The eye-catching, geographic diversity of India has fascinated countless tourists from different parts of the world. Rugged and ancient looking Indian hills—the best of all Indian tourist destinations, conjure a century old traditions that prosper in India. From the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu to the snow-clad peaks of Jammu & Kashmir, our country houses 20 mountain ranges with beautiful hill stations on it. Beautiful and serene Indian hill stations provide a perfect paradise for summer escape. Did you they were established by European colonists that sought refuge from scorching summer heat?
Since then, tourism has thrived in these hill stations that serve as perfect honeymoon/family holiday destination. Does that spark an idea? Here’s a list of top 5 hill stations in India. Make sure you don’t miss them! We’ve randomly picked the locations of our choice.
- Ooty
Commonly known as Ootacamund or Udhagamndalam, Ooty is the jewel of Tamil Nadu. This spectacular hill station is based approximately 2,240 meters above sea level, on the Nilgiri hills. The best time to visit Ooty is from October to December.
Top Attractions: Dolphin’s Nose, Avalanche Valley, Rose Garden, Lamb’s Rock, Nilgiri Mountain Railways, Kalhatti Falls, emerald lake, Doddabetta Peaks and Botancial Gardens.
- Shimla
Famous as the ‘queen of hills’, Shimla- the capital of Himachal Pradesh is an iconic hill station that was founded by the British in 17th century. This unique mountain haven houses the world-famous Kalka-Shimla Railways. With 103 tunnels and 806 bridges, this place has been declared as the ‘UNESCO World Heritage Site’.
Top Attractions: Gaiety Heritage Complex, Arki Fort, Scandal Point, Christ Church, Jakhoo Temple and Viceregal Lodge.
- Darjeeling
The tea haven of India—Darjeeling is located in lesser Himalayan range. Situated at the height of 2050 meters above sea level, Darjeeling is the crown of West Bengal. The temperatures remain cool throughout the year (maximum temperature: 20 degrees Celsius during summers), which is why thousands of tourists flock in to enjoy the refreshing beauty of tea plantations in Darjeeling.
Top Attractions: Tiger Hill, Kanchanjunga Peak, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Bhutia Busty Monastery, Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Batasia Loop and Peace Pagoda.
- Mount Abu
Located amidst the scorching deserts of Rajasthan, Mount Abu is a beautiful hill station located approximately 1,220 meters above sea level. This beautiful hill station provides instant refuge from the desert heat. Furnished with medieval forts, lakes and rugged hillocks, the hill station is neither too cold nor too hot. The best time to visit is from October to December. Don’t miss out the Christmas/ New Year celebrations.
Top Attractions: Guru Shikhar peak, Dilwara Jain Temples, Toad Rock, Nakki Lake, Abu Road, Trevor’s Tank and Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Gangtok
With majestic monasteries, green panorama and charming valleys, Gangtok—the hill capital of Sikkim is a captivating hill station located at a height of 1,650 meters above sea level. It overlooks the snow-clad peaks of Kanchenjunga and Himalayas. The temperatures rarely go beyond 23 degree Celsius. You can visit it any time of the day.
Top Attractions: Rumtek Monastery, Banjhakri Hills, Flower Show, Tashi View Point and Tsongmo Lake.
