The Best Hill Station Road Trips to Take This Monsoon in India
Let’s be honest, travelling during the monsoon in India is not for the faint-hearted. Slippery roads, thundering skies, and the risk of random landslides make it a challenge. But if you’ve got a sturdy vehicle, a stash of hot chai at the ready, and a love for hill station road trips in India that don’t smell like tourist brochures, you’re in for a real treat.
This isn’t just any monsoon hill station in India. This is for those who like their trips with a bit of drizzle, a lot of flavour, and a fair bit of roadside storytelling. This blog maps out a practical monsoon road trip itinerary from South to West India, covering some of the best monsoon destinations in the country.
If you’re looking for offbeat monsoon travel experiences in India-complete with scenic monsoon drives through the Western Ghats and Konkan coast-and want to discover hidden monsoon gems for road trippers in India, this guide is for you. We’ll also share tips for monsoon road trip safety in India, especially on slippery and landslide-prone routes, so you can enjoy an authentic journey filled with local food, culture, and stories that go beyond the usual postcard views.
In this Blog
Route Overview: From the West to the South – With the Monsoon for Company
The idea here isn’t to race. It’s to roll with the weather. This itinerary runs from Mount Abu in the west, down through Maharashtra and Karnataka, and finally winds into the emerald corners of Kerala. It’s about 2,500+ km if you do it end to end, which you absolutely don’t have to. Break it into chunks, pick what suits your timing, and enjoy the chaos.
The Route:
Mount Abu → Mahabaleshwar → Coorg → Chikmagalur → Ooty → Munnar
Discover Mount Abu: The Unique Hill Station in Rajasthan’s Aravalli Hills
Let’s start with Mount Abu, because Rajasthan isn’t where most people go hunting for the best monsoon destinations in India, which is exactly why it works. During the monsoon, the Aravalli hills transform into a striking shade of green-less the polished look of Instagram, and more a natural, fresh growth that seems to have appeared overnight. The drive up to Mount Abu hill station is full of turns, goats, and people selling corn. You’ll want to stop, not for the views, but for the vibe, which is offbeat monsoon travel in India at its best.
What’s different about Mount Abu in the monsoon?
Toad Rock is a distinctive natural formation in Mount Abu, often described as resembling a toad poised to leap into Nakki Lake. Nakki Lake has paddle boats, yes, but look to your right-there’s a guy who paints portraits with tea. Ask for him. Forget hotel buffets, look for that one dhaba near Sunset Point where the dal is served with a side of aggressive rain.
Travel tip for Mount Abu in monsoon:
Always carry a torch. Power cuts during rainstorms are common, and mobile flashlights don’t work well when you’re fumbling in wet socks. This is the kind of practical monsoon road trip advice for Rajasthan that matters. Mount Abu is a must if you’re searching for a monsoon hill station that’s more about roadside stories than postcard views. With lush greenery, waterfalls, and fewer tourists during the rainy season, it’s the kind of place where you’ll find monsoon adventure travel, monsoon wildlife spotting, and off-season hill station getaways all rolled into one.
From Mount Abu, swing down the western coast via NH48 to Mahabaleshwar classic monsoon road trip itinerary from South to West India. It’s about an 11-hour drive, not short, but packed with those tiny roadside chai stands and college students taking selfies in front of waterfalls that weren’t there a week ago. If you’re after offbeat monsoon travel experiences in India and a scenic monsoon drive through the Western Ghats during the rainy season, this is your route. One of the most rewarding hill station road trips in India—ideal for misty views and spontaneous detours
Mahabaleshwar’s Strawberry Farms: A Perfect Mountain Escape Road Trip
Mahabaleshwar is famous for strawberries, yes, but let’s get one thing straight: in the monsoon season in Mahabaleshwar, the strawberry farms are shut. The best part? Monsoon in Maharashtra is all about the quiet roads, misty mornings, and rich local flavours come together for the perfect escape.
Offbeat ideas for Mahabaleshwar in monsoon:
- Stop at Mapro Garden Mahabaleshwar (on the Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar Road), not for the sandwiches, but for the unexpected “Monsoon Sale” where you’ll probably walk out with three bottles of guava crush or some local jams. Even though the best time to visit Mapro Garden is winter or post-monsoon, the monsoon brings its charm, lush gardens, vibrant blooms, and a unique, humid atmosphere that’s perfect for those seeking hidden monsoon getaways near Mumbai.
- Don’t miss the walk down to Lingmala Waterfall, Mahabaleshwar. The trail is slippery in the rains, but that’s the best part of monsoon trekking and waterfall experiences in Maharashtra.
- Try a local vada pav with green chutney in Mahabaleshwar. It’s bold and spicy, a true taste of the monsoon, and a staple for anyone on a culinary adventure in Mahabaleshwar during the rainy season.
- Where to stay: Opt for a monsoon-friendly villa in Mahabaleshwar, surrounded by nature. This is the essence of a hill station getaway in the monsoon.
Exploring India’s Premier Hill Station Road Trips in Coorg
Drive south to Coorg, Karnataka’s stubbornly proud hill town-about 12 hours via NH66, through winding ghat sections that occasionally turn into mini rivers. Keep your windows cracked open, so you can smell the pepper plantations before you even see them.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Everyone talks about the coffee plantations, but few mention that during the monsoon season in Coorg, the beans ferment a little differently. If you’re lucky, some estate owner might let you in on that secret over a glass of homemade wine-a true offbeat monsoon travel experience in Coorg. Abbey Falls in Coorg is a must-visit during the monsoon, when the waterfall swells and roars with dramatic intensity, surrounded by lush greenery that comes alive after the rains. Skip the usual “viewpoints” and take a long walk in Madikeri’s back lanes instead. You’ll bump into local kids flying paper boats of authentic Coorg monsoon life you won’t find on any tourist map.
