Indian summers are bothersome with the unbearable scorching heat that makes anyone uncomfortable moving out from their respective abodes to take a break from their work. But that’s not a solution to shelve your travel plans & damper your willingness to venture out to some distant place for your holidays. There are top hill stations near Delhi where you can enjoy your vacation. These places are ideal for travelling as they give you respite from the sweltering heat & humidity. Since winter is here, you should take advantage of this opportunity to experience snowfall & explore major attractions.
Best hill stations near Delhi where you can enjoy your vacation
If you want to enjoy your vacation, there are places to visit near Delhi for a weekend getaway. Here is the list of places to consider, starting from:
Dharamshala
Located in the high altitude of the Dhauladhar Range, Dharamshala is one of the best places to explore in Himachal Pradesh. The city had been a military cantonment for Britishers in the mid-19th century. Stocked with many top sightseeing spots in Dharamshala, including temples & Buddhist monasteries, you can experience nature walking, admire the picturesque natural beauty of the Dhauladhar range, & experience peace at Buddhist pilgrimage spots.
- Best time to visit: October to June
- Popular attractions: Kalachakra Temple, Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang Complex Dalai Lama Temple, etc
Ranikhet
Carry your camera as you will come across many scenic attractions, including snow-clad mountains, lush greenery & touring temples in Ranikhet. Your visit to this hill station will become more joyful with activities like boating, golfing, hiking, & even fishing. This hill station is truly an ideal retreat for nature lovers, & adventure seekers.
- Best time to visit: October to June
- Popular attractions: Binsar Mahadev Temple, Mankameshwar Temple, Bhalu Dam, Haidakhan Baba Temple, Ranikhet Golf Course, Tarikhet, Rani Jheel, etc.
Manali
Manali has always been an apparent pick for most travellers in India. It is also one of the evergreen hill destinations in Himachal Pradesh to explore for its gifted natural beauty, & numerous tourist spots. Moreover, there are many things to do in Manali for a joyous winter vacation. These include bathing in natural sulphur springs, fishing, exploring Naggar Castle, voyaging to Jagatsukh Village, rafting, shopping, & admiring mountain scenery.
- Best time to visit: October to June
- Popular attractions: Hadimba Devi Temple, Manu Temple, Vashisht hot springs, Rohtang Pass, Tibetan Monastery, Van Vihar National Park, Old Manali, etc.
Munsiyari
If you are uncomfortable travelling to crowded places, Munsiyari in Uttarakhand is also one of the hill stations near Delhi to visit, as it is the least crowded. Hence, you can admire the captivating scenic beauty and cool weather with your partner. You can travel to this hill station by train or have a joyful bus ride with nature viewing. Photography & hiking are some of the best activities to indulge in at Munsiyari.
- Best time to visit: April to June & October to November
- Popular attractions: Madkot village, Betuli Dhar, Darkot village, Birthi Falls, Harkot Waterfall, Kalamuni Temple, Tribal Heritage Museum, Maheswar Kund, etc.
Shimla
Shimla is a popular hill station in India, pulling a tourist footfall for its unmatched natural beauty & places that are worth visiting. In winter, many tourists throng to this hill station to experience snowfall. It is when this capital city of Himachal is covered with a snowy blanket. This hilly wonder is worth exploring for its cool weather, colonial grandeur, lush greenery, & activities like ice skating, Kalka-Shimla toy train ride, hiking, shopping at Mall Road, etc.
- Best time to visit: October to June
- Popular attractions: Kali Bari Temple, Mall Road, Jakhoo Temple, Bantony Castle, Annadale, Johnnie’s Wax Museum, Himachal State Museum, Town Hall, etc.
Naukuchiatal
Naukuchiatal is famous for its lake of similar name. The lake got its name because of its nine corners. If you are planning a romantic getaway, this place is your ideal spot to celebrate love amidst its serene environment & with boating, fishing, & hiking. This natural water body is said to be 40 ft below.
- Best time to visit: October to June
- Popular attractions: Naukuchiatal Lake, Jangalia Gaon, Hanuman Temple, Sattal Lake, & Bhimtal Lake.
