Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?: People in India are awaiting the arrival of monsoon rain clouds because of the unseasonal weather.
Every traveller who enjoys the outdoors is attracted by the gradual transformation of dry, rugged landscapes to lush greenery.
Everyone starts to plan their monsoon vacations from July through September. Choosing a destination that will not be affected by heavy rains is essential. Here’s our list of safe places in India to visit during the monsoon season.
Lonavala, the closest hill station to Pune and Mumbai, comes to mind when there is a shower. Lonavala is a popular weekend destination and tops many lists of the best places to visit during the rainy season.
Lonavala offers a variety of views, including wispy clouds and mountains that are alive with new vegetation.
It is safe to travel during the monsoon season, even though the chance of rain here is higher than in cities. Water slides down the mountains, so there is no risk of flooding. [Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?]
7 beautiful and safest places are best to visit in the monsoon
- Munnar, India
- Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
- Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
- Shillong, India
- Mawlynnong, India
- Ella, Sri Lanka
1. Munnar, India
Since ancient times, the region was inhabited by tribal hunter-gatherers like the Malayarayan or Muthuvan. The Malayarayan and Muthuvan were brought to work in the tea plantations.
It is a tradition that Colonel Arthur Wellesley was the first British to pass through Munnar during Tipu Sultan’s campaign in Travancore.
However, this has not been proven. In 1816-1817, Benjamin Swayne Ward was the first to survey the area. He followed Periyar through the Western Ghats and set up a camp near the confluence of three rivers. This is where the name Munnar comes from.
Nearly 50 years later, Sir Charles Trevelyan (Governor of Madras) instructed Col. Douglas Hamilton to explore the hilly terrain in the western part of Madras Presidency.
He asked for particular advice about the feasibility of setting up sanatoria in the South and developing revenue-generating projects without endangering the environment, as had happened in Ceylon, where coffee had destroyed the rainforest but also the paddy cultivation in the north central rice bowl of ancient Ceylon. Hamilton climbed the Ghats of Munnar. [Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?]
2. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Ubud, an arts and culture centre on Bali’s island, has a large tourism industry. It is a centre for arts and culture with a large tourism sector. The town lies in the northern part of Greater Denpasar.
Ubud is a district with an area of 42.38 km2 and a population (per the 2020 Census). Ubud Desa is the central part of Ubud village.
It has a population (of 11,971) and a total area of 6.76 km2, which receives over three million foreign tourists annually. In 2018, Ubud had more tourists than Denpasar in the South.
The legend of Rsi Markandya is based on an eight-century Javanese Hindu priest who meditated in the Ubud area of Campuhan at the confluence between two rivers, a Hindu auspicious place. He built the Gunung Lebah Temple in the valley, a popular pilgrimage destination.
Ubud was once a significant source of medicinal plants and herbs. Its name comes from the Balinese term ubad. [Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?]
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3. Kandy, Sri Lanka
Many different names have been used to describe the city and its region. Scholars suggest that Kandy’s original name was Katubulu Nuwara, near the Watapuluwa. The historical name more commonly used today is Senkadagala or Senkadagalapura.
Officially, it’s Senkadagala Siriwardhana Maha Nuwara, which means ‘Great City of Senkadagala with Growing Reliability’. It’s usually shortened to “Maha Nuwara”. Folklore says that this name could have come from a variety of sources.
The city was named for a Brahmin named Senkanda, who lived in a nearby cave. Another was a Vikramabahu II queen named Senkanda and a coloured stone named Senkadagala. Kingdom Of Kandy is also known by other names.
The English name Kandy is an anglicized version of the Sinhala Kanda UdaRata, meaning the land on the mountains or Kanda Uda Pas Rata, meaning the five counties/countries in the hill. The Portuguese called the capital and the kingdom “Canada”.
In Sinhala, Kandy is known as Maha Nuwara, which means “Great City” and “The Capital”. This is often shortened to Nuwara for everyday use. [Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?]
4. Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
It shares a part of its boundary with Perak to the west. To the north, it touches Kelantan. Cameron Highlands, located at the northern tip of Pahang, is about 90 km (56 mi) east of Ipoh and approximately 200 km (120 mi) north of Kuala Lumpur.
It’s also 355km (221 miles) away from Kuantan, the capital of Pahang. It is the smallest municipal area in the state.
