Best Hill Stations in India | Summer Holiday Packages
Beating the summer heat while sitting at home seems quite challenging this year. Reports claim that this year’s temperatures are way higher than usual. Air coolers or conditioners can possibly cool you only for a couple of hours but how about managing the whole day? The only way to escape from this kind of scorching climate is to plan summer holidays with your friends or family. And we’ve done all the groundwork for you—scouting for the best hill stations to visit in India for summer.
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.
Hidden Tourist Places in Tamilnadu
In this post, we will introduce you to the top ten unknown tourist places in Tamil Nadu. It includes hill stations other than Kodaikanal; tea estates other than Ootacamund; heritage sites other than Isha; forests other than Anaimalai; lakes other than Avalanche; spiritual centers other than Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple; and beaches other than Marina.
Most people know Tamil Nadu only as a pilgrimage destination. They think only ancient temples and spiritual centers dominate the tourist spots. But it also has numerous offbeat tourist destinations that are unique in nature, history, and culture. In fact, it is a secret treasure that every tourist has to embrace at least once in their lifetime. In this post, we will introduce you to the top ten unknown tourist places in Tamil Nadu.
It includes hill stations other than Kodaikanal; tea estates other than Ootacamund; heritage sites other than Isha; forests other than Anaimalai; lakes other than Avalanche; spiritual centers other than Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple; and beaches other than Marina.
Did you know? The state is also famous for some of the best road trips.
Tamilnadu Hidden Tourist Places: Top 10 Picks
- Pichavaram Mangrove Forest
- Poompuhar
- Dhanushkodi
- Berijam Lake
- Airavatesvara Temple
- Sri Ramana Ashram
- Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
- Kalrayan Hills
- Auroville
- Ariyaman Beach
Pichavaram Mangrove Forest
This destination is located in Chidambaram, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. It has the largest mangrove forests in India, along with backwaters. This makes it unique and owing to its unpopularity among people, it attracts fewer visitors when compared to other places in the state. So, if you’re tired of visiting places with higher footfalls, you can try this one and enjoy the serenity.
Poompuhar
Earlier called ‘Kaveri Pompattinam’, it was once a prosperous port and served as the capital of the Chola kingdom. Now, it serves as an important and unexplored cultural and heritage center. When visiting this tourist place, do not miss the Silappathikara art gallery and Masilamani Nathar Koil (a temple built in the early 1300s).
Dhanushkodi
It is an alluring 15-kilometer beach town that separates the Indian Ocean from the Bay of Bengal. Located at the end of the Pamdab island, this town borders India from Sri Lanka and is called the last road of South India. Dhanushkodi means ‘tip of the bow,’ derived from an important scene in the ‘Ramayana’ when Lord Rama pointed his arrow toward Sri Lanka. Hence, it is one of the best secret places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Berijam Lake
The forest department in Kodaikanal has set up South India’s first field-oriented eco-education center at Berijam, owing to its rich flora and fauna. It is located in the Dindigul district and sits in the upper Palani hills, southwest of Kodaikanal. A hundred years ago, Britishers visited this place and used it for transit camps.
Airavatesvara Temple
An archaic temple that was constructed in the 12th century by Raja Raja Chola II. Located in Kumbakonam, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the world-famous Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur. This temple is also known for its magnificent art and architecture. Visit this destination if you want to worship Lord Shiva (Airavatesvara) with the beautiful carvings of the stories of his Nayanars.
Sri Ramana Ashram
If you’re looking for a unique, divine type of tourism in Tamilnadu, this is the best choice! Situated at the Arunachala foothills in Tiruvannamalai, people visit this hidden gem to experience the most powerful spiritual vibrations of Ramana Maharishi. Once the home of the great Ramana Maharshi is now turned out to be his ashram called ‘Sri Ramanasramam’.
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
Kolukkumalai is a small town in Bodinayakanur, Theni. The tea estate of this town is known for having the world’s highest elevation in tea plantations. In addition, unlike other estates, they process the tea leaves using the most traditional, orthodox methods. You can visit this place to explore slow tea growth (due to the high altitude) and the vintage tea leaf manufacturing process.
Kalrayan Hills
This hilly region of the eastern ghats extends between two districts of Tamil Nadu, namely Salem and Kallakurichi. It has more than ten waterfalls and, indeed, tops the list of hidden tourist places in Tamilnadu. Taking your children here enables you to cherish the best moments. It has evergreen forests and vegetable plantations throughout the man-occupied areas.
