Rainy day wonders: Monsoon getaways around Mumbai

Travel portal The Other Home suggest a few getaways for those out to enjoy the splendour of the monsoon.

Jamta: The first few drops of rain that fall upon this hill station make it come alive, the hills are awash with fresh greenery and the scents of the forests. Situated at a height of about 4,400 feet in Sirmur district of Himachal Pradesh, the area has pleasant weather, a never-ending cover of forests, a clear sky and the crisp smell of pine in the air. Things to see in the area are Jetak Fort, Badholia waterfalls, Suketo Fossils Park (which has life-size models and fossils of dinosaurs), Renuka Lake, and ancient gurudwaras at Nahan and Paonta Sahib. The place is also well suited for treks. For stay, besides a few hotel options in and around Jamta, one can try the nature camp ‘Nestling Meadows’.

Diglipur Island: The famous sayings as to how the journey becomes a destination cannot be more true than in the case of Diglipur, located in the north of the Andaman Archipelago. From the rain lashing through the clouds during the descent at Port Blair airport, a drive through some of the densest evergreen tropical rain forests and the habitat of the ‘Jarawas’ of the middle Andamans, the ferry rides across creeks on the Andaman Trunk road, and finally, the dinghy ride through the mangroves. Things to see around Diglipur, besides impossible shades of green and blue are the Ross and Smith Islands across Diglipur Harbour and the sandbar connecting them, the mud volcano, trekking to saddle peak or fishing in Kalpong River, or visiting nearby islands such as Canopy island. For staying, there is a government tourist resort or the Pristine Beach Resort in Kalipur. There are also backpacking stay options near Kalipur beach.

Jagdalpur: Jagdalpur is situated in the tribal heartland of Bastar district in Chhattisgarh. The area has some of the best preserved forest lands and the most impressive waterfalls. The thickly forested area abounds with  wildlife such as barking deer, sambar, and cheetal; langur, rhesus and macaque monkeys; leopard, python, and now almost-extinct hill mynah. The attractions of the area include Bastar palace, Chitrakot waterfall , Thirathgarh waterfall, Dalpatsagar lake, handicraft centres of Shilpgram and visits to tribal villages. For stay, there are the usual market hotels and government rest houses Naman Bastar Resort and Royal Bastar Farm.

Tezpur: Situated about 180km from Guwahati in Assam, Tezpur provides a great getaway. The valleys of Assam, especially along the foothills of eastern Himalayas are at their best during rains. The attractions of Tezpur vary from the mythological Mahabhairav and Agnigarh temples to Orang (65km) and Nameri national parks, the hill adventures of Sela Top, Bomdila and Tawang, and tea gardens all around.  To stay, besides the routine hotel options, the recommended option is Eco Camp situated on the banks of river Jiya Bharoli about 35 kms from Tezpur.

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