1) Lansdowne
Lansdowne which is originally known as Kaludanda is situated in the Pauri district of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 1,706 m above sea level. The place is surrounded by the dense oak and pine forests and the earthy smell of nature. This hill station is quite popular in India. It not only has many local attractions such as Tip N Top and Bhulla Lake that provides a traveller with some best mesmerising viewpoints but churches and temples too. Few of them are St. John’s church, Kaleshwar Mahadev and Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple. It is one of those peaceful places where you can get connected to yourself. Apart from this, you can all take a tour around the place and explore the wilderness of Lansdowne in Jungle Safari and Bhim Pakora.
2) Ranikhet
Ranikhet, a hill station at an altitude of 1,869 metres above sea level is located in Almora district of Uttarakhand in India. It is a perfect place to explore the nature covered in snow in the months of December, January and February. For all the nature lovers, this is a place to wander and capture the undiscovered wilderness. It has a rich flora and fauna that include pine, oak, deodar forests, leopard, leopard cat, mountain goat, etc. The place also has one of the highest Golf Course in Asia and some beautifully sculpted temples such as Mankameshwar, Jhula Devi and HaidakhanBabaji temple. If local sightseeing doesn’t suit you then, the place serves many adventurous activities too such as Trekking, Fishing and Nature walk.
3) Mukteshwar
Mukteshwar, also known as “The Apple Country” is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in India situated at 2,285 meters above sea level in Nanital. The place provides some fabulous scenic beauty to capture as well as some magnificent views of the Himalayas and Nanda Devi. The place is perfect for all the nature lovers who want to explore the wilderness and its hidden beauty. Some of the major destinations which can’t be missed are Mukteshwar Dham, BhaluGaad Waterfalls, ChaulikiJali and Wild draft adventures. Before 1893, the place was also well known for its majestic shrines. Few of them are Mukteshwar temple, Mukteshwar Mahadev temple and Brahmeswara temple. If this is not enough, you can also try some popular adventure activities such as rock climbing rappelling, hiking and camping.
4) Kausani
Known as the "Switzerland of India", Kausani is popularly known for its scenic splendour, snow-capped mountains, luxuriant forests, wildlife and breathtaking view of Himalayan peaks including Trisul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli. All the travellers who want to sit in the lap of the mountains, this is the place. The panoramic view will help you to escape from all the hustles of city life. The place is quite fun in terms of local site seeing. You can explore various buildings such as Anasakti Ashram and Sumitranandan Pant Government Museum including some pristine waterfalls such as Rudradhari Waterfall and Caves waterfall. Apart from capturing the paradise beauty of the place, you can also dine at the Garden restaurant or shop at Mall Road.
5) Naukuchiatal
Naukuchiatal, popularly known as “lake of nine corners” is a small beautiful lake village situated at 1,220 m above sea level in Nainital district of Uttarakhand in India. The place is fully surrounded by mountains and is perfect for all the travellers who are in search of tranquillity and quietude. There are many local attractions which will bind you with the place forever. Some of them are Lake Naukuchiatal, Bhimtal Lake, Jungliagaon, Hanuman temple and Sattal. If you are an adventure freak then you can also try Mountain biking, Horse riding, Trekking, Boating and Para Gliding. The best time to visit this breathtaking hill station is at the time of “escape festival” which happens once in every year.
6) Kasauli/Parwanoo
Kasauli, a beautiful tourist attraction in India is situated in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. It is a cantonment and a town recognised as a hub of colonial-era houses, orchards and churches. You can see some of the best mindblowing viewpoints from Monkey Point and Sunset point. It also has some well-sculpted temples and churches which are sacred to the feelings of the natives. Few of them are Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanakji, Baptist church, Sri Baba Balak Nath Temple and Christ church. Apart from all this, the place also serves you a lot of fun activities to explore such as Paragliding, trekking and camping. If all of this doesn’t satisfy you then, you can always roam on the streets of mall road and get the traditional flavour of the place.
