You Must Visit These Top Hill Stations in India
Even though India is known for its history and monuments, tourists who visit India never miss witnessing the beauty of hill stations. Besides, after introduction of Online Visa in India, more tourists are adding more places to visit to their itinerary. Over a hundred hill stations are located in India, each with a unique climate and landscape.
British officials built India's hill stations as a way to get away from the scorching plains. As British officials were used to the cold weather of Europe, the extreme hot climate of the Indian plains was unbearable for them, which led to the development of hill stations in India.
Thus, hill stations like Shimla served as summer administrative centers for comfortable governance during the hot months.
Though all hill stations in India are beautiful and have something memorable to offer, we have compiled a list of the top 5 Indian hill stations for you to add to your itinerary. Before you visit India, make sure you check your eligibility for Indian E-visa and have all the documents ready for hassle-free trip to India.
Indian Hill Stations You Must Visit When Exploring India
Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
Kasol sits in the beautiful Parvati Valley. It is a popular destination for backpackers. You'll see lots of Israeli tourists here, which is why some people call it "Little Israel of India."
Things to do
- Go on a trek to nearby villages like Malana or Tosh
- Visit the hot springs in Manikaran
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla used to be where the British ruled India during the summer. You can still see old British buildings here. Stall around Mall Road. You can also shop from local artisans and try Indian street food.
Don't miss
- A ride on the toy train from Kalka to Shimla
- You will surely love the mountain views, especially when you look at them from the train.
Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
If you like serenity, Lansdowne is the place to go. Not many tourists know about it, so you can really relax here. Lansdowne is home to an army base; therefore, the town is clean and tidy.
Check out
- Tip-n-Top viewpoint for great views of the Himalayas
- The War Memorial to learn about Indian army history
Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
Dalhousie got its name from a British leader. The town has lots of old buildings and beautiful pine forests. You can visit Dalhousie any time of the year.
Must-do
- Take a trip to Khajjiar, a pretty place with meadows and a lake
- People call Khajjiar "Mini Switzerland"
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
Pahalgam sits in a pretty valley called Lidder Valley. Adventurers and lovers of the natural world adore this location. Many people start their Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage from here.
Try these
- Go fishing in the Lidder River
- Take a pony ride to nearby valleys like Baisaran or Betaab
Avoid hassles and save time by applying for an Indian e-tourist visa online. The process to get an e-visa online is simple and also more convenient. Click here to view the application form.
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Indian Government has brought about significant changes to its Visa policy since September 2019. The options available to the visitors for India Visa are perplexing because of multiple overlapping options for the same purpose. Learn more at What Types of Indian Visa are available.
Citizens of many countries including Bulgarian citizens, Croatian citizens, French citizens, Honduran citizens and Malaysian citizens are eligible to apply for Indian e-Visa.