You should visit before you breathe your last:Breathtaking Hill stations

The credit of developing hill stations in India goes to the British era before independence in India. The story of hill stations starts with the making of summer capitals in hilly areas in all parts of India. The prime purpose of developing hill stations was to get rid of the scorching heat of Indian summers. About 50 British hill stations in India were developed before 1947 and they were rightly connected by rail, road and air services to major Indian cities. Now, India has more than 300 hill stations in all parts of India where Himachal, Uttrakhand, and Kerala enjoy the lion share.

Hill Stations in Western India

Chikaldhara –Plethora of biodiversity in the scent of coffee

Chikaldhara point of interest: Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary, Melghat Tiger Reserve, Wan Sanctuary, Gavilgadh Fort, Bhimkund, Devi Mandir, Shakkar Lake, Hariken Point, and Panchbol Point

Best time to visit Chikaldhara: Summers

How to reach: Akola airport (150 km); Badnera railway station (110 km); Amravati bus station (100 km)

Concerned tour package: Maharashtra tour packages

Lavasa – First planned hill station in India

Lavasa point of interest: Health and wellness center, Temghar Dam, and Waterfalls

Best time to visit Lavasa: Sept-Mar

How to reach: Pune Airport (65 km), Pune Railway Station

Concerned tour package: Maharashtra hill stations tour packages

Lonavala – A shorter stay point for Mumbaikars

Lonavala point of interest: Hills, Duke’s Nose, Karla caves, Bushi Dam, Tungari Lake, and Bhaja caves

Best time to visit Lonavala: Oct-May

How to reach: Lohegaon Airpor, Pune; Lonavala railway station

Concerned tour package: Maharashtra hill station tour packages

Mahabaleshwar – 30 Valley viewpoints with panoramic vistas

Lavasa point of interest: Catholic Church, Connaught peak, Morarji Castle, Pratapgad Fort, Venna Lake, Wilson point, Kate’s Point

Best time to visit Lavasa: October-June

How to reach: Pune airport (120 km); Wathar railway station (62 km); regular bus services between Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar-Mumbai

Concerned tour package: Mahabaleshwar Tour Packages; Maharashtra hill stations tour packages

Matheran – Vehicle free forest on the top

Matheran point of interest: Porcupine Point, Charlotte Lake, Malan point, Louisa Point, Rambagh Point, Trekking, hiking, climbing, toy train ride

Best time to visit Matheran: April-September

How to reach: Mumbai airport (100 km); Neral railway station (21 km); Neral bus station (21 km)

Concerned tour package: Maharashtra hill stations tour packages

Mount Abu – Quiet, cool summer capital of Rajasthan

Mount Abu point of interest: Nakki Lake, Toad Rock, Dilwara Temple, and Wildlife sanctuary

Best time to visit Mount Abu: Feb – April, Aug – Nov

How to reach: Udaipur airport; Abu railway station (25 km)

Concerned tour package: Rajasthan Tour Packages

Panchgani – A hill station with high oxygen content

Panchgani point of interest: Devil’s kitchen, Kamalgad fort, Sydney Point, Partapgad fort, Venna Lake, Dhom Dam, Lord Kartikeya temple, Wilson Point, and Mahabaleshwar temple

Best time to visit Panchgani: Sept-May

How to reach: Pune Airport (98 km); Pune railway station (98 km)

Concerned tour package: Maharashtra hill station tour packages

Wilson Hills – 5 points to enjoy sea views

Wilson Hills point of interest: The Radhakrishna Temple, Lady Wilson Museum, Kalai Beach, Barumal Temple, 5 points on the hill

Best time to visit Wilson Hills: Throughout the year

How to reach: Surat airport; Valsad railway station

Concerned tour package: Gujarat tour packages

NORTH INDIA HILL STATIONS

Auli – Skiing spot in snow-capped mountains

Best time to visit Auli: Winters (for adventure lovers and skiers)

How to reach: Jolly Grant airport Dehradun (279 km); Haridwar railway station (273 km); Regular transportation from Joshimath

Concerned tour package: Uttrakhand adventure tour package, Uttrakhand honeymoon tour package

