lighthouse Beach with its vintage stripped light house, viewing platform and great breeze. There are also the Samudra and Hawa beaches for you to relax, or a small picnic by Karamana River. Vellayani Lake, Neyyar Dam, Aruvikkara Dam and Valiyathura Pier make great tourist sites to visit as well. For a temple tour, you have Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple and Halcyon Castle. Art and culture lovers head to the Kovalam Art Gallery. Since you are in Kerala, a backwater ride is a must, so spend a night floating in the Karamana River or Ashtamudi Lake, with Malabar food for company. You can also indulge in swimming, surfing, jet skiing, parasailing and paragliding here as well as go for Catamaran rides at Hawa Beach. Yoga, massages and mediation are some activities you must indulge in here. Try the German Bakery for all-day breakfast meals and shop for spices, fragrances and the special white and golden Kasavu sari in the markets.

How to Reach:

The nearest airport to Kovalam is Trivandrum International Airport in Thiruvananthapuram, around 15 km away from the city centre. You can take a cab or hire a car for your drive to Kovalam from outside the airport. Trivandrum Central Railway is where you will have to disembark if coming by train and it is another 12 km to Kovalam by car. The Kerala state run KSRTC buses and Volvo coaches are also available.