India is home to some fabulous mountain ranges such as The Great Himalayas, Sahyadri, Aravali and the Nilgiri Hills. There are lots of hill stations in India with the incredible beauty and the charming attractions that are nowhere found in the world. The hill station is encompassed by the mind-blowing sceneries all around and covered with lush greenery.

Hill Stations of India are the perfect destination to experience the nature’s beauty and the doorways to some veiled bewitching beauty. These destinations are a delight for adventure enthusiasts and allow you to indulge in an array of sports such as rafting, Para-gliding, skiing and rafting etc. These places are not only enjoyable but affordable and safe as well.

Some Popular Hill Stations in North India

When summer holidays are knocking at the door, it’s time to pack your bags and scuttle off to popular hill stations up north. Picturesque, pristine and playful, these hill stations in North India are the best bet for those looking forward to escape from the scorching heat of plains.

Manali

Nestled in the northern end of Kullu Valley, Manali gives a delightful experience to all sorts of tourists. From honeymooners to nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts to culture lovers, Manali attracts tourists of all profiles. The reason is quite simple that it offers something exotic for everyone. The unsurpassed beauty of nature coupled with salubrious climatic conditions makes it a hot favorite among honeymoon couples. Besides, thrilling adventures such as rafting, trekking and wildlife excursions will truly satiate adventure buffs. Moreover, delectable food adds spice to your holiday in Manali.

What to do in Manali

• Visit Hadimba Temple
• Get into the Mountains
• Dip in the Hot Springs
• Try Paragliding
• Catch a Trout

Gulmarg

Formerly known as ‘Gauri Marg’, Gulmarg is located in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. The name was changed to Gulmarg by King Yusuf Shah Chak. The literary meaning of Gulmarg is “meadow of flowers” and located amidst beautiful landscapes, gardens with magnificent flowers, lakes and a lot more. Gulmarg is also home to one of the best golf courses in the world. This spot was a destination to royal families and British too.

What to Do in Gulmarg

• Play golf in Gulmarg
• Visit Nanga Parbat, the fourth highest peak in the world
• November to February is the best season for Skiing in Gulmarg
• The main attraction of Gondola is Gondola Lift, a cable car commuting from Gondola to Kongdoor.

Shimla

The former summer capital of the Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is an ideal destination for perfect summer vacation. It is a famous hill station in North India and fondly known as a traveler’s paradise. The hill town is full of greenery, serenity, modern amenities, recreational facilities and enamoring flora and fauna. The age-old churches and superbly built mansions will certainly make you fall in love with the history and culture of Shimla. Besides, there are a handful of adventure activities you can partake in such as paragliding, trekking and birding.

What to Do in Shimla

• Explore the British colonial heritage
• Take the legendary walks
• Enjoy trekking
• Explore religious places
• Try Ice Skating
• Go Shopping

Must Visit Hill Stations of South India

South India has an abundance of beautiful hill stations such as Ooty, Munnar, Idukki, Coorg and many more. Tourists from far-off places visit South Indian hill stations to enjoy few days of scenic beauty, tranquility and peace. Here’s a list of some must visit hill stations of South India for your kind perusal.

Ooty

Also known as Udhagamandalam, Ooty is perhaps one of the most popular hill stations in Southern India. It is also home to many Britishers who fell in love with lush green tea plantations, picturesque landscape and peach & plum orchards. While on a tour to Ooty, one can visit places such as Lake View, Doddabetta Peak, Mudumalai National Park, Government Botanical Garden and Deer Park.

What to Do in Ooty

• Boating in Ooty Lake
• Visit the St. Steven’s Church
• Trekking in Nilgiri Hills
• Take a stroll in the Rose Garden
• Shooting Spots in Ooty

 Coonoor

Nestled in the Nilgiri Hills, Coonoor is a very popular tourist spot and a picturesque hill station in Karnataka. This place is praised everywhere for its green and natural environment. Tourists can also take a tour on the toy train to enjoy the scenic beauty of this hill station. Some popular viewpoints in Coonoor include Lamb’s Rock, Dolphin’s Nose and Lady Canning’s Seat.

What to Do in Coonoor

• Play golf at Wellington Golf Course
• Explore the beautiful and picturesque hill station of Coonoor
• Enjoy trekking trail to Lamb’s Rock, Lady Canning’s Seat and the Law’s Fall

Kodaikanal

One of the finest hill stations in South India, Kodaikanal lies in the Palani hill range in the southern part of India. The hill station is located at a height of 7,200 feet above sea level and offer picturesque views of the Western Ghats. The most salient feature of Kodaikanal is the full blooming of Kurunji flowers once in every 12 years. It also offers a host of adventure activities to its tourists such as Carnival games such as archery, cycling & trampling and horse riding around the lake.

What to Do in Kodaikanal

• Enjoy boating at the Kodaikanal Lake
• Bird Watching in Kodaikanal
• Partake in Adventure Sports such as biking, horse riding, trekking and hiking activities

Munnar

Situated at the confluence of Mudrapuzha, Kundala and Nallathanni, Munnar is a quiet and peaceful hill station that attracts travelers from all around the world. It is also popular among the adventure-seeking travelers who can enjoy Paragliding. Some major tourist attractions in Munnar include The Christ Church, Mudapetty Dam, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park.

What to do in Munnar

• Stroll through the tea estates
• Admire the gushing water streams
• Go for trout fishing
• Watch the Nilgiri Tahr
• Learn the art of tea making

Check out top 10 things to do in Ooty

Best Tourist Places in North – East India

Gangtok

A bustling and friendly hill station, Gangtok is visited by tourists from all around the world. It is the capital of the Himalayan state of Sikkim. Often known as the Switzerland of the East, Gangtok is one of the cleanest cities you’ll ever come across, highly organized and beautifully maintained. Some popular attractions in Gangtok include Rumtek Monastery, Tsongmo Lake, Flower Show, Banjhakri Falls and Tashi View Point.

What to Do in Gangtok

• River Rafting
• Paragliding
• Trekking
• Explore the market
• Samco Ropeway Excursion

Darjeeling

Situated in the north-east India in the famous state of Bengal, Darjeeling is one of the most soothing and pacific places in the world. Surrounded by the majestic Himalayas and overlooking bottomless valleys, Darjeeling is an exotic getaway to a hill paradise where tourists get flattered and besotted. Various films have captured the quintessential beauty of Darjeeling.

What to Do in Darjeeling

• Visit the Buddhist monasteries
• Stroll in the Lloyd’s Botanical Garden
• Visit the Dhirdham Temple
• Explore the tea gardens in Darjeeling

Shillong

Shillong is a part of most North-east India holiday tour packages and is decked with pine trees, waterfalls, mountain peaks and gardens. It resembles the highland of Scotland with it natural splendor and was named ‘Scotland of the East’. Some popular attractions of Shillong include Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Wards Lake and Lady Hyadri Park.

What to do in Shillong

• Visit the Lady Hydari Park
• Visit the Elephant Falls
• Visit the Wards Lake
• Visit the famous state museum to explore history, lifestyle and ethnography

So, come and explore the mystical beauty of India and discover a new perspective to everything. Snow clad peaks, lush green mountains and pristine natural beauty will let you enjoy these beautiful hill stations.you may also want to have a look at Top 10 Best Destinations in the World.

Contributed By Ashish Gupta