Chail – Idyllic summer destination for Delhitties

Chail Sightseeing tourist spots: Chail Sanctuary, cricket ground at Chail, Sadhupul village, Kandaghat Palace, Maharaja’s Palace, Sidh Baba ka Mandir

Best time to visit Chail: Summers (for nature lovers and picnic lovers)

How to reach: Jubbar Hati Airport (45 km) from Shimla; Kalka railway station (86 km); take buses from Kandaghat (29 km)

Concerned tour package: Himachal tour packages

Chamba Valley – Picturesque background for holiday memoirs

Chamba Valley Sightseeing tourist spots: Lakshmi Narayan Temple; Brajeswari temple; Chamunda Devi Temple; Gandhi Gate; Bhuri Singh Museum; Champawati Temple; Chaurashi Temple; Chaugan grassy meadow; Lama Dal lake; Pangi Valley; Rang Mahal; Chamera Lake; Ghadhasaru Lake; Katasan Devi Temple; Narayana Temple; The Chamba Rumal, and Hari Rai Temple

Best time to visit Chamba Valley: Summers (for nature lovers and picnic lovers)

How to reach: Gaggal airport in Kangra Valley (180 km); Pathankot railway station (122 km)

Concerned tour package: Tour packages for Himachal

Chopta – Trekker cum explorer’s heaven in Mini Switzerland

Chopta Sightseeing tourist spots: Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary; Tungnath Shiva Temple; Gopeshwar town with salubrious climate; Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary; Ukhimath

Best time to visit Chopta: Summers (for trekkers and camping enthusiasts)

How to reach: Jolly Grant airport (226 km); Rishikesh Railway station (209 km); motorable roads

Concerned tour package: Uttrakhand adventure tour package

Dharamsala – Monk Land Little Tibet

Dharamsala Sightseeing tourist spots: Mcleod Ganj the Buddha temple; Chamunda Devi temple; St. John’S Church In Wilderness; Nurpur Fort; Dall Lake; Venur for the Gomateshwara statue; the Kangra Art Museum; Dharmkot hill; Moodabidri for the 18 bastis, and Pong Lake Sanctuary

Best time to visit Dharamsala: Summers (for picnic lovers)

How to reach: Gaggal airport(12 km); Pathankot railway station (85 km)

Concerned tour package: Himachal tour package

Gulmarg – A blessed land endowed with astonishing beauty

Gulmarg Sightseeing tourist spots: Skiing and heli-skiing; Gondola Lift; Biosphere reserves; Ferozpore Nallah or water meets; Alpather Lake; Khilanmarg; Shrine Of Baba Reshi / Ziarat Of Baba Reshi; and the Ningli Nallah

Best time to visit Gulmarg: Summers and winters (for golfers and skiers)

How to reach: Badgam airport; Jammu railway station

Concerned tour package: Kashmir Tour Packages, Kashmir honeymoon package

Kasauli –The abode of endangered species of Himalayan

Kasauli Sightseeing tourist spots: Monkey Point; Sanawar; the Christ Church; Sabathu town, Dharampur; Dagshahi; Bilaspur; Barog; Mandi; Kufri

Best time to visit Kasauli: Summers

How to reach: Chandigarh Airport; Kalka railway station (40 km)

Concerned tour package: Kasauli Tour Packages

Kufri – A summer resort for striking trekking and hiking trails

Kufri Sightseeing tourist spots: Mashru Peak; Himalayan Nature Park, Indra Tourist Park; Fagu; Skiing

Best time to visit Kufri: Summers and winters

How to reach: Shimla Airport (19 km); Shimla railway station (19 km)

Concerned tour package: Himachal tour package

Leh – Majestic mountain in the home of Lama

Leh point of interest: Shey Palace, Leh Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Zanskar Valley, Dras Valley, Chamba Temple, and Shanti Stupa

Best time to visit Leh: Summers and winters

How to reach: Leh airport; Kalka railway station

Concerned tour package: Leh Ladakh Tour Packages

Munsiyari – Gateway to various tracks to Himalaya

Munsiyari point of interest: Khaliya Top & Betuli Dhar; Thamari Kund; Madkot; Nanda Devi temple; and Birthi Falls