7) Kufri
Kufri, a hill station solemnly known for its rich flora and fauna is situated at the height of 2,633 meters and located in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. The place is known for its scenic beauty, lush green hills, misty valley, snow-capped mountains and picnic spots. It has a Himalayan wildlife zoo which includes rare antelopes, felines and birds. Some of the places which might interest you are Kufri fun campus, Indira tourist park and ChiniBunglow. For all the adventure freaks this is the place to get away from all the hustles and bustles of life. Every year it organizes an annual winter sports festival in February where all the skiing enthusiast can show their talent. It is also one of the best time to visit this exciting hill station.
8) Chail
source: flickr.com/photos/abhishek_kr7/5354198449
Chail, popularly known for some of its beautifully sculpted architecture such as Maharaja’s Place and pleasant scenic beauty, is a hill station situated in Himachal Pradesh. Here, the vibe is very refreshing and quietude. The place is surrounded by virgin trees and gives a panoramic view of Himalayan peaks which will blow your mind away. The place is quite popular for all the hikers and trekkers who are wandering in getting the best viewpoint. However, Camping is one of the most popular activities in Chail for all the adventure fanatics. Apart from all the adventure, the place also leaves an imprint of clanging bells of temples of Siddha Baba ka Mandir, Kali ka Tibba and Gurudwara Sahib in the minds of its visitors.
9) Dhanaulti
Dhanaulti, an emerging tourist hill station is affiliated to many vampire tales and popularly known as the vampire town of India. It is located in the foothills of the Gharwal Himalayan range at an altitude of 2286 meters. The place is surrounded by Deodar, Rhododendron and Oak forests. It lies somewhere between Mussoorie-Chamba road and is a go away weekend spot for all the travellers searching for a relaxed and calm place. The place is a base point for many treks and hosts many thrilling activities for adventurous junkies such as Trekking, Hiking, camping, Horse Riding, rock climbing and mountain biking. This is one of the most adventurous places to enjoy with your friends and family. The best time to visit Dhanaulti is between March and June.
10) Binsar
One of the most picturesque scenic spots of Kumaon region of Uttrakhand, Binsar is known for its breathtaking views surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of Himalayan ranges which includes Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Shivling and Panchchuli. It is situated at an elevation of 2420 meters and provides a panoramic view of Himalayan peaks from zero points. This is a perfect spot for all the nature lovers who want to get lost in the scenic beauty as well as discover the most splendid views hidden in nature. The place is rich in flora and fauna. The Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a home for all the rare animals, birds and flower species. Therefore, the place is perfect for thrilling adventure, mountaineering and nature walk.
11) Pangot
source: SusmitaDebnath
Pangot a village of Nainital district in Uttarakhand is a popular tourist destination of India. It is rich in flora and fauna. The place has pleasant weather in summers and snow-capped mountains in winters. It is 13 km away from Nainital and the drive here passes through the mixed forests of thick oak, pine and rhododendron. The lush green hills, mist valleys, dense forests and perennial creeks add to the beauty of the place. The place also hosts some adventurous activities such as mountain biking, camping and trekking. However, the most attractive feature of the place is Bird watching. The place has varieties of birds such as Himalayan griffon, blue-winged minla, spotted &slaty-backed forktail and Rufous-bellied woodpecker.
12) Chakrata
Chakrata, a scenic hill station and a small cantonment town situated in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand is not very popular holiday spot and thus is way far away from all the hustles and bustles of city life. It is a salubrious place offering a quiet and calm environment for all the travellers looking for peace. It is a surrounded by lush green forest and stunning mountains and here the walk in nature is something to behold for a lifetime. There are many local attractions to explore such as Tiger falls, Budher, Kanasar and Chilmiri. All the adventure freaks can even enjoy thrilling treks, nature walk and bird watching. This is a perfect place to lose yourself in the serenity of nature.
13) Kasol
Kasol, also known as a "Mini Israel", is a hamlet situated in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the most amazing destinations of India and every year attracts thousands of tourists across the world. It is a hotspot for all the adventurous junkies and backpackers. It is also a base point for many treks. Few of them are Kheerganga trek, Pin Parvati Pass, and Sar Pass trek. Apart from its scenic beauty, lush green hills and adventure, the place also hosts many fun activities. Few of them are Stargazing, River rafting and rock climbing. You can take a tour around the place and have a gala time at Buddha Palace or Evergreen café.
