Five Best Hill Stations in North India During Summer

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

An amazing scenic beauty with an amusement park, Kali Bari Temple, horse riding, Toy train rides, Pabbar River, Kufri Avenue, Kullu Valley, fishing, skiing, etc.

Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir

A must-visit destination in the snowcapped Jammu with Asia’s longest cable car, adventurous skiing, the world’s largest Golf Course, and a biosphere reserve.

Auli, Uttarakhand

Visiting Auli Uttarakhand in summer could be your best decision this year, as you can enjoy trekking, the artificial lake, Nanda Devi National Park, and camping.

Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

Most people might know this place through the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium. However, regarding tourism, it is home to the Dalai Lama, cedar forests, rock temples, and many spiritual centers.

Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

Widely referred to as the ‘Queen of Hills’, it is a wonderful place for kids to cherish the aquarium, zoo, gaming zones, and magic shows.

Five Best Hill Stations in South India During Summer

Ooty, Tamil Nadu

A pristine South Indian hill with beautiful lakes, botanical and rose gardens, and tea estates. Be sure to taste their homemade chocolates!

Munnar, Kerala

Though it is famous among newlywed couples as a honeymoon destination, it is a perfect summer vacation place for you to embrace waterfalls, dams, a national park, and viewpoints.

Coorg, Karnataka

Another magnificent hill station in South India that you cannot miss this summer! The unique spots include the elephant camp, trekking, Abbey and Irupu Falls, Madikeri Fort, and Gaddige Raja’s Tomb.

Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

One of the tranquil hills that encompasses cloud-touching viewpoints, Shola Falls, pine forests, caves, two lakes, a solar observatory, and the daring Devil’s Kitchen.

Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka

Popular among trekkers, this hilly place houses the highest peak of Karnataka—the Mullayanagiri Peak. It also has two to three waterfalls, viewpoints, a coffee museum, and a national park.

Need help booking your tickets, making reservations, and arranging a tourist guide? Contact us!

Top Eastern-side Hill Stations in India

Shillong, Meghalaya

Indeed, tourists flock to this destination to admire the stunning beauty of Shillong Peak, Umiam Lake, Air Force Museum, Elephant Falls, etc.

Darjeeling, West Bengal

According to us, this is the best hill station to visit in May in India. It amazes visitors both in winter and summer with its toy train, observatory, monastery, Tiger Hill, temple, and zoo.

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

One of the incredible summer destinations in northeast India, with India’s largest Buddhist monastery, the Tawang War memorial, waterfalls, a lake, and Sela Pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is best Darjeeling or Ooty?

While both of them are among the top five best hills in India, each of them is unique. On one hand, Ooty is known for tea plantations and emerald green forests. On the other hand, Darjeeling is known for its snowbound mountains and adventure activities.

2. Which hill station is best for summer vacation?

It depends on your preference for footfalls, food, culture, activities, things to do, type of places to visit (heritage, romantic, pilgrimage), etc.

3. What are the 5 famous hill stations in India?

India has a plethora of hills and highlands. Thus, it is extremely difficult for one to list out the top five. However, the most important of them that you cannot miss visiting at least once in your life are Shimla, Gulmarg, Ooty, Manali, and Darjeeling.

4. How to plan a summer trip to these hill stations?

Forget about the planning headache when the leading tour operator is ready with summer holiday packages offering customizations in your itinerary—check out the packages now!

5. Who is the king of Hill Station?

While Mussoorie is called the queen of hills in India, the king of hills could be Shimla in North India or Ooty in South India. When considering Central India, Panchmarhi should be the right choice. And in eastern India, Darjeeling should be the one.

The island lies between the two tranquil seas—the Arabian Sea ​​and the Laccadive Sea. This serene archipelago of islands is divided into three sub-groups, namely the Laccadive Islands, the Amindivi Islands, and the atoll of Minicoy. Together, they comprise twelve atolls, ten untapped or uninhabited islands, three coral reefs, and five submerged banks. Breaking news on ​​Lakshadweep: A diplomatic row between India and the Maldives! 

An unopposed answer to “How to reach Lakshadweep?”

​​According to “the Administration of the UT of Lakshadweep,” Kochi or Cochin in Kerala, India, is declared to be the gateway for all tourist purposes. Tourists can reach Lakshadweep from Kochi either via air or waterways. The island is almost four hundred kilometres away from the Indian coastal area (western side).