Auroville
Having its origins in French, the word ‘Aurore’ means dawn, and ‘Ville’ means village, it is a man-made experimental township built in the Villupuram district of the state. The purpose is to unite humans across borders and ensure sustainable living through the transformation of consciousness. It’s still an unexplored destination. And you must visit here to embrace the best tourism in Tamilnadu.
Ariyaman Beach
Being twenty to thirty kilometers away from Rameshwaram, this is a small, tranquil beach that you can enjoy with your friends and family. Unlike other beaches in the state, this does not experience huge tourist footfalls. This is located exactly in Sattakkonvalasai. Notably, the waters are pristine and crystal clear without pollution.
Places to Visit in Nelliyampathy
The Nelliyampathy tourist destination obtained its name from ‘Nelli’ and ‘Pathy.’ ‘Nelli’ denotes the name of the goddess worshiped in and around the locality. ‘Pathy’ means the area or location. This hill station in Kerala is popular in southern India.
The Nelliyampathy Tourist destination obtained its name from ‘Nelli’ and ‘Pathy.’ ‘Nelli’ denotes the name of the goddess worshiped in and around the locality. ‘Pathy’ means the area or location. This hill station in Kerala is popular in southern India. And lately, North Indians and other foreign tourists are visiting the destination to admire its beauty. Though it has numerous tourist places, in this blog, we have briefed the top five of them.
Top 5 Nelliyampathy Tourist Places
- Meenampara
- Parambikulam
- Meenvallam
- Silent Valley
- Pothundi
Meenampara
This place is the best viewpoint in Nelli Hills. Indeed, you can relish the Nelliyampathy sightseeing the most from this viewpoint. The Meenampara estates are a great beauty themselves. Apart from that, you can delight in the stunning views of the valley, rivers, dams, coffee plantations, etc.
Parambikulam
Spread across more than 270 kilometers, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses exceptional wild animals like Nilgiri Langur and Tahr, Spotted Deer, Leopards, etc. Also, this place is known for teak plantations. You can spot the oldest teak tree called “Kannimari” here. Thus, it is considered one of the child-friendly tourist places in Nelliyampathy.
Meenvallam
If you’re looking for waterfalls in this tourist destination, then Meenvalla is the right choice. This place has about 9–10 waterfalls. However, only a couple of them are open to the public. You can visit this place after the monsoon season to cherish the best cascades. Other places in Nelliyampathy are more sightseeing and trekking, while this is a total pleasure and blissful experience.
Silent Valley
Amongst the Nelliyampathy attractions, this valley and the river “Kunti” are the most popular ones. You can reach the destination via jeeps that take you through the tropical forests of the Nelli Hills. This place serves as the home for many species of flora and fauna that have been facing extinction lately. You can find the lion-tailed macaque only in this region. You cannot miss the national park here, as it is totally mind-blowing with rich biodiversity.
Pothundi
Pothundi or Pothundy, is one of the rarest dams that was constructed without using a concrete or cement mixture. Uniquely, it was constructed with the help of jaggery and lime. Both the dam and the reservoir rank top on the list of Nelliyampathy sightseeing places. From here, you can get the best views of the Nelli Valley, the paddy fields, the Palakkad district, and a lot more.
For customized tour packages to visit these destinations, please contact us! We, at Emperor Traveline, have over 40 years of experience catering to the needs of travelers and tourists.
Other Nelliyampathy Places to Visit:
- Mayiladumpara
- Nenmara
- Seetharkundu
- Kesavanpara
- Chinganchira
- Raja Cliff
- Malampuzha
Nelliyampathy Tourism: Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t find your question in the given list, please drop it in the comments section. One of the Emperor’s travel experts will answer them shortly.
What is Nelliyampathy known as?
The place has two popular names. One is “Biker’s Paradise”—bikers are fond of this place, and the other is “Poor Man’s Ooty” or “The Second Ooty”—quite economical and affordable. This doesn’t mean Ootacamund is more expensive. But Nelli is cheaper than Ooty.
How far is the place from Palakkad and Cochin?
The place is about 55–60 km away from Palakkad. From Cochin, the distance is about 150 km. So, the best way to reach it is via Coimbatore airport and not Cochin airport.