Local cuisine in Coorg during monsoon is hearty, spicy, and perfect for rainy days.
Where to stay:
A villa in Coorg with a fireplace that refuses to light on the first try. Adds character and fits the vibe of a monsoon-friendly villa stay in Coorg, surrounded by nature.
Monsoon tip:When visiting Coorg during the monsoon, it’s best to carry waterproof bags- one for your socks and another for wet items- rather than relying solely on raincoats. If you plan to trek, be prepared for leeches by taking appropriate precautions. These travel tips will help ensure a comfortable and safe monsoon trip to Coorg.
Activities in Coorg– If you’re after adventure activities in Coorg during the rainy season, consider white-water rafting on the Barapole River or trekking to Tadiandamol or Pushpagiri. Monsoon trekking routes in Coorg are especially lush and misty now. And don’t miss the coffee plantation tours; the aroma of fresh rain on coffee blossoms is unforgettable, making this a must-do experience in Coorg during monsoon.
Mountain Getaway Road Trips in Karnataka’s Coffee Country
You could technically do Coorg and skip Chikmagalur, but why would you? They’re like cousins who grew up differently. Drive north for about 5 hours-one of those classic road trips from Coorg to Chikmagalur during monsoon season. The road has character: potholes with ambitions, misty bends, and the promise of adventure. But Chikmagalur makes up for it with quiet charm. It’s not flashy; it’s just comfortable being itself. The kind of place where the rain falls in a steady rhythm and the trees look like they’ve been listening true monsoon travel destination in Chikmagalur.
What’s worth it?
The Baba Budangiri trek is a notable monsoon attraction and ranks among the top trekking trails in Chikmagalur during the rainy season. For adventure enthusiasts, Baba Budangiri represents one of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur during the monsoon season, combining natural beauty with a rewarding trekking experience. Chikmagalur is the birthplace of Indian coffee, and a visit to a local coffee bar or the famous Panduranga Coffee Works is a must for any enthusiast. For a real treat, try a coffee plantation tour and coffee tasting experience in Chikmagalur’s a highlight of any monsoon itinerary for coffee lovers.
Where to Stay: Find a homestay in Chikmagalur for monsoon vacations.The warmth of the season and the joy of sharing snacks with loved ones make it a truly family-friendly monsoon destination in Chikmagalur.
Head to Ooty, a 9–10-hour drive that introduces you to the Nilgiri hills long before you arrive. Even during the monsoon, Ooty remains one of the most popular Tamil Nadu hill stations, drawing crowds with its cool climate.
Hill Station Road Trips: Discover the Scenic Beauty of Ooty
Most visitors miss some of the best Ooty sightseeing experiences during the rainy season. For instance, the Rose Garden is usually empty in the monsoon, making it especially lush and green-just you and 2,000 rain-soaked roses, a true hidden gem among Ooty’s top attractions. The Ooty Botanical Gardens also come alive with vibrant blooms and misty paths, perfect for peaceful nature walks and photography
Don’t skip the Nilgiri Mountain Railway: the toy train ride from Ooty to Coonoor is all fogged-up windows and old-school whistles, offering a classic monsoon experience with panoramic views of the rain-soaked hills. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy Ooty’s scenic beauty, especially when the mist rolls over the tracks. Exploring Ooty’s local markets and sampling regional specialities is one of the most rewarding offbeat monsoon travel experiences in Ooty.
Where to Stay: When it comes to accommodation, consider booking a homestay in Ooty on the outskirts. Look for one with a squeaky wooden floor and a view of cows mildly annoyed by the rain; these homestays offer a peaceful retreat from the bustle, ideal for a family-friendly monsoon holiday in Ooty.
Munnar: A Hill Station Road Trips Through Winding Roads and Tea-Covered Hills
Finally, head to Munnar, the perfect monsoon finale after a 6-hour drive through forest roads and elephant territory. The tea estates here look especially vibrant during this season-not in a postcard way, but in a way that makes you feel as if the tea leaves themselves are watching. Munnar’s beauty is undeniable, but beyond that, it offers an oddly calming atmosphere.
One of the highlights is a small teashop near Mattupetty Dam run by two brothers that serves fantastic chai, which is a true local gem. Skip the official viewpoints and instead follow the distant sound of drums; you might stumble upon a local festival not listed in any brochure, offering an authentic cultural experience rarely found in typical Munnar sightseeing guides. This journey offers the best of Munnar’s monsoon travel, with opportunities for tea plantation tours and tea tasting experiences, especially around the Mattupetty Tea Factory. Don’t miss panoramic views from Pothamedu Viewpoint and the chance to witness the rare Neelakurinji flower blooming season.
Where to Stay: For accommodation, consider booking a homestay in Munnar with cosy indoor spaces and scenic views, so you can unwind comfortably when the rain keeps you in, embracing the full monsoon retreat experience.
Whether you’re seeking family-friendly monsoon destinations in Munnar, offbeat monsoon experiences in tea and spice plantations, or simply a peaceful escape into nature, Munnar’s monsoon charm is unparalleled. With its lush landscapes, serene ambience, and unique cultural moments, it’s the ideal place to conclude your monsoon journey.
Image banner credits: cobalt123
Article by: Ruben Saha
