Andhra Pradesh
1. Not much has been said, written or heard about the coffee plantations, hairpin bends and rail tunnels of the Anantagiri Hills in the Eastern Ghats. You can take a train ride up to Shimliguda, East, the highest point in Asia on the broad gauge line at close to 1,000m above sea level. About 130 km from Vishakapatnam.
2. The picture pretty Ethipothala Falls, 12 km from Nagarjunasagar, is the perfect place for a picnic. But before you spread out the hamper, take a walk in the surrounding Nallamala hills. The rocky terrain will help you work up an appetite.
3. Neha Dhupia feels Manali remains very peaceful and calming, with stunning views of snow-clad peaks.
Bihar
4. The cable car ride to the top of Rajgir's Ratnagiri Hill is the ticket to a view of a lifetime. After you have finished circumambulation of the dazzling white Vishwa Shanti Stupa, built by the Japanese, take in the fabulous views of the caves and monasteries located on the surrounding hills. 100 km from Patna.
Chhattisgarh
5. About 45 km from Ambikapur in Surguja district, Mainpat is to Chhattisgarh what Shimla is to Himachal. Among the state's few weekend getaways, it has the Dhakpo Monastery, set up by Tibetan refugees. And for sure, much like other hill towns, the ubiquitous thukpa and momo stalls do quick business.
Gujarat
6.Chances are that you have never considered Saputara as holiday option. Sitting 1,000m high in the Sahyadris, this south Gujarat getaway has many trekking trails in the surrounding jungles. More than natural beauty, it's the chance to interact with tribals from Bhil, Kunbi, Gamit and Warli communities that puts Saputara in a different league. About 160 km from Surat.
Haryana
7. Haryana is a state that most people drive through to get to the Himalayas. Not too many of them make a stop at Morni Hills, the state's only hillstation. It is a great place to commune with nature and to indulge in a spot of bird watching, rock climbing and some easy trekking. The fact that it's not crowded is a boon.
Himachal Pradesh
8. You can build up the excitement of visiting Shimla with a pit stop at Barog. Surrounded by thick pine forests, this one is straight out of the pages of an Enid Blyton novel. There are many orchards on the outskirts. 45 km from Chandigarh.
9. The quiet cantonment town of Dalhousie has retained its colonial grandeur. There is little to do apart from taking a stroll or reading a book under the dappled sun. 80 km from Pathankot.
10. You may want to believe that the British never left India after a visit to Kasauli, a quaint cantonment town 40 km from Kalka. Tipplers will be happy to know that all wine shops in the town stock a range of fruit wines at a special tax exempted rate. Tasty accompaniments can be bought from the many stalls on the Upper Mall.
Jammu and Kashmir
11. Picture this: Alpine meadows, grassy slopes with wildflowers, tall fir trees, snow-capped peaks. That's Gulmarg, 56 km from Srinagar, in summer. Come winter and the place looks like a Christmas card. The views from the cable car, that takes you up to 13,500 ft, can move you to writing poetry.
Jharkhand
12. The quaint village of Ghatshila, 40 km from Jamshedpur, is located amid forested hills on the banks of the Subarnarekha. Bibiliophiles may know Bibhutibhushan Bandhopadhyay, spent the last years of his life here. His house is still there for you to see.
13. The Queen of Chhotanagpur plateau is Netarhat, 150 km from Ranchi, surrounded by lovely waterfalls. The most beautiful of these is the diminutive Upper Ghagri.
Karnataka
14. Coffee can be a wonderful catalyst in building a mood for bonding with nature. Head to Chikmagalur where, after sipping on some of India's best coffee, you can tour plantations, capture images of snow-white coffee blossoms or go trekking in the Baba Budan hills. About 250 km from Bangalore.
15. It's only when you have taken in the dramatic sunset from Chamundi Hill in Mysore will you appreciate the joys of having a hill right on the outskirts of a city.
Kerala
16. Though less-known, Nelliyampathy, 52 km from Palakkad, is one of the best getaways in Kerala. To enjoy a better view of the stunning greenery, trek up to Palakkad. And there's also the short drive to Pothundi Reservoir nearby.
17. Munnar is a great favourite on the list of tea plantation towns in the country.
Madhya Pradesh
18. Pachmarhi, the state's only hillstation, gets its name from the five Pandava caves. Green vistas with plunging gorges, pools formed by waterfalls, and archaeological ruins are perfect ingredients for hikes and multi-day treks. 200 km from Bhopal.
Maharashtra
19. Lonavala remains on top of the list of Mumbai's most-loved getaways. Trek to the nearby forts of Lohagarh and Visapur.
20. The toy train ride from Neral to hilly Matheran, a pedestrians-only town, is one journey that you must experience. The train doesn't operate in the monsoon, but you may still want to visit Matheran and enjoy the rains. 100 km from Mumbai. Walk up from Dasturi Naka.
