Chasing the cloudburst

If You have already been there, done that —we are talking about staple monsoon getaways like the backwaters of Kerala or the scenic adventure hubs of Uttarakhand - how about taking a detour? We suggest you chart a path all your own, heading out to some of the country’s lesser known jewels.

These towns nestled in the mountains, jungles teeming with wildlife and carnival islands transform into verdant escapes as the South West Monsoon lashes down between June and September.

Our guide.

Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh

Nicknamed the Mini Switzerland of India, Khajjiar - at 6,400 ft above sea level - is just your ticket if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of commercialised tourist spots. Primarily consisting of a grassy meadow about an hour’s drive from the better known hillstation, Dalhousie, Khajjiar is surroundedby lush woods overrun with deodar trees and the Himalayas. Don’t miss the pond with its islands and the town’s nine-hole golf course - if the rain holds up long enough for you to tee off, that is.

The stay: You could put up at the Indraprastha Resort - where the activity roster includes horse riding through the surrounding forests.

A 3D/2N monsoon package at the resort is priced at approximately Rs 3,100 per person.

Details: 01899-240164/65 Getting there: The closest airport is at Dharamsala.

From there you can drive down to Khajjiar, which is about 140 kms away.

Divar Island, Goa

Just because the beach shacks are closed, doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in Goa during the monsoon. Leave behind the usual tourist spots and head to Divar Island (about 10 kms from Panaji), which is connected by ferry to Old Goa.

Divar’s streets are lined with elegant Portuguese villas, and the island proffers a dramatic vista of the Mandovi River and surrounding towns and countryside. If you’re in the mood for a little sightseeing, there are the island’s old churches and temples. The highpoint of the monsoon season here would be the last Saturday in August, when the Bonderam Festival transforms the island into a carnival town - think parades, floats and waving flags.

The stay: Devaaya - Ayurveda and Nature Cure Centre offers Goanstyled rooms. You can spend your day among the ground’s swaying palms or soak in the goodness of the massage and yoga therapies on offer. A 4D/3N monsoon package is priced at approximately Rs 7,100 per person.

Details: 0832-2280500 Getting there: A return ticket to Goa would cost approximately Rs 7,400 per person by Jet Airways (to) and Kingfisher Red (fro).

Details: 39893333/18002093030

Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Spread across the Vindhya Hills, Bandhavgarh is known for the Bengal tigers and white tigers that populate the 400 sq km national park. Apart from forests, meadows (known locally as bohera) and steep ridges make up this lush spot in the country’s heartland. The park is home to leopards, gaur (Indian bison), sloth bear, wild boar, sambar, spotted deer and porcupines, besides tigers. While no safaris operate during the monsoon, that does not stop the resident wildlife from venturing out into the neighbourhood of surrounding hotels - besides, the lower temperatures ensure the animals are out and about more frequently than in the scorching summer.

The stay: The Mapple Bundela Tiger Retreat, in the heart of the national park, is your means to being tucked away in the wild without compromising too much on luxury. The resort’s surroundings take on a particularlysurreal, yet serene avatar, in the misty monsoon season. A 3D/2N package is priced at approximately Rs 4,800 per person.

Details: 07627-280632 Getting there: The closest airport is at Rajkot. Hire a taxi at the airport. Bandhavgarh is about 150 kms away.

Rumtek, Sikkim

About 25 kms from Gangtok is Rumtek, at an altitude of approximately 5,000 ft. The little Himalayan town is best known for its Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Built in the 16th century, it is the biggest in Sikkim, and has been ruined and rebuilt over the years. A tranquil getaway, this region is rife with old world charm and the simple mountain life.

The stay: Put up at the Mayfair Spa Resort, midway between Rumtek and Gangtok. A five-star deluxe hotel, Mayfair won the Best New Spa 2009 Award at the Pevonia Asia Spa Awards last year. The resort is inspired by the monastery’s design and combines Sikkimese architecture with modern conveniences. A 3D/2N package is priced at approximately Rs 8,800 per person.

Details: 0359-2250555 Getting there: The closest airport is at Bagdogra (about 130 kms from Gangtok). A return ticket to Bagdogra would cost approximately Rs 6,800 per person by Spicejet.

Details: 1800-180-333