The outpost was surveyed by William Cameron[4][5] and is made up of three sub-districts, namely Ringlet (the administrative centre), Tanah Rata, Brinchang (the administrative centre), Kea Farm (the Bertam Valley), Tringkap (the Kea Farm), Kampung Kuala Terla (Kampung Raja), and Blue Valley.
The eight settlements are located at an elevation ranging between 800 meters (2600 ft) to 1,603 meters (5,259 feet) above sea level.
In a report about his mapping mission, Cameron said he observed “a kind of vortex in the mountains while for (reasonably broad) areas, we have gentle slopes and plateau land. [Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?]
Read Also: Is it safe for a girl to travel alone?
5. Shillong, India
Shillong is the capital and a hill resort of Meghalaya in northeastern India. It is also the headquarters for the East Khasi Hills District.
Shillong has a population of 143.229, according to the 2011 Census. They would call it the “Scotland of the East”.
Shillong’s population had grown steadily since 1864, when the British made it the Khasi & Jaintia Hills civil station.
Shillong, the capital city of Assam, was selected as the administrative headquarters in 1874 when the province was formed.
This was due to its location between the Brahmaputra Valley and the Surma Valley and its cooler climate than tropical India.
Shillong served as the capital city of the composite Assam under British rule until the formation of the separate state of Meghalaya.
David Scott was the agent of the North East Frontier Governor. He was a British civil servant from the East India Company.
During the First Anglo-Burmese War, the British authorities saw the need for a new road connecting Sylhet with Assam. [Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?]
6. Mawlynnong, India
Mawlynnong is known as one of the most clean villages in Asia. However, a better nickname would be God’s Garden.
Fruit orchards and rushing streams, evergreen surrounds, swaying Palms, and the Khasi’s well-preserved traditional culture provide the perfect backdrop on the southern ranges of Meghalaya.
The Nohwet Living Root Bridge is arguably the most famous Meghalaya icon. The bridge was made by weaving Ficus Elastica roots around a framework, which continued for generations. The living root bridges were a traditional Khasi architectural feature.
They helped the Khasi villages to connect and trade in the mountains and steep valleys. These bridges were built in harmony and became more potent with age.
You can take a cool dip in the calm, gushing waters of the river after admiring the bridge. [Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?]
7. Ella, Sri Lanka
Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo is the only airport in Sri Lanka that caters to international flights. Ella is 325 km away by road.
The 4 to 5-hour journey can be made by bus or taxi. Cab fares range from LKR 7000 up to LKR 20,000. Booking your cab in advance is best to avoid paying a high price.
We rented a car from ShineAway Cars Colombo for LKR 26000 and drove to Kandy, then to Ella. ShineAway Cars Colombo provided us with a vehicle for LKR 26,000 over 12 days.
We drove to Kandy and then to Ella. This is the best option for convenience and comfort. Visit my blog to learn more about renting a car, obtaining a driver’s license, and other important information.
You can also take the train to Ella from Colombo. Take the famous train ride across the 9 Arch Bridge in Kandy. Below is more information.
Trains in Sri Lanka are the cheapest way to travel. A journey from Colombo Ella can take up to 9 hours. [Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?]
Conclusion:
Travelling during the monsoon can be rewarding and safe if you take precautions and choose your destination wisely.
You can take advantage of the unique and lush experiences the monsoon offers by staying informed, packing the appropriate gear and avoiding dangerous activities. The monsoon is a great time to travel, but planning ahead is essential. [Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?]
Is it safe to travel in the monsoon?: FAQ
1. Is it safe to travel during the monsoon season?
Ans: It is safe to travel during the monsoon season if you select destinations less likely to be affected by severe weather conditions such as floods and landslides. Plan your trip according to the weather forecast.
2. Which destinations are safe to visit during the monsoon?
Ans: Areas with minimal natural disaster risk and good infrastructure are safe destinations during the monsoon. Ubud (Bali), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Munnar (India), Kandy and (Sri Lanka) are some examples. These places can generally handle monsoon weather conditions and offer attractions that can be enjoyed even in the rain.
3. How can I stay safe from diseases during the monsoon?
Ans: Avoid eating street food and drinking unpurified water in places where hygiene is compromised. Wear long sleeves and pants and use repellents to protect yourself against mosquitoes, especially if you are in an area prone to malaria or dengue.