India is an amalgamating pot of traditions, culture, heritage and
beautiful tourist destinations. Today I am going to showcase some of the best hill
stations of India. These famous hill stations are famed to cuddle
visitors from far and wide especially for their bountiful beauty. Hill
stations are a real respite from those hectic sultry sunny days. Well,
but these hill stations of India are quite different in their climate
and weather still bestowing that chilly charm. Come and feel for
yourself what they have to offer you?
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| A hill Station In India |
India is the perfect tourist destination when it comes to visiting one
of its many picturesque hill stations. Famous hill stations in India
like Srinagar, Gulmarg and Sonmarg in Jammu & Kashmir, Shimla and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Mussoorie, Nainital and Kausani in Uttarakhand, Mount Abu in Rajasthan, Darjeeling, Gangtok and Kalimpong in East of India, and Munnar,
Ooty and Kodaikanal in South of India are amongst the loveliest hill
stations frequently visited by tourists for activities like relaxing,
trekking and spending quality time with the family and friends.
Your travel plan for India
is surely going to be a colorful itinerary with so much to see and so much to
feel within a limited period. The geographical vastness of this mystical
country with the infinite amount of diversity makes it a tedious job for any traveler visiting India
as to what to keep in and what to let go. And even after carefully choosing the
right spots, there is every possibility that you might be victim to the 'Have I
missed that' syndrome!
However, no matter how packed and precise your travel plan might be, you can
not give a miss to the beautiful hill stations of Indian Territory.
And quite interestingly, they are not specific to one particular region as
almost all the four geographical directions in India are home to some awesome
hills and valleys!
To cut a long extended list short and sharp, here goes the best and most
popular of them:
Ladakh: The sheer majesty and beauty of this ethereal place
is evident from its location that is graced by the commanding presence of the
mighty Himalayas and the Karakoram range.
Spread along the valleys where the altitude rises from 9000 feet to 25170 feet,
Ladakh is a destination where time stands still and you won't want to come back
again to the regular routine. Enjoy life to the fullest among the monasteries,
valleys, lakes, glaciers, festivals and the simple locals. The main attractions
of Ladakh are Zanskar, Sankar Gompa, Alchi, Baltoro Glacier, Tso Morari Lake, Lamayuru Gompa, Siachen Glacier,
Hemis Festival and so on.
Darjeeling:This name gets many takers in India for being a
signature hill station with cloud covered valleys, wild streams, mesmerizing
mountain views and something very unique- the world renowned Toy Trains. Don't
skip the opportunity to jump in one of them as it moves in slow pace in the
pristine forests on the hills to give you an experience that is hard to
replace. Get up at dawn if you want to witness the sun rise from the Tiger
Hills and shout out in excitement when the sun comes out from behind the hills
and the first rays reflect upon the Kanchenjunga.
Other major tourist sites are- Batasia Loop, Botanical Gardens, Rock Garden, Ganga Maiya
Park, several
monasteries, Chowrasta etc.
Manali: Like the former one, this is also synonymous with
the Indian hill station phenomena. Situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh. A
quintessential honeymoon spot standing at an altitude of 2,050 meter, Manali is
a favourite getaway for the young couples. Lapped in the Kullu valley, it is
surrounded by towering peaks offering a fine chance for the trekkers. Bisedes
it, skiing is also another activity that you can try in the nearby areas like
Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass.
Shimla: Former summer capital of India
and the present capital of the State of Himachal
Pradesh, Shimla is perhaps one of the most popular
hill stations of the nation. Loaded with boundless natural beauty and scenic
landscape, Shimla is an integral part of Indian history and heritage. The city
of Shimla is
blessed by the presence of seven different hills that houses some of the major
tourist spots. Your stay in Shimla will be marked by visits to destinations
like- Christ Church,
St Michael'S Cathedral, Churdhar Sanctuary, Gurkha Castles,
Jakhu Hill etc. It is here where a traveller sees a happy co-existence of the
modern facilities with the old charm.
Mussoorie: Its proximity to the national capital New Delhi has made it a
famous and much more accessible holiday hub. Located in the amazing Himalayan
range, at an astounding 2500 meter height from the sea level, Mussoorie offers
a happy weekend outing with attractions that keeps the traveller engaged and
pre- occupied. The major of them are as follow: Gun Hill trekking, Kempty falls
and trekking and a bit of shopping as the markets are full of traditional stuff
like the wooden decorative and gift items, brass statues, ceramic vases,
Garhwali Dresses and the ethnic Ladakhi Shawls.
Shillong: Well known as the Scotland
of the East, Shillong is a quite and serene destination located in the majestic
state of Meghalaya in the North Eastern part of India. Relatively less explored by
the national travellers (majority of the tourists in Shillong are from nearby Assam and other
neighbour states). Take a trip to the magical hill station to feel the enigma
of a ethereal place that flirts with clouds and rain. Prime tourist attractions
are- the Shillong Peak, Ward's Lake, the Lady Hydari Park with its 18-hole Golf
Course and mini zoo, Butterfly Museum, Crinoline Falls and the nearby
Cherrapunji (famous as for world record rain falls). Bring along your guitar as
Shillong is a place where you will get music even on the streets!
Tawang: Another not much heard of but an ideal hill resort,
Tawang is a district in the Easternmost state of India, Arunachal Pradesh. Quite
aptly called The Hidden Paradise of the Dawn-lit Mountains,
Tawang is free from the usual crowds and chaos that you might come across in a
season time visit. If you are looking for a highly personalized and off the
hook vacation, hit Tawang! The breath-taking mountains, sailing clouds, placid
lakes, quaint hamlets and the simple gentle people of Tawang will make your
stay memorable and beautiful. The major tourist attraction is the 400 year old
Tawang Monastery (locally called Galden Namgyal Lhatse). Other sites include-
Takstang Monastery, Sangeshar Lake and Bagga
Jang Lake.
The life and ways of the local Monpa folks is an interesting aspect of Tawang.
Ooty: The most familiar name in the South Indian hill
stations is undoubtedly Ooty. Nestled in the Nilgiri district and at a distance
of almost 100 kms from Coimbatore,
Ooty is a typical hill resort with lush green woods, soothing cold breeze and
some awesome sights. While your stay here, you must visit the Botanical
Gardens, the Government Museum, Kalhatty
Falls, Ooty Lake
and try some adventure sports as Trekking and Hang-Gliding.
Hills symbolize elevation and up-gradation from the normal territory to a
higher one. So, come to the nation where salvation comes alive and let the soul
sail along the valleys and clouds.
