There hardly any person exists in this world, who does not love the mesmerizing and soothing breeze of hills. The marvellous nature, enchanting scenarios, and peaceful silence are prevailing all over the hilly areas and when the particular topic relates to our own country, India then it becomes irresistible to prevent ourselves from discovering various hill stations of our country. Nature has created these hill stations in her own way as well as she doesn’t do any parsimony to adorn these places with mind-blowing natural scenarios.
Most of the beautiful Indian hill stations were set up by the European colonists who loved milder and pleasant weather conditions in the blazing summer days in India. Today, these hill towns have become one of the most popular tourist spots where a large number of people (from all parts of India as well as abroad) travel during the summer days. These particular spots are also considered to be the perfect places for a honeymoon. I think you are now curious enough to know the best hill stations of India for planning your next summer escape. So, for your convenience, three famous Indian hill stations are described below:
Shimla: The Honeymoon Delight
Shimla was the former summer British capital in India. It is the present capital of the Indian state Himachal Pradesh. The one word ‘Shimla’ can draw a picture of cool hills, rare scenic beauty and natural bounties in front of our eyes. This place is encircled by green hills along with snow-capped peaks. Shimla is an ideal place for a honeymoon as well as for those people who want to stay for a while on nature’s lap. Shimla is truly a timeless beauty with its breath-taking snow-clad mountains, mind-blowing rich greenery, and enchantingly beautiful lakes. Shimla is one of the most visited tourist spots that hold a special aura in its air. So, undoubtedly it is called the Queen of Hill Stations. British Raj has been ended in this country, but its echoes can be still found here till today. Shimla is located at an altitude of approximately 7000 feet and it is nurtured in the deep foothills of the Himalayas. The place is rich in oak, pine deodar, and rhododendron forests. The town is associated with a host of magnificent structures and quaint cottages along with typical Victorian architecture. Pleasant walks across Mall Road and Ridge Road are the most popular activities in this place. You can also do lots of shopping, entertainment, and amusement activities in Shimla.
Main Attractions of Shimla
Arki Fort, Scandal Point, Viceregal Lodge, Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex, Jakhoo Temple, Christ Church, Tara Devi Temple, Kali Bari Temple, Green Valley, Kufri, Annadale, Shimla Heritage Walk, The Mall, The Ridge, and so on.
How to Reach Shimla
You can reach Shimla with the help of the following modes:
By Air: Jubberhatti is the nearest airport of Shimla that is about 23 kilometres from the town. Regular flights are going from Jubberhatti to Chandigarh and Delhi. After reaching there, you will easily get a taxi from the airport for reaching Shimla, or there are several famous hotels available that are equipped with an airport pick-up facility (for the latter option, you can ask your hotel to arrange this facility for you).
By Bus: If you are comfortable in bus journeys as well as want to experience the streets and overall environment, then you can choose from Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses or private operators that are connecting Shimla with the major cities in North India. As an example, Delhi is 343 kilometres from Shimla. In case you are travelling from Delhi, you can continue your journey in an air-conditioned overnight luxury bus from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Bus timings can vary from season to season. So, don’t forget to check the timings online before making a reservation. By Train: A small railway station is located nearly 1 kilometre away from the heart of the town. This railway station is connected to Kalka through a narrow gauge rail track. You can choose the Kalka Shatabdi journey that travels from the New Delhi Railway Station to the Kalka Railway Station (via Chandigarh).
You can also reach Shimla by road or self-drive. The particular journey could take 6-7 hours depending on the traffic. But, before planning for self-driving, don’t forget to analyze the maps and the important streets and highways properly. But, it is recommended to avoid the self-drive option, if you are new to this place.
Darjeeling: Tempt of Black Tea
Darjeeling Mountain Railways are regarded as the World Heritage that is hugely famous for its world-class tea plantations. Located at an elevation of 6, 710 feet above sea level, Darjeeling has breathtaking views of the Himalayan Peaks and marvellous verdant tea estates. The overall views of Darjeeling are soothing to eyes, peaceful to heart, uplifting for the soul, and refreshing for the mind. There are lots of things in this world-famous tourist spot from visiting monasteries, historical places, parks, and tea estates to going for an enjoyable ride on the “toy train”. The best season for visiting Darjeeling is from November until January. The enchanting views of the Kangchenjunga peak of the Himalayas will surely fill your heart with blissful joy. Below the town bustle, there are lots of steep and winding bazaars where you will find a range of Himalayan products and faces from Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal. If you want to freshen up your mind with a flash of cold breeze, then Darjeeling is not far away from you.
Main Attractions in Darjeeling
Tiger Hill, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Batasia Loop, Bhutia Busty Monastery, Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling Himalayan Railways.
How to Reach Darjeeling
By Air: The nearest airport of Darjeeling is Bagdogra which is approximately 95 km away from the city. Some direct flights are available from the major cities like Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati to Darjeeling.
By Train: The nearest railway station of Darjeeling is New Jalpaiguri which connects the particular city with all the vital parts of the country. There are various trains from different cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Guwahati, Bhubaneshwar, Bengaluru, and Kochi are available. You can also hire private cabs from this station to reach Darjeeling.
Lonavala: Dream of Clouds
It is a famous hill station near Mumbai and Pune. If you have a dream to walk on the clouds, then your dream can be fulfilled here, as here you can literally walk on the clouds as they fly up beneath you. Lonavala is associated with nature walks hikes and places of historical interest. You can plan your trip to Lonavala in July and August (upon the arrival of the monsoon), as it is one of the top places to visit in India during the monsoon. Lonavala is very popular for its hot air balloon rides or paragliding.
Main Attractions in Lonavala
Lonavala Lake, Lohagad Fort, Lonavala Lake, Nagphani, Karla Cave, Bhushi Dam, Visapur Fort.
How to Reach Lonavala
By Air: The nearest airport of Lonavala is in Pune city that is situated nearly 62 km from the town. Various domestic flights land in this city. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Lonavala.
By Train: Lonavala railhead is stretched out in between Mumbai and Pune railway line. So, you can easily reach there by train. All the vital trains that run on the Mumbai-Pune line come to this city directly. You can also take the advantage of various popular Bus Services to reach Lonavala and also come back from that place.
There also various enchanting and marvellous hill stations exist. Some of them are as follows:· Ooty: The Jewel of Nilgiri
· Mount Abu: Oasis in the Desert
· Almora: The Verdant Kumaon
· Matheran: The Pristine Beauty
· McLeodganj: The Mini Tibet
· Binsar: Romance of Nature
· Gangtok: The North East Delight
· Kodaikanal: Back to Nature
· Shillong: The Road Less Travelled
· Munnar: Of Teas and Twists
· Nainital: The Lakes and Hills
· Araku
· Aru Valley
· Auli
· Amarkantak
· Bhandardara
· Bhimtal
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your holiday today!
