Across India, expert-led mushroom foraging walks are inviting curious travellers into the damp, hidden corners of forests and metropolis parks, the place mushrooms bloom in surreal shapes and hues. From the fog-laced hills of Sikkim to the vine-wrapped ridges of Delhi and the rain-slick trails of the Western Ghats, these walks are the sphere journey you all the time wished your faculty would take you on. Goa’s Mhadei Sanctuary stuns with bioluminescent fungi, and a guided tour is extremely advisable to witness endemic orchids, indigenous timber, sambar deer and wild boar amongst others. You’ll learn to establish (*6*), hint their function in forest ecosystems, and perceive why many wild varieties, although beautiful, are finest left untouched. The focus isn’t on selecting for the plate however on shifting perspective: noticing what’s often missed, understanding fungi as connectors relatively than commodities. Guides like Malavika Bhatia in Delhi, Prithvi Kini in Karnataka, and Pramod Hingmang in Sikkim create considerate, low-impact experiences which might be equal components instructional and exploratory. Expect mud, mist, and the occasional leech, plus the joys of recognizing one thing extraordinary pushing by means of the undergrowth. Walks usually run July to September and are open to all age teams. Bookings and particulars are usually introduced on the hosts’ Instagram pages or newsletters nearer to the season. — Navya Verma
Go on a trek in Maharashtra
selvin
The monsoon transforms Maharashtra’s Sahyadris right into a velvety inexperienced playground, crisscrossed with waterfalls, mist-covered forts and dreamy plateaus. Trekking right here throughout the rains is each accessible and thrilling: whether or not you’re chasing a gushing cascade close to Karjat or summiting the cloud-kissed Kalsubai Peak, there’s a path to match each vitality stage. Beginners can ease into day hikes to Bhivpuri Waterfalls or the jungle-wrapped Karnala Fort, usually accompanied by butterflies and songbirds. Medium-difficulty routes like Garbett Point or Devkund Waterfall reward you with swims in pure swimming pools, village lunches and windswept vistas. For seasoned trekkers, steep climbs like Kalavantin Durg or Harihar Fort, the place steps are carved straight into sheer rock, supply adrenaline-fueled challenges, particularly in the monsoon mist. History buffs can hint Shivaji-era forts like Torna, Ratangad or Salher, whereas nature lovers might spot starflowers, freshwater crabs, or round rainbows from Konkan Kada. Most treks vary from a number of hours to in a single day journeys and are finest finished with native guides or in teams. The season stretches from June by means of September, although a number of routes keep open till February. With dozens of trails to select from, trekking in Maharashtra throughout the rains is a spectacular technique to see the Western Ghats come alive. — Jahnavi Bhatt
Explore waterfalls and plantations close to Bengaluru
Feroze Babu
For Bengaluru residents craving a break from town’s visitors and slush, the monsoon presents an ideal excuse to get out of city. Within a number of hours, the panorama shifts to misty hills, swollen rivers, rain-drenched forests, and roadside stalls serving scorching vadas. Drive by means of a lush Bandipur forest cover of rosewood, teak, pipal, banyan, and tamarind timber; cease by Balmuri Falls and go on a wildlife safari. At Shivanasamudra Falls, witness the Kaveri cut up into segmented cascades surrounded by birdsong. Chikmagalur’s espresso estates and waterfall treks come alive in the mist. Hogenakkal Falls, Tamil Nadu’s ‘smoking rock’, presents coracle rides and roadside massages. Sakleshpur’s spice plantations conceal Tipu Sultan’s star-shaped fort. Coorg’s Pollibetta wraps you in rainforest and waterfall views. Farther afield, drive to Lakkidi in Wayanad, identified for its mist and treehouses; Coonoor for mountain bends and outdated bungalows; Agumbe for vadas and vignettes of Malgudi Days; Pichavaram for mangrove boat rides; Bekal for its sea-facing fort; Munnar for silent inexperienced hills; Karwar’s coast for jackfruit idlis at Wild Woods Spa; or Palolem in monsoon-soaked Goa for hikes, bike rides, and river rafting. — Priya Ganapathy and Anurag Mallick