HIMALAYAS are very popular for the diversity of its very nature and existence, a popular travel destination for the adventure travellers wishing to scale new heights and undertake trek – mountaineering expeditions, on a spiritual path millions hold the mighty himalayas in high esteem and take pilgrimage to various pilgrim centers and himalayan temples, family hill station vacationers head towards the foothills seeking some respite from summer heat of pains.

From the mighty and spiritually uplifting peaks of Himalayas in the North to the rejuvenating emerald forest of the Nilgiris in the Western Ghats, hill stations in India are your perfect escape from the sweltering heat. The Shiwalik or lower Himalayas consisting of smaller hills, many of India’s hill stations are located on this range. Dehradun and Mussoorie are some of the most popular hill stations in the country.

These hill stations are located in the state of Uttaranchal in the verdant foothills of the Himalayas. Shimla, Nainital and Manali are the other renowned hill stations of northern India. Darjeeling in West Bengal is perched at an elevation of 2,134 m above sea level, attracting legions of tourists from far and wide. Ooty and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu are the most famous hill stations of southern India.

Rajasthan too has a hill station, Mount Abu. Though it is the only hill station in the state, it offers a cool respite from the sultry desert weather. Ramikhet, Srinagar, Kullu and Manali are the other famed hill stations. From Mussoorie, Shimla and Gulamarg in the north to Ooty, Munnar and Kodaikanal in the south, from Lonavala, Panchmarhi and Mount Abu in the west to Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Gangtok in the northeast- India can boast of some of the most fascinating hill stations in the world.

However, it’s not only the animating and scenic surroundings of these hill stations that make them special, but it’s actually the culture, thriving alongside, that makes a difference. There are even some interesting archaeological sites around that add to the beauty all the more. A trip to the Indian hill station is a long-cherished dream for every traveller. The state of Uttaranchal alone is popular for adventure activities like trekking, rock climbing, river rafting, skiing, angling etc.

Auli in Uttranchal is considered one of the best skiing grounds in the world. Gulmarg in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is an adventurer’s paradise. The state of Himachal Pradesh has a number of hill stations that defy description. Shimla, Manali, Chail, Naldehra, Dharamsala and Kasauli are some of the famed ones.