Summer is here and with it has brought with it extreme heat in large parts of the country. For students and young individuals, it can also be a good opportunity to take some time off work and give in to one's need for some much-needed quality time.
One of the best ways to do so is to plan a getaway to some truly breathtaking Hill stations that our country is home to. You could possibly plan your next trip to any of the hill stations mentioned below. They make for great travelling within reasonable budgets and offer a wholesome experience.
Here are eight of the best hill stations in India which you can visit this summer:
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| Manali |
(1) Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is a delightful resort town situated in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley and Beas River Valley. It has a reputation as a back-packing centre and is also called the “lover’s paradise”. With its amazing beauty, lush green forests, copious blue water and the persistent fresh smell of pines lingering in the air, Manali is a permanent 'tourist-magnet'.
Solang Valley is one of the major tourist attractions of Manali. The valley brims with recreational activities such as paragliding in summers and skiing in winters.
Rohtang pass is another important destination in Manali. At 3,978 metres, it is a very popular tourist destination with around 25 lakh tourists visiting every year. It connects Lahaul and Kullu valleys and is a very enticing destination for photographers.
Nagger castle which was the residence of Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu is also located in Manali. A fine blend of traditional Himalayan and European architecture, the Naggar Castle is a must-visit.
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| Shimla |
(2) Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh is a very famous hill station located in India. It is popular for the various handicraft stores that are found along the Mall Road, as well as the Lakkar Bazaar, a market specializing in wooden toys and crafts.
It is situated at a height of 2200 metres and is popular for its various hot-spots like The Mall Road, toy train and buildings exhibiting colonial architecture. It is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cities in India.
There are no vehicles allowed in the Mall Road and this makes for soothing strolls without the presence of traffic noises.
When one is in Shimla, one must visit the Mall Road, the toy train to Shimla from Kalka, The Ridge and Jhakku Temple.
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| Nainital |
(3) Nainital, Uttarakhand
Nainital is a Himalayan town in the Kumaon region of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is set around the Nainital lake, a popular boating site with the Naina Devi Hindu Temple on its north shore.
Nainital is rich in natural beauty with its snow-capped hills and numerous calm lakes. It has pleasant weather throughout the year. Nainital has something for every tourist, ranging from local food, adventure activities to abundant shopping spots.
Lakes like the Sariyatal lake and Bhimtal Lake are good places to enjoy the tranquillity of nature. Nainital also has quite a few hilltops which offer an extraordinary view of the city such as the Naina Peak, Tiffin Top and Snow View Point.
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| Lachung |
(4) Lachung, Sikkim
Lachung is a hill station located in North Sikkim district near the Tibetian border. Located at a height of 8,600 ft, it has a deposit of snow for almost the whole year.
Despite being a snowy-abode in the mountains, Lachung is famous mainly for its gushing waterfalls. It is also a preferred base to visit Yumthang Valley which is a very popular tourist spot in Sikkim and the Zero point, a viewpoint at 15,300 feet.
Not all the beautiful views in Lachung are at daunting heights, the orchards of apples, peaches and apricots contribute to its serene views. Another must visit spot in Lachung is the Lachung Monastery, which stands as a symbol of cultural and religious heritage.
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| Pelling |
(5) Pelling, Sikkim
Pelling is a mall hill town found in the district of West Sikkim. Found at a height of 7200 ft, it is one of the most popular tourist spots in India. The main attraction of the place is the breathtaking sight of the Kanchenjunga peak and other mountain peaks.
Pelling also has sites for mountain biking, rock climbing, village tours and meditations. The Kechuperi lake is a beautiful viewpoint and is very popular among tourists. The Kanchenjunga falls is a delight to the eyes and also offers various activities like zip-lining, which appeal to the adventurous side of children and adults.
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| Namchi |
(6) Namchi, Sikkim
Namchi means “top of the sky”. The capital of South Sikkim owes its name to the two gigantic statues of Lord Shiva at Chardham and the statue of Guru Padmasambhava. Namchi provides a beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga range and the Rangi Valley.
Namchi also houses The Sherdup Choeling Monastery and the Dichen Choeling Monastery.
Around two kilometres from Namchi is the Ngadak Monastery.
Just above the monastery is a beautiful Rock Garden which is a great tourist attraction due to the exquisite flowers and plants which blossom every spring.
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| Tawang |
(7) Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang, the birthplace of His Holiness, The Dalai Lama, is a town situated in Arunachal Pradesh at an elevation of 3048 metres towards the east of Bhutan.
The Sela Pass is one of the most important tourist destinations in Tawang. It is the only route that connects the Tawang District to the rest of the country. This is also home to The Sela lake, located at an altitude of 4170 metres, it is one of the most beautiful lakes of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Madhuri lake, which is one of the lesser known lakes is also found in Tawang. It is located at an altitude of 12000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rocky mountains. The landscape of the lake is too good and cannot fail to mesmerize tourists.
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| Gangtok |
(8) Gangtok, Sikkim
Gangtok is the capital and the largest town of Sikkim. It is an extremely popular tourist spot. This pristine hill station nestles between mountain ranges and is a popular base for trekkers wishing to scale the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Nathu La pass conjoins Sikkim and China and is one of the highest motorable roads. It is situated on the Indo-Chinese border.
The Rumtek monastery is one of the largest and most significant monasteries in Sikkim. At the top of the Rumtek monastery awaits a breathtaking view of Gangtok. Another tourist attraction in Sikkim is Ganesh Tok. Ganesh Tok, dedicated to Lord Hanuman is a temple located at an altitude of 7200 feet that not only offers peace to Hanuman devotees but also an amazing view of the Kanchenchunga range.
A hill station holiday is one of the best and continues to be the most time-honoured ideas to beat the summer heat. It can be a great place to bond with your group for a holiday or can make for some much needed quiet introspection and relaxation if you want a reasonable break from your daily routine.
- Debosmita Bhattacharya
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