TOP 10 Hill Stations

1. Shimla Shimla the capital of the glorious state of Himachal Pradesh is a fabulous hill-station surrounded by dense forests that comprises of oak, deodar, pine and rhododendron forests. Shimla has abundance of natural beauty and the locals are privileged to live in such panoramic locations. This place can enamor anyone with its beauty. Shimla has a lot of variety to offer. Shimla is an ideal place for fishing, golfing, skiing, trekking etc. Adventuring here which definitely make you enthusiastic and spirited. For more energetic entertainment, hit the indoor roller-skating rink in Lakkar Bazaar or go open-air ice-skating above the Rivoli Bus stand. There are always amazing things to be explored in its surrounding countryside. Fagu, Kulfri and Naldhera are some of the well- known places for adventuring and camping too.

2. Ooty This green and pictorial Queen of Hill Stations located in South India in the state of Tamil Station is at an altitude of 2240 m. Conifers, pine and eucalyptus trees grow abundantly in this region and make the environment fresh, clean and pleasant. The funnel-shaped lavender- blue flowers bring in radiance to the sloping mountains. To truly experience the charm of this hill station in the Nilgiri Mountains, take the little Blue Mountain train to Ooty from Mettupalayam. Once there, settle into a relaxed routine of picnics, pony rides and angling; spend a morning at the lovely Botanical Gardens, drop in at Ooty club with its Raj-era ambience. A delightful day trip is to Pykara where you can see rolling grassland and the unique concial huts of the Toda tribe.

3. Darjeeling and Gangtok Darjeeling and Gangtok are a wonderful combination of tranquility, verdant hills, panoramic views and above all the mesmerizing beauty of the mighty Kanchanjunga. These hill stations are famous for ambience of desolation and they offer magnificent view of the vast plains lying below. Both Darjeeling and Gangtok are famous for beautiful serene monasteries, tea plantations and orchard. One of the attractions of Darjeeling is its toy train. Built in the late 19th century, the world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan railway is a technological marvel. Its tracks rise from sea level to an altitude of over 7,500 ft in just about 70 km. Zigzag, reverses and loops were devised to overcome these gradients, the most famous being the Batasia Loop, where the train does a complete figure of eight. It covers about 83 km in six or seven hours, so sit back and enjoy the mountains and the fresh air.

4. Mussoorie Mussoorie was originally a popular hill station frequented by the British. This picturesque town with its verdant hills and with a variety of floral life and animals inhabiting the region the place is really fascinating. Hemmed in by snowy mountain peaks to the northeast and glittering view of the beautiful Doon valley and Shivalik ranges in the south, the town presents a fairyland ambience to the tourists. Mussoorie is hailed as the queen. It is one of the most beautiful hill stations. The climate of this resort is just wonderful and this is the reason that people enjoy visiting this hill station a lot. It presents a pretty picture during summer.

5. Kodaikanal Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station of South India quietly ensconced amidst the green Palani Hills. Kodaikanal has a breathtaking scenic beauty. Its wooded slopes, enhancing waterfalls, mighty rocks and beautiful lakes can captivate any visitor. Kodaikanal has an excellent climate and it charm attracts tourists all through the year. Bird watchers love this place, as do the people who enjoy solitude. No doubt, Kodaikanal still has its virgin, pristine charm. 6. Dehradun This picture perfect hill station is the capital of the state of Uttaranchal. It is located at an altitude of 2,200 ft. and is surrounded by two sacred rivers - the Ganga and the Yamuna. Dehradun is embedded in the lap of the beautiful Doon valley and is surrounded by the Shivalik ranges. Its pleasant weather conditions throughout the year make it an ideal place for vacationing. Dehraduns spectacular natural assets like floristic varieties, astounding valleys, breathing panorama, tea plantation and leech gardens have transformed this town into a paradise. Its natural environment has a soothing effect on the minds of visitors. It is a perfect retreat for people of different desires and needs. 7. Kullu and Manali Kullu Manali is an extremely popular tourists destination. Both these hill stations are a delight to those who desire to spend some time in the lap of nature. The intricate web of beautiful valleys brings gleam to ones eyes. Whether it is under the radiant rays of the sun or under the spell of hazy mist, the valley looks brilliant. The awesome Kullu valley spreads its charm on both the sides of River Beas. The flower-filled meadows, exciting glens surrounded by

the gushing streams and meandering rivulets is enough to make the tourists ecstatic. Kullu provides ample scope for trekkers, mountaineers, artists and others who wish to enjoy the variegated spectacle of the scenic mountains. Just inhaling the pristine air of the majestic Himalayas will help to invigorate. 8. Srinagar Luxurious houseboats, sprawling Mughal Gardens and magnificent golf courses is what sets apart Srinagar from the rest of the hill stations. Srinagar is the capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This town is full of fascinating alleyways and buildings. Just wandering in this intriguing city for a few hours leaves you rejuvenated. Its natural splendor makes Srinagar the most magnificent hill station of India. Houseboats and Srinagar are synonyms of each other, as is the famed Dal Lake. The lakes of Nagin, Anchar and Dal and the river Jhelum flowing through different parts of the city add distinctiveness and charm to it. 9. Mount Abu Mount Abu is an oasis in the barren desert land of Rajasthan. The cool climate of Mount Abu is due to its extravagant flora which consists of flowering shrubs and coniferous trees. The massive rocks makes the approach road to Mount Abu curvaceous. Most Abu is the only hill station of in the state of Rajasthan. The golden tinge that smears over the hills of Mount Abu during sunset makes it a spectacular sight. The grassy plains and deep valleys makes Mount Abu look fabulous especially during dusk. Mount Abu is situated 1,720 m above sea level. The highest and the most beautiful peak of Mount Abu is the Guru Shikhar. A certain level of tranquility surrounds the temple which is built on a summit. This peak offers a spectacular view of the entire town.

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Shillong Shillong the capital of Meghalaya is a very attractive hill station. Its sparkling lakes and dazzling waterfalls spring from lush green mountains and pine tree forest. This hill station provides a clean and unpolluted environment to its tourists. Sitting pretty in the East Khasi hills of Meghalaya, Shillong has a host of attractions- English style cottages, pine forests, waterfalls and even an 18-hole golf course. For a glimpse of the Khasi tribes matriarchal culture, visit Bara Bazaar, run entirely by efficient, enterprising women, selling everything from piglets to betel nut. Cherrapunjee, a very scenic 120 km drive from Shillong was once famous as the wettest place on earth it once recorded 2,629 cm of rainfall on a single day! That title now belongs to the neighboring hamlet of Mawsynram.