Mukteshwar
Mukteshwar derives its name from the famous Mukteshwar Temple, attracting Shiva devotees across the region. This place is simply heaven in terms of its abundant greenery & watching high-peaked Himalayan mountains from a distance. Many must-see places in Mukteshwar make your winter trip more thrilling & rejoicing as you can engage in activities like snow games, nature viewing, hiking, & photography.
- Best time to visit: October to June
- Popular attractions: Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple, Chauli Ki Jali, Inspection Bungalow, Bhalugaad Falls, Dhokaney Falls, Jain Temple, Starscapes Observatory, etc.
Nainital
Nainital needs no special introduction, as every traveller is familiar with this evergreen hill station in Uttarakhand. Located at a high altitude of 6830 ft, this place makes an ideal trip for family vacationers, honeymooners, friends, or even solo travellers. Make your visit to Nainital memorable with activities like nature walking, boating, rock climbing, trekking, photography, ropeway rides, rappelling, & shopping.
- Best time to visit: October to June
- Popular attractions: Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Naina Peak, Hanuman Garhi, Bara Patthar, Pashan Devi Temple, GB Pant High Altitude Zoo, Tiffin Top, etc.
Mashobra
Mashobra is a small hilly town & is one of the hidden gems near Shimla. It is the best retreat for those who consider travelling to least-crowded places. When it comes to exploring the natural attractions, this hilly town is not behind in grabbing the attention of tourists with its babbling streams, lush oak forests, waterfall, mist-bathed hills, & fruit orchards. In winter, you can involve yourself in activities like skiing, camping, rappelling, trekking, paragliding, picnicking, quad biking, river rafting, & shopping for handicraft items.
- Best time to visit: October to March
- Popular attractions: Reserve Forest Sanctuary, Craignano, Wild Flower Hall, Tattapani River, Lakkar Bazaar, Chadwick Falls, Mahasu Devta Temple, etc
Mussoorie
When listing India’s top-notch hill stations, you will also find Mussoorie in it. This fantastic travel destination is appealing with its pristine skies, pleasant weather, cool breeze, & cascading waterfall. Besides these, tourists would love to enjoy wildlife viewing, rock climbing, boating, trekking, & admiring the scenic vistas. It is one of the famous hill stations near Delhi.
- Best time to visit: April to June & October to November
- Popular attractions: Mussoorie Lake, Lal Tibba, George Everest’s House, Jabarkhet Nature Reserve, Kempty Falls, Bhatta Falls, Gun Hill, Mossy Falls, etc.
Palampur
Palampur is northern India’s famous tea capital, making it a perfect weekend destination for tea lovers. Besides tea, there are many top attractions in Palampur to consider visiting for your winter holidays. This hilly town’s name derives from the word ‘Palum’, which means a lot of water. Endowed with mountains & mild climate, Palampur is an ideal holiday destination. Paragliding, picnicking, pottery making, trekking, & appreciating artwork are some exciting activities here.
- Best time to visit: March to June & November to February
- Popular attractions: Tea plantations, Jwalamukhi Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Bir Billing, Triund, Baijnath Temple, Andretta, Norbulingka Institute, Dhauladhar National Park, Saurabh Van Vihar, & others.
Dalhousie
Last on the list is the incredible hilly town of Himachal Pradesh. Planning a trip to this hill station in the Chamba district will be a refreshing experience when you explore the town’s natural beauty & enjoy trekking (light or medium), sightseeing, & viewing the mountains. The place derives its name from the Governor General of India, the Earl of Dalhousie, who laid the foundation of this hill town in 1854. Visit this place for its cool weather & picturesque sceneries.
- Best time to visit: October to June
- Popular attractions: Khajjiar, Panchpula, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Satdhara Falls, Chamera Lake, Ganji Pahari Trek, Dainkund Peak, Subhash Baoli, etc.
Conclusion
So these top hill stations near Delhi are worth exploring for their natural attractions & hidden gems they are stocked with. If you plan for a memorable holiday, then jüSTa Hotels & Resorts lets you stay at its luxurious resorts that are located in major states of India, including Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, & Delhi-NCR. Visit the official website to get an overview of all the staycations.