Where to travel in July and August

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

July and August bring the monsoon to most of India, but they are excellent months for some destinations in India and abroad.

In India

• Leh and Ladakh: in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, with dry, sunny days. Peak season.
• Spiti Valley: open and accessible via the high passes.
• Kerala: green and rainy; perfect for Ayurveda and quiet hill stays.
• The Western Ghats: Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and Coorg are lush with waterfalls.
• Udaipur: lakes fill and the city is lovely.

Avoid beach holidays on the west coast and be careful of landslide-prone Himalayan roads in Uttarakhand and Himachal.

Abroad

• Bali (South Coast): the dry season, ideal for beaches and temples (busy in August).
• Koh Samui: often at its best in July and August.
• East Africa: the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, usually from July.
• Europe: peak summer, with long days, though southern Europe is hot.
• Scandinavia and Iceland: the midnight sun season.
• Canada and the Rockies: summer season.
• Mauritius and the Seychelles: cooler, drier winter.

Tips

• Book Europe and East Africa well ahead.
• In India, keep buffer days for weather.
• Carry rain gear.

See Travelling in India during the monsoon: where it works and where to avoid and our Adventure holidays page.

Budget note

This is low season for most of India, so hotels in Kerala, Goa and Rajasthan offer good rates. Abroad, July and August are peak months for Europe and East Africa, so prices are higher there.

Independence Day weekend

The Independence Day long weekend is popular for short trips; book early.