Go firefly spotting, enjoy a beach vacation or pay a visit to the menstruating goddess in Assam this month.
Hoping to take a short getaway in June, but don't know where to start?
You can still take a quick trip before your children's vacations get over.
Here are our top three options.
Assam
Photograph: Anuwar Hazarika/Reuters
Why: Ambubachi Mela -- also known as the Mahakumbh of the East -- is held in the month of June in the Kamakhya Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya.
Also known as the menstruating goddess, the temple, which is one of the 51 shakti peeths in India, is situated on the Nilachal Hill in Assam.
Summers in Assam last until June. When it gets really hot, there are a couple of rain showers and that's probably the best time to visit this charming state.
It would be best to wrap up your trip before July, when the monsoon actually arrives in full swing, as heavy rains can really inconvenience you.
You may not get a chance to visit the national parks as most of them shut mid-May.
But you can always head to India's longest bridge, which was just inaugurated. It has been named after singer Bhupen Hazarika.
If you're a wildlife lover, visit Pobitora forest and spot the one-horned rhinos.
Visiting the wettest place on Earth, Cherrapunji -- the place comes alive during the monsoon -- is the experience of a lifetime. You'll spot numerous streams, waterfalls and clouds playing hide-and-seek.
A trip to the cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong is a must when in Assam.
Things to do:
- Visit the dense forests of Cherrapunji and if the weather permits you can trek too and discover the living root bridges there.
- Cruise on the Brahmaputra river.
- Visit Majuli Island.
- The Mwsynram caves are a must-see.
How to get there: Assam is easily accessible by rail and air.
Goa
Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters
Why: Monsoon in Goa
Hate the idea of bumping into tourists in Goa? Then June is the time for you to visit Goa. The weather will be cool and given that it's off-season, you might end up having a beach to yourself.
For many, Goa is known as the land of beaches, hippies and parties that last all night.
But there's more to this popular seaside destination.
Beyond the beaches, lies a rich culture with a charming history -- that's what makes Goa such an alluring place.
Imagine spotting crocodiles and elephants bathing at a farm.
You can bathe in the fresh water springs at Pomburpa, which run dry for the rest of the year.
How does an early morning date with the birds sound?
You don't need to head to a forest. Just go on a river cruise down south Goa to the backwaters of the Zuari River.
At the start of your journey, you'll cross forests, fields and villages. As you travel down the river toward the Cumbharjua Canal, you'll spot the stork billed kingfisher, cormorants, egrets, brahminy kites, dusky crag martins and falcons.
If you are lucky, might even spot the white-collar kingfisher, white-breasted kingfisher, flying foxes and night herons.
Things to do:
- Crocodile spotting along the Cumbarjua Canal and elephant bathing at Sahakari Spice Farm.
- Bathe in the fresh water springs at Pomburpa.
How to get there: Take a flight to Goa. You can also drive down from Mumbai, which is 600 km away. You can also take a train from Mumbai to Goa.
Prabalmachi
Photograph: Rohit Gowaikar/Wikimedia Commons
Why: Spotting fireflies
The monsoon is just about to begin and you must make a trip to Prabalmachi, a village close to Mumbai, because it's that time of the year that you can spot fireflies.
The village which is known to host millions of fireflies before the monsoon begins. The fireflies gather there to attract their mates and they can be spotted only for two-three weeks before the monsoon.
Apart from the fantastic weather and cool breeze blowing, the hills in the backdrop lend a beautiful view for a trek to Prabalgad Fort. Don't worry about getting bitten by mosquitoes, as summers here are usually mosquito free.
Things to do:
- Taste local homemade bhakri, jwari roti and chicken curry.
- Hike to the top of Prabalgad Fort to watch the sunrise.
- Next to Prabalgad Fort is Kalavanti Fort, which is worth a visit too!
How to get there: Thakurwadi is a 45-minute drive from Panvel station. Thakurwadi serves as the base camp.
