Where to go in the monsoon

Bangus Valley, Alpather Lake and Kaza lead a list of 20. Most of the Himalaya is best avoided in July and August. These are the places that are in season then.

Ranked from our own destination data on season, difficulty, altitude, cost and who each place suits. Not paid for, and not the same as “most popular”.

1. 1Kashmir · KupwaraBangus ValleyIn season July and August. Easy to moderate, 3–4 days.A vast twin meadow — Bodh Bangus and Lokut Bangus — ringed by fir forest near the LoC in Kupwara.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Remote, near the LoC, and requires a long rough drive plus local coordination.
2. 2Kashmir · Gulmarg, BaramullaAlpather LakeIn season July and August. Moderate, 3–4 days.A high alpine lake above Gulmarg, reached on foot or pony past Khilanmarg and the Apharwat ridge.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Only accessible roughly June to September; snowbound the rest of the year.
3. 3Himachal · Spiti, Lahaul & SpitiKazaIn season July and August. Easy, 4–5 days.The sub-divisional capital of Spiti — base for Key Monastery, Kibber, Langza, Hikkim and Komik.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: At 3,800 m, altitude hits immediately if you fly in or drive up fast.
4. 4Himachal · Lahaul & SpitiSissu & LahaulIn season July and August. Easy, 2–3 days.The first Lahaul village past the Atal Tunnel — waterfalls, the Chandrabhaga river and bare high mountains.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Very limited stays and food options; it's a day-trip or one-night stop.
5. 5Kashmir · Aru, PahalgamTarsar MarsarIn season July and August. Moderate, 7 days.Twin alpine lakes ringed by snow peaks, quieter than Great Lakes.Best months: Jul, Aug · Why not: Short season; weather turns fast on the pass.
6. 6Himachal · Manali, KulluDeo Tibba Base CampIn season July and August. Difficult, 6–7 days.A high meadow trek to the base of Deo Tibba (6,001 m) beside the blue Chandratal lake.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Long days over moraine; the lake is above 4,400 m.
7. 7Kashmir · Sonamarg, GanderbalKashmir Great LakesIn season July and August. Difficult, 8–9 days.Seven days over high passes between turquoise alpine lakes — often called India's most beautiful trek.Best months: Jul, Aug · Why not: Long days, three passes around 4,000 m, and a short July–September window.
8. 8Kashmir · GanderbalNaranag & Gangbal LakeIn season July and August. Moderate, 4–5 days.An old temple village at the trailhead for the Harmukh trek, ending at the twin lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Steep forest climb on day one and rough camping above the treeline.
9. 9Kashmir · Pahalgam, AnantnagTulian LakeIn season July and August. Moderate, 4–5 days.A small glacial lake at 3,800 m above Aru, usually done as an overnight camp from Pahalgam.Best months: Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: The trail is faint and unmarked in places; only viable June to September.
10. 10Kashmir · Aru, AnantnagKolahoi GlacierIn season July and August. Difficult, 6–7 days.A hard trek from Aru up the Lidder valley to the largest glacier in Kashmir, under Kolahoi peak (5,425 m).Best months: Jul, Aug · Why not: Rough, unmarked in places, and only viable in a narrow July–September window.
11. 11Uttarakhand · Ghangaria, ChamoliValley of FlowersIn season July and August. Easy to moderate, 6–7 days.A UNESCO-listed alpine valley that blooms with hundreds of flower species in the monsoon.Best months: Jul, Aug · Why not: Only open roughly June to October, and the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway sees monsoon landslides.
12. 12Kashmir · BudgamDoodhpathriIn season July and August. Easy, 2–3 days.The 'Valley of Milk' — a broad grassy bowl at 2,730 m with a milky-white stream and grazing Gujjar herds.Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Narrow, winding access road; nothing to do but walk and sit.
13. 13Kashmir · BandiporaGurez ValleyIn season July and August. Easy, 4–5 days.A remote Kishanganga valley of log houses beneath the pyramid of Habba Khatoon peak.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Close to the LoC with checkpoint formalities; Razdan Pass closes in winter.
14. 14Himachal · Manali, KulluHampta PassIn season July and August. Moderate, 6–7 days.A crossover trek from green Kullu into the barren Lahaul valley, often extended to Chandratal.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Pass day is long and the river crossings can be cold and strong in early season.
15. 15Ladakh · Hemis National Park, LehMarkha ValleyIn season July and August. Moderate, 9–10 days.A homestay trek through desert canyons and tiny villages, over the Kongmaru La.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: High and dry — the Kongmaru La is over 5,000 m, and river crossings can be cold.
16. 16Himachal · KinnaurNakoIn season July and August. Easy, 1–2 days.A high village around a turquoise lake on the old trade route to Tibet, with a 1,000-year-old monastery.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Very small and cold; facilities are basic.
17. 17Kashmir · Shopian / Poonch (Mughal Road)Peer Ki GaliIn season July and August. Easy, 2–3 days.A 3,490 m pass on the Mughal Road between Shopian and Poonch, with meadows and a Sufi shrine.Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct · Why not: The road is closed by snow for much of the year and facilities en route are minimal.
18. 18Ladakh · Nubra, LehNubra Valley & TurtukIn season July and August. Easy to moderate, 5–6 days.Over Khardung La to sand dunes, Diskit monastery and the Balti village of Turtuk.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Khardung La is very high and often snowbound early and late in the season; check road status daily.
19. 19Ladakh · Changthang, LehPangong TsoIn season July and August. Easy to moderate, 4–5 days.A 130 km long high-altitude lake that changes colour through the day, reached over Chang La.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Nights at 4,250 m are cold and hard on sleep. It is busy with day-trippers in peak season.
20. 20Ladakh · Rupshu, LehTso MoririIn season July and August. Easy to moderate, 5–6 days.A remote, quiet high lake at Korzok, with nomad camps and black-necked cranes.Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Why not: Long, rough drive and very basic stays at over 4,500 m.