Important note: Irrespective of any reason, by law, any non-native person is restricted from entering the Lakshadweep Islands. An entry permit is required from the authorities of the Lakshadweep Administration. Click here to download the permit rules!

Flights to Lakshadweep

Agatti is one of the most beautiful lagoons in Lakshadweep, with coral reefs. The reason why Agatti Island is so special is that it is the only island in Lakshadweep that has an airport. So, if you choose to travel via airlines, you have no choice but to book flights from Cochin to Agatti Island. The travel time takes around one hour and two to thirty minutes.   

Flights are operating from Bangalore to this special island, but include Kochi as a mandatory stop. And there are no direct flights. So the travel time is more than three hours from Bangalore. Check the Agatti flight schedule released by the Airport Authority of India. 

From Agatti, tourists can reach other islands either via ferry boats or helicopters. The best way to visit Kavaratti, Bangaram, Thinnakara, and Kadmat is via boat. Helicopter availability may vary based on the monsoon. Also, the only major helicopter transfer is from Agatti to Kavaratti.

Travel to Lakshadweep by ship or cruise

Traveling from Cochin to Lakshadweep by waterway could be the best voyage you can ever have. You can enjoy the emerald waters as well as explore the routes to various islands, including Minicoy, Kavaratti (the capital of Lakshadweep), Kadmat, etc. There are seven passenger ships from Cochin:

• MV Lakshadweep Sea Ship
• MV Kavaratti
• MV Amindivi
• MV Lagoon
• MV Corals
• MV Minicoy
• MV Arabian Sea Ship

The Kochi to Lakshadweep ship duration is about fourteen to twenty hours. To avail of tickets for the ship, Click here! Additionally, from Beypore Port, Kozhikode, Kerala, the following ships help you travel to the islands:

• MV Tipu Sultan
• MV Bharat Seema
• M.V.Dweep Setu

Particularly, the MV Tipu Sultan Ship can carry 650 passengers.  

While all these ships are comfortable for tourists in South India, Mumbai Port helps travellers from North India. The Empress, a Cordelia Cruise ship to Lakshadweep, incurs a passage time of at least four nights. It also depends on the island you choose for your journey. Notably, Cordelia Cruise is one of India’s premium or luxury cruise lines.

Regardless of the ship you choose, you can revel in the different accommodation classes—A/C First Class, Second Class, and Bunk Class. Also, there are clinical cabins with doctors, cafeterias, entertainment events, snack bars, etc. For the best experiences at Lakshadweep, plan your travel with the Best Travel Agency Tour Packages >>> 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Which is the nearest airport to Lakshadweep?

Agatti is the only island in Lakshadweep with an airstrip to safely land the flights and hence it is the only nearest airport to reach this beautiful archipelago. Book cheaper flights with Emperor, the leading flight ticket booking agency in India. 

2. What is the procedure to visit Lakshadweep?

The first thing to do when visiting the island is to seek a permit from the respective authorities. Worry not; travel agencies can help you with permits and flight or cruise ticket bookings. So, you don’t need to break your head on these. Authorized quick links for the entry permit are here!

3. Is Lakshadweep expensive?

The expense depends on how many days you’re resorting to these islands. For example, if you’re visiting the island just for two days, the cost would be less than INR 25,000. But if you want to explore at least two or three islands and stay for 3–4 days, it might cost INR 50,000–65,000. 

4. Is a passport required for Lakshadweep?

For Indian tourists, a passport is mandatory as it is a Union Territory of India. For foreign tourists, a visa is mandatory. 

Goa, India

For couples who are looking to tie the knot, India’s tropical getaway destination offers amazing backdrops. Goa offers every amenity you can think of in exotic India, and it is already a favourite wedding destination for Americans, Europeans and Asians.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman is one of the world’s most beautiful tropical paradises. It is also a romantic wedding destination, thanks to its amazing beaches, watersports that are absolutely unrivalled, crystal clear waters, and hotels that are some of the best in the world. For those who want a beachfront destination wedding the Grand Cayman is perfect.

Ireland

Ireland with its evergreen countryside offers unbelievable landscape for your dream wedding. Here, you will find an eclectic mix of wedding venues for rent ranging from mansions, elegant or rustic country houses to castles that will make any bride’s wedding amazing. Incredible venues, the rolling hills as far as the eye can see, and Celtic magic in the air make Ireland one of the most romantic wedding destinations in the world.

