Hey, forum I am from the UK and I will be in India with my parents. We will be going to our home town where we always go and mainly stay in that area as usual. But this time I have decided with my parents that we will go to some other places to visit as we will have plenty of time and this time around the holiday would be a bit different. What I need from the forum is help in finding our what places to visit in India in April, according to the festivals going on and the season.
Hi there, welcome to the forum! Overview Generally, for the whole of India, April is part of the summer season. The southern and western parts of India are usually the hottest during this month, so basically, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Rajasthan. Temperatures sometimes reach the 40°C mark for these regions. On the other hand, the northern part of India is also pretty hot during this month but May is the peak of their summer season. The central part of India remains hot too, with temperatures even reaching the high 30°C ranges. Your best option during this time to escape the city heat? Elevated areas, also known as hill stations, found in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Assam and Nagaland. There are also elevated areas found in the southern and western parts of India like Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. If you can bear the heat, this is also the best time for wildlife spotting in the numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country too. While temperatures soar, the wild animals come out to look for some water, which means, it is easier to spot them. Also, the dry terrains has less coverings of bushes and trees so there are less hiding areas for them. Best Places to Visit in India in April To escape the heat of the plains... 1. Mussoorie - Mussoorie is a hill station in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. April here is also summer season, yet temperatures barely exceed the 30°C mark. Days are sunny and breezy while nights can be chilly, so you would still need your light woollens. As a hill station though, Mussoorie is very much lively and if you may, crowded, especially during the month of May. So before that peak tourist month arrives, enjoy strolling around Mussoorie. The beautiful landscapes, of snow-capped mountains from a distance, busy streets within your reach and lush greenery all around, are the reasons why Mussoorie is preferred by both foreign and Indian tourists. Natural attractions line the place with Kempty Waterfalls being the most visited one. It has been fully developed into a picnic spot now so you can find many tourist facilities nearby the waterfalls. Lesser developed waterfalls near Mussoorie are Jharipani Waterfalls and Bhatta Waterfalls. They truly exude serenity, as compared to the former waterfall. On the other hand, the manmade Mussoorie Lake is yet another must visit place. Especially if you enjoy boating and revelling in the chirping of the birds and the gushing of the water. It is a pretty small lake though, so it cannot be compared to the lakes of other cities such as Rajasthan or Nainital. Lal Tibba is a trekker's haven and the views of the snow-capped mountains from here are very clear. Cloud's End is an underrated attraction, where you can be surrounded by thick deodar forests and even stay in a British bungalow converted into a hotel. Must visit attractions - Kempty Waterfalls, Jharipani Waterfalls, Bhatta Waterfalls, Mussoorie Lake, Lal Tibba, Cloud's End and many more. Related thread - Attractions in Mussoorie View from Cloud's End in Mussoorie (Image Courtesy of Ispoz) 2. Gangtok - What words would be best to describe Gangtok? Tibetan Buddhism, clean, serene, capital of Sikkim... All these are true of the city and yet there's so much more about it that makes it interesting. The mixture of the different ethnicities living in the city also adds to that unique culture that it has. April is the best time to visit Gangtok, especially to escape the heat from the lower cities of India. During this month, the city barely exceeds the 27°C mark. Unlike Mussoorie though, Gangtok isn't crowded or even that busy, and it's actually a perfect getaway just to get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. You won't regret a visit to the city's Tsomgo Lake, you might even find it still frozen in April. The views from the lake cannot be described in words, you have to be there to experience its beauty. Another must visit here is the Orchid Sanctuary, which is in full bloom during the summer season. The city, being a centre for Tibetan Buddhism, also has a number of monasteries that you can visit. The Rumtek Monastery's colourful exteriors are inviting and even the interiors sport this bright motif. The oldest monastery in the city, the Enchey Monastery, is a bit smaller but attracts a huge number of pilgrims. Must visit attractions - Tsomgo Lake, Orchid Sanctuary, Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery