India’s Top 10 Hill Stations

Let the Western Ghats, Himalayas and best of Indian towns nestled in Mountains enchant you this summer If you are planning a vacation to the hills, don’t restrict yourself to only one station when you can have the luxury of witnessing the quaint solace and beauty of numerous Himalayan and other mountainous towns in India! Let’s countdown India’s Top 10 Hill Station that you must visit:

1. Towns of Himachal

Himachal Pradesh has had its fair share of mainstream popularity with Indian as well as foreign travelers. All four of its amazing circuits namely: Beas, Satluj, Dhaladhar and Tribal.

The famous and commercialized vacation destinations of Himachal are Manali, Shimla, Kullu, Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Manikaran, Kasauli, Mandi, Kangra etc. Manali is the ultimate picturesque destination for the adventure junkies! These towns of himachal Pradesh offer a picturesque and ambient aura of the towering Himalayan Mountains along with the wonderful eclectic Tibetan culture. Kasol, Manali are largely renowned among hipsters and adventure junkies for the delightful cafes, growing backpacking culture and skiing spots. Lately, Manali has also found a liking with filmmakers as many movies have been shot there, leading to its popularity. Dharamshala is the little Tibet that you just can’t afford to miss. All of Himachal towns in are well connected as they are famous with the mainstream tourism crowd (that flocks to H.P not only from the North but from all over the month, during the entire year!) as India Best Hill Station.

Khajjiar, khoksar (Lahaul), Rakcham (Kinnaur), Kaza (Spiti), Tandi etc are the best Hill Stations in India for Honeymoon couples. These are less commercialized towns thus are perfect for honeymooning couples looking for solitude holidays. Khajjiar is the mini Switzerland of India (officially!) and the ideal spot for anyone looking for calm and serenity in the hills. If you have a taste for the extreme, Lahaul and Spiti valley should be on your must visit list. There are also picturesque and peaceful monasteries located in Kaza, keylong etc so for those with a religion inclination should take a trip to Lahaul and Spiti. Bharmour in the Chamba District and Rewalsar near Mandi and Dharamshala are also the best spots for religious travelers. In fact, you can also extend your Manali-Lahaul trip by continuing it to Ladakh since it is pretty close from there on.

2. Uttarakhand destinations

With promising serenity and mystic beauty of the Himalayan towns, Uttarakhand is a state that must not be missed by any mountain lover. Nainital, Ranikhet, Almora, Dhanaulti, Auli, Mussorie, Badrinath, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Lansdowne, Kausani etc have all been famous ever since British and Indian rulers turned these tranquil and mystical towns into startling summer capitals. Now, these are largely visited by foreign as well as Indian vacationers. Not only are these celebrated for the scenic locations and assorted culture but also for the splendid treks that will woo every adventure junkie!. So, whether or not you are into spirituality or adventure, your hill station tour in India is incomplete without an Uttarakhand vacation.

The laxman Jhula of Rishikesh, world famous boardings schools of India’s little oxford: Dehradun, Chamba’s surreal alpine forests, beautiful Lakes of Nainital are just the icing on the cake. There is much more in Uttarakhand that will pleasure the eyes of an Adventure junkie, Nature lover, a pilgrim and a romantic. Gopeshwar has such beautiful dense forests that it almost looks fantastical. Since, Uttarakhand is famous for its top Hill Stations in India, you will be able to find private taxis, buses and trains available for travelling within and outside the state. Finding accommodation in the mainstream towns like Rishikesh, Dehradun, Ranikhet, Nainital, Dhanaulti, Mussorie etc won’t be a problem as they are forever open for tourists who flock to this eastern paradise in Himalayas all year long!

Famous treks in Uttarakhand are Gangotri Glacier trek, Chandrashila Trek, madmaheshwar Trek, Kuari Pass trek, Sunder Dhunga trek, kalindni Pass trek, deoriatal Trek etc. You can hire a local guide to help you out with the trek as the service is provided by almost all trekking tourism agencies. For religious pilgrims who want to visit Badrinath and other such destinations in Uttarakhand, religious packages are also provided vastly.

3. West Bengal’s lofty jewels

Darjeeling, Kalimpong are the two most famous hill stations of West Bengal and if you have visited both of them then consider yourself lucky! Famous since centuries, Darjeeling indeed has the best tea available. Your day isn’t made until you have begun your day in Darjeeling by taking a sip of the rejuvenating and luscious Darjeeling tea. In all its glory, it is the perfect location and is exactly that way travelers have been claiming it to be for decades and centuries. If you are in Darjeeling, do not forget to aboard the toy train from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling and bask in the beauty of the overlooking Himalayas that stretch from everywhere to everywhere. Beautiful Gardens and a trek up the Tiger hill are the two definitely things that will make your Darjeeling experience once in a lifetime memory.

