Exotic, Tranquil, Verdant, Lush Vales: Unraveling Every Side of India

What comes in your mind when you hear hill stations in India? Surely, the great Himalayas. Rivetingly, hill stations in this diversely landscaped nation aren’t confined to the fabled highlands of Himalayas. The western and eastern Ghats followed down by the southern panoramas are equally idyllic getaway destinations. You cannot unravel the pearls of nature endowed in the lofty and wobbly hill-scape without traveling to the heavenly highlands flourishing in all four corners of the country. While those located in the north are prominent for their tranquility, those in the south are more verdant. On the other hand, hill stations located in the west are famous for their lush vales and exotic locales, while those hidden in the eastern Ghats are hardly ever unveiled. Despite the diversity in nature and location, the quadruple hill zones of India serve the same purpose, i.e., beauty and adventure. Since there is always the best in everything, hill stations that top the zonal competition are your perfect pick. Let’s read about them in detail.

Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, East

Prolonged monsoon season makes the hill station of Cherrapunji in Meghalaya the wettest place on the earth. Although it’s one of the most peaceful towns in India, the panorama is mostly disturbed by the long hours of rainfall throughout the majority of the months. The best time to visit this place is from October to May when this town is nothing less than a paradise with relatively lesser droplets and colder weather. Besides, it’s an ideal place for trekking across the living roots bridges in the Tyrna village. What’s best explored here are the seven sisters’ waterfalls beautifully flowing down the hill from a large cliff.

Munnar, Kerala, South

Craggy sheets of mountains spread across the town, Munnar, in the state of Kerala are bliss to everyone’s eyes. Popular for commercial tea estates and lush greenery, the hill station is the most visited honeymoon destination in southern India. Munnar is also aligned by three gorgeous rivers namely Madupetti, Periavaru, and Nallathani, that bless the destination with natural beauty apart from the attention given to tea-plantation. Moreover, the highlands of Kerala are also an abode of endemic and highly endangered species such as the Neelakurinji and the Nilgiri Thar. The Eravikulam National Park and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary are two renowned examples of those abodes.

Lonavala, Maharashtra, West

Jewel of Sahyadri mountains, Lonavala is a popular health resort in the Western Ghats. People from Pune and Mumbai plan their weekend trips to this nearby hill station in Maharashtra to retrieve their exhausted spirits. You will witness pleasant weather here, where summers between April and June will be mild and winters from November to February will be quite cold. Its proximity to the west coast makes the region more prone to heavy rainfalls from June to September. Grassy abundance, hills in and around, and waterfalls are the enticing elements of the tour to Lonavala. The mountainous terrains are love for enthusiastic youths who like to trek up to the highland with their college or school buddies.

Manali, Himachal Pradesh, North

Be it adventure, art, or religion, there’s nothing Manali can’t endow your tour with. It’s a one-stop destination for every type of trip, including family and group tours, honeymoons, and solo excursions. Amongst all, Manali is considered the most romantic and adventurous hill station in India. Also, the cold weather throughout the year amplifies the popularity of the hill station and turns it into the best summer retreat. To make the most of the excursion, you must try Heli-skiing down the enthralling snow-scape of Rohtang Pass or Solang Valley during winters from October to February.

Kept hidden in the four corners of the country are Manali, Lonavala, Cherrapunji, and Munnar. Visiting these hill stations gives an insight into what the four zones of India have for nature and adventure lovers and how their offerings differ from each other.