14) Mussoorie
Mussoorie, a hill station situated in the state of Uttarakhand is located at an elevation of 1,880 meters above the sea level. The place is surrounded by lush green mountains, hills, misty valleys, varied flora and fauna. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India and earns most of its economy through tourism. Some of the best sites to explore are Camel’s back road, Gun hill, happy valley, Nahata estate, Kempty falls, Municipal garden and Cloud end. The town also has some amazing tourist lodges, luxurious hotels, cafes and bars for all the party animals. Therefore, this is a perfect place for all the travellers seeking for a destination which is a complete packing of nature, adventure and fun.
15) Dalhousie
Dalhousie, known for its scenic beauty and beautiful mountains is a hill station in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh at an elevation of about 8000 feet and sprawls over five hills. It is widely popular for its historical affiliation with the British Raj and is a home for the beautifully sculpted colonial buildings such as St John’s Church and St. Francis’ Church. It is one of the splendid destinations known worldwide due to its scenic beauty and panoramic view of mountains. It is also the finest place or enthralling activities and shopping. Some of the most visited places are Central Park, Daikund Peak, Khajjar Lake, Rang Mahal and Bhuri Singh Museum.
16) Manali
Manali, a hill station located in Himachal Pradesh, is situated at a height of 2050 meters in the Himalayas. It is one of the most popular and highly visited hill stations in India. It is located in between the mountains and is covered with breathtaking views, charming streams, paradise-like fog, little hidden beautiful cottages and a lingering scent of pines and freshness. Some of the popular destinations to visit in Manali are Hidimba Devi Temple, Manali Sanctuary, museum and mall road. The place also offers numerous adventurous activities such as river rafting, paragliding, hiking, skiing, mountain biking, mountaineering, zorbing and Jeep safari. If you are an adventurous maniac then, this is a must visit place for you.
17) Shimla
The most popular hill station and visited hill station in northern India are Shimla. It is situated at an elevation of 2200 meters and is one of the most gracious tourist destinations. It is located amidst beautiful mountains, lush green forests, mystical woods, roaring valleys and scenic nature. The town host many well sculpted colonial building which is a treat for the eyes of viewers. Some of them are The Ridge, Jakhoo temple, Christ church, RashtrapatiNivas and mall road. The walk on mall road at night is something to be cherished forever. The view of far distant city lights and folk music in the background take you to the world of a Camping Trekking, Paragliding, Mountain Biking and Heli-Skiing.
18) Dharamshala
Dharamshala literally means spiritual dwelling, is one of the famous tourist destinations in India. The place is surrounded by the lush green mountains, hills, misty valley, hidden cottages, scenic viewpoints and the lingering smell of tea. It is widely known for its art and rich culture and has many amazing sites to explore. Some of them are Naam Art Gallery, Tibet Museum, Bhagsunag Fall, Dal lake and Peak Art gallery. The place also hosts many trekking passes. Few of them are Dal Lake, Indrahar pass and Triund. The walk in nature is something to be experienced in Dharamshala. You can also try many adventurous activities such as Paragliding, rock climbing, rappelling, Flying fox, urban zip line and night camping. If this is not enough, then you can also gain aesthetics while shopping in Kotwali Bazaar and lower Dharamshala.
19) Nainital
Made up of two areas Tallital and Mallital, Nainital is a hill station surrounded by scenic beauty and is located in Uttarakhand. It is one of the most amazing hill stations in India. It is known for its quietude and calmness. It is far away from the hustles and bustles of city life. People here come to enjoy in the lap of nature and capture the beautiful picture of nature and its wilderness. The place has some splendid sites to discover such as Nainital lake, snow view, Naini peak, Tiffin top and Cave garden. The place is also famous for some adventurous activities such as Paragliding, Parasailing, canyoning, kayaking and bird watching. It is a spot to discover the unexplored adventure and spend a few days in the pristine of nature.
20) Gulmarg
Gulmarg is situated in the Baramulla district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a cup-shaped part of the Pir Panjal Range (Southern Himalayas). The town is famous and perfect for skiing. It is at an altitude of 8694 feet from the sea level and is at a distance of 56 kilometers from Srinagar. Summers are moderate in this place but the winters are too wet and cold because of the heavy rainfall. Generally, the climate at Gulmarg is continental humid. Gulmarg was known as the seventh best skiing destination throughout the Asian continent. The flora of the place includes pine and fir trees with wildflowers such as daisies and buttercups.