Best time to visit Munsiyari: Summers and winters

How to reach: Naini Saini airport, Pithoragarh (129 km); Kathgodam railway station (261 km)

Concerned tour package: Uttrakhand adventure tour package

Phalagam – A track to the holy Amarnath Yatra

Pahalgam point of interest: Baisaran, Martand, Mamal; The Amarnath cave; Tarsar Lake; and Overa wildlife sanctuary

Best time to visit Pahalgam: Summers and winters

How to reach: Badgam airport, Jammu railway station

Concerned tour package: Kashmir Tour Packages

Pithoragarh – A little Kashmir in Uttaranchal

Pithoragarh point of interest: Baleshwar, Lohaghat, Chandak, Champawat, Dhwaj, Punyagiri, Shiva Temple, Thak Kedar, and Dharchula

Best time to visit Pithoragarh: Summers and winters

How to reach: Naini Saini airport (5 km), Tanakpur railway station (151 km)

Concerned tour package: Uttrakhand adventure tour package

Dhar Kalan – Hidden treasure on less-traveled roads

In the Pathankot district of Punjab, Dhar Kalan is a quiet hill station where the natural environment inspires all visitors to spend some quality time there. It is located 67 km from Gurdaspur. Hunky Dory is a famous hill station there.

Central India Hill Stations

Pachmarhi – Blessed with myriad natural attractions

Pachmarhi point of interest: Bee Falls, Chauragarh Dhupgarh, Mahadev Cave, Jata Shankar Cave, Pandava Cave, Tamiya

Best time to visit Pachmarhi: Summers

How to reach: Bhopal airport (210 km), Pipariya railway station (47 km)

Concerned tour package: Hill station tour packages

Manipatt – Mini Tibet on a plateau

Manipatt point of interest: Mehta Point, Pharphatia, Tiger Point, Buddhist temples, Fish Point

Best time to visit Manipatt: Summers

How to reach: Muirpur airport (189 km), Ambikapur railway station (58 km)

Concerned tour package: Hill station tour packages

South India Hill Stations

Anantagiri – A perfect retreat to the blistering summer

Anantagiri point of interest: Araku Valley, Bheemunipatnam Beach, Borra Caves, Simhachalam, Ramakrishna Beach, Rishikonda Beach, Dolphin’s Nose

Best time to visit Anantagiri: Throughout the year

How to reach: Visakhapatnam Airport, Srikakulam railway station (3 km)

Concerned tour package: Hill station tour packages

Coorg – Retreat for nature lovers in South India

Coorg point of interest: Nagarhole National Park, Talacauvery, Abbi Falls, Iruppu Falls, The Omkareshwar temple, the Raja’s Seat, Bhagamandala, and Madikeri Fort

Best time to visit Coorg: Sept-March

How to reach: Mangalore airport (136 km); Mysore railway station (114 km)

Concerned tour package: Hill station tour packages

Ooty – the Blue Mountain with a magical charm

Ooty point of interest: Botanical Garden; Government Museum; Kalhatty Falls; Kandal Cross Shrine; Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park; Ooty Lake

Best time to visit Ooty: Nov-June

How to reach: Coimbatore airport; Ooty railway station

Concerned tour package: Ooty Tour Packages; Hill station tour packages

Kodaikanal – ‘The Princess of Hill Stations’

Kodaikanal point of interest: Kukal Lake, Dolphin’s Nose, the Perumal Peak, Kodaikanal Trekking, Berijam Lake

Best time to visit Kodaikanal: Throughout the year

How to reach: Madurai airport (120 km); Kodai Road Railway Station (80 km); Palani Railway Station (64 km)

Concerned tour package: Hill station tour packages

Nandi Hills – A summer resort resplendent with serene beauty

Nandi Hills point of interest: 600-meter high cliff Tipu’s Drop, Yoga Nandishvara Temple, Amruth Sarovar, Muddenahalli, Bheemeshwari Wildlife Sanctuary, Bull Temple

Best time to visit Nandi Hills: Throughout the year

How to reach: Bangalore airport (65 km); Chikkaballapur railway station (9 km)

