Introduction
You may have heard the saying that the higher you go, the cooler it becomes. This is what happens in mind hill stations. These hills are more relaxed than the plains during summer. A cooler air floats on them, making them tourist attractions. Hill stations are a good choice for tourists who visit in summer. The origin of the hills is in the colonial period when colonialists chose these areas to cool off. Travel agencies ensure that visitors get to enjoy these spots in the hot summer. The hills have changed over the years. The population has since increased in a large number. As a result, the construction of roads and buildings also grew. They are no longer the quiet hills that were present in the colonial days. Yet, they remain the best places to spend your summer. They are many activities that one can do while visiting them. The fresh air makes it easy to explore them without enduring the summer heat. This write-up consists of select hill stations near Delhi. It contains activities to do when summering here.
1. Mussoorie hill station
This town is located 279 kilometers from Delhi. It is one of the most beautiful hill stations. History shows that a British officer established it during colonial days. This is a lovely spot to enjoy cool and sunny summers. The weather is more favorable between April and June. You can also visit Mussoorie town between October and November. These are the perfect times to escape the harsh summers on the plains. The hill station is infamous for its clear skies and cool breeze. It has an altitude of 6500 feet above sea level. This means the fresh air settles on the hilltop, making it more refreshing. There are a ton of activities you can do while here.
Make your trip exciting by frolicking on the waterfalls. Trekking and a little hiking a good way of enjoying the scenery. The natural views, while walking, will make your trip memorable. If you are a fan of rock climbing, this is the place for you. The boating experience on this hill station is one of a kind. Tourists soak in the gentle sun as they enjoy the scenery around them. Boating on these hills is a unique experience you don’t want to miss. Besides, there are many wild animals that you can admire while on this trip. Other than these experiences, there are beautiful places to visit. Some of them have a rich history of the town. They include; Mussoorie lake, Kempty falls, Soham Heritage, and art center. Other amazing places are the camel’s back road, Gun Hill, and K Dev Bhoomi wax Museum. You can access Mussoorie via trains running from Delhi to Dehradun. You can also use the road, which at least 1 hour and 20 minutes.
2. Chail
This hill station is located 340 kilometers from Delhi. It is infamous for being the world’s largest cricket ground. History has it that Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala established it. This maharaja built this resort according to his specifications. Chail is more peaceful than other hill stations near Delhi. It has a reputation for its green jungle. At 7300 feet above sea level, it cooler than other hills. This enjoys this peace because it not commercialized as other hills. It is the perfect spot for a cool summer away from the city hassle. A large area of the hill is covered in pine and deodar trees. Besides, the green fields offer great scenery for anyone who wants to relax. It is the cricket field that is more exciting. It is a well maintained field that is surrounded by natural scenery. Other than that, there are many activities you can do while here. Most tourists trek from this hill to Shimla. The hill station also has a wildlife sanctuary that is attractive to photographers. Besides, frolicking in the lake and temple touring are fun activities to do on this hamlet. Winters are very cold in Chail, and summers are warm. So the best time to visit this station is between June to October. You can get to Chail using taxis and buses via Chandigarh.
3. Nainital, Uttarakhand
This hill station is within 300 kilometers near Delhi with an altitude of 6830 feet above sea level. It is also known as the lake district of India. It is also surrounded by seven hills, which make it a big tourist spot. The unique surrounding of the town makes it unique. The hills and lake Naini give it a tourist feel. Percy Barron established the town in 1841. It has since grown to become a tourist hub. It is famous for having the most local and foreign tourists. You will not want to miss the scenic mountains on your visit. Other places to visit here are Lake Naini, pashan Devi temple, Observatory, and cave garden. You should also include the Tiffin shop and snow view in the package. While visiting, you can go boating on the lake. It is a unique experience to be surrounded by beautiful nature. Other activities are roping, trekking, photography, and rock climbing. The best time to enjoy to make these memories is between June to October. The hill station is accessible by road from Kathgodam.
4. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
This hill station is at 360 kilometers from Delhi. It has an altitude of over 7000 feet above sea level. It was the capital of British India. As such, it has many colonial buildings and historic temples. The iconic 12km long ridge is its famous landmark. The conducive weather in summer makes it suitable for families. Couples on their honeymoon also find Shimla ( 10 Amazing Things To Do In Shimla )a good spot for enjoying their new life. It also has malls, toy trains, and the ridge, which are tourist spots. The ridge, in particular, gets crowded during peak seasons. It provides an air of vibrancy around it, making it exciting. If you are selecting places to stay for summer, you must consider Shimla. You can visit the Jakhu temple, Kalka Shimla Railway, and Kuthar Fort. Besides, Mall Road and green valley are good as well. There are a ton of activities to do in Shimla, such as paragliding or trekking. Others are sightseeing, hiking, and mountaineering. The town can be accessed via Shimla airport. You can also use buses or taxis for your transport.