If you are inclined towards spirituality and Buddhism, then make your West Bengal tour the best and spiritual Hill Station Tour in India by visiting the astonishing Gompas and Monasteries in Kalimpong. When in Kalimpong, get the beautiful orchids from the local market as these flowers are famous throughout the state. If you are in for some amazing rejuvenation in the Eastern Ghats, take a trip to Mirik, Joychandi Pahar, Lava, Kurseong etc. Beautiful and widely spanned Tea estates, toy train rides, grand orange orchards are something that you should definitely look forward too. Mirik has turned out to be one of the new important tourist spots in West Bengal and visiting Mirik is a must for you if you love to fish and would like some beautiful boat rides amidst the mountains.

If the amazing sea beaches and fantastic lofty peaks of Kurseong, Kalimpong, Lava are not enough then Tiger Hill Sunrise and Kanchenjunga Peak reflections in the beautiful lakes will surely make your vacation once in a lifetime experience. A higher adventure thirst can be quenched with a Sandakphu trek through which you will witness the entire Himalayan range.

4. Maharashtrian Getaway

Lonavala, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Matheran, Amboli, Bhandardara, Malshej Ghat etc just few of the amazing hilly station vacation spots that Maharashtra offers. Maharashtra is not just rich with the sophisticated culture and cuisine but also with the divine Nature. The sublime beauty of Maharashtra indeed hints at the fact that the creator of the world is surely an artist. There is not just one or two or a dozen of hill stations but so many hilly destinations that you can spend lifetime in the lap of Western Ghats wondering that you’ve seen nothing yet! You can witness the magnificent beauty of hill stations of Maharashtra, all in one go by planning a Maharashtra Hill station tour.

The icing on the cake is that the altitude in this state is moderate so you won’t have any acclimatization problem. The stations are also very well connected via local transport so you can even plan a road trip with our friends or significant other.  Lonavala, Khandala, panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Toranmal, Amboli are among Best Hill Stations in India for Honeymoon vacations. Sunset point, dadar Kopra falls in Jawhar, coffee plantations in Chikhaldara Hills, Arthur Lake in Bhandardara, are definitely the major destinations that will make your vacation blissful in this land of lofty and mystic mountains.

The Monsoon and the sea beaches of the Konkan Coast on the one side of Amboli make it the quintessential spot for all lovebirds. It is great for artistic and romantic inspiration and if you are looking to re-ignite the passion in your life with some nature then Visit Amboli. The Beautiful Sahyadri Ranges and beautiful Sunrises are widely visible from the panorama point in Matheran which is a great picnic location. So, you can visit the place with family, friends or simply with your camera and tripod!

5. The Bustling Beauty of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh

Not including Jammu and Kashmir on a Hill Stations in India list is perjury!

Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have become the pilgrimage of mountain lovers who find everything about nature, its beauty and its extremes, calming serenity, singing winds here. Kashmir was always famous for its wondrous lakes, flora and fauna and since the last couple of decades; Ladakh has also captured the eyes of adventure and peace seekers. The Buddhist culture is prominent in the latter with several monasteries located in the most extremes of locations and the terrain is indeed a challenge. But every year, numerous motorcycle tours enthusiasts visit Ladakh and in fact, it is considered the ultimate crusade for all riders. J&K has also become easily accessible due to the dynamic transport via roadways and airways. In fact, you can also take a train to Jammu and then visit the entire state through local taxis or buses that frequent the local destinations actively.

Aru, Dah and Hanu are three hill stations that are not frequented by the mainstream tourist crowd so if you are looking to get a secluded holiday, these three are your best choices. In Dah and Hanu, you will find yourself welcomed with apricot trees, stone huts and beautiful terraced fields. Every view in Aru is straight out of a postcard and is flawless. In fact, not only just peace seekers, adventure junkies will also be enchanted by the challenging Kohaloi Glacier trek at 3200 Km.

Gulmarg, Srinagar, Sonamarg, Patnitop, Pahalgam etc are top choices for those who want to see the beautify of the still yet so lively lakes, vast flora with its numerous hues, floating huts that offer the best luxury amidst the towering hills. In Kashmir, you can just look out the window and all that you will see outside is greenery and vast spanned valleys with Deodar trees and pearl white clouds.

