Summer season is presently at peak in most parts of India, and people in plains have become faded with scorching heat. The high temperature, and frequent power failure annoy people and altogether made the life chaotic. However, a trip to summer hideouts (hill stations) of India is a good idea to enjoy a refreshing break from the boring city life.
India’s vast land is dotted with a number of hill stations, and many of them have been developed by the British in 1800s and 1900s. Set thousands metres above the sea level, the hill stations of India enjoys pleasant climate round the year, and offer plenty of sightseeing and leisure activities options. So, plan a trip to the summer hideouts of India, reach and unfurl the un-spoilt natural beauty of this enchanting place and make your vacation a lifetime experience.
Beas River in Manali
Manali: Considered as a wonder for a visitor, Manali is a calm and tranquil hill town, situated 40 kms north of the popular Kullu Valley. Set at an altitude of 1928 m, above the sea level, Manali is an excellent destination for both common tourists as well as the die-hard adventure enthusiasts. Manali is blessed with several gifts like a beautiful landscape, dense thick pine and deodar forests, ice-capped peaks, steep cliffs, rolling valleys, adventure and mystery and lush meadows of wild flowers and fragrant fruit orchard in full bloom. Besides, the Beas River with clear water meanders through the town, making Manali truly a paradise on earth for any traveller. Some of the attractions include Hadimba Temple, Tibetan Monastery, Manali Club House, Vashisth Hot Water Springs, Mountaineering Institute etc.
Nainital: Once used to be the home of noted conservationist Jim Corbett, Nainital is now popular as the 'Lake City of India'. Situated at an altitude of around 1938 metres, Nainital is the largest and one of the most popular hill resorts of Kumaon region. A glittering jewel in the Himalayan necklace, Nainital has grown around a 'tal' (mountain-lake), blessed with pristine natural beauty and an enchanting landscape.
Discovered in 1841 by a British, Lord Barron, Nainital is always bustling with tourists who flock the city from far and wide. Today, the life of Nainital revolves around the Naini Lake, which mirrors the sun playing hide and seek with the clouds and mountains. Attractions of Nainital include Naini Lake, Snow View, Astronomical Observatory, Hanuman Garhi and The Flatts.
Shimla: One of India's most popular hill stations, picturesque Shimla is the capital of northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists in great numbers visit Shimla all throughout the year. A place gifted with an abundance of natural beauty, the landscape of Shimla is known for its great diversity. Shimla is spread across 12 kms along a ridge and overlooks some magnificent terraced hillsides and cultivations. The rich flora of the place includes dense forests of oak, fur, pine and rhododendron. While a few buildings bring back memories of the colonial past, gorgeous modern buildings also add more charm to the landscape. The views of snow clad mountain ranges of Himalayas from the place are most enchanting. Shimla has also emerged as a popular base for adventure sports like Trekking, Skiing, Fishing and Golf.
Dharamsala: A small hill town and a municipal council, Dharamsala is situated in the upper reaches of the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Dharamsala is better known as the home in exile of the Dalai Lama (in McLeodganj) and is divided into two parts namely Upper Dharamsala or McLeod Ganj (retains a British colonial atmosphere) and Lower Dharamsala (busy commercial centre). Although there is a difference of 9 km between Dharamsala and McLeodganj but the latter is considered the real heart of Dharamsala. With prayer flags fluttering and prayer wheels off the sidewalk, McLeodganj is also called the 'Little Lhasa', spreading the message of peace and harmony. Bestowed with thick pine and deodar forests, numerous shimmering streams, pleasant soothing air, spectacular surroundings, the nearby snowline, Dharamasala offers everything that a tourist expects from a hill resort. Besides, the ancient temples like Jawalamukhi, Brijeshwari and Chamunda situated in and around the town add more to your vacationing experience.
Munnar: A very famous hill station located some 130 kms. from Kochi in the state of Kerala. The place lies towards the east, in central Kerala and its borders coincide with that of Tamil Nadu state. The hill station is situated mainly in one of the taluks of Idukki district. One more famous hill station, Kodaikanal, lies nearby, around 90 kms from Munnar. The undulating terrain of Munnar are enchanting, with the low lying hills covered with bright flower meadows and the spread out tea plantations.
