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5 Reasons to Visit the Western Ghats during Monsoon

June 8, 2021

Tiny droplets trickling from dark green leaves, pathways shrouded in silvery mist, air rich with dewy petrichor, valleys of thick emerald forest stretching as far as the eyes can see – there is much more that a monsoon trip to the Western Ghats can offer to the wanderlust yogis. Here are 5 reasons why exploring Western Ghats during Monsoon SHOULD be on your bucket list. 

Rich biodiversity

Covering an area of 1,60,000 kilometre square the majestic mountain ranges of the Western Ghats traverses the Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu.This belt of green that runs parallel to the Western coast of the Indian peninsula is a treasure trove of biodiversity and is even among the world’s ten ‘hottest biodiversity hotspots’.

About 325 globally threatened species call this place their home and some like the Nilgiri tahr, Lion-tailed macaque and Purple frog are endemic to this region. 

Nature at its best

Older than the Himalayan ranges, a trip to the Ghats during the monsoon will take us back to our roots of being one with nature. The countless brooks and spectacular waterfalls coming to life is indeed a sight to behold. The rivers will be gushing with water during this time of the year and you’ll see many newborn streams alongside the road while travelling. The forests and valleys will be a thriving green carpet, with thick clouds of mist floating over them. Venturing into the misty hills when the whole of nature comes alive is something you truly cannot afford to miss. 

Fewer tourists

We all know that monsoon is not the favorite of seasons for many travelers. Most of them will find it hard to cope with the daunting weather. But there are a few perks too. Apart from being the time when nature explodes with life, there will also be comparatively fewer tourists. This means less crowded pathways, hotels, scenic places and more peace. 

Festive Goa

There is a myth that monsoon is not usually the best time to visit Goa. There are some sweet surprises for the daring though. Unknown to many, South Goa is one of the best places for a monsoon trip. The Dudhsagar Trek and the train journey are among the most beautiful monsoon trails in India. It is a favorite monsoon gateway for the Maharashtrians as well as the South Indians. With perks of having unpopulated beaches and a season of festivals, monsoon in Goa is a time of celebrations. The Sao Joao Festival, The Feast of St. Peter, Bonderam Festival of Divar Island – all takes place during this time of the year. Also, there are some lesser known places like Mollem and Choral Ghat which are best to be explored during the Monsoon. 

Countless options 

The Western Ghats lies stretching 1600km across six Indian states and that means more locations to explore. Taking a different form in every state, there are countless options from which you can choose. Some of the top spots are listed below. 

Places to visit in the Western Ghats during monsoon

Gujarat : Saputara, Wilson Hills, Don Hill Station 

Maharashtra : Igatpuri, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Lonavala-Khandala, Matheran, Amboli Ghat, Bhandardhara, Karoli

Goa : Chorla Ghat, Mollem, Dudhsagar Falls

Karnataka : Agumbe, Chikmagalur, Coorg, Dandeli, Kakkabe

Kerala : Munnar, Idukki, Wayanad, Thekkady, Nelliyampathy, Ponmudi, Vagamon

Tamilnadu : Yercaud, Coonoor, Kodaikanal, Ooty, Valparai

Already feeling the urge to backpack? Worry not! Let’s go for a camp has some amazing trips in store for you. Come explore the enchanting monsoons in the Western Ghats with us!