Concerned tour package: Hill station tour packages

Wayanad – Mist-capped hills in God’s own country

Wayanad point of interest: Sulthan bathery – Edakkal caves, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Mananthavady Kuruvadweep island, Thirunelly temple, The Glass Temple of Kottamunda

Best time to visit Wayanad: Hot summers

How to reach: Kozhikode airport; Kozhikode railway station

Concerned tour package: Wayanad tour packages; Kerala honeymoon tour packages

Munnar –The destination for honeymoon seekers

Munnar point of interest: Onam, Snake Boat Race, Thrissur Pooram Festival, Mattupetty Lake, Devikulam hill station, Eravikulam National Park, Malankara Reservoir, Lock Heart Gap, Nyayamakad

Best time to visit Munnar: Throughout the year

How to reach: Kochi (Cochin) airport (130 km), Kochi railway station (142 km)

Concerned tour package: Munnar tour packages, Kerala honeymoon tour package

Yeracaud – Lush vegetation in a salubrious climate

Yeracaud point of interest: Arthur seat, Ladies seat, Gents seat, Children seat, the Servaroyan temple, Killiyur Falls, Pagoda point, Bears Seat, Anna Park, and Emerald Lake

Best time to visit Yeracaud: Throughout the year

How to reach: Tiruchirapalli airport, Salem Junction (33 km)

Concerned tour package: Hill station tour packages

Vythiri – Immaculate natural wealth for nature lovers

Vythiri point of interest: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Chembara peak, Meenmutty Falls, Soochipara Falls

Best time to visit Vythiri: Throughout the year

How to reach: Calicut International Airport (73 km); Kozhikode (Calicut) 63 km

Concerned tour package: Hill station tour packages; Kerala tour packages

Ponmudi – Explore the wilderness of the Golden Valley

Ponmudi point of interest: Walk through the deer park

Best time to visit Ponmudi: Throughout the year

How to reach: Trivandrum International Airport (61 km); Trivandrum Central railway station; Thambanoor bus stand

Concerned tour package: Hill station tour packages; Kerala tour packages

Hill Stations in North-East

Darjeeling –Bang in the land of thunderbolt

Darjeeling point of interest: Natural History Museum, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, The Lebong Race Track, Tiger Hill, Tibetan Refugee Centre, Bhutia Busty Gompa, and Zoological Park

Best time to visit Darjeeling: Throughout the year

How to reach: Bagdogra Airport (90 km); Jalpaiguri and Siliguri railway station

Concerned tour package: Darjeeling Tour Packages; Sikkim Tour Packages

Gangtok –Land of monasteries in lush green forests

Gangtok point of interest: Tsongo Lake, Changu Lake; Enchey Monastery, Government Institute of Cottage Industry, Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology, Deer Park

Best time to visit Gangtok: April-June; Sept-Nov

How to reach: Bagdogra airport; Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri railway stations

Concerned tour package: Sikkim Tour Packages

Kalimpong – A less travel world of natural wonders

Kalimpong point of interest: Durpin Dara, Kalibari, St.Theresa Church, Mangaldham, Flower Nurseries

Best time to visit Kalimpong: Summers

How to reach: Bagdogra airport (80 km); Siliguri Junction and New Jalpaiguri Railway Stations

Concerned tour package: Darjeeling Tour Packages

Mirik – Rejuvenating tired urban soul

Mirik point of interest: Sumendu Lake, Rameetay Dara, Deosi Dara, Tea Estates

Best time to visit Mirik: Throughout the year

How to reach: Bagdogra Airport (55 km); Jalpaiguri railway station

Concerned tour package: Darjeeling Tour Packages

Shillong – Natural wonders of the ‘Scotland of the East’

Shillong point of interest: Shillong Peak, Botanical Gardens, Golf Club, Lum Nehru Park, Beadon Falls, Bishop Falls, and Elephant Falls

Best time to visit Shillong: Throughout the year

How to reach: Borjhar Airport (128 km); Guwahati railway station (103 km)

Concerned tour package: North-East Tour Packages

To Know these places in Deep you can see all Breathtaking Hill stations in India one by one.