The Best Places to Visit in India in October

October in India is a month of festivities and a fairly large number of travel opportunities, given the Indian holiday calendar. If you are looking to take advantage of any of these and plan a quick domestic trip, but are not sure where to go, read on! Here is our go-to list of the best places to visit in India in October.

Havelock Island

Recently renamed officially to Swaraj Dweep, Havelock Island in the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands is the quintessential beach paradise. One cannot but help be enchanted by the clear turquoise waters, tree-lined beaches with soft golden sands, and the canopy of rainforest covering large parts of Havelock. Catch the famed sunset at Radhanagar Beach, go for a stroll at Kalapathar Beach, take a scuba-diving lesson, or try a round of snorkelling at Elephant Beach. With the end of the monsoon bringing balmy weather, Havelock Island is definitely one of the best places to visit in India in October.

How to reach: Havelock Island can be reached by ferry from Port Blair, the nearest airport.

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Shillong

The capital of Meghalaya state, Shillong is a beautiful and green hill station that will appeal to travellers who enjoy offbeat and adventurous travel, as well as being out in nature. Apart from Shillong’s own attractions like Umiam Lake, Don Bosco Centre and Ward’s Lake, the town is a great base to explore neighbouring Cherrapunji and Dawki. The wonderful photo-ops and amazing weather at this time make Shillong top our list of the best places to visit in India in October. Spend a couple of days exploring Meghalaya’s unique natural beauty, from the waterfalls of Cherrapunji and the caves and Living Root Bridges of Mawsmai to Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia. Shillong is so ethereally beautiful, you’ll be planning a second trip even before you leave!

How to reach: Shillong has a small airport with a few flight connections; Guwahati airport (2.5 hours drive away) is much better connected and a better bet.

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Kumbhalgarh

Speaking of the best places to visit in India in October, one cannot miss mentioning Rajasthan. October is a great time to visit Kumbhalgarh (about 100km north of Udaipur), best known for its 15th-century hilltop Fort, the second-largest in Rajasthan. Within the Fort, you will find a number of palaces and over 300 Hindu and Jain temples. The 36km-long wall of this impregnable Fort is known to be the second-longest wall in the world, next only to the Great Wall of China. Apart from the Kumbhalgarh Fort, which is a World Heritage Site and also famous for being the birthplace of Rana Pratap, visitors to Kumbhalgarh can also enjoy leopard safaris in the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.

How to reach: You can reach Kumbhalgarh by road in 3 hours from Udaipur, the closest airport.

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Coorg

The mention of Coorg brings to mind a picture of verdant hills, serene valleys, long walks and gorgeous sunsets. While one can visit Coorg practically all year round, October is a good time to visit if you wish to try any of the adventure activities here. Go trekking and hiking, have a thrilling morning enjoying river rafting, or just enjoy leisurely walks in the scenic environs. You can also visit the scenic Abbey Falls, the unique Tibetan Monastery at Bylakuppe and the really interesting Elephant Camp at Dubare. We also recommend a visit to one of the numerous coffee plantations here, for a coffee tasting session. Whether you choose to make it an active holiday or a lazy weekend, the magic of Coorg is sure to leave you spellbound. It is this unique and universal appeal of Coorg that keeps bringing people back here!

How to reach: Take a cab from Mangalore (135 km) which is the closest airport, or from Mysore (120 km) which is the closest train station. You can also drive easily to Coorg from cities like Bangalore.

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Pachmarhi

Known as the “Queen of Satpura”, this quiet hill station in Madhya Pradesh is one of the best places to visit in India in October for those seeking an offbeat eco-tourism destination. Recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Pachmarhi offers densely forested hills and ravines, diverse waterfalls, ancient caves and temples and scenic views. Must-visit sights here include the 106m high Rajat Prapat, Bee Falls, Fairy Pool, the ancient rock-cut Pandav Caves, the Baba Mahadev and Gupt Mahadev temples, Jata Shankar temple, and Christ Church. For the best views, one should also visit Handi Khoh, Dhoopgarh and Forsyth Point.

How to reach: The closest airport to Pachmarhi is Bhopal (200 km), from where you can take a cab.

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Wayanad

Kerala’s most scenic hill district, Wayanad offers the nature-loving traveller a memorable experience. Set in the lush Western Ghats, this place is all about mist-covered hills, eye-catching landscapes, and sparkling waterfalls. Trek to the prehistoric Edakkal Caves or up Chembra Peak, drive out to the scenic Banasura Sagar, explore Wayanad Sanctuary or visit a local plantation estate for a tour. A stay in wild and scenic Wayanad promises a peaceful retreat, away from the stresses of your daily life. Don’t forget your camera!

How to reach: The closest airport and railway station is at Kozhikode, 3 hours away. From here you can get a cab to Wayanad. You can also drive to Wayanad from cities like Bangalore.

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Do let us know where in India you would like to travel in October. Would it be one of these recommended destinations? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!