The lure of hills has always been addictive, no matter what your age is. Whether you want to go on a honeymoon, a family holiday, a trekking journey, or to try your hand at water sports – the hills in India offer it all. Financial year is coming to an end and exams too will wind-up next month, so if a ‘short-break’ has been on your mind for a while, there is no better time than now to plan it! To help you do it, BOTT suggests ten off-beat hill-stations where you can enjoy a quiet sojourn this spring!
Priyanka Saxena Ray
Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
Chamba is that one getaway you’ve always dreamed off. Minimal human alteration in the topography and environment, and the balanced temperatures of the area make it the perfect destination all year round. The river Ravi cuts across town and adds to the scenery. The sub-Himalayan area is amply endowed with a variety of flora and fauna, making it a very picturesque background for your holiday memoirs. There are enough lakes, wildlife sanctuaries and temples to make you feel like this virgin land has more than enough to offer to every tourist. You only go back richer from Chamba. Commuting within the city is not a problem since Chamba is majorly a tourist destination.
Munnar, Kerala
Located at the confluence of three mountain valleys – Mudrapuzha, Nallathani and Kundala, Munnar is one of the most 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. Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Attukal Waterfalls, Devikulam, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate and Anamudi Peak are some of the must-see attractions of this region.
Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
Smaller and quieter than its neighbour Ooty, Coonoor is nestled in the Nilgiri Mountains and is surrounded by rolling hills and tea and coffee plantations. The ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway’s quaint toy train—from Coonoor to Ooty—covers the region’s most scenic spots including the cantonment area of Wellington.
Almora, Uttarakhand
A breathtakingly beautiful place nestled in the Kumaon Himalayas in Uttarakhand, Almora is relatively unexplored and not so popular among tourists, which is what makes it absolutely perfect. Almora has offered rejuvenating and inspiring refuge to the likes of Rabindra Nath Tagore and Swami Vivekanand who sought the sanctuary of this picturesque place. Perched on a horse shoe shaped hill at an elevation of 1682 meters, Almora is a place where you go to do nothing and seek bliss and inspiration through communion with nature. It is one of the finest weekend getaways from Delhi. Best time to visit this hill station is from April till November. Monsoon is another good time of the year to visit this wondrous place.
Chikhaldara, Maharashtra
With its tranquil foggy cover, Chikhaldara will make your stay worth every penny you spend to get there. Though it’s not a destination where you seek out a lot of adventures like the Himalayan hill stations, but it’s a place of immense peace, beauty and tranquillity. There is greenery all around and a lot to see as well. The main attractions here are the Shakkar and Kitchakdari lakes. The remains of the Gawilghar Fort deserve a visit. There is also a wildlife museum as well as a wildlife sanctuary at this beautiful hill station. The best way to reach this place is by a bus from Amravati.
Wayanad, Kerala
Wayanad’s landscape combines epic mountain scenery, rice paddies, bamboo trees spiky ginger fields and rubber, cardamom and coffee plantations. Encompassing a part of a forest reserve, this quiet district in north-eastern Kerala is home to a variety of animals, including tigers, elephants and sloth bears.
Pelling, Sikkim
The most famous place in Sikkim is the capital city of Gantok, which is also a beautiful hill station, but if you are more of a traveller, then Pelling in the perfect destination for you. Pelling is not as developed as Gantok, but it is the ideal place for some trekking and photography. The Kanchenjunga Range is best viewed as well as explored from here. Other attractions in Pelling include the Changey and Kanchendzonga Falls and the Pemayangtse Monastery.
Shimoga, Karnataka
This is one of the best hill stations in the Western Ghat region but is still not very popular, which is exactly why Shimoga is the best place to spend some peaceful time amidst the beautiful sceneries and waterfalls. The Jog Falls look awesome when in full force and the Kodachari Peak is nice too. The temples and caves around are other attractions that you can explore. Mysore might be the only one on your ‘to visit hill stations in Karnataka’ list like many, but you can’t just skip Shimoga once you’ve heard of it. Abode to plentiful waterfalls, Jog Falls are the most notable. During the monsoons, when the flow is the best, you can just sit and stare at the fall for hours straight. Kodachari is a nearby heritage site with its peaking ecosystem and diverse vegetation that will leave you amazed at the beauty of this underrated hill station. Talaguppa, also pretty near Jog Falls will cough up three admirable temples to mesmerize you with.
Auli, Uttarakhand
One of the finest ski destinations in India, Auli is renowned for its lush meadows dotted with oak and dense coniferous forests and spectacular views of Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Mana Paravat and Kamat. During summers Auli serves as the base of several Himalayan treks that include Col Auden trek and Valley of Flower and Hemkund Trek. Auli is also home to the largest ropeway ride in Asia. Cable ride, Vishnu Prayag, Artificial Lake, Gurso Bugyal, Chattrakund, Kwani Bugyal, Hot Spring Point and Chenab Lake are some of the popular attractions in Auli.
Since Auli is a ski destination, winter months from November till February are considered to be the best time to visit the destination. This is when this meadow is covered in a thick carpet of snow making it ideal for skiing down the slopes dotted with deodar and oak forest. Auli can best be reached by road from various places in Uttarakhand. Several buses ply regularly between major destinations in Uttrakahand to Auli.
Aru Valley, Kashmir
Located at an elevation of 2,424 meters, Aru Valley in Kashmir is best visited for its tranquil and verdant surroundings. Nearby lakes, view of towering Himalayas and lush meadows adds to the beauty and romance of Aru Valley. In fact, Aru Valley together with Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam is one of the popular honeymoon destinations in Kashmir. It is also a favoured destination for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts as it serves as the base for Kolahoi Glacier and Tarsar Marsar Lake. Trout fishing in Lidder River, trekking, hiking, horse riding, sightseeing and scenic photography are some of the popular activities that a tourist can indulge in Aru Valley. Aru is located 12 km from Pahalgam which is a major tourist centre connected only by road as rail lines are not operational in Kashmir yet. Nearest airport is Srinagar.