What is special in Nelliyampathy?
The specialty of this tourist destination is its exoticness in climate, cleanliness, the beauty of the dam and the valley, lesser footfalls, the evergreen forests, orange cultivation, tea, coffee, and cardamom cultivations, etc.
What is the best time to visit Nelliyampathy?
The place experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon months, i.e., June to September. Hence, the best time to visit is between October and May. However, you can enjoy the best during the winter months (December to February).
Sightseeing in Gulmarg
Gulmarg, the popular hill station and skiing destination, can rightly be called the crown of Kashmir. It is the perfect picnic spot and has featured in several Bollywood films like Bobby, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and Highway, to name a few.
Gulmarg, the popular hill station and skiing destination, can rightly be called the crown of Kashmir. It is the perfect picnic spot and has featured in several Bollywood films like Bobby, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and Highway, to name a few. Adventure seekers, nature lovers and spiritual seekers will never run out of place to visit in Gulmarg. Here is a list of some of the must-see sightseeing spots in Gulmarg for a Stress Free Vacation.
Gulmarg Golf Course
Gulmarg Golf Course with its irregular curves is one of the largest 18-hole golf courses in the country. It was in the early 1920s that golfing began in the reign. Thanks to the British who chanced upon the golfing possibilities of the place while spending their summers here. It has now become one of the most popular golfing destinations in India.
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, which is home to a lot of rare species of avifauna, fauna and flora, is spread over an area of 180 sq km. Here you will find biodiversity in its richest form. It is situated at a height varying between 2400 and 4,300 metres above sea level.
Shrine of Baba Reshi
This is a popular religious haunt, which is known for its architectural splendour, built in the 13th century. It is dedicated to Baba Reshi, a Muslim saint, who is believed to have meditated here. People from all walks of life visit the shrine to seek blessings. The shrine is built in old Kashmiri architectural style and is a symbol of fine craftsmanship.
St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s Church built in Victorian style of architecture in the early 20th century is a major tourist attraction in Gulmarg. The church has grey stone walls and a steep green roof with wooden trimmings. It is surrounded by tall alpine trees and soaring mountains, which are covered with snow during winters.
Strawberry Valley
If you are visiting Gulmarg in the summer you are in for a delight. You get to taste the best strawberries you have ever tasted in Gulmarg’s Strawberry Valley. A walk to this unexplored part of Gulmarg will be certainly a walk to remember.
Apharwat Peak
Situated at an altitude of almost 4200 m above the sea level, the Apharwat Peak is one of the most stunning peaks in the country. It is located just a few kilometres away from the Line of Control (LOC). It receives heavy snowfall and is covered with snow all year round. This makes it an ideal spot for skiing. You can take a cable car ride to reach the spot.
Ferozepur Nallah
Between the beautiful Chinamarg and Nurpur Pass lies Ferozepur Nallah, an enchanting mountain stream flowing through lush valleys. It is surrounded by pine trees, verdant pastures and soaring snow-capped mountains. It is the picnic spot of your dreams. The place is also a popular fishing spot.
So, while planning a holiday to Gulmarg, make sure that you include all these charming places in your itinerary with the Best Travel Agency Tour package.
Travel Tips for Ladakh | Travel Agency
Ladakh, the mesmerizing heaven on earth, is at the Indus Valley at a very high altitude of the Himalayan ranges. What makes this cold, arid, and barren, desert, an epitome of unfathomable beauty is the scenic silence of nature with large snow capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, streams, strips of lush greenery, and unspoiled rich cultural heritage. However, this most wanted magical place on earth experiences scorching heat in summers and freezing cold in winters.
Ladakh, the mesmerizing heaven on earth, is at the Indus Valley at a very high altitude of the Himalayan ranges. What makes this cold, arid, and barren, desert, an epitome of unfathomable beauty is the scenic silence of nature with large snow capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, streams, strips of lush greenery, and unspoiled rich cultural heritage. However, this most wanted magical place on earth experiences scorching heat in summers and freezing cold in winters. To manage these drastic climatic changes, you must be aware of the weather, the best season to reach Ladakh, essentials to carry with and so on. This article on travel tips on Ladakh will guide you for an unforgettable adventure journey to Ladakh.
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.
