The best escape to the urban chaos, hectic deadlines, and the scorching heat, are the mountains. These majestic mountains fill you up with a magical feeling of joy and happiness that we’re all searching for.
Just imagine sipping a cup of hot tea in the middle of a forest that is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with a light sound of gushing water and the pleasant smell of flowers and fruits and herbs. If that isn’t perfect then what is?
Traditionally, a hill station in India stands for a town situated in the low mountain regions of the Indian subcontinent. Hence, there are many such quaint and hilly towns in India.
We’ve listed a few of the best hill stations you can visit in India to have the most beautiful experiences of your lives. So, read on!
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Manali is one of those hill stations where you can find all kinds of activities to do. Located at an altitude of about 6260 feet above sea level, Manali is situated near the Kullu valley amid the Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayas.
Manali has a bunch of places that you can visit like Rohtang pass( for a mini-Switzerland experience), Solang valley, rushing water of the Jogini falls, postcard-perfect meadows that surround the Bhrigu Lake. And these places offer not just beautiful picturesque views, but also a lot of fun activities like paragliding, snow-scootering, zorbing, rafting, kayaking, hiking.
Just like all the other places in India, Manali has a distinct collection of its street food to offer like Khatta, Babru. In addition to that, this place also offers non-vegetarian options like Trout, Chha Gosht, etc. You can easily find halal options here as well. One of the restaurants that offer halal options isChawla’ssquare.
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One of those hill stations that speaks about the enchanting beauty of our nature and that ushers romance, Munnar. Situated at a height of 5200ft above sea level close to the Kannan Deva hills of the Western Ghats, Kerala.
Known for its beautiful large tea plantations, these mesmerizing views can cast a spell on you.
Some of the places that you ought to visit are Echo point, the Atukkad Waterfalls for romantic picnic sites, Eravikulam National Park which houses a rich and extremely diverse variety of flora and fauna and is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
Munnar has a large number of famous and delicious food options that promise an everlasting imprint on your minds and souls.
Some of these mouth-watering dishes are Idiyappam with egg curry also called Noolappam, Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu aka Spicy chicken fry that is served on a banana leaf with the chicken fried in onion, garlic.
Another very famous item is Beef fry and Malabar Parotta. And the best thing about this place is that it has a bunch of restaurants that offer halal options.
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Shimla is one of the most popular vacation destinations in our country, which attracts a lot of international tourists too.
Settled on the top of seven hills, Shimla is also known as the Queen of hills. It is rich not only in scenic beauty but also houses some amazing unique places.
The oldest post office in North India is here, it is also the only place that has a natural ice-skating rink that that was founded by the Britishers in 1920. In addition to that, the beautiful church called Christ Church, which is the second oldest in North India is also present here.
You can also explore a lot of fun activities here, like taking the Toy train ride that passes through the Green hills and mountains, going berserk over shopping at the Mall road, getting your adrenaline rush at its peak, rafting at Tattapani.
Or for the serenity that you can’t find amidst all the noise in the cities, you can go for a nature walk in the Pine forests.
This place is an all-in-one package, so how can it disappoint the foodies out there? From decades-old food destinations to the new cafes, to fine-dine restaurants, there is something for visitors of every hue.
The same is the case with the food options available here. You can try the local cuisine like Madra, thukpa, Chha Gosht, etc.
Image Credit: RAJAT
Located in the state of West Bengal, this wonderful place is renowned as one of India’s most beautiful hill stations.
This town is crowned by the Kanchenjunga range. It has the single point from which you can take a look at the Kanchenjunga, Everest, the hills of Sikkim, Nepal, and China, at the same time.
The zoo here is also a breeding center for endangered species of animals like red pandas, snow leopards. Apart from this, it also offers breathtaking views where you can go for short hikes.
Darjeeling has its unique cuisine which is influenced by all its neighboring countries. The food that you will find here will have a touch of Nepal, China, and Tibet as well. There are a variety of options available for restaurants too, from small wooden structures serving the all-time favorite momos to British-era cafes.
The food is as diverse as everything else that you’ll find here, from traditional Nepali meals to Tibetan ones, from aloo dum to best mutton curries, you can never run out of options.
Image Credit: Pranshu Goyal
Situated in the heart of the majestic Himalayas, and our hearts, the beautiful gift of god on earth, is this place Gulmarg. It is not just any other hill station in India, it is a paradise on earth.
Reckoned to be the best skiing destination, it also has the highest ropeways from where you can enjoy the beautiful views of snow-capped mountains looking like small cotton candy. There are several pristine and stunning lakes adding to its beauty, that you can visit and feel awestruck.
Not only does this place offer some magnificent and amazing landscapes, but it also offers some heavenly food that you might not want to miss. Like Ghostaba, Rogan Josh, Mutton Nihari, etc. If you go there, start your day with Kahwa and end with Noona chai.
Image Credit: TEJASHVI VERMA on Unsplash
India isn't just about huge and populated cities. The Indian hill stations are a huge part of its geographical region. They're the perfect retreat for anyone looking for a quiet time amidst nature.
So, if you're not in the mood for visiting the big Indian cities, try including any of the above-mentioned hill stations.
You can also check out more blogs on Halaltrip to prepare your own itinerary for India!