and many more. Related thread - Gangtok Travel Guide 3. Wayanad - On the southern part of India, in the state of Kerala, you would find Wayanad, a place of lush greenery and wild jungles. Although the state has a number of hill stations, Wayanad is one of the most pristine ones and probably also the least visited. It's the best place to just disconnect from the modern world, really. A place where you can find wild elephants strolling around freely, now who wouldn't want to witness that? Attractions like waterfalls, caves, lakes and view points are really the frostings on the cake that is of Wayanad. The Banasura Sagar Dam is not just a reservoir, it has now emerged as a popular boating destination. Pookode Lake is yet another boating destination which attracts tourists and also locals. Waterfalls like the Soochippara Waterfalls and Meenmutty Waterfalls are very scenic especially after monsoon season. During summer though, the falling water might be less. And lastly, if you have the capacity, a trek to either the Edekkal Caves or Chembra Peak is worth it. The Edekkal Caves have carvings over 5,000 years old already, archaeologists believe that the caves have been inhabited by different tribes from different centuries. The Chembra Peak trek is also popular and it's better to hire a guide to take you through it. Being the highest point in the region, the views of all the hills of Wayanad from here are quite stunning. There's this small heart-shaped lake as well, in the middle of the trek, which is sure to melt your heart. Must visit attractions - Banasura Sagar Dam, Pookode Lake, Soochippara Waterfalls, Meenmutty Waterfalls, Edekkal Caves and Chembra Peak. Related thread - Attractions in Wayanad 4. Mahabaleshwar - It's hard not to fall in love with Mahabaleshwar, another hill station, this time in the state of Maharashtra. Deep gorges, valleys and mountain views provide one with a scenic view from any point in the hill station. It is popular as well as a pilgrimage site because the sacred Panch Ganga Temple is located here. In this temple, the five rivers of Krishna, Koyana, Venna, Gayatri and Savitri have their waters flowing in it. Even more fascinating is that two more rivers, the Bhagirathi River and the Saraswati River, appear every 12 years and 30 years only, respectively. Around Mahabaleshwar, there are also many view points, which provide one with a view of the different regions of the place. Arthur's Seat is probably one of the most popular view points, where the Savitri River can be seen effortlessly. Wilson Point is the best spot for viewing the sunset while Mumbai Point is the best spot for viewing the sunrise. The Lingmala Waterfalls has two parts, a smaller one where you can enjoy a dip in and a bigger one where you are only allowed to view it from a point. Both requires a bit of trekking which won't be an issue in summer as the paths are not that slippery. There's also the Pratapgarh Fort, where Shivaji won his first fight ever, although the fort requires a climb of about 400 steps to reach. And lastly, the idyllic Venna Lake is where you can enjoy boating with your loved ones. Must visit attractions - Panch Ganga Temple, Arthur's Seat, Wilson Point, Mumbai Point, Lingmala Waterfalls, Pratapgarh Fort and Venna Lake. Related thread - Attractions in Mahabaleshwar 5. Coonoor - Tamil Nadu has Ooty as its most popular hill station but amidst the shadow of this place is Coonoor. It is less crowded yet boasts of the same landscapes as Ooty. During the month of April, temperatures here don't exceed the 25°C mark so it remains very pleasant, even for sightseeing and trekking. If you enjoy nature trails, embark on a journey to the Lamb's Rock, the views of the Nilgiri mountains and valleys below are very clear from here. Even the trek itself is enjoyable and perfect for beginner trekkers. Another must visit place is the Dolphin's Nose, the trek to reach it takes you through beautiful tea plantations. Sims Park doesn't require any trekking experience at all, you can enjoy the forests surrounding the park, along with the plants within it. Rallia Dam requires some trekking to reach, within a forest, but this water reservoir attracts a number of animals and birds. It's a nice spot for a picnic or just to enjoy the views of nature. And lastly, there's Droog Fort, a bit further away from the town proper of Coonoor. It also requires some trekking to reach and while the fort in itself is not that spectacular, the journey to get there plus the views provide you with your very own reward. Must visit attractions - Lamb's Rock, Dolphin's Nose, Sims Park, Rallia Dam and Droog Fort. Related thread - Attractions in Coonoor Of colourful fairs and festivals... 