Bali, Indonesia

With its incredible food and culture this tropical paradise offers a unique destination wedding that is sure to amaze all of your wedding party! Jimbaran Bay is stunning and it is the most popular spot in Indonesia for destination weddings.

Paris, France

A wedding in Paris is every bride’s dream. It is the perfect locale for a dream wedding. You can book a hotel that offers the view of the Eiffel Tower so that the best of Paris will be there in all your wedding pictures.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is a major romantic wedding destination. The beauty and rich history of Greece, and breathtaking views, coupled with favourable exchange rates make Greece the most sought after wedding destination. The Greece’s mainland and Greek Islands have some amazing wedding locations.

Jamaica

From Negril to Montego, Jamaica offers a number of venues for couples to tie the knot amongst soft sand and surf and palm trees! They also have some of the best hotels that offer all-inclusive wedding packages that allow couples to create a personalized celebration.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen, located in the heart of the Mexican Riviera, is a paradise on earth and one of the most perfect romantic wedding destinations. It has luxurious accommodations, idyllic beaches, and is just a short plane ride away from major US cities!

Morocco

A wedding in Morocco will be romantic and unique to the core. It is one of the most sought after destination wedding locations that has much more to offer that you can ever imagine. Morocco has a unique blend of cultures. The food, architecture and traditions are just incredible.

Fiji

Fiji, one of the most incredible islands in the world, is also one of the most popular places on the planet for honeymoons and destination weddings. To avoid the rainy season just be sure to plan ahead!

Are you’re looking to get married on one of these world’s most romantic locations. Choose the best travel agency for the International honeymoon tour packages and make your moments enjoyable with your loved couple.

Whimsical Fiji Islands

This is the Eden of private beaches. Include this paradise on earth in your honeymoon tour package and celebrate your love. As you explore the sky blue waters and the dark-leaved jungles let love wrap you around.

Things to do: You can sunbathe on the beaches, swim with your love across the infinity pools, indulge in water sports or enjoy a couple spa. There are many luxury villas on the island and many fine dining options.

When to Visit: The best time to visit would be from July to September. But the islands invite tourists all year round.

Outlandish Greece

Greece is indeed a romantic destination and is part of most honeymoon tour packages. Sandy beaches, clear waters, pleasant climate and romantic resorts make Greece a perfect honeymoon getaway.

Things to do: Impressive landscape offers a lot of sightseeing possibilities. You can walk hand in hand on the sandy beaches, go diving in the crystal clear waters, and dine at the romantic restaurants.

When to Visit: Mid-April to mid-June & September to mid-October are the best time to visit Greece.

The sands of Seychelles delights

Seychelles is a perfect romantic getaway. Its exotic, rich and secluded sandy beaches are just what couples long for when they book a honeymoon tour package to Seychelles. What makes it magical is the solitude of the destination.

Things to do: You can enjoy water sports, take a walk through the virgin rainforests and enjoy an unforgettable stay at the comfortable resorts on the islands.

When to Visit: You can visit Seychelles all year round.

Wild Kenya

If you love adventure, Kenya is the destination for your honeymoon.

Things to do: For wildlife enthusiasts Kenya is among the best adventurously romantic destination. As you witness the wildlife walking all around you, you can dine with your love under the trees. You can also enjoy a hot air balloon ride over Masai Mara with your love and enjoy the spectacular views.

When to Visit: From July to September is the best time to visit Kenya.

Royal Romance in Morocco

For a honeymoon in the deserts, you must head to Morocco.

Things to do: The spices, colours and antiques of Morocco add to its charm. The medina is a fantasy world. You can enjoy the sunset and some of the best cuisines here with your love. Gazing at the star-filled sky as your ceiling you can sleep in a lodge in the middle of the desert.

When to go: April to May & September to October

An Evening in France

France offers a lot of sightseeing options and fine dining romantic restaurants.

Things to do: Get some fabulous pictures clicked against the backdrop of Eiffel tower. In your honeymoon tour package include sightseeing at the Rhone-Alpes region or sail across Seine.

When to Visit: Except July-August, you can visit France all year round.

