Indian River Islands To Beat the Heat This Summer

Published: MAR 20, 2026

DAWKI RIVER, MEGHALAYA

Near the India-Bangladesh border, Dawki’s Umngot River is famed for its glass-clear water, flanked by smooth rock beaches and lush cliffs. It's a natural swimming pool with mountain air.

CHANDUBI LAKE, ASSAM

Calm waters, thick forests, and cool evenings, just an hour from Guwahati. Fringed by dense forest, its pebbled shorelines serve serious beachy seclusion. Summer nights here can dip below 20°C.

SHONGA-TSER LAKE, ARUNACHAL PRADESH (MADHURI LAKE

High-altitude drama at 12,000 ft, this glacial lake near Tawang is snow-fed and icy cold year-round. In early summer, the frozen edges begin to melt, revealing cobalt waters and haunting silence.

MECHUKA RIVER VALLEY, ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Located in a high-altitude valley near the Indo-Tibet border, Mechuka has broad riverside “beaches” with stones, pine forests, and glacier-fed waters. You can dip your feet in, but only if you dare.

TSOMGO LAKE, SIKKIM

Just two hours from Gangtok, Tsomgo, the Alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks is like stepping into a Himalayan postcard. Snow remains into early summer, and yaks wander the periphery like extras in a Wes Anderson film.

SANGETSAR LAKE, ARUNACHAL PRADESH

This lesser-known lake lies north of Tawang and remains cold, remote, and deeply photogenic even in June. Surrounded by ghost trees submerged in its clear waters, Sangetsar is as haunting as it is beautiful.

NONGKHNUM RIVER ISLAND

The biggest river island in Meghalaya, and the second biggest in Asia, boasts a beautiful sandy beach, scenic landscapes, and is surrounded by numerous waterfalls, including Weinia Falls, Thum Falls, and Lyngshiang Falls.

MAJULI ISLAND, ASSAM

One of the largest river islands in the northeastern state of Assam. Nestled in the mighty Brahmaputra River, Majuli is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and spiritual significance.