Best Hill Stations in India to Visit This Summer (Cool, Budget & Hidden Gems)

As every summer, millions of Indians search for one thing, and that's a single thing: escape. Plains scorch from the blazing sun and the families, the couples, the single travellers and backpackers make their way over to the mountains. Luckily, there are several of the world's most amazing hill stations in India ranging from snowy slopes in the Northern Himalayas to misty hills of Western Ghats in the south.

From cool breezes to budget-friendly getaways, from off-the-beaten-path to budget-friendly traveling, this guide has everything covered in terms of the best hill stations in India for different types of travelers. Whatever your travel tastes are, there is something in there for all of you this summer ranging from places that you have definitely heard of to places that you haven't even considered yet!

So pack up your bags, leave the heat behind, and let us of the mountains call you home.

Why Not Visit Hill Station In India This Summer?

During the summer months (April to June) the temperature regularly surpasses 40° in the cities such as Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Lucknow. Hill stations, on the other hand, enjoy a comfortable temperature of 10°C to 25°C for the remainder of the year during these months. Also, many Himalayan routes are open during summers when roads are also open after winters.

Apart from the weather, these places in the Indian hills provide:

• Stunning scenery ranging from woods with pines, tea gardens, snow peaks and waterfalls.

• Well-preserved local culture including tribal groups, colonial architectural sites and Buddhist temples

• Trekking, paragliding, river rafting, camping and other adventure activities are prohibited.

• Travel is available for all budgets, especially convenient to travel.

1. Manali, Himachal Pradesh: The Classic Summer Escape 

Manali is a favourite summer destination and also a winter wonderland in Himachal.

Manali is certainly the number one summer destination in India. The scenic Manali, nestled at 2,050 metres above sea level in the Kullu Valley, is a synthesis of adventure, romance and natural beauty.

In summer, the Rohtang Pass (3,978 m) opens up, allowing snow to be seen as far south as May and June. Besides, the area of Solang Valley is a hub for paragliding, Zorbing and snow activity. The lanes of Old Manali are lined with café and are in tune with bohemian spirit and love of the backpackers.

best for adventure lovers, couples, and/or solo travellers.

Average Summer Precipitation: 250 mmol – 250 mm

Budget tip: Get a room from the guesthouses in Old Manali starting at ₹500/night.

Top attractions to see in Udupi include Don't Miss: Hadimba Devi Temple, Jogini Waterfall and Vashisht Hot Springs.

2. Darjeeling, West Bengal: The Queen of the Hills 

Perched at 2042 metres Darjeeling is synonymous with misty mornings, endless tea gardens and the iconic toy train which UNESCO has registered as a World Heritage. In addition, Kanchenjunga, the third tallest peak in the world, can be peeped over the skies, a sight which is truly memorable.

One of the best time to visit Darjeeling is during the summer season, the skies clear out between the months of March to May before the monsoon. The entire time on the DRH is enough to make even the most deserving of travelers happy.

Ideal For: All families, nature and photo lovers

Snowfall: Possible, but heavy in northern regions.Snow Cover: Thin, but heavy up north.

Use shared jeep service from NJP or Siliguri, rather than private taxi: Budget Tip (Saving Money Horror – how to save $$$).

You can also visit Don't Miss, Tiger Hill sunrise, Happy Valley Tea Estate and Peace Pagoda.

3. Ooty, Tamil Nadu: The Nilgiri Queen 

Udhagamandalam or Ooty it is a star of a hill station in South India during summer. Sitting at 2,240 metres in the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty is the cooler side of the geographical and lush beauty of southern India. Notably the Nilgiri Mountain Railway another UNESCO Heritage toy train goes through beautiful scenery of eucalyptus and tea estates.

Each summer thousands of people visit the Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake and Doddabetta Peak. Furthermore, the nearby Coonoor has a less commercialised ambiance with serene atmosphere for those wanting to be away from the hustle-bustle.

Best For: Honeymooners, Families and nature lovers

Maximum Summer Temperature: 20°C

Ooty Shopping Tip: Shop around local market for some home-made chocolates and cheap Nilgiri tea!