Kauai:
Kauai is beautiful with lush greenery and mountain tops covered in clouds, the perfect spot for couples who love to be outdoors. The scenery is stunning. Beach-lovers can have a ball enjoying the sunsets, sands and waves. Kauai is also a hiker’s paradise. Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Trail are a must-see for hikers.

Maui:
Like Kauai, Maui is also part of the Hawaiian island chain and is the second largest island in Hawaii. It is famous for its scenic beauty with tall cliffs, beaches with powdery sands and is the best place for windsurfing and snorkelling. Couples who love outdoors and adventure, think no further than Maui.

Charleston:
This South Carolina city is surrounded by barrier islands. The beaches are wide and perfect for solid surfing. To top it all is the five star resorts. It exudes the southern charm and is perfect for a romantic honeymoon.

Lake Tahoe:
Lake Tahoe is peppered with diverse beaches. Some are secluded spots while others are best for scuba diving. The water is crystal-clear and most beaches have shades and parking spaces, which make them just perfect for a honeymoon. Couples can spend the day on the lake and catch the sunset at Emerald Bay.

Lanai:
Lanai is a romantic destination of untouched tranquillity. It features world-class resorts and markedly unique attractions. It is the most exclusive of the Hawaiian Islands, and is not at all crowded. Honeymooners will find solace is the serenity offered by Lanai.

Honolulu – Oahu:
Oahu is known for its diversity. It is one of the best places to snorkel. Honeymooners can get pampered at luxury resorts, as well as indulge in retail therapy, and dine at some of the finest restaurants in Oahu. For art lover couples, there are avant-garde art museums in Honolulu. And if you are lucky you might even get to see honu, the Hawaiian green turtle.

Savannah
Just 20 minutes away from the historic downtown Savannah is the Tybee Island, which is famous for its blue waters, soft rolling waves, and a relaxed atmosphere. After a stroll through Forsyth Park, feast on some classic Southern comfort foods.

Key West
Literary and history buffs can enjoy spending their honeymoon exploring the historic places here. Key West’s relaxed vibe and sunny beaches attract the non-literati. All the beaches in Key West are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkelling.

Cape Cod
Cape Cod beaches are the finest in the world. The scenic beauty is breathtaking and it is the best place to have a quite holiday. You can spend your days relaxing on honey-coloured sands and enjoying the tasty seafood.

Sandia Crest, New Mexico

For hikers and backpackers, New Mexico is not the first place that comes to their mind when they are planning a snowshoeing adventure. However, it snows quite a lot in the northern part of the state, and it is the ideal location for couples. You can take the air tram to Sandia Crest and snowshoe down to the mountain base.

Black Hills, South Dakota

The Black Hills of South Dakota is mostly visited by travellers in the summer to see Mount Rushmore. There are also other famous landmarks in the American West enroute. What not many people know is that, this is also a great place to snowshoe during the winter. You can even spot rare wildlife species in the Custer State Park, which spans thousands of acres. You can start snowshoeing from Centennial Trail beginning at Bear Butte Lake and then head towards Wind Cave National Park.

McCoy Park – Beaver Creek, Colorado

The Beaver Creek area of Colorado, about 100 miles from Denver, tops a snowshoer’s itinerary. McCoy Park has 32 kilometers of trails and offers stunning views of the area’s mountain ranges. It is quite sunny here, and that gives you the much needed warmth in the cold winter. If you love luxury, there are resorts, which let you access the trails by lift. If you want a little more fun in the snow, head to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Park.

Mt. Seymour – British Columbia, Canada

It is a couple-friendly snowshoe destination that offers many other sightseeing and recreational activities. Mt. Seymour is suited in British Columbia’s North Shore. Here, snowshoers can indulge in pretty much all winter sports.

Queenstown, New Zealand

It is well-know that New Zealand has a lot to offer when it comes to warm-weather adventure sports. However, not many know that it is an ideal place for snowshoeing during the winter too. Apart from its great possibilities for snowshoeing, what makes it a great destination for couples is it fine-dining restaurants, bars and shops.

Lapland, Finland

Apart from snowshoeing, you can take a walk into the wilderness in the Lapland area. There are also quaint little villages in the area. You can have a stopover in these villages and enjoy some hot snacks and drinks.

