Monsoon getaways: Discover India's quiet escapes this rainy season
From peaceful forest getaways to luxurious retreats and charming hillside escapes, these are some of the best places to enjoy the magic of monsoon.
1. Jaipur, reimagined
Forget the usual postcard Jaipur.
At Mementos, nestled away from the tourist trails, monsoon adds a soft drama to the city's grandeur. Here, the experience begins with a Shahi Aagman — a ceremonial welcome with folk music and royal fanfare, setting the tone for a stay soaked in Rajasthani charm.
Morning teas are shared with peacocks in the distance; evenings arrive with folk performances under a starlit sky.
It's not just the architecture that wows — it's the intimacy.
Whether you're sipping chai at sunset or dining by candlelight with only the monsoon breeze for company, Mementos is about reclaiming quiet joys. For families, the Ollie's Club offers kite flying, cycling trails and nature walks — proof that slow travel isn't just for adults.
2. Monsoon grandeur, minutes from Delhi
Only 45 km from Delhi, ITC Grand Bharat isn't a hotel — it's a retreat. And the monsoon makes it a poetic one.
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As clouds roll over the Aravallis, the sandstone domes glisten and rain-fed gardens breathe new life into the property's regal calm. The monsoon finds its culinary soulmate at The Royal Afghan, where smoky kebabs meet raindrops and lantern-lit tables overlook still water. But the real magic lies at Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa, where ancient Ayurvedic rituals unfold to the rhythm of falling rain.
3. Into the wild
For those craving something raw and real, the monsoon reveals the forests of central India in their most cinematic form.
"Kanha, Pench, Rukhad, and Tadoba Jungle Camps turn into emerald sanctuaries, alive with birdsong, misty trails, and a sense of quiet thrill. Safari purists, take note: buffer zone safaris run even during rains, and Rukhad stays open year-round, making it a go-to for serious wildlife watchers.
Whether you're tucked into a luxury tent in Pench, sipping chai on your private deck in Tadoba, or setting out on a nature walk in Kanha, the rhythm of the forest guides your day.
From night safaris and tribal performances to stargazing sessions and bush dinners, these camps are a masterclass in doing everything — or nothing — with purpose. Bonus: patchy mobile networks mean you're actually forced to be present," says says Gajendra Singh Rathore, MD, Jungle Camps India.
4. Karjat calling
An easy getaway from Mumbai, Radisson Blu Karjat knows how to charm its way into monsoon hearts. The rains breathe new life into its gardens and hills, turning the resort into a painter's palette of greens and silvers.
But it's the little things that make the biggest impact: cycling tours, birdwatching, and the sound of rain while sipping kulhad chai from the resort's Cutting Chai live station. For those who lean toward indulgence, Le Bistro offers 'Beers and Burgers' and 'Smokey Sizzlers' right by the pool as raindrops ripple the water.
Sometimes, luxury is simply about watching it pour with a plate of pakoras in hand.
So, why travel in the monsoon?
Because the crowds are thinner, the landscapes are richer, and the moments — whether wild or regal — feel more your own. Whether you're dancing with the clouds in Jaipur, soaking in spa rituals near Delhi, chasing tiger tracks in the jungle, or sipping chai in Karjat, one thing is certain: the monsoon isn't about staying in. It's about rediscovering stillness — and the occasional splash of wonder.
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