Top 25 Hill Stations to visit in India
India is home to some of the best hill stations in the world spread across the various mountain and hill ranges of the country. The Himalayas, the Karakoram and Pir Panjal ranges are home to some of the best hill stations like Gulmarg, Sringar, Manali, Dharamshala, Dehradun, etc. The Aravalli range, the oldest mountain range in the world, has Mount Abu – the most popular hill station in this region. The Naga Hills, the Mizo Hills and the Nanda Devi Peak are few of the major locations in the Purvanchal range. Nilgiri Hills, Nandi Hills and Anaimalai Hills located in the Eastern and Western Ghats are home to some of the best hill stations in southern India. Satpura and Vindhya ranges include some of the popular hill stations in the western states of the country. The incredible climate and breath-taking views from each of the hill stations in the country makes them a must visit tourist destinations in India and make your India Tours a memorable one.
Here is a list of the top 25 hill stations to visit in India.
1. Dharamshala
Dharamshala is one the popular destinations among the numerous hill stations in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Located at an elevation of 4780 feet, the hill station is famous for being the house for the Tibetan exile administration. The town of McelodGanj is home to the Dalai Lama Temple where His Holiness Dalai Lama himself stays along with the other Tibetan monks.
Dharamshala is also famous for its cricket stadium, which is among the highest stadiums in the world. The picturesque Deodhar range surrounds the town offering many trekking options for adventure junkies. Triund Hill trek is the most popular trek in this area, with thousands of tourists visiting the hill station just for this trek. You can stay in a tent at the top of the hill under the most spectacular night sky you can imagine. The bustling Tibetan markets, various temples and waterfalls are the other major attractions of the hill stations. The warm hospitality of the locals along with scenic beauty will surely make your tour memorable.
Suggested Tour : 10 Days Shimla Manali Dharamshala Amritsar Tour
2. Shimla
Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, was once the summer capital of the state due to the incredible weather conditions and the scenic beauty. Located at an elevation of 7467 feet, the hill station is famous for the beautiful snowfall it receives every winter. The Mall road, the Ridge, Christ church, Jakhoo temple and the Summer Hill are a few of the many tourist attractions in Shimla.
The Mall Road of Shimla is one the most famous market roads of all major hill stations in North India. The famous street has clubs, banks, post offices, restaurants, bars and the famous Gaiety Theatre. The Ridge is a large open space from where you can see the seven surrounding hills and enjoy the breath-taking view of snow-clad hills. It also holds all the cultural activities of the area. Jakhoo hill, at 8050 feet, is the highest peak in the area and houses an old temple of Lord Hanuman. The 108 feet tall statue of Lord Hanuman is the statue standing at the highest altitude in the world. Kufri, the local winter sports centre lying just 16 kms away from Shimla, is a major local attraction because of the incredible snowfall it receives.
Suggested Tours :
– 8 Days Golden Triangle with Shimla Tour
– 7 Days Shimla Manali Tour from Delhi
– 10 Days Shimla Manali Dharamshala Amritsar Tour
– 8 Days Taj Mahal and Shimla Tour
3. Manali
Manali is a resort town, located in the Beas River Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the most popular summer tourist destinations because of its pleasant climate and many recreational activities. The hill station also serves as a gateway to other popular destinations like Spiti and Leh.
The major attractions in Manali are Rohtang Pass & Solang Valley, Bhrigu Lake, Chandra Taal and Pin Valley, among many other scenic spots. There are various temples as well, with the most popular being the Hidimba Devi temple, Manu temple and Bijli Mahadev. The hill station is popular among adventure junkies as well because of the many adventure activities to indulge in, like river rafting, trekking, paragliding, mountain biking, etc. The other recreational activities include having a shower under the Jogini Falls, shopping at the ‘Manali Road’ shops and exploring the apple orchards and hot water springs.
4. Ooty
Ooty is a major hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills in south India Tours. Located at an elevation of 7350 feet, the town was originally occupied the people of Toda tribe. By the end of 18th century, the area came under the British East India Company and there were many estates build around the plantations for British officers to spend time.
The natural environment, the pleasant climate and many local attractions have made it a popular summer destination for many. The Ooty Botanical Garden, the Ooty Lake, various churches around the place and different museums are the major local attractions. St. Thomas Church, St. Stephen’s Church and Sacred Heart church are a few of the hundred-year old churches present there. The Mini Car Museum, Tea factory & Tea Museum and the Government Museums are few of the interesting museums in the region. The cool weather, the quiet environment and interesting locals will surely help you unwind from the busy city life.
Suggested Tour :
6 Days Bangalore Mysore Ooty Tour
5. Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal, situated at an altitude of 7000 feet, is a popular hill station located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. More popularly known as Kodai among the locals, the hill has many attractive locations for tourists to explore. Kodai Lake is one of the most beautiful artificial lakes in the country, surrounded by beautiful hills, colonial period buildings and a boat club.
Walking through the path of Coaker’s walk in the evening is an experience you will never forget. The clouds cover the hill station and you feel like walking on a white carpet. The well-maintained walkway is an ideal spot for photography. Bear Shola Falls, Moir Point, Guna cave, Pillar caves and Silver Cascade Falls are the other major tourist attractions of the area. With so many local attractions, Kodaikanal is truly one of the best hill stations in south India and is often visited together with Ooty.
You May like to Read [Top 10 Forts of Rajasthan that you must visit]
Suggested Tours to visit Kodaikanal : 12 Days Bangalore Mysore Ooty Kerala Tour
6. Munnar
Munnar is the most visited places in Kerala, because of the lush spread of green with its numerous plantations of tea, coffee, rubber and various spices. The hill station is a popular destination choice for newly married couples and family outings as well. The hill station was home to many of the paltial bungalows during British Raj, which the officials used for stays.
Many of the bungalows now serve the purpose of tourist resorts and attract thousands of travellers every year. All the major tea and coffee producers have their plantations in Munnar. Eravikulam National Park has Lakkam waterfalls, many trekking trails and the Anamudi Peak. The misty climate makes this an ideal hill station to experience the nature and interact with it at length. Travelling to the outskirts of the main town will lead you to large forest areas with different shades of green.
You May also like to read : [Top 10 Holiday Destinations in India]
Suggested Tours
11 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Kerala
18 Days Rajasthan Goa and Kerala Tour
7. Gulmarg
Gulmarg is a popular hill station located in the Pir Panjal range of western Himalayas. Located at an elevation of 8690 feet, Gulmarg is the best skiing destination in the country and is rated Asia’s seventh best ski destination by CNN. Gulmarg is famous for its snowfall and the multiple winter sports associated with it.
The Gondola rides in Gulmarg are incredible experiences, as they are one of the highest rides in the world and take you over the beautiful valleys to reach specific locations. Mount Apharawat is a hill used for skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and heli-skiing. The hill station is also famous for being home to one of the highest golf courses in the world and is among the largest 18-hole golf courses in India. An annual three-day Gulmarg Winter festival in March attracts budding talent from the field of music, films and photography to display their work. St. Mary’s Church, Rani temple and Outer Circle Walk are a few other places to visit in Gulmarg.
Suggested Tour to visit Gulmarg