6. Mon - There's this town in Nagaland where the Konyaks reside and it's called Mon. A bit of a background about the Konyaks, they are known as the Head Hunting Tribe of Nagaland. They used to hunt neighbouring tribes and collect heads, as tokens of their power and force. Now though, this practice is not done anymore so you can actually breathe in peace. Mon is now a destination for the annual festival of Aoling, which the same tribe celebrates. The festival is usually celebrated during the first week of April. It is mainly a form of welcoming the upcoming harvest season, over a span of six days. The first three days are spent gathering firewood, vegetables and rice beer. The women weave the traditional clothing to be used for the festival. The men gather the animals to be sacrificed in the festival. The fourth day is the most important one, also the most lively, where the tribes people dance, sing and just enjoy the festival. A special reenactment of the head hunting tradition is also done during this day. The last days are for spending time with families and neighbours. Festival - Aoling Festival. Related thread - Nagaland 7. Srinagar - The most colourful festival of Jammu and Kashmir, the Tulip Festival of Srinagar is another can't be missed event. It is during the month of April that the tulips are in full bloom, hence the festival was timed accordingly during this month. Usually, it's during the second week of April that the festival is held. Different variants of tulips, along with other flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, muscarias and many more are displayed during this time. It is held specifically at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, in Siraj Bagh Cheshmashahi, near the Dal Lake. The refreshing splash of colours would brighten your day too, with pinks, oranges, reds, yellows, etc. there to greet you. Srinagar is also a main tourist destination so you can find plenty of places to visit here. Festival - Tulip Festival. Related thread - Attractions in Srinagar 8. Thrissur - Who knew that an accidental festival would be heralded as one of the grandest festivals in Kerala today? The Thrissur Pooram, held in the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, is as vibrant and as diverse as the state itself. A total of ten temples participate in the festival, with the Vadakkunnathan Temple being the central one. All processions from the other temples reach the central one, to pay respect to the Lord Shiva, the deity whom the main temple is dedicate to. The festival begins with a flag hoisting event, usually by the middle of April, and several spectacles continue until the seventh day of the main pooram. Fireworks and elaborately designed elephants are the usual awe-inspiring events that tourists and pilgrims enjoy. A procession is held and another fireworks display is held which marks the ending of the auspicious festival. Festival - Thrissur Pooram. Related thread - Kerala Travel Guide Thrissur Pooram (Image Courtesy of Thrissur Pooram Festival Website) 9. Aalo - In the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, there's the town of Aalo, also known as Along, where the Galo tribes reside. The Galo tribes can also be found in Itanagar, East Siang and Chang Lang. During the month of April, the first week, they celebrate the Mopin Festival. It is mainly a festival to drive away the evil spirits and at the same time, pay respect to their Goddess Mopin Ane. It is usually held at the grounds of the Donyi Polo Temple and lasts a whole day only. The main attraction of the event is the sacrificial killing of the gayal, also known as mithun, a type of domesticated bovine only found in some parts of Northeast India, Burma and Yunnan. The tribes people wear their best white costume complete with thatched head gears & colourful accessories. They also smear rice paste over the faces of one another, a sign of good luck and prosperity. All throughout the festival rice wine and bamboo shoot are also provided for guests. Festival - Mopin Festival. Related thread - Itanagar Travel Guide 10. Varanasi - Varanasi is known as a pilgrimage site but during the month of April, the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh or Sankat Mochan Music Festival is held here. It is different in that it is not held in an auditorium but in the premises of the Hanuman Temple in Varanasi. There are also no entry fees required to listen to the different Indian classical music or watch the other classical performances here. Artists provide their services for free too, even though they are well-known in the country. Everything performed here is for the Lord Hanuman, no digital enhancements to help the singer perform well so it's as authentic as it can be. The festival is held over a span of four days and anyone can join in on the event. Festival - Sankat Mochan Music Festival. Related thread - Varanasi Travel Guide Embrace the heat, love the wildlife... 