The hill stations in North India offer everything from undulating hill ranges covered in green, charming valleys, a spiritual atmosphere, and a painstakingly preserved culture. Still untouched by urbanization, most of them take you close to the purest form of nature.
The North Indian hill stations are a treasure trove of natural beauty and exciting activities. They are the perfect vacation destination for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustles of city life.
Leh in Ladakh, Dehradun in Uttarakhand, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir, Shimla and Manali in Himachal Pradesh – offer tourists memories of a lifetime. Waking up to gorgeous views and meeting the amiable residents of these serene hill stations is a unique experience.
Adventure seekers can enjoy camping atop hills, hiking in the forests, trekking up to snow-capped peaks, rafting, and rock climbing. Nature lovers can indulge in bird watching and wildlife spotting on their trip to these hill stations in North India.
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Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
The picture-perfect landscape of Spiti Valley will leave you short of words. This remote region located in Himachal Pradesh has an altitude of 12500 feet and receives only 250 days’ worth of sunlight each year. It is located at the base of the Himalayan mountains and surrounded by amazing snowy peaks from all sides.
The dreamy landscape of the valley can be witnessed from various peaks and viewpoints across The Himalayan Mountains. Kaza and Kibber are the best places to enjoy panoramic views of the valley. The mountain ropeway from Kibber to Chichum also offers spectacular views that are the perfect reward for this unusual journey.
The term Spiti means ‘The Middle Land’, and was given to this beautiful spot as it separates India and Tibet. This sparsely populated area is an adventure lover’s paradise with many trekking trails that you can choose from to explore the area.
Among the other trails are ones that take you to Tabo shrine caves and many popular Buddhist Monasteries in India including Dhankar Monastery, Kungri Monastery, and Tabo monastery. Chandra Taal, Dhankar Lake, and Suraj Tal Lake are the gems hidden across the valley offering awe-inspiring views.
Almora, Uttarakhand
The town of Almora, nestled in the Himalayan Mountains is said to be a horse-shoe-shaped hill station with pre-British heritage. The scenic views here make it an ideal getaway for travelers who want to spend their vacations amidst unmatched beauty and serenity.
Almora is home to some magnificent views, abundant wildlife, and sumptuous culture – a combination that is rare to find elsewhere. With two major rivers running through it – Koshi & Suyal – this agrarian destination promises visitors fun moments they’ll never forget as long as their visit lasts.
Almora is located in the Kumaon mountain range. Almora is a town of adventure, with many options for those looking to explore the great outdoors. Bikers can take their bikes along its roads lined with flower plantations, fruit orchards and Almora’s popular tourist places.
Zero Point and Bright End Corner offer majestic views of the ranges covered with untouched forests. You can also enjoy trekking and wildlife explorations at Jalna and Dunagiri. The Kali Sarada River provides the perfect rapids for adventure seekers.
Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir
Pahalgam is a picturesque hill city in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is home to some truly breathtaking natural beauty and lush greenery that fill the destination with awe. The bank adjoining the Liddar River offers adventure activities like hiking or trekking.
The Holy Amarnath Yatra starts from Chandanwari, located approximately 16 km from Pahalgam, making it a famous pilgrimage centre in India as well.
Pahalgam also offers offbeat activities such as snow sledging. It offers a lot of recreational outdoor activities among which the most popular is adventurous trekking. One can embark on an exciting hiking journey to Kolhoi Glaciers via Aru village. Sledging and fishing trips are also offered around the place.
Betaab Valley, Baisaran, and Lolab Valley are great places to bask in the beauty of Pahalgam. There are many popular tourist places to visit in Pahalgam, Sheshnag Lake that is situated near Pahalgam is another blissful spot for nature lovers. You can also buy authentic Kashmiri saffron from Pampore.
Auli, Uttarakhand
Dotted with apple orchards, old oaks, and pine trees, Auli is strewn with natural beauty. This quaint hill station in North India offers spectacular views of snow-draped mountains making it a popular honeymoon destination in North India. Auli offers beautiful slopes and a pristine environment for the perfect vacation at the hill stations in North India.
Located in the Garhwal Himalayas, these hills are popular for skiing and trekking. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (GMVL) runs a ski resort and a ski rental shop in the hills. Trishul Peak is the most popular skiing spot in the region.
Auli Ropeway is one of Asia’s longest and highest cable cars. It operates at a height of 3010 meters above sea level. The ride covers 4 kilometers with 10 towers. It carries 25 passengers per trip of approximately 25 minutes up to Joshimath.
Trekking to Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat, and Joshimath is also available from Auli. Other smaller ranges for trekking are Gorson, Kuari Pass, Tali, Khulara, and Tapovan.
Kufri, Himachal Pradesh
Kufri is located approximately 16 km from Shimla. It is a popular hill station in North India, famous for its snow-laden peaks, skiing, and the Kufri Zoo. Skiing and Tobogganing on the snow-covered slopes while enjoying the scenic views around you is a thrilling experience.
There are many popular tourist places to see in Kufri, the town’s main attraction lies at 2,720 meters on the Mahasu peak. You can reach it by hiking up to the peak or enjoy a pony ride from the parking lot. The scenic location offers thrilling views of Shimla Valley. The trail up to the Himalayan Nature Park is perfect for trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts. As a reward for the five to eight days long trek you get to witness over 180 species of beautiful birds and some rare mammals.
You can also enjoy go-karting at the highest Go-Karting track in the world, located at the Kufri Fun World. A horseback ride from the parking lot takes you to the Indira Tourist Park, where you can spend a fun day relaxing with your family. The Kufri Zoo is home to animals such as Sambar, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, and Black Bear. Yak rides are also offered at the zoo making it a fun place to visit with family and kids.