Manipur
21. The construction of a dam changed the fortunes of Singda, a getaway near Imphal. The Inspection Bungalow here is where most picnickers on the weekend like to relax after a day out in the hills. 16 km from Imphal.
22. Dance performances by the Mao Nagas adds to the ambience of Mao, one of the oldest towns in the hills of Manipur bordering Nagaland. On NH 39 between Dimapur and Imphal.
23. You can look down on the world from Tengnoupal, sitting on the highest point on the Indo-Myanmar Road, about 69 km from Imphal.
Mizoram
24. At sunset on Mawmrang Hill, in Champhai district, see the surrounding slopes twinkle with lights. These are villages scattered all over, and the big cluster on the west is Aizawl.
Nagaland
25. The second highest in Nagaland, Japfu Peak is where the world's tallest rhododendron tree stands. It is also a great trekking route, with valleys that seem to stretch forever. Located 15 km from Kohima, at the head of Dzukou Valley.
Orissa
26. Experience 'snow' at Daringibadi, which is lovingly called the Kashmir of Orissa. Here, temperatures drop to 3 degrees or less in winter and hoarfrost covers the ground. In Kandhamal district.
Rajasthan
27. Mount Abu deserves all the attention for the being the only hillstation in the desert state. Surrounded by the Aravalis, it also has the beautiful Nakki Lake and the awe-inspiring Dilwara temple complex. 185 km from Udaipur.
Sikkim
28. Nathu La pass, 55 km from Gangtok, needs no introduction. The ancient trade route between India and China is also one of the most scenic and challenging.
29. From the small town of Lachung, you can see the Zero Point, so named as this is the place India ends and the border with China begins. In Yumthang Valley.
30. Tashi Viewpoint, 8 km from Gangtok on the road to North Sikkim, owes its fame to the uninterrupted views of the Khangchendzonga and neighbouring peaks. A small cafe here provided nibbles and hot beverages.
Tamil Nadu
31. Weekenders love to picnic on the banks of the lake on the Yelagiri hill, near Jolarpettai. It is approached via 14 hairpin bends hugging one side of the hill.
32. A tea plantation tour is one of the biggest attractions in Coonoor, the second highest hillstation in the state, 100 km from Coimbatore.
33. Less than 20 km from Coonoor is Ooty, which, though more crowded, still has beautiful scenery and colonial flavour. It has one of the best golf clubs in the country.
34. And then there is Kodaikanal. Famous for its beautiful weather and views of the Palani range. A lake, a botanical garden, trekking trails, a museum, delectable cheese and chocolates complete the picture.
35. You can call it a quirk of fate that Valparai, also filled with tea plantations, is still off the radar of mass tourism. 111 km from Coonoor.
36. Yercaud, near Salem, is less crowded, and offers breathtaking panoramic views, especially of the winding road up from Salem.
Tripura
37. At Jampui Hills, you can catch orange blossoms in autumn or orchids and wild flowers between April and May. Stay at Eden Guesthouse (03824-238 252) in Vanghmun. 240 km from Agartala.
Uttarakhand
38. There are some things you can never tire of. Almora, 90 km from Kathgodam, comes on that list, courtesy of its beautiful views of the Nanda Devi and thick forests of pine and fir.
39. Great views and climate are a given in Kausani, equally well known for its pear orchards. 50 km from Almora.
40. Orchards and snow views also abound around Mukteshwar, 73 km from Kathgodam. Drive further up to Nathuakuan and then to Hartola, locally known as the fruit basket of Kumaon.
41. Only 12 km from Mukteshwar lies Dhanachuli, a Kumaoni village that is yet to find a mention in guidebooks. But that doesn't take away from its virginal beauty.
42. On the other end of the spectrum are the familiar charms of Ranikhet, an old favourite that still entices with its orchards and temples. 80 km from Kathgodam.
West Bengal
43. When in Darjeeling, everyone goes for an early morning drive to Tiger Hill (12 km) to see the mountains change colour as the sun rises over Khangchendzonga.
44. After the drive comes the walk down the Mall in Darjeeling. It is bustling with handicraft shops, tea boutiques and eateries.
45. Eagle's Crag, 1 km up from Kurseong, stands for wonderful vistas of the Teesta river, forested slopes as well as snow-capped peaks in the distance. A cafe, well-manicured garden and water reservoir makes this an exceptionally pretty spot.
46. Durpin Hill overlooks the whole town of Kalimpong and has gorgeous views of the surrounding valley intersected by emerald-green rivers and fields. There is also a golf course on this hilltop.
47. Bagora, a quiet little hamlet, is still undiscovered and hence pristine. It has a forest rest house offering basic accommodation. Bird watchers will find much to keep themselves occupied and the nature enthusiast can choose from the several hiking trails in the area. Take NH55 to Darjeeling and reach Bagora via Dilaram.
48. Less than 50 km from Darjeeling, Mirik has many orange orchards, cardamom plantations and tea estates.
Source:
www.indiatoday.in