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Explore The Best Hill Stations In India To Enjoy The Charm Of Beauty!

The landscape in India is more diverse than most countries. You can find many hill stations throughout the country from deserts to rainforests. Hill stations are towns that are located at high elevations and have valleys around them. The temperatures at these places tend to be significantly lower than those of their counterparts nearby. While most of the hill stations in India are concentrated in the northern reaches of the country, you can find some of the top hill stations scattered in the other regions as well. With their cool climates, these are very popular getaways with Indian travelers. Here are some of the best hill stations in India.

Ooty

Best For: Couples, Friends, Family

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Ooty is during the winter and summer too.

The Queen of Hill Stations

Located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Ooty or Udagamandalam is situated at the height of 2,240m and is a popular honeymooning destination in India. To reach Ooty, you can catch the 100-year old mini-train of Nilgiri Railways from Coonoor and see the landscape spread out in front of you. The Ooty Lake is an excellent place for a romantic boating experience; they even have special boats for couples.

Things To Do:

  • Upper Bhavani Lake
  • Emerald Lake
  • Shooting Point
  • Ketti Valley View
  • Sanctuary Avalanche
  • Doddabetta Peak
  • Thread Garden

Munnar

Best for: Family, friends

Best time to visit: Munnar is beautiful during monsoons and cools during winters. From June to February is the best time to visit this place.

The Kashmir of South India

This hill station in Kerala is a tiny town in the Western Ghats. Known most for its sprawling tea estates, Munnar is always lush green and cool throughout the year. If you’re a fan of national parks, you must visit the Eravikulam National Park and the Anamudi Peak. A scenic trip to Mattupetty Dam and at the top Station and Echo Points located further down from the Mattupetty Dam and get some fantastic views of the valley below shrouded in clouds. If you’re looking for an off-the-beat experience, you must visit the forest walk as well as to the Avalanche Lake. Do not miss out on visiting the vast tea estates that you will find all around the town.

Things To Do:

  • Tea Gardens
  • Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park
  • Photo Point
  • Muniyara Dolmens
  • Kalari Kshethra

Shimla

Best for: Couples, Family, Adventure Sports Lovers, Friends

Best Time To Visit: Shimla is covered in snow during winters and is lush green during summers, For snow enthusiasts, November to February and March to June is also the best time.

City With India’s Only Natural Ice Skating Rink

The capital city of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, is a hill station in itself. It is a flourishing city and has many attractions for you. From the royal Rashtrapati Niwas with its Jacobethan architecture to the historic Jakhoo Temple, Shimla has something for everyone to see. Visit the Mall Road for the fancy shopping. If you’re visiting this city during the winters, you can also go to the largest natural ice skating rink in South Asia.

Things To Do:

  • Indian Institute of Advanced Study
  • Viceregal Lodge
  • Tara Devi Temple
  • Jakhu Temple & Hill
  • The Ridge
  • Himachal State Museum
  • Army Heritage Museum
  • Reserve Forest Sanctuary

Kodaikanal

Best for: Couples, Friends, Family

Best Time To Visit: Winter is the best time to visit between November and March and also a great time too between July and November.

The Most Peaceful Hill Station In Tamil Nadu

Kodaikanal is a hill station in Tamil Nadu and is smaller than Ooty but thanks to less urbanization, it remains in its pristine form. The Kodai Lake is situated right in the middle of the town, and you can explore its circumference at your own pace. Moreover, you could head over to the Bear Shola Falls by taking a small walk through the forest nearby. The famed pine forests of Kodaikanal will bring you into a different world altogether. The Moir Point and Silent Valley Viewpoint are great options. Do not miss out on visiting nearby Vattakanal Valley.

Things To Do:

  • Mannavanur Lake
  • Poombarai Village View
  • Coakers Walk
  • Kodaikanal Lake
  • Silent Valley View Point
  • Astrophysical Observatory
  • Perumal Peak

Matheran

Best for: Couples, Family

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Matheran is during the monsoon between July and October and also between November and February.

A Hill Station Sans Vehicles

This hill station near Mumbai serves as a peaceful retreat for the city folk and can be reached by a 100-year old mini-train. The best part about Matheran is that no vehicles are allowed in the town. With absolutely no noise pollution from cars, you can expect your holiday to be unforgettable here. Matheran has some fantastic valley-view points like Echo Point, Louisa Point, and One-Tree Hill Point. The Charlotte Lake is a serene retreat too. All places around the town can be accessed on foot or horses, and the entire area is covered in canopies, making it one of the most beautiful hill stations in the country.

Things To Do:

  • Louisa Point
  • Porcupine Point (Sunset Point)
  • Charlotte Lake
  • One Tree Hill Point
  • King George Point
  • Prabal Fort
  • Ambarnath Temple

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