5. Auli, Uttarakhand
This station has an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level. It is the coldest hill station during the summer. It is usually calm and sunny during the summer. The station has hilly slopes covered grass carpets and coniferous trees. Located at 364 kilometers from Delhi, it is the best for your summer trip. While the plains of India are very hot, choose this station to make your trip fun. The hill station is famous for its skiing slopes. You don’t have to be an expert in enjoying skiing here. It also has the longest cable car at 4km. You can use the vehicle to access the station from Joshimath. It is a site that is full of tourists, and it is a good place for family visits and honeymooners. While at Auli, you can enjoy the snow peaks of Nada Devi and Trishul peaks. There are many places to visit while in Auli. Exciting places are Chenab lake, Kwani bugyal, and Auli artificial lake. Other sites are the holy town of Joshimath and Vishnu Prayag. The hill station is only accessible using the cable car from the town of Joshimath. Tip: the cable car I Auli is the longest in Asia. The best time to visit Auli is from January to march for skiing and from April to August.
6. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali is one of the fun places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. It is located at least 556 km from Delhi and has an altitude of 6500 feet. It is a commonplace that you must include on your summer trip. The hill station is located along the banks of river Beas and at the end of Kullu valley. This position gives it a picturesque view of the Himalayas. It is a fun place that one cannot afford not to visit. The station also has cool summer weather that you can enjoy without enduring the heat of Delhi. It an escape place for lovers, families, and adventurists. While here, you can visit the Manu temple, hot springs, and the Tibetan monastery. The Van Vihar national park and Rohtang pass are places you can also visit. Fun activities to do include bathing in natural Sulphur springs, rafting, and sightseeing. You can also go shopping or explore the Naggar castle. The hill station is accessible via trains and buses. You can also take a plane to Chandigarh and a bus, later on, to arrive at Manali ( 20 places to visit in Manali ). You can visit Manali at any time of the year to enjoy yourself.
7. Dharmshala, Himachal Pradesh
This is the headquarters of the Kangra District. It is a famous hill station for honeymoon tours. It is located 485 kilometers from Delhi. It has an altitude of 1475 meters above sea level. The British cantonment founded the station in the 19th century. The station is located between the winding Kangra Valley. It is also headquarters to his holiness Dalai lama. It is rich in Buddhism and Tibetan cultures. It is very peaceful to have a tour at this station. Besides that, the Kangra valley is lush green with coniferous and oak trees. You can get a good view of the snowcapped Himalayas from here. Tourists often camp at Triund in Dharamkot or trek on the Triund Trek. The fun starts as you drive towards the station. Kangra valley offers a picturesque view to its visitors. Also, you can visit the Dalai lama temple, Chamunda temple, and Kangra art museum. The kareri lake, Namgyal monastery, and Indru nag are also fun places for your visit. Make a point to visit Dharmshala ( Top 10 Things To See And Do In Dharamsala ) for your trip, and you will not regret it.
8. Dalhousie
Dalhousie is one of the best stations to escape from the hot summers in Delhi. It is located 576 kilometers from Delhi. It has an altitude of 6460 feet above sea level and boasts cool weather. It is the perfect place to relax, have fun, and finish your summer trip. The hill station was founded in 1854 and was named after the governor of India, Lord Dalhousie. It is the gateway to Chamba valley and has snowcapped mountains around it. The green picturesque hill station is a favorite for many tourists. It has fantastic scenery that is soothing to the body and soul. The dhauladhar mountain range is a plus for the viewers and provides the cool weather. Some of the places you can visit here are the Chamera dam, and Satdhara falls. You can also visit Dainkund peak, Panchpula peak, and Kalatop wildlife sanctuary. There are a ton of fun activities to do while here. You can always do excursions, trekking, picnics, and wildlife viewing. You can visit Dalhousie at any time of the year. It is the best place to enjoy the summer without enduring the excess heat in Delhi.
Conclusion
The above hill stations are not the only ones in India. There are also other enjoyable fun places that you can spend your summer. The fun part is that they allow you to escape the excess heat in Delhi during summer. Other options that you can explore are mount Abu and Lansdowne. You can also Khajjiar and Solang valley. There are also other unexplored places for adventurous visitors. They include Mukteshwar, Binsar, and Kausani. These are hill stations that will make your summer worth to remember. Most of these hill stations were established during the colonial time. They are an excellent place to learn history while having fun. Besides, some have cultural and religious associations. As a native and a foreign tourist, summers on these hill stations is a value for money. They give you a break from the commercial hassle of Delhi. They are places you can relax and enjoy the scenery. You get to interact with flora and fauna. You cannot afford to miss these places. If you are summering in Delhi, ensure you include one of them in your travel plans.