11. Jim Corbett National Park - Nestled in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand is the Jim Corbett National Park. It has the distinction of being the oldest tiger reserve and national park in the country. The good thing about this park though is that it barely exceeds the 40°C mark during April. Summer is officially the best time to visit the national park in order to spot tigers, which has about 200 of this specie of animal. While tiger spotting depends on luck, if you reach the national park at this season, your chances are slightly higher. The Kosi River flows through the national park and if you choose the right hotel, you can view it right from your room. There are six safari zones in the national park but it is believed that Dhikala has the highest tiger sightings. The Ram Ganga River also flows in this zone, which makes for an excellent rafting zone and also angling zone for guests. Other animals that you might spot in the national park are elephants, chitals, wild boars, nilgais and pangolins. You can also combine a trip with Nainital since it is located quite close to the national park. Home to - Royal Bengal Tigers, Elephants, Chitals, Wild Boars, Nilgais and Pangolins. Related thread - Tigers in Jim Corbett National Park 12. Kanha National Park - In the state of Madhya Pradesh, the Kanha National Park is one of the many wildlife sanctuaries here that stand out. Summers are extremely hot here though, with temperatures exceeding 42°C. The national park, with its varied landscapes of sal forests and bamboo forests, is home to a wide species of animals. The majestic royal Bengal tigers reside in here along with other animal species such as gaurs, sambars, barasinghas, black bucks, jackals, hyenas and mouse deers. There are four zones in the national park but the zones of Kanha and Kisli have much higher tiger sightings. If you love bird watching, it's a must to visit Bamni Dadar, the highest point of the national park. Home to - Royal Bengal Tigers, Gaurs, Sambars, Barasinghas, Black Bucks, Jackals, Hyenas and Mouse Deers. Related thread - Best National Parks in India 13. Gir National Park - Home to the only Asiatic lions in the wild, the Gir National Park is another must-visit destination during summer. Although April is sunny and warm, temperatures barely exceed the 30°C mark during this month. There are two sections in the national park, the Gir Jungle Trail and the Devaliya Safari Park. It's better to visit the Gir Jungle Trail for a more authentic wildlife experience. There are plenty of watering surfaces around the national park too, to which animals go to during the peak of the summer heat. Aside from the Asiatic lions, you can spot animals like leopards, jungle cats, chitals, honey badgers and Indian palm civets. Birds are also abundant in the national park, but mainly during the winter season. Home to - Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Jungle Cats, Chitals, Honey Badgers and Indian Palm Civets. Related thread - Gir National Park/url] Asiatic Lion in Gir (Image Courtesy of Paradise Jungle Trip) 14. Ranthambore National Park - Ranthambore National Park is a well-known destination in India for tiger sightings. The national park has the highest tiger density in the country despite having only 60 plus tigers, due mainly to the smaller area of it. April though has temperatures between 37°C to 45°C so yes, it can be very hot. It's best to bring lots of water and wear light cotton clothes. As you venture into the different watering holes of the national park, like Bakaula and Padam Talao, you have higher chances of spotting tigers. Since the national park has dry forests along with vast grasslands, tiger spotting can be easier too. Macaques, sloth bears, jackals, wild boars and porcupines are just some of the other wild animals that you can spot there. Home to - Royal Bengal Tigers, Macaques, Sloth Bears, Jackals, Wild Boars and Porcupines. Related thread - Tigers in Ranthambore National Park 15. Sundarbans National Park - The Sundarbans National Park is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also has the country's largest mangrove forests, which are also home to the infamous man-eating tigers of the region. These tigers are so adapted to the flora of the region that they know how to swim in these mangrove swamps. Summers in the region can be extremely hot though, reaching the high 40°C mark. You can indulge in a boat safari here and view the majestic bird and aquatic species residing in the national park too. Because of the swampy areas, you might also spot saltwater crocodiles swimming around in the national park. As such, the Sundarbans National Park is a unique destination in itself, a bit terrifying but at the same time, ignites the adventurer in any individual. Home to - Royal Bengal Tigers, Birds, Aquatic Species and Saltwater Crocodiles Related thread - Best Place to See Tigers in India Excited, yet? With this list, you can now explore the rest of India without worrying whether April is the right time to do so. After all, these places are the best destinations for the summer season which includes the month of April. Good luck and enjoy your vacation!