6. Karnataka

Karnataka hill stations are situated on the Western Ghat Mountains and every hill station is so tranquil and offers something that you have never seen before. If you are looking for a vacatoin for reseting in the serene lap of nature, Karnataka Hill stations like Nandi hills, Madikeri, Kudremukh, Coorg etc are the best picks. You will find dense forests, tranquil rivers and lakes, bustling waterfalls that will woo you and get you hooked to Karnataka. Some of Karnataka’s hill stations are very old and date back to the ancient times of Indian history. Karnataka has some great spots for tourists that are counted among best Hill Stations in India and also have also been a favorite of Muslim and Bristish rulers in India.

Kermana Gundi, Chikmagalur at the Baba Budan range are two hill stations that you can’t afford to skip. Hebbe Falls and Kalahatti falls nearby the Kemmanagundi (also located at the Baba Budan Range) are also two beautiful scenic miracles of nature that you must visit while visiting Karnataka for a hill station vacation.

Madikari, also referred famously as the Scotland of India, is one town that must not skip your itinerary because it is home to Madikeri Fort, Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, Harangi Dam, Nisargadhama. Kudremukh offers the amazing combination of lofty mountains and the coast as the broad hills are located alongside Arabian Sea. So Karnataka Hill stations are the ultimate destination for those looking for unspoiled Natural habitats with heavenly natural beauty.

Coorg and Agumbe are the most famous hill stations of Karnataka that are also highly commercialized (yet they have managed to maintain their sheen) and have been renowned among the tourist community for ages. The kerala style temples, widely spanned coffee plantations, aromatic Sandal wood trees that give the mountains its distinct beautiful fragrance, diverse wildlife in Coorg will make you want to come back to this land of unspoiled beautify every year!

7. Meghalaya Hill Stations, Where the Clouds Reside

Have you ever wanted to climb a hill so high that you could literally stand amidst the mist of the clouds and feel the beautiful pearl like clouds adorning you like a garland? Well if yes, then visiting Meghalaya will give you the opportunity to stand amidst the clouds. Meghalaya has the Best Hill Stations in India for Honeymoon travelers.

Meghalaya is famously called the abode of the clouds and it is indeed the right name for it. Entire Meghalaya has beautiful ranges that form the amazing topography of this state. It has Garo Hills, Jaintia Hills, Khasi hills along with numerous waterfalls, never before seen flora and Fauna and distinct Cultural heritage. Shillong is the most famous hills station of Meghalaya that is frequented by travelers. For honeymooners, altitude junkies and mountain lovers, Shillong is just about perfect. Shillong has Bishop and Beadon falls, Spread Eagle Falls, Crinoline Falls, Elephanta falls, Sweet falls etc. it is home to numerous awe-inspiring caves that draw a lot of adventure loving and curious tourists to this place. Well, if you are on a honeymoon then Shillong is exactly that place with perfect colorful landscape, singing waterfalls and quaint lakes that you always only saw in movies. Shillong has so many gardens where beautiful roses and other flowers are grown. Not just honeymooners but even travel enthusiasts will find this lovely place to be one of a kind as there are numerous picnic spots and every landscape is postcard perfect!

If you are a Monsoon fan then visiting Cherrapunji while in Meghalaya is a must do activity in your to do list. Well, it is the wettest place on earth after all! There are steep waterfalls that will scare you one moment and enchant you another. The wonderful waterfalls of Meghalaya make it a fantastical Disney like location that you just won’t get enough of.

8. Sikkim, for the Love of Adventure and Altitude

Have you heard the legend of the amazing birds that don’t let any fallen leaf flow on the Khechepalri lake surface? Well, probably it is true becaue all year long, the beautiful lake of Khechepalri remains crystal clear and quaint. The stillness and tranquility of this beautiful lake is a miracle in itself and the sheer confirmation that Nature’s the highest.

A few decades back, only those who wanted to see the grand Rumtek Monastery visited Sikkim but Gangtok in Sikkim is now bustling with tourists. Gangtok is even the most visited and highly sought after (and yet an unblemished) Hill Stations in India It is unspoiled, breathtaking, and so mystically beautiful! Every house in Gangtok looks straight out of a painting with the ideal pagoda roofs. For mountain lovers, visiting Pelling and Tsomgo Lake is a must. The tsomgo Lake is just located 40kms from Gangtok and taxis can be hired to take you there. If you go a little further uphill from there on, you will be able to get an astonishing view of the Indo-China frontier.