The place is located at an average altitude of about 1600 metres and contains one of the highest peaks in South India, Anamudi. The altitude and the nearby Arabian Sea accounts for the pleasant climate that prevails throughout the year. Munnar valley was developed by the Scottish planters in the early 20th century. The tea plantations is an important feature of Munnar. The plantations stand at heights from 4300 ft to 6100 ft above sea level.
Tea Gardens in Munnar
Dehradun: Also known as the 'Abode of Drona', Dehradun is the capital of newly created state of Uttaranchal or Uttarakhand. Set amidst the Great Indian Himalayan ranges, the charming city of Dehradun attracts thousands of tourists from Indian and abroad as well. Apart from a hill resort, Dehradun is also the headquarters of several National Institutes and Organizations such as ONGC, Forest Research Institute, Survey of India etc. Dehradun is home to some of India's noted educational and training institutes like Indian Military Academy, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) etc. Whether you are an adventure seeker, a common traveller or looking for a spiritual vacation, Dehradun offers everything according to your choice.
Darjeeling: This charming hill station is located near the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders in eastern Indian state of West Bengal. The natural beauty of this hill station is truly mesmerizing. Many opine that in Darjeeling, nature is at its best. Be it the snow capped Himalayan mountain ranges surrounding Darjeeling, the rich flora of the place or the breathtaking sunrise and sunset views, Darjeeling is a captivating destination from all aspects. Lush green tea gardens planted at high altitudes in the mountain slopes further adds colour to the Darjeling landscape. Coupled with the beauty of the place is the hospitality of Darjeeling's smiling resilient people which is sure to fill the heart of every tourist with great warmth.
A view of Darjeeling hill station
Ooty: The colloquial of Ootacamund is a popular hill station of South India in the Nilgiri District of Tamil Nadu. Also known as, Udhagamandalam, it is a municipality and the district capital. The town lies at an altitude of 2240 m and has been remarked as the 'queen of hill stations' by India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Ooty covers an area of 36 square km and contains the highest point of Southern India, the Dodabetta Peak. The natural surroundings of Ooty involve landscapes, dense forest reserves and national parks. This hill station is popular for its tea farming as well as oil extraction industry, wherein the oil is obtained from its eucalyptus trees, lemon grass, geranium, clove and camphor.
A major attraction is the mountain train journey to Ooty on a ratchet and pinion track. The journey covers 46 km and the train starts from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and passes through steep curves and long tunnels along deep ravines full of green vegetation, streams and tea gardens. The Ooty Lake is a major attraction of the hill station and is popular for boating. Another famous attraction includes the Government Museum, which contains the history of the Nilgiri District. Other popular tourist attractions of Ooty include the Deer Park, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, the Rose Garden, Ooty Botanical Garden, the Stone House, etc.
Jammu & Kashmir: The northern most state of India, Jammu & Kashmir is blessed with abundant natural wonders. The natural beauty of Kashmir is indescribable - it is a valley full of joy and happiness with tenderly mountains rising far to protect the lands, meadows with the fragrance and the gentle sun, the drooping snow and the chilly winters, apple orchards and the beautiful lakes; it's cozy, it's warm and always smiling. Kashmir is a major tourist destination and people come for more than one reason. Mesmerized by her beauty, many poets have termed Kashmir as a jannat or paradise on earth.
This heaven of poets brought on to the earth consists of lush green valleys, snow-capped mountains, vivacious rivers, clear blue water lakes, beautiful waterfalls and alpine meadows. Also dotting the picturesque landscape are famous temples like Vaishno Devi and Amarnath, attractive mosques and monasteries. Kashmir is also credited for her rich composite culture. The Kashmir valley has largely Muslim population, Hindus are spread in the plains of Jammu while besides being peaceful tourist destinations Leh and Ladakh are primarily Buddhist destinations.
The old houses on a hill at Leh, Ladakh
Mount Abu: Despite being located in the desert land of Rajasthan, the physiography of Mount Abu bears quite a distinction from the rest of the state. The places features productive lands and a pleasant climate. The place lies, comparatively, at a higher altitude and this is the lone hill station in the region around. The place is what can best be described as Cool. The road that leads to the place is rocky and arid. One finds a lot of odd shaped rocks piled along the roadside. Mt Abu is a very famous pilgrimage centre in the state. You can see some important shrines and temples of Jains and Hindus at Mount Abu.
