Hill Stations in Himachal Pradesh have long been sought for their serenity and tranquillity. A classic bird’s eye view of the city, the surrounding lush green and the pristine fog are some of the good things that one has to see and experience at any hill station. Always the ideal spot to relax and get energized, popular hill stations in Himachal Pradesh have the surrounding peace and serenity is the sole reason why we experience inner peace more and wish to keep coming back. It is hardly a surprise that we insist on a break from the buzzing city life and may even think of taking up hermitage. Hill stations are always an epitome of beauty, majesty, and richness. Hill stations in Himachal Pradesh have sparkling rivers and the lush and vast greens add to the trekking experience and are a lifetime memory to behold.
When Should You Visit Hill Stations in the Himalayas?
The peak of the summer season like in April, May, and June are the ideal times to visit Himachal Pradesh. Fairs and festivals are organized by the state, which will always give you a peek into their tradition, handicraft, religious beliefs, etc. All shopping lovers out there go crazy in Himachal around this time!
What Should You Carry When You Are Going To Hill Stations in Himachal?
Except if you are going on a trek, you need to convey the standard stuff as when you travel to different spots. Make sure to take an additional cover and a coat to shield yourself from the chillness. Before you go trekking, here are a few things you should have in your sack.
- Track Pants and Shoes: Remember that when you go on a trek you have to wear the most agreeable garments. Your shoes have a task to carry out in the amount you can follow. Purchase track shoes that are perfect for trekking. For the jeans, keep away from cotton 3/fourth or tracks. A quick-dry gasp is a decent decision. If you are trekking in height above 5000m, use wind confirmation and water evidence pants.
- Raincoat: Whether summer or winter, raincoats are an absolute requirement when on a trek to the Himalayas. A windproof coat and a raincoat that is water-resistant is a necessary thing to carry while on trek.
- Balaclava: Carry your Balaclava and a woollen skull top for complete warmth. They provide good protection against the virus, if any, present in the hilly areas.
- Waterproof and Woolen Gloves: Gloves will prove to be useful if it starts snowing and woollen gloves is a decent assurance against the chilly atmosphere.
- Climbing Socks: Do not use 100% cotton socks. Woollen socks are the best alternative to it. Cotton socks tend to dry out the skin which isn’t perfect for damp atmospheres. Go for full-length socks.
- Hiking Beds: Hiking beds will be valuable for those of you who are enjoying nature. Make sure to convey a warm base for your body, particularly on the off chance that it winter
8 Breath Taking Hill Places You Can’t-Miss in Himachal Pradesh:
The Himalayas will simply have you awestruck and are an awesome thing to experience. But the trick lies in finding the right place to relax and let your hair loose. Here are some of the best hill stations to visit in Himachal Pradesh
1. Shimla:
Shimla is the “Queen of Hills.” The most famous and quaint hill station in India, Shimla is known for its breathtaking beauty of oaks and pines. While the rest of India suffers from the scorching heat of the sun, Shimla shines in the mighty fog and is home to uncountable tourists every year. Shimla is undoubtedly the best hill station in Himachal Pradesh.
- What Should You See: If you visit Shimla, then do visit the Chadwick Falls and the Jhakhoo temple which is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Once there, do try out the river rafting at Tattapani. It is another common thing for all adventure lovers.
- How to Reach: From Delhi, you can simply take a bus to Shimla that will hardly take some 7 hours. If you wish, you can also take a train to Kalka from Delhi and then make sure you take a toy train to reach Shimla. It will take roughly about a day or so. The train goes extremely slow, but it sure is a beautiful journey and makes sure you reminisce all the scenic beauties of the place as the train goes through the hills and tunnels.
- Best time to visit: In May-June
[See Also: Best Himachal Pradesh Valleys]
2. Manali:
Another right spot for the summer season is Manali that is covered with snow along with the beauty of the neighbouring hills. Manali is undoubtedly the most famous hill station in Himachal Pradesh. The soul seeking spiritualistic vibes will welcome you as you enter the beautiful city that resonates with the smooth sound of Beas, coupled with the aroma of burning pines. Manali has also been the favourite honeymoon spot for new couples.
