Family Fun in the Sun: Ideas for an Unforgettable Summer Vacation

Summer vacation is all about taking a break from the routine, enjoying outdoor activities, spending time with family, and travelling to new destinations.

And with vacations being right around the corner, we are sure you too are planning some fun in the sun and looking for exciting experiences to have with your family.

Here are a few off-beat summer vacation destinations you can visit for an unforgettable experience – 

Walk on the staircase to heaven

There are plenty of natural wonders in Meghalaya that’ll leave you spellbound. Especially the staircase to heaven – 100-year-old living roots of trees naturally entwining, forming a bridge, and helping visitors cross over rivers. Seems right out of a fantasy book, right?

You have to take a small trek (which includes 3000 steps) to witness the double-decker living root bridge but its enigma is worth every drop of your sweat and will overwhelm your senses.

How to get there: Take a flight to Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar.

Take a bus/car to Cherrapunji. There are several taxis/sleeper buses available for the village of Nongriat, which is the base camp for the trek to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ideal for: Couples, Families with teenagers

Things to take care of :

• Avoid it if you have health issues.
• Hire a guide to avoiding getting lost/getting the best experience in the place
• Carry light snacks, water and avoid littering
• Dress comfortably and  modestly
• The place is considered sacred by locals. Be mindful of your actions.

Experience the Saka Dawa Festival in Ladakh

If you are looking for a unique cultural experience to witness this summer vacation – Don’t miss the Saka Dawa festival. One of the most important days in Tibetan Buddhism is celebrated in the month of May/June.

The festival marks the enlightenment of Lord Buddha and is celebrated with traditional music, dance performances, and colourful flags adoring monasteries and temples.

How to get there: You can take a flight to Leh or take an AC sleeper bus from Manali/to Srinagar.

Ideal For: Couples, Inter-generational Families, Families with kids

Things to take care of:

• Leh is at a high altitude and it can take a few days for you to acclimatize to air pressure. Avoid if you have asthma or major heart issues
• The weather in Leh is quite unpredictable. Make sure to keep some light warm clothes and rain gear.

If you want to experience a spiritual summer with your family but can’t travel to Leh – You can instead visit places like Varanasi, Haridwar, or Rishikesh.

Experience The Jungle Book

If you have 3-8-year-olds in your family, oh you are going to love this one! Kanha National Park, also known as the Mowgli Land (thanks to Rudyard Kipling’s famous kids’ book The Jungle Book) is an ideal experience to have with family for an unforgettable experience.

Located in Madhya Pradesh, it is one of the largest national parks in India and is home to rare species of birds, Bengal tiger, Indian leopards, Barasingha, and deer. It offers Jungle Safaris, Elephant Rides, Nature walks, and other exciting activities.

March-May is an ideal time to witness tigers and panthers chilling in their habitats.

How to get there: You can either book a flight to Jabalpur or take a train to Gondia or Jabalpur. From there take a bus ticket or hire a taxi to reach the National Park.

Ideal For: Couples, Families with 3 -18 yr olds, Intergenerational Families

Things to take care of:

• Do not wear flashy clothes. Dress in muted tones (browns and greens)
• Carry insect repellants and sunscreens.
• Do not litter around
• Do not feed/disturb the animals

Explore the Hills

The idea of getting away from the heat and being with the family amidst the hills, sipping warm tea, binge eating Maggi and pakoras, laughing, and playing board games makes our hearts happy.

So why not take this cool, classic, refreshing escape this summer vacation?

From Rishikishesh to Chakrata to Spiti Valley to Kasar Devi to Shimla to Manali to Darjeeling to Mysore to Coorg – The budget travel options are endless.

You can go on treks, do yoga, and skiing, explore the local cuisine, do horse riding, or just do nothing and soak in the natural beauty.

How to get there: It depends on the place you’re travelling to. But travelling by AC bus/road gives you some of the best views of the hills. You can easily book your seat through online bus ticket booking services.

Ideal For: Couples, Families with Teenagers

Things to take care of:

• If travelling in a bus, Choose a reliable bus operator like zingbus – Someone who is known for good buses has a good safety record and has comfortable busses
• Keep light warm clothes and rain gear even if travelling in summers
• Book in advance to get the best deals (including rooms with the most scenic views and cheap bus tickets)
• If you suffer from motion sickness, take medicine in advance
• Take regular breaks to stretch your legs, connect with locals, and enjoy the view

There is no dearth of places to visit in India. So this summer, pack your bags, get your loved ones together and go out and have one of the best vacations of your life. 

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