New York looks fabulous and invitingwith white snow, colorful lights, pretty decorated trees and brightly lit stores. Though it gets really cold during Christmas, these enchanting sights of the metro city will not dampen your spirits. The Rockefeller Center is one of the main attractions in the city with a 70 feet conifer that is decorated with five miles of Christmas lights. You could also enjoy ice skating there. If nothing, just a lazy walk down the lanes of this lively city with a cup of hot chocolate in your hand and admiring the zillion sparks of colorful lights from the many many stores is a treat to the eyes.

What is Christmas without a Santa Claus? The Santa Claus Village which is also known as Europe’s Christmas capital is located the foot of the Arctic Circle. It has Santa themed parks that has a real reindeer, a tour of Santa’s workshop. Every year around Christmas this place attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world to witness the marvel of Santa Claus.

Caribbean is another classic Christmas destination. With its warm weather and a nature friendly place, you definitely do not want to miss this awesome place. The famous islands to visit are Barbados, Tobago, Anguilla, Dominican Republic. With some of the world famous beaches present here you can have a fantastic vacation with many things to do. You could also rent a Caribbean villa for a family together.

Reykjavik in Iceland offers a beautiful Yule Town Christmas with a city filled with peculiar Christmas traditions. You could also get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The winter trips to Iceland is very exciting with its humungous glaciers, warm hot springs and geysers, epic volcanic craters and cascading waterfalls.

Provence in France has music played in medieval churches that is perfect for the Christmas festive feel. There is a huge Christmas market where people throng and celebrate with fervor and joy. The lights across these cobble stoned streets are a pretty sight which can not be missed.

Nuremberg in Germany boasts of an impressive Christmas market with over 200 vendors who put some excellent stalls to compete for the most beautiful stall design award. There are some breathtaking historic castles and museums to visit here in Nuremberg.

Barcelona in Spain is worth a stay during the holiday season. The city looks magnificent with canons, fireworks and a huge parade of camels, elephants and giraffes. The pristine beaches, the modern art and architecture, the mountains all are a beauty in Barcelona. This is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Spain and is a major tourist attraction.

Durango in Colorado offers a mountainous Christmas with no much hype and fanfare. Its serene white snowy surroundings relaxes your mind and helps you celebrate a peaceful Christmas. You could try skiing in this famous ski spot.

Weather and Tips

Due to the extreme chill climate during winter, with temperatures falling below -20 °C, Ladakh is closed to visitors in the months of November to February. Summers experience scorching heat with colder nights. As a rain shadow region, Ladakh receives an annual rainfall of 6”.
In summers, you can carry cotton wear for the daytime and trekking activities; still one needs warmer clothing during the night.
The best time to visit Ladakh is the monsoon season from June to September, as the area receives sparse rainfall. You can enjoy a warm climate, occasional showers, and chill winds. Trekking shoes, extra sandals, wind sheets, rain coats are essential.

Altitude and Precautions

As Ladakh is situated at a very high altitude of 3000 m above mean sea level, altitude sickness due to low oxygen level is most common. Some symptoms include headache, nausea, irregular breathing, fatigue, etc. To overcome this, some basic precautions to follow are:

• Drinking warm water at regular intervals
• Adequate rest for first two days
• While trekking, do not exert too mush strain on yourself
• Spend little time at high altitude passes
• Within one or two days, your body will get used to low oxygen and later you can spend your time with lots of ease.

Do not miss the activities

Trekking at Ladakh’s glaciers is the most adventurous and exciting activity in the whole of the world. As the trekking season starts from June, one can plan the visit during this period. Those not keen on long trekking can opt for short treks and visit monuments and monasteries. Adequate warm water and woolen clothing is essential even during trekking.
Mountaineering in the accessible peaks is another great activity that adventure lovers would enjoy. However, foreigners will need permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Which will be acquired by Best Travel agency packages

Your adventure journey to this remote and most wanted place is incomplete without experiencing river rafting at the deep canyon and roaring white waters of Indus and Zanskar. Those experiencing river rafting for the first time can choose the stretch from Spituk to Karu. A guide’s help is always advisable.

Chief attractions at Ladakh

Buddhist monasteries, Leh palace, Hall of Fame, Palaces of Shey and Sto, Museum, and Shanti stupa are not to be missed out.

Dos and Don’ts

• Do not use plastic bags.
• Never litter waste and dispose them effectively by burning or burying.
• Do not photograph the local nomads without permission.
• In national parks, never try to disturb the wild life.
• Always carry a water bottle.
• Try to book tickets and accommodation in advance.