6 places in India where you literally stand above the clouds

Watching the sea of clouds pass below one's feet is truly surreal in some way. Mountains vanish and resurface, valleys fade into oblivion under a veil of mist, and at that particular instant, it seems like one has left the confines of the earth to float between heaven and earth. There are quite a few destinations in India where this kind of surrealism awaits the visitors during the monsoons and early winters. For those tourists looking for experiences other than typical sightseeing tours, such destinations present unique opportunities of seeing how amazing India's scenery can get. Here are six places where you can truly stand above the clouds.

Standing tall at 3,636 meters, Sandakphu is not only the highest peak in West Bengal but one of the best trekking experiences available in India. Standing at a height of about 10 meters in the Singalila ridge along the border of India and Nepal, Sandakphu is well known for its 'sleeping Buddha' view of the Himalayan range. At times, you will be waking up to find dense clouds surrounding the valleys below as mountains such as Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu emerge towering above the clouds. This place gives you a glimpse of four out of the five tallest peaks in the world.

The Nandi Hills is a very famous weekend destination that offers people living in Bengaluru a chance to relax. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,478 meters above the sea level, it may not be as tall as some viewpoints in the Himalayas, but its climate and topography often create beautiful cloud inversions especially during and just after the monsoons. You will be rewarded if you come here in the early morning and enjoy a wonderful sight of a blanket of clouds covering the terrain below.

At a height of 1,930 m, Mullayanagiri is considered the highest mountain peak in Karnataka. It is one of the easiest locations in Southern India where one can view clouds moving beneath. In the monsoon season, the entire Western Ghats become shrouded by dense fog, while the summit provides an enchanting view that looks as though taken out of a fantasy movie. These are some of the factors that make this place extremely popular among tourists.

Deomali is situated in the Eastern Ghats and is the highest mountain peak in Odisha at around 1,672 m in height. This is not very famous but still offers exceptional sunrise views in the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The peaks are generally surrounded by clouds early in the morning and one feels like hanging over them. Best time to visit is from August to December.

Second only to Anamudi in height, with an elevation of 2,640 m, the trek to Meesapulimala is one of the most picturesque treks of Kerala. From the beautiful grasslands and misty ridges to cloud inversions, the trek offers some memorable sights. Early mornings usually see clouds swirling through the valleys just like rivers. The best time to visit is from September to February. During your trek to Meesapulimala, do stop for a while to admire the view of the Western Ghats.

While Tiger Hill is famous for the beautiful sunrise view at Kanchenjunga, it offers another attraction equally attractive as the former. Located near Darjeeling at a height of 2,590 m, the spot often provides a view of valleys shrouded in dense clouds, particularly after monsoons. The best time to visit Tiger Hill is from October to December.