7 Hill Stations In India You Should Definitely Explore This Summer

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Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir

As the temperatures all over the country are soaring, there’s one place that is particularly chill. And that’s Ladakh. The tourist season begins in June, and be ready to be swept away by the panoramic scapes, the turquoise skies and the infinite mountains that’ll surround you. Word of caution: prepare yourself for a dramatic drop in the temperature post sunset. There’s your summer retreat!

Photo of Leh by Sakshi Bhalla

Tirthan Valley, Himachal

Tirthan Valley is situated on the banks of River Tirthan, and if you are looking for the magical blend of adventure and seclusion, here’s where you need to be this summer. You can camp, trek, fish trout, bird watch and more. And once you are exhausted, you can go sit by the riverside and watch the sun set. Inviting, isn’t it?

Photo of Tirthan Valley, Nagini, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sakshi Bhalla

Kohima, Nagaland

Kohima is your off-beat choice for the summer. It is urban but picturesque. It is forested but beware of the traffic jams. It has sprawling cafes and hole-in-the-wall retreats. Kohima, therefore, mixes many worlds. Explore the markets and museums, the Catholic Cathedral and the War Cemetery and come back enriched. Don’t forget to pick up a story or two from the folks down at Bara Basti, though, which should not be missed at any cost!

Photo of Kohima, Nagaland, India by Sakshi Bhalla

Shillong, Meghalaya

Nestled away in the hills of Meghalaya, Shillong is quite a town. It offers a break from the heat wave, of course, but what makes it an incredible getaway is how it has retained its wilderness despite becoming increasingly urban every day. Shillong boasts of so, so many water bodies worth your interest, and boy, are they worth it. Be it Ward Lake, Elephant Falls or Umiam Lake – each deserves its own day and its own pan shot. The many museums and galleries (Butterfly Museum, anthropological Museum, Zoological Museum etc) will make your stay an enriching one too!

Photo of Shillong, Meghalaya, India by Sakshi Bhalla

Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand

There’s no place better than Mukteshwar if it is a distant yet compelling view of the Himalayas that you seek. Climb up to the highest point and you’ll be surrounded by the Garhwals, and the Himalayas will stare at you from a distance. And if you happen to catch the sunset – oh! Get away from the city and find some peace. And it is best when you are surrounded by deodar forests.

Photo of Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand, India by Sakshi Bhalla

Dibrugarh, Assam

You know how you crave that cup of tea to start your day, or at the end of a long hard one, or sometimes, just to wake up? Forget all of that. Welcome to Dibrugarh, the Tea City of India. Take a Tea Tasting tour and open your senses to the taste, the feel and the fragrance of the beverage your day depends on. Besides this, find exotic flora and fauna at Namdapha National Park or visit the Tilinga Mandir (also known as The Temple of Many Bells) for little adventures that the quaint town offers.

Photo of Dibrugarh, Assam, India by Sakshi Bhalla

Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir

It’s’ Venice of the East’ calling this summer, and it is the retreat. Be it the Dal Lake and its shikaras or the Mughal Gardens and their state of spring – they will all leave you with many a story.

Photo of Srinagar by Sakshi Bhalla