August 2025 | 1063 words | 4-minute read, 20 slides
Come June, the air hangs heavy with the anticipation of a change of seasons. Then come the first raindrops. Dust settles. The scent of wet earth rises. Hillsides flush green, rivers swell to life and waterfalls gush down hazy hillsides.
In the past, this heralded the low season for travel and tourism in India, but for many, the monsoon has now emerged as India’s most appealing season for a quick getaway. Crowds thin, temperatures soften and familiar destinations reveal entirely different personalities. This is the time to slow down, linger a little longer and see the country at its most vibrant and enigmatic.
Whether you gravitate towards mist-shrouded hills, rain-washed tea estates, tranquil backwaters or heritage escapes steeped in old-world charm, IHCL offers a front-row seat to nature’s greatest spectacle.
Endless greens
In Kerala’s Western Ghats, Munnar is blanketed in lush green tea plantations that meet gently drifting mists. Roaring waterfalls, clouds settled low over valleys and winding roads that disappear into silver-grey horizons complete the experience. At Scenic, Munnar - IHCL SeleQtions, the pace of life slows to the rhythm of rainfall. Mornings begin with sweeping views of rain-soaked tea gardens and the Anamalai Hills, while afternoons invite long conversations over locally grown tea and leisurely walks between showers.
Further north, Taj Wayanad Resort & Spa, built on a tranquil isle, offers breathtaking vistas of pristine Banasura Lake and lush greenery — the perfect base from which to explore one of India’s most enchanting monsoon landscapes. The 10-acre, eco-conscious luxury resort is adorned with locally sourced Kannur terracotta, natural stones, and timber, drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of Northern Kerala. Soak in the serenity from waterfront villas and cottages or wander along the 650-metre promenade adorned with lakeside benches for the perfect monsoon escape.
Coorg in Karnataka, ushers in a different, yet equally magical monsoon mood. Coffee country welcomes you with scents of spice, and coffee shrubs weighed down by plump berries in the wet months. Perched 1200m above sea level, amidst 180 acres of an evergreen rainforest, Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa, Coorg, sets the stage for an awe-inspiring experience from its open-air lobby with a majestic panorama of the surrounding forest. Whether you choose to follow nature trails or simply watch the rain sweep over the landscape from your private balcony, monsoon here feels utterly immersive.
Where water rules
If the monsoon has a spiritual home, it may well be Kerala’s backwaters. As rains replenish its lakes, canals and waterways, life across the region assumes a gentle rhythm. Fishermen set out across rain-rippled waters, coconut palms sway in the breeze and village life unfolds along the banks much as it has for generations.
At Taj Kumarakom Resort & Spa, nestled on the banks of Vembanad Lake, guests can drift through this timeless world aboard traditional boats, savour Kerala’s spice-rich cuisine and embrace the rejuvenating traditions of Ayurveda, a wellness practice long associated with the monsoon season.
Alleppey’s backwaters are equally memorable at amã Stays & Trails luxury homestays. Aquabliss has heritage cottages, including the 400-year-old Nalukettu house, with its open-to-sky nadumuttam courtyard and a veranda facing the flowing river. Explore nearby villages on cycling trails and guided walks, see coir weaving or fishing demos or simply savour home-style Kerala meals on a shikara.
Heritage hums to life
The monsoon has a way of transforming historic, cultural experiences.
Savoy, Ooty – IHCL SeleQtions, is a heritage landmark with mesmerising views of the Nilgiris. Established in 1829, the Savoy sets the tone with period furniture, real fireplaces, and a 150-year-old Steinway piano that is played nightly in the lounge, and is a treat for lovers of the outdoors.
Way up north, in the land of kings, another kind of monsoon magic unfolds, especially in the city of lakes — Udaipur. As rains replenish its lakes and the Aravalli hills turn emerald green, Udaipur becomes softer, quieter. The Taj Lake Palace’s majestic facades are reflected in the mirror-like Lake Pichola, boat rides take on a dreamlike quality, and evenings are spent watching storm clouds drift across the lake. The majestic Taj Fateh Prakash Palace or the oasis of Taj Aravali Resort & Spa are also memorable options in the city.
The season of sussegad
Monsoon also reveals a side of Goa that many travellers never see. Gone are the raucous winter crowds, replaced by a slower, contemplative rhythm. The countryside is vividly green, and winding village roads take you through rice fields that reflect dramatic monsoon skies.
More reasons to get away
The Indian Hotels Company Limited features the Perfect Staycations – Monsoon Escapes promotion, available for bookings made through August 31, 2026, for stays completed by September 30, 2026. The package is active across participating Taj, SeleQtions, and Vivanta properties.
Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, overlooking the 16th century Portuguese fort, is made slow mornings and languid afternoons in true sussegad style, while enjoying stunning views of the rain-lashed coastlines of Candolim and Sinquerim. Or experience the charming, Portuguese hamlet vibe of Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage, amidst 30 acres of greenery on Vainguinim Beach, where intimate alcoves, overhanging balcãos and chequered floors, echo the sounds of the ocean.
For a more intimate retreat, Yellow House, Goa - IHCL SeleQtions, has 49 rooms that offer views of lush forests, serene paddy fields, and charming gardens. The heritage property is just minutes from the lively Vagator-Assagao-Anjuna belt and beaches.
In the land of the clouds
Few regions could wear the monsoon as magnificently as Meghalaya — a name that literally evokes the ‘Abode of the Clouds’. In Shillong, the fog rolls over mountains crowded with pine forests, and every road seems to lead towards a waterfall, a forest trail or a breathtaking view.
At Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong, guests can experience the region’s legendary beauty through a glass pyramid crowning the atrium, offering views of misty mornings and starry nights. All this while enjoying the warmth and hospitality of a modern hotel.
The Indian monsoon reminds us that travel is not always about seeing more. As the rains sweep across the country, IHCL hotels invite you to embrace the season in all its richness and discover why some journeys are best taken slow. The only question is: where will the rains take you?
— Anuradha Anupkumar
The hills are alive
Backwater bliss
Heritage & luxury
A coastal favourite
Where the clouds dance
