There is nothing like snuggling up in a blanket with a cup of local tea and watching birds swoop over misty mountains.
Here are four hill stations that you must visit to get relief from the scorching heat and dust of the plains during summer.
Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Nestled in the beautiful high peaks of the Beas River valley with mountain adventures beckoning from all directions, Manali is a year-round magnet amongst tourists. Backpackers come here to hang out in the surrounding hippie villages, honeymooners come here to spend quality time, adventurers come here for mountain sports, and travellers come here to unwind before moving to Leh.
Manali has grown from a trading outpost to a tourist hotspot within a short span of time. This is evident from the 1000 plus hotels and guesthouses in the town and outskirts. Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Beas Kund, Hidimba Devi Temple, Bhrigu Lake, Nagar Castle, and colourful Tibetan monasteries are amongst the famous tourist spots in and around Manali.
Nainital, Uttarakhand
A popular hill station in North India, Nainital is situated in the foothills of outer Himalayas. Set in a valley with a deep, green volcanic lake, the town is home to some of the oldest and renowned convent schools in the country. From 'Kati Patang' to 'Koi Mil Gya', the exquisite beauty of the town has been captured flawlessly on celluloid in numerous Bollywood movies.
Mythology says that 'Naini Lake' is one of the 64 'Shakti Peeths' where the eye of Sati (Parvati) fell while being carried by Lord Shiva. The spot where the eye fell came to be known as Nainital. Naina (Naini) Devi Temple, Naini Lake, Mall Road, High Altitude Zoo, Snow View Point, Eco Cave Gardens, China Peak, Tiffin Top, Hanuman Garhi Temple, and Sattal are amongst the popular tourist spots in and around Nainital.
Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Ladakh is a magical Buddhist kingdom that appears to come right out of a fantasy book. Picture-perfect monasteries, supernatural landscapes, and crumbling mud brick houses, captivate the senses of almost every tourist. Very few places in the country are so tourist-friendly and yet so captivating and hassle-free as mountain-framed Ladakh. It is a place that is too easy to fall in love with.
The locals are affectionate and their warmth will make your stay even more memorable. However, the high altitude of Ladakh requires acclimatisation and it is recommended to stay a few days in the foothills before heading to Ladakh. Nubra Valley, Khardung La, Shanti Stupa, Thikse Monastery, Tso Moriri, Stok Monastery, Magnetic Hill, and Chadar Trek are some of the popular tourist spots in and around Ladakh.
Gangtok, Sikkim
A mystical land where clouds usher life into picturesque valleys, Gangtok is irreverent, enchanting, and pleasantly boisterous. Sikkim's modern capital rose to prominence as a Buddhist pilgrimage site after the construction of the Enchey Monastery. The town is full of countless viewpoints with panoramic view of lush green valleys. If you are lucky weather-wise, you might even get a glimpse of the Kanchenjunga.
Gangtok is ideal for trekking, mountaineering, river rafting, and other nature nature-oriented. Besides, it is the best place for post trekking rest and recovery, organising tours, and meeting fellow travellers. Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake, MG Marg, Hanuman Tok, Himalayan Zoological Park, and Enchey Monastery are some of the popular tourist spots in and around Gangtok.
This summer explore these hill stations to escape the mundane city life!