Top attraction items are: Don't Miss: Rose Garden, Pykara Waterfall, Mudumala National Park

Also Read: Places to Visit in Ooty

4. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand: The Queen of Hills 

Mussoorie is one of the most approachable hill stations from Delhi as it is only 2000m above sea level and 35 km away from Dehradun. It is thus one of the most popular hill stations in Northern India, particularly during summer weekends.

There is plenty to do up Mall Road with Kempty Falls and Lal Tibba viewpoint offering more leisurely opportunities. Also, Mussoorie is a transit point to Dhanaulti and Chakrata, two beautiful and lesser crowded places surrounding Mussoorie.

They are best for: Weekend travelers from Delhi NCR cities, families.

Daily rainfall: 1mm – 2mm

Library Bazar: cheaper rates for accommodation there!

Don't Miss: Gun Hill, Camel's Back Road, Bhatta Falls 

Also Read: Mussoorie Travel Guide

5. Coorg, Karnataka is the India's Scotland.

Coorg (Kodagu) is one of the pretty unravished gem of all hill stations in India. At 1,500 metres, Coorg is nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka amidst the coffee plantations, misty hills and tribal culture.

Summer is a great time of year to visit, before the early rains come on board in June. Few places in the hills offer anything like trekking up to Tadiandamol Peak, visiting the site of Abbey Falls, and the Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary. Besides this, Kodava community is warm and have different kind of cuisine in their region which makes Coorg unique.

Best for: Nature-lovers, trekkers, wildlife seekers.

Humidification/Summer Cooling: 36% - 46% (during summer)

Budgeted Tip: Live in a ‘homestay' operated by local coffee planters, which is cozy, inexpensive and genuine.

Do not miss out on these places: RCA (Raja's Seat), Dubare Elephant Camp, Iruppu Falls.

6. Kasauli, arka Himachal, the Jacuent Ogle Hill Town.

When you grow tired of the hilly areas of overcrowding, Kasauli is the solution. A little hamlet in the hills of HP, at a height of 1800m, is one of the secrets of India. This town is a charmer with its colonial architecture, kurigram of streets, ancient churches and so on, and the smell of pine trees all around.

That's perhaps what makes Kasauli a place different from Shimla and Manali.Kasauli is not as commercialised as Shimla and Manali, a feature which makes it special. Moreover, it is only 65 km away from Chandigarh and an easy weekend get away destination.

Ideal For: Solo travellers, couples looking for quiet retreats, writers.

Average Summer Precipitation: 100 mm – 200 mm

Budget Tip: Kasauli is an affordable destination throughout the year and there are guesthouses available here at an affordable rate of ₹800–₹1,500/night.

The best places to stay are Sunset Point, Monkey Point, Christ Church.

7. Chopta, Uttarakhand: The Mini Switzerland of India 

Chopta is definitely one of the prettiest unrenowned little hills stations in India. Located at 2680 metres in Garhwal Himalayas, Chopta is the "Mini Switzerland of India", with panoramic view of Trishul, Nanda devi and Chaukhamba peaks.

From Chopta, the journey to holy Maharaj temple honours Shiva here, Tungnath and the journey to Chandrashila peak is one of the most rewarding short hikes in the Himalayas. In addition, Chopta is quite tranquil even during the busy summer season, making it perfect for those that are looking to discover solitude in nature.

Best For: Travelers, spiritualists, and frugal explorers!

Average Summer Rainfall: 1,340 – 1,560 mm

Rent a house in Chopta so you can save money on the hotels—it's as cheap as ₹400 an evening.

Avoid missing out the trek to Tungnath Temple, the visit to the Deoria Tal and the Ukhimath also.

8. Munnar, Kerala: The Tea Capital of South India 

For those who appreciate rolling green hills, hilly valleys and cascading waterfalls, Munnar is a paradise. The Munnar Tea lovely plantations have so much to offer which happened to be located at 1600 metres altitude in Idukki district of Kerala is just one of the ideal hill stations in India during the summer season due to its cool weather.