Pelling is filled with picture perfect hills and idea, soothing treks that will test you physically but rejuvenate your soul. In fact, from Pelling, you can also view the magnificent Kanchenjunga. In Gangtok, numerous adventure activites can be sought by tourists like Handgliding, trekking, river rafting (white water), Yak safari, Mountain biking etc. Numerous treks can also be begun in Gangtok and famous treks that are regularly sought by trerkkers are Rabongla, Tashiding, Tsokha, Dzongri, Pemayangtse, Chauridang etc.  On driving 40kms from gangtok, you will also find the beautiful Changu lake that literally means source of the lake in the local Bhutia language. The altitude at this lake is 12000 ft so if you have acclimatization issues, make sure that you manage your health well up here. To visit Sikkim (Gangtok), you can either take a Flight to Siliguri Airport or train to New Jalpaiguri/Siliguri or use the roadways from West Bengal.

9. Hill Stations in God’s Own Country: Kerala

Kerala is not only home to the amazing backwaters but also the great beaches and mountains ranges that give tourists the all in one holiday package. Kerala is home to the best Hill Stations in India for Honeymoon. Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cashew plantations ruled the Western Ghats in Kerala long back and still do but the lush greenery that drapes the Mountains of Kerala attracts immense tourists every year. Keezer Kuthu Waterfalls at Idukki, the overshadowed yet the most famous Kerala hill station are a divine sight. In fact, Idukki is home to several low rivers, the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, numerous spice and team plantations that give this place a wonderful aroma of its own.

Munnar is another jewel in Kerala’s crown that is making waves not just among domestic tourists but among foreign tourists as well. Most honeymooners and Nature lovers worship Kerala as the ultimate destination and a hill station like Munnar only strneghens the fact that this is indeed god’s own country. The landscapes are just spectacular and wide spanned valleys will surely invigorate your soul and mind.

Pakshipathalam is also another paradise nestled in the beautiful and unspoiled Western Ghats of Kerala. If you are into wildlife or love photography, you just can’t let go of an opporutinity to visit this haven for exotic Fauna, deciduous Forests. You can trek to Paksipathalam or take a train to Kozhikode railway station. While you are here, visit Kuruvadweep, a grand Eco-tourism example that has the best Orchids and amazing flora.

Vagamon, located about 65km form Idukki, is also a heaven for mountains lovers in the Western Ghats. It offers a varied range of Flora and fauna and the vast tea plantations and long treks make it the perfect soothing vacation spot. It is also very well connected so you won’t any commute hassles. Other than these Kerala also have distinct hill stations like Ponmudi, Devikulam, Attappady, Top Station, Malampuzha etc.

       10.  The gems of Tamil Nadu

Every time Tamil Nadu and Mountains are spoken together, Ooty comes to the mind. Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yelagiri, Yercaud are the four most significant Hill stations of Tamil that you should definitely include in your Hill Station Tour in India.

Ooty is located in the south of Western Ghats and has Coonoor, Kothagiri (another two hill stations of tamil Nadu) located nearby. Beautiful Nilgiri hills of Ooty are a renowned biosphere and have amazing variety of flora for the tourists. You will find gigantic and splendid tea and coffee plantations along with Conifers, pine and Eucalyptus trees dominating the landscapes. The beautiful climate of Ooty makes it a perfect a summer retreat. Wonderful lakes and parks like Rose Park, Ooty Lake, Deer Park make sightseeing worth the time.  Upper Bhavani, Glenmorgan, pykara Lake and waterfalls are just few of the spots in and around Ooty that will keep your soul enchanted even when you return from here.

The Kolli Hills are a great place to start at if you want to ascent the wonderful mountain ranges and altitude of Tamil Nadu. The altitude of this place is only 1300 m and the kolli hills lie in the Eastern Ghats. There are quant resorts and Lodges available in the area and they provide quite convenient accommodation too. Yelagiri Hills are also famous among tourists who flock to Tamil Nadu for summer recoil.  In Yelagiri, habitats are involved in Horticulture, Forestry and follow their own unique culture that also captivates a lot of tourists.

In Yercaud, you can visit the amazing Lady’s Seat and Pagoda Point along with the breathtaking Yercaud Lake. Coakers walk and Green valley view also make Kodaikanal a one of its kind Hill station experience. You can also drive to Yercaud from Bangalore and it won’t take much long (5 hours Approximately).