- What Should You See: Do visit the Hadimba Temple, it is surrounded by Deodar trees and is known for its beautiful architecture. The Solang valley is another nearby beautiful destination that offers paragliding and horse riding. The Rohtang Pass is just another place that you sure cannot miss out on. Enjoy a hot glass of tea here while you can peacefully stare into the distant Himalayan Peaks.
- How to Reach: You can reach Manali from the nearest railway station of Ambala and Chandigarh. There are plenty of buses that ply between these cities to Manali. The coach and taxi come at a reasonable cost.
- Best time to visit: In November-December
3. Dharamsala and McLeodganj:
The two most famous destinations that fill the air with Buddhist chants offer a range of local attractions that will keep you busy. Located in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges, the cities attract a massive crowd, especially in June and July.
- What Should You See: The Bhagsu falls are a popular tourist attraction here. The Bhagsunath temple is another spot, located just next to the falls that you must visit. You will also find a lot of Buddhist monasteries here.
- How to Reach: The place is only 4 hours from, and there are a couple of local buses available. When you reach Dharamsala, you can take the next bus to McLeodganj that will take another twenty minutes to get you there.
- Best time to visit: In May-June
4. Chail:
Situated among the Shivalik hills, Chail is surrounded by thick pine forest and deodars. The pleasant weather throughout the year attracts crowds to the place that offers more than just a peaceful retreat. The area is also preferred by a lot of trekkers, and it is common to see people who come here to trek very often.
- What Should You See: There is a Chail Wildlife sanctuary which offers a treat to wildlife lovers and bird watchers. Watch out for the Himalayan black deer, Indian Porcupine, langur, wild boar, goral, etc. The red jungle fowl house itself here. Kali ka Tibba is an ancient Kali temple that you can visit. You can also see the highest cricket ground here.
- How to Reach: Kalka is the nearest station to Chail. You can take a taxi or a bus from Shimla. For those of you travelling by air, Shimla is the nearest airport to Chail.
- Best time to visit: In August-September
5. Kullu:
Kullu is another name we often think of when we hear the Himalayas. The beautiful valley is known as the ‘Valley of Gods,’ one that is blessed with beautiful waterfalls, orchids, and flower-filled meadows. Kullu is also a famous spot for many trekkers and hikers. We sure don’t want you to miss Kullu on your Himalayan trip.
- What Should You See: Visit the Manikaran Gurudwara, the Great Himalayan national park and try your luck at river rafting and paragliding. The Kheerganga hot spring is another thing you need to experience.
- How to Reach: You can reach Kullu via Bhuntar airport or from Chandigarh railway station, about 270 km away from Kullu. From the airport, the place is only 10kms away, and you can hire a taxi to Kullu.
- Best time to visit: In April-June
[See Also: Best Places to Visit in Himachal Pradesh]
6. Kufri:
Love to ski? Then Kufri could be the ultimate destination for you. Kufri attracts a lot of skiing enthusiasts, especially in the winter. Imbibe the fresh air and feel the calmness of the place slowly take you over. The picturesque Kufri is also a retreat from the scorching summer in the city.
- What Should You See: The Himalayan Wildlife zoo is a major attraction here that is home to a lot of animals like bears, musk deer, snow leopards, antelopes, etc. It is also the right place for all the bird watchers. The Kufri Fun World is an amusement park that you can visit.
- How to Reach: Kufri is eight hours from Delhi by bus, and the nearest airport is the Shimla airport that takes about an hour from there to reach Kufri.
- Best time to visit: In November-December
7. Kasauli:
Kasauli is a scenic Himalayan village that is 70km away from Shimla. The hill is covered with misty clouds and deodar trees, making it look thick and packed. The pine and chestnut trees are looking beautiful on the mountains above. The beautiful British colonial architecture, old-style bungalows are all characteristic of the hill station.
- What Should You See: The Mall road is the lifeline of the hill station that has tourists from far and wide shopping for authentic woollen stuff. Visit the monkey point that offers a beautiful view of the night in Chandigarh from above.