21) Auli
The small hill station, Auli is situated in the Chamoli district of the Indian state Uttarakhand. The town is located in the Himalayan Mountains and is famous for skiing. The altitude varies from 8200 feet to 10010 feet above the sea level. Auli has always been a tourists spot since the creation of Uttarakhand state. The Uttarakhand Tourism Department checks for all the winter sports hell in Auli and encourages skiing. There also exists the Indo-Tibetan Border. Nearby attractions include Vishnu Prayag, Kuari Pass, Badrinath, and Tapovan. The nearest railway station to Auli is Rishikesh Railway Station and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. The whole of the Auli town is covered with coniferous and oak trees which gives it a beautiful view from the hilltop.
22) Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a beautiful town in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a popular tourist destination in India. The place is famous for its tea industries and the mesmerizing view of the third highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga. The altitude of this place is 6700 from the sea level. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is quite a sight to see and is also counted under World Heritage Sites. Darjeeling was found by the East India Company under the British rule. The place has extensive tea cultivation and with the development and techniques, hybrids of black tea are created. This tea is internationally recognized. Darjeeling is famous for British-style public schools and students from all over the country and neighboring countries. The basic flora of this region includes oak and sal trees, temperate and alpine forests.
23) Coorg
Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is situated in Indian state Karnataka in the Western Ghats. The population of this place is approximately 550,000. It covers an area of 4102 square kilometers. The Headquarters of Coorg are in Madikeri and the region’s name is Malnad. The altitude of the place from the sea level is 3000 feet. The official language spoken here is Kannada. The privileged quality of this region is that the literacy rate is 82.52 percent. The most important determinant of the economy is agriculture. The major crops of their production are rice and coffee. Other than this, Coorg is famous for its spices and timber. Here, highest temperatures occur in April and May, and there’s bountiful rainfall in July and August which sometimes exceeds to 160 inches.
24) Shillong
Shillong is situated in the Indian state of Meghalaya and is its capital too. The place lies in the northeastern part of the country and is also known as the “Scotland of the East”. The average altitude is about 4908 feet, although the highest peak in Shillong rises about 6449 feet from the sea level. The official language of this region is Khasi, other than English. Shillong had once remained the capital of the undivided Assam, until the making of Meghalaya as an independent state on 21st January, 1972. Assam then moved his capital to Dispur. This lush green city sits in the centre of the plateau, surrounded by the hills. Wards Lake and Elephant Falls are some of the popular spots to visit.
25) Tawang
Tawang is present to the east of Bhutan. Some of it is a part of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and is controlled by the Republic of India. Although the People’s Republic of China exclaims it as a part of South Tibet. The average altitude of this place is 8757 feet from the sea level. The average temperature in Tawang is around 10.3C. The climate is mostly temperate and warm and winters arrive with less of the rainfall. Tawang has a Tibet history and so does has the Tawang Monastery. It was found in accordance with the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso. Although being a part of India, China still stabilizes on conquering it.
26) Araku Valley
The beautiful hill station of Araku Valley locates in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, district Visakhapatnam. This region is known for different types of tribes, inhabited in the Eastern Ghats. It was first in 1898 that the coffee was introduced under the British rule. Since then, Araku has remained a hub of producing good quality of coffee. The places of attraction here includes, Katiki Waterfalls, Tribal Museum, Galikonda View Point, Borra Caves and Chaparai Water Cascade. Galikonda is one of the highest peaks in Andhra Pradesh. To reach Araku, both road and railway facilties are available. The tribal area is developed exclusively for coffee plantation by Girijan Coop. Plantation Development Corporation (GCPDC). The Anantgiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forest of Araku Valley are very rich in biodiversity.