Eravikulam National Park with an endangered species like Nilgiri Tahr is a must visit. Furthermore, the rare 'Neelakurinji' flower grows after every twelve years covering the hillsides in a spectacularly gorgeous purple carpet in Munnar. In a few years, the next flower will present itself but for now Munnar's beauty does not require such an auspicious event.

Best For: For couples, nature lovers and birdwatchers.

Daily Rainfall: 30 mm – 50 mm

Choose reliable and economical guest houses in order to save your money - Book KTDC (Kerala Tourism).

Waterfall: Don't Miss: Mattupetty Dam, Top Station, Attukal Waterfall.

Don't Miss: Mattupetty Dam, Top Station, Attukal Water Fall.

9. Lansdowne, Uttarakhand: The Forgotten Hill Station 

Lansdowne is one of the least known-and certainly one of the most peaceful—hill stations in northern India, just a 250km journey away from Delhi. The small cantonment town, at 1,706 metres top altitude, is well-preserved to this day, especially because it is still an army cantonment.

The town itself is surrounded by a dense oak and blue pine forest and the solitude is almost meditation. Thus, a traveller who wants to escape from the city noise, but not very far from home, will surely love this place called, Lansdowne.

Ideal for: Select one of the above groups

Average Summer Humidity: 50 – 75% (RH)

Budget: Very few tourists visit so accommodation is plentiful and low in price.

The best places here to see are the Tip-in-Top viewpoint, Bhim Pakora and the Garhwali Museum.

10. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh: The Land of the Rising Sun

If you are one of those adventurous travellers, Tawang won't be anywhere like any other hill station in India. Tawang is located in a very distant area of Arunachal Pradesh, near the Chinese border, at a height of 3048m, where one can find one of the biggest monasteries in the world and also the largest in India.

The best time to visit is in the summer season (April-June) before the rainy season causing dangerous roads. The drive to Sela Pass (4170m) is one of the more spectacular mountain drives in the country. Also, Tawang has an authentic Tibetan Buddhist culture and pristine natural settings that make it appear as if it's in a different world.

Best for: culture enthusiasts, adventurers and photographers

Along with the high humidity, the average summer temperature can be 5°C to 18°C.

Tourist tip: Limited types of accommodation - book in advance to save money; Government tourist lodges are cheap.

Don't Miss: Tawang Monastery, Madhuri Lake, Bum La Pass 

Quick Comparison: Best Hill Stations in India by Category

Advice on spending a vacation on a mountain this Summer.

• Book early: Hill Station hotels are booked up quickly May-June. Make reservations for at least 4 - 6 weeks ahead.

• Layer up: Even on a warm hill stations, the nights can get cold. Always have a light jacket with you.

• Ensure road conditions: For Himalayan destinations make sure to check the road status prior to travel.

• Bring cash: Cash is the standard currency in many of the hill towns, and they may not have many ATM machines available, nor be a lot dog friendly.

• Respect local culture: Modesty when (en)tering temples and/or monasteries and do not photograph locals without permission.

• Travel On weekdays: Week stations, in the vicinity of metros like Mussoorie, Kasauli are quite crowded during weekend.

Conclusion

India's hills are some of the best in the whole of Asia, varied and dramatic, and extremely enriching. From Manali, the place of the snow white popsicle sticks, to Tawang, the royal capital, and from the Dalry tea plantation, to Darjeeling's misty gardens and Munnar, to Chopta and Lansdowne (where the forests tell tales in silence), the best hill stations in India are sure to create stunning memories.

Planning a mountain getaway is challenging, and proper planning is the trick to making it happen. This is where Paradise Yatra comes into play. With their vast knowledge of the Indian hill destinations, they can design a holiday package that suits your budget, lifestyle and style, for a quintet of kids on another brilliant tour of the hills, a couple on their honeymoon, or the single backpack who dreams on sea shores. Let go of all the stress and expenses of organizing your trip and concentrate on the mountain air and each and every moment.

Reserve your ideal hill property getaway with Paradise Yatra today because summer deserves the mountains after all!