- How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Kalka that you can reach from Delhi. Kalka connects to Kasauli with a lot of local trains. Kasauli is 40kms away from Kalka. You can also contact the place from taxis at Kalka.
- Best time to visit: In June-October
8. Palampur:
It is also known as the Tea Capital of North India. It is located in the Dhauladhar ranges in the Himachal and is a favourite spot for all nature lovers. And also a preferred honeymoon spot. The hill station is home to many cascading waterfalls, tea gardens, and crystal clear streams. Experience the ultimate happiness of seeing the beautiful nature playing in the lap of the Himalayas.
- What Should You See: Try paragliding at Bir- Billing which is also known as the Paragliding Capital of India. Palampur also has a lot to offer for all the trekkers.
- How to Reach: Pathankot will be the nearest railway station to Palampur, and it takes about 7 hours to reach Palampur. You can try the Himachal Transport buses to reach Palampur from Delhi or Chandigarh.
- Best time to visit: In April-June
[See Also: Most Romantic Places in Himachal Pradesh]
The Himalayan trip will be a lifetime experience. For those of you just looking to relax, the Himalayas and its cities have a lot to offer. For the trekkers and hikers, the place has a lot of surprises for you. Carry home a bag of memories along with the calm and tranquil that you will get only here, after your home!
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
1. Which hill station is the nearest to Delhi?
Ans: These are some hill stations near Delhi:
- Kasauli which is 6 hours away from Delhi
- Mussoorie which is 6 hours away from Delhi
- Nainital which is 6 hours away from Delhi
- Shimla which is 7 hours away from Delhi
All hill stations in Himachal Pradesh are well connected via train and bus route, and you can easily travel to these locations without any hassles. These are a must-visit if you reside in Delhi or anywhere near it. One of the essential travel tips for Himachal Pradesh is to be courteous, adaptable, and friendly behaviour. Do not be rude or arrogant with them but always keep track of the cab drivers’ information. Avoid travelling or driving late in the night due to low visibility and safety issues.
2. What are the coldest places in Himachal Pradesh?
Ans: Himachal is home to some of the coldest places in India. Lahaul and Spiti districts in Himachal Pradesh is the regions that experience the most frigid weather in the state. Keylong is the coldest place in Himachal which has a temperature of some minus 3.9 degrees Celsius. Moreover, Keylong and Kalpa which are present in the tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur are considered as the coldest place in Himachal Pradesh with the minimum temperature recorded at minus 3.9 degrees Celsius and minus 3 degrees Celsius respectively.
3. What are some of the famous foods of Himachal Pradesh?
Ans: Some favourite dishes of Himachal Pradesh are given below:
- Kullu Trout Fish
- Madra
- Dhaam
- Tudkiya Bhath
- They or Spicy Lotus Stem
4. Which dance is famous in Himachal Pradesh?
Ans: Himachal is famous for numerous dance forms; however, “Nati” is one of the most famous dance forms of Himachal Pradesh. Nati (dance) is performed on every occasion like Marriages, Functions, etc. it is a beautiful dance form. Tourists from all around the world come to witness this fantastic dance form.
5. What all adventurous sports can I indulge in while in Himachal Pradesh?
Ans: Himachal Pradesh is home to many lush valleys full of greenery which are surrounded by snow-capped hills. There are various fun activities which you can indulge in while in Himachal Pradesh. Adventurous sports like skiing, paragliding, etc. are a must-try while in Himachal. You can book holiday packages from various tour providers which are inclusive of airport transfers, cab, resort, sightseeing, and meals to Shimla, Manali, Kasol, Dharamshala, and more.
Now that you have read the article, you know what to pack for your trip to these hill stations. Most of these are a hub of tranquillity and peace and provide a much-needed break from the hectic city life. The hillside provides opportunities for sightseeing and playing many adventure sports like river rafting, bungee jumping, etc. too! If you found this article helpful, then do give us appropriate feedback. Happy adventuring! If you have visited any of these places, then do tell us about your experience there in the comment box below.