27) Lonavla and Khandala
Lonavala belongs to the Indian state of Maharashtra in district Pune. It is one of the major stops in between the Mumbai and Railway line. The official language of this city is Marathi. The place is adjacent to Khandala. Both Lonavla and Khandala are known as twin hill stations. Khandala is about 3 kilometers from Lonavla. The popular Duke’s Nose is the peak which offers a mesmerizing view of Khandala and Bhor Ghat. Some of the famous site seeing locations are Rajmachi Point, Valvan Dam, Della Adventure Park, Lonavla Lake and of coure the Duke’s Nose. Khandala town also got famous in a very catchy song ‘Aati kya Khandala?’ from the Hindi film Gulam.
28) Mahabaleshwar
It is a small town in Indian state of Maharashtra in district Satara. The official language of this place is Marathi. Mahabaleshwar was once stated as the summer capital of Bombay during the rule of the British. The region has a very good literacy rate of 78 percent. The average altitude of this town from the sea level is 4439 feet. Basically, this town is a group of three villages which are Malcom Peth, Old ‘Kshetra’ and Shindola village. The river Krishna flows from this towards all the way towards Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The place is cold enough in winters and sees very heavy rainfall although, summers are not too hot. Popular spots include Lingmala Waterfalls, Pratapgad, Wilson Point and Venna Lake.
29) Matheran
Another beautiful hill station is Matheran. It is located in Raigad district of the Indian state Maharashtra. Located on the Western Ghats range, this town is one of the smallest hilltops in India. The altitude of the place is 2626 feet above the sea level. The meaning of this name Matheran is ‘Forest on the forehead (of the mountains)’. It is the only automobile –free hill station in the entire Asian continent. The official language spoken here is Marathi. The wildlife of Matheran has a huge number of monkey populations. The forest has semi-evergreen trees making the forest very dense. Due to heavy rainfall, the soil of the area is less fertile. Matheran is about 90 kilometers away from Mumbai and 120 kilometers away from Pune.
30) Ooty
Also known as Ootacamund, the town is situated in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This famous hill station is situated at the Nilgiri Hills. The altitude of this place from the sea level is 7350 feet and the official language is Tamil. The natural environmental beauty of the Nilgiri Mountains and roads attract the visitors. Agriculture and tourism are the basic economic sources. Other than that, earning is reliable on photographic film making and medicine manufacturing. Ooty has a subtropical highland climate. The climate remains mild throughout the year and so it is said thst the town has stuck to the spring season, eternally. Evidently, the highest temperature ever recorded in Ooty was 25 degree Celsius. There happens to be beautiful parks, gardens, lakes and dams which attract the tourists.
31) Mount Abu
Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan is situated in the Sirohi district of the Indian state. It is in the Aravalli Range and near the border of Gujarat. The average elevation measure of this place is 4000 feet and the highest peak here is Guru Shikhar, which is 5650 feet above the sea level. The tourists’ spots here include, Achalgarh Fort, Nakki Lake and Dilwara Temples. There also exists the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary which covers about 290 square kilometer of the mountain. The famous sunset point of Mount Abu was shot in the film ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’. The Monsoons are mild but the winters are quite chilly. Mount Abu is rocky plateau of about 22 kilometer long and 9 kilometer wide.
32) Saputara
Saputara is a town of the India state Gujarat in district Dang. This hill station is a popular tourist destination located in Western Ghats. The average altitude of Saputara from the sea level is 3000 feet. The official language spoken there is Gujarati. The literacy rate of Saputara is appreciable, having 87.4 percent. According to 2011 census, the population of the notified area of this town is about 2968. It lies on the national highway (NH 953) and connects to Songadh (Gujarat) and Pimpalgaon Baswant (Maharashtra). Some tourist spots are Gira Waterfalls, Saputara Tribal Museum, Vansda National Park, Purna Sanctuary and Hatgadh Fort. Visitors also enjoy Paragliding and Ropeway rides.
33) Munnar
This beautiful hill station is located in the Indian state of Kerala in Idukki district. The altitude of Munnar from the sea level is 5200 feet. The place is a popular honeymoon destination and is known as the ‘Kashmir of South India’. It is also famous for tea plantation and cool climate. The official language of this region is Malayalam and the next one is English. The town is situated on the Western Ghat’s Mountain Range. To preserve the nature there exists many sanctuaries like Kurinjimala Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjampatti Valley and Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The economic source depends extensively on the tea plantation and tourism. Most of Munnar is carpeted in emerald-green tea plantations which are always tempting the tourists.
