Best Hill Stations In India To Plan Your Summer Escape

Most of the top hill stations in India were established by the European colonists who looked for milder salubrious weather conditions they were used to back home to find respite from the scorching summer in India.

Today, these hill towns spread across India are some of the top tourist places to travel to in India in summer. Mentioned below are some of the best hill stations in India to plan your summer escape.

Shimla: Queen of the Hills

Gone are the days of British Raj but its echoes could be still found in Shimla. Located deep in the foothills of Himalayas, Shimla, located at an altitude of 2159 meters ( 7000 feet approx. ) , is one of the most popular hill resorts in India. The entire city is stung across a single ridge with sharp hillsides surrounded by pine deodar, oak and rhododendron forests stretched out in all directions. It is the long winding main street called Mall where most of the action takes place in Shimla. Charming walks along the Ridge and the Mall road are most popular activities. The city also offers a variety of shopping and entertainment activities.

Nainital: The Lakes and Hills

One of the best tourist places in India, Nainital is well-known for its beauty, enchanting lakes and green hills. There are several mountain peaks and prehistoric temples which offer amazing views of the mountains in the backdrop. Some popular places here include China Peak, Tiffin Top and Naini Lake.

Close to Nainital are two fine and less touristy hill town of Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal which are also worth the visit for their charming lake and verdant flora. For bird watching enthusiasts, Naukuchiatal is one of the good weekend getaways from Delhi.

Munnar: Of Teas and Twists

Located at the confluence of three mountain valleys- Mudrapuzha, Nallathani, Kundala- Munnar is one of the enchanting hill stations in Kerala. Cascading mountain streams, cardamom hills, total expansive tea plants, enchanting valleys, wooded and grass hills are counted amongst the major attractions in Munnar.

Shillong: The Road Less Travelled

The captal city of Meghalaya, Shillong is a hill town perched at a height of 1496 meters above sea level. It was the capital of Assam before the separate state of Assam was formed in 1974. It has a very cool climate throughout the year.

Gangtok: The North East Delight

Located in the Indian state of Sikkim, Gangtok is a serene and captivating hill station famous for its charming vallies and majestic monastries. It is a bustling and friendly hill station which is flocked by tourists from all around the world. The hill town is quite popular with trekking enthusiasts.

McLeodganj: The Mini Tibet

The seat of the Tibetan Government in Exile, Mcleodganj in Himachal is a pastoral delight. Perched on a horseshoe shaped ridge in the Dauladhar Range of Himalayas, Mcleodganj is where many world and culture co exists. Right from the Tibetan to the British who stayed back and the modern hippies and global nomads, in this bustling town you are in a truly global village.

With a range of activities like meditation, volunteering and nature walks to an array of easy and moderate trekking trails in Himalayas, Mcleodganj in Himachal Pradesh is one of the top hill stations to visit in India. Being closer to Delhi, Mcleodganj is a popular weekend getaway from Delhi and also preferred by Hikers.