Top Most Places To Choose In India For October Month

Top most places to visit in October in India

Where will you go?

After a lull of a few months, October is the beginning of the festive season when most places in India have some or the other celebration or event lined up. It is also a good month to travel to places just before the peak tourist season begins and things start getting overtly expensive. October is the right season before extreme winter sets in and the monsoon is also over. True, in some parts of the county the October heat can be unbearable but for the most part of it, October is a great time to travel in India and explore the hidden gems. We have jotted down five such places that are great to visit in October in India. So pack your bags, book your tickets and leave for a memorable trip right away.

Alappuzha

Also called Alleppey, Alappuzha is one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in India. It is in the state of Kerala and is known for its backwaters and called the ‘Venice of the East’. October is a decent time to visit Kerala as November onwards the peak season begins and can get extremely crowded. If you are planning a trip to Alappuzha, here’s what you can do.

What to do in Alappuzha

The most popular thing to do in Alleppey is to take a cruise on the backwaters or stay in a houseboat. But here’s what else you can do on your trip.

Visit Krishnapuram Palace Museum: Known for its grand architecture, this is a palace and museum and houses the biggest mural paintings of Kerala. Admire its structure and learn about the history of the royal family when here.

Stay in a houseboat: Alleppey is known for this and while some offer day cruises, the experience of staying in a boat overnight is even better. Opt for a hotel that offers a room on a houseboat when in Alleppey.

Sample authentic Kerala cuisine: Food plays a major role in Kerala’s economy and one of the must-do things here is to sample some amazing dishes freshly prepared for you. Whether you love seafood or are a rice-lover, do try the authentic taste on a banana leaf.

Where to stay in Alappuzha

Being a popular tourist destination, there are plenty of hotels and resorts of all budgets in Alleppey. From basic stays to luxurious ones, you can choose one that fits your pocket. Lake Palace Resort (0477 2239701) overlooks the Vembanad Lake and is surrounded by coconut trees and paddy fields. One of the main attractions of this resort is its swimming pool which is in the middle of the lake. Isn’t that fascinating?

Ahmedabad

The land of Gujarat comes alive during Navratri and this year, the festival falls in October. The nine days of the festival are some of the most colorful and vibrant days thanks to the electric vibe in the air. Ahmedabad has several dandiya and garba nights in different parts of the city where people dance to their heart’s content dressed in ethnic wear. To truly experience the cultural vibe of the city, visit it during Navratri.

What to do in Ahmedabad

Play garba and dandiya: Goes without saying, one of the must-try things in Ahmedabad is to play garba which involves swinging one’s arms and turning around in circles and dandiya which is played with wooden sticks. Look for events that are close to where you stay and buy a pass for at least one evening. Do try the colorful ethnic attire to blend in with the rest of the crowd.

Try street food at Manek Chowk: Gujarat is land of foodies and Ahmedabad in particular is famous for its street food. Manek Chowk is one of the most lively markets that converts into a zone of street food in the night. In fact, it is one of the few streets in the country that is allowed to be open during the night. From chat to kebabs to kulfi, you will find everything here and there is space to sit and enjoy all of it in the night. Truly, a foodie’s delight.

Visit the Sabarmati Ashram: Located along the banks of Sabarmati River, this ashram was the abode of Mahatma Gandhi where he worked with his principles of truth and non-violence. He stayed here for 12 years and began the Dandi March from here. Today, it is a national monument and is converted into a museum where you can learn more about Gandhi and his teachings.

Where to stay in Ahmedabad

Several hotel chains have their properties in Ahmedabad and you can get accommodation suiting different budgets in this city. Ginger Hotel (079 66663333) is a mid-range business hotel with decent rooms while Radisson Blu Hotel (079 40501234) is a high-end property. You can also look for cheap places in the city close to the railway station where options are aplenty.

Shillong

One of the lesser-explored and underrated tourist destinations of the country, Shillong in the northeast should be on your list this October. It is the capital of Meghalaya and home to some of the most beautiful sites in the world. Surrounded by hills with waterfalls breaking out, it makes for a lovely escape. Find your peace and quiet this time at India’s hidden gem which is also called the ‘Scotland of the East’.

What to do in Shillong

There are many things to do and see in and around Shillong. The scenic, natural beauty of this hill station will leave you mesmerized and so will the different culture of the Khasi people. Don’t miss out on these attractions when here.

Head to Shillong Peak: To get a bird’s eye view of the town, head to the Shillong Peak that stands tall at 6449 ft above sea level. Being a radar station for the Indian Air Force, visitors have to submit their identification when here. The panoramic view from here is simply breathtaking and if you want a closer look, you can view the area from a telescope. There are some stalls that serve tea and snacks to tourists.

Go to Umiam Lake: Another prime attraction close to Shillong is the Umiam Lake which is known for its water sport activities like boating, kayaking, water scooting, etc. It attracts a large number of tourists as well as locals who come here for a stroll or to try these activities. The lake is surrounded by hills that increase its beauty and make for a picture-perfect backdrop.

Visit Asia’s cleanest village: A short distance away from Shillong lies Mawlynnong touted to be Asia’s cleanest village. Here, you will find bamboo bins all around the citizens right from children to the elderly doing their bit to keep their surroundings clean. They have adopted many eco-friendly ways to do so and it is commendable how responsible they are about their village. Surely, one can learn a thing or two from them about cleanliness.

Where to stay in Shillong

Most of the properties in Shillong are two or three star hotels and offer majestic views of the hills. Depending on your budget you can book a stay for yourself. Police Bazar is one of the main areas of Shillong where many shops and restaurants are located. Hotel Alpine Continental (0364 222 0991) is one of the three-star hotels located in this area.

Nainital

Fondly called the ‘Lake District of India’ Nainital is a beautiful hill station that revolves around Lake Naini and offers majestic vistas of the hills surrounding it. The hill station is quite popular among honeymooners as well as families who come here during their vacations to enjoy its natural beauty. October is the last of the touristy months before heavy winter begins. It is the perfect to enjoy the pleasant weather before it gets too cold.

What to do in Nainital

Apart from soaking in the natural beauty of Nainital, there are plenty of things you can do at this hill station. We list a few of them for you.

Go boating at Lake Naini: The hill station’s prime attraction from where it gets its name is the Lake Naini. It is in the heart of Nainital and enjoys a sweet spot surrounded by hills and markets. A trip to the lake without going boating is incomplete. It is also the perfect place to catch the sunset.

Visit Kainchi Dham: A mere 20 km away from Nainital lies Kainchi Dham that is home to an ashram built by Neem Karoli Baba, a saint from the ‘60s. It has become a prime tourist attraction thanks to Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg who paid a visit here on their India trips. Devotees from all around the world flock here to attend meditation and spiritual camps organized here.

Take a cable car to Snow-view Point: One of the best ways to take in the beauty of Nainital is to take a cable car ropeway all the way up to Snow-view Point. This is the perfect place to get a panoramic view of the hill station. You can buy a ticket, go all the way up, halt there for some time and then come back. Make sure you wear warm clothes and carry your sunglasses and also don’t forget your camera as you will get some stunning photos here.

Where to stay in Nainital

Being a popular tourist spot, there are several hotels and resorts in Nainital that cater to all budgets. From lodges to luxury hotels, you can find everything here. The rates are rather high during peak season and fall during off peak months. It is better to book in advance to avoid disappointment later. The Manu Maharani (05942 237342) is one of the best properties here and offers large, lavish rooms.