Best Hill Stations to Visit in India

With its spectacular landscapes and some of the highest mountains in the world, India is renowned for its stunning hill stations. These high-altitude towns provide a refuge of beauty and calm in the magnificent Himalaya, Aravalli and Vindhya mountain ranges. Benefiting from the pure fresh air high above the bustle of the cities, India has a variety of these lovely hill stations, all with their own unique delights and gorgeous scenery. Here is a selection of some of the best of India’s hill stations, where the snow-covered peaks contrast with colourful flowering meadows and the striking colonial architecture of the buildings.

Ooty

Ooty lies in southern India in the Tamil Station state. Known by the epithet ‘Queen of the Hill Stations’, Ooty is renowned for its wonderful tea estates, wildlife and botanical gardens, and is a popular choice with honeymoon couples.

The four hills of the Nilgiri mountain range - Elk Hill, Snowdon, Doddabetta and Club Hill - dominate Ooty’s lovely landscape of tea and coffee plantations and open grasslands.

Take the Blue Mountain train ride from Ooty to the botanical gardens and colonial style club at Mettupalayam to transport you back to the splendour of the days of the Raj.

Munnar

Munnar, also in southern India, is a quintessential outpost of the British Empire and is known as the ‘Little London of India’. This is an expanse of verdant rainforest surrounding a spice, tea and coffee plantation resplendent with flowers and also many gorgeous aromas.

The beautiful flowering blue shrub Neelakurinji is native to the region and blooms only once every 12 years, but when it does it covers the mountains in a breathtaking sea of blue. Book a trip for 2018 when it is next due to flower!

Kuthumkal Waterfalls is a spectacular beauty spot and is ideal for an atmospheric picnic, with its cascading water and dramatic mists.

Srinagar

Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir State, is a striking hill station with rivers and lakes and their trademark houseboats. As well as having winding streets and fascinating old buildings, Srinagar boasts magnificent views of mountains and valleys.

Dal Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Srinagar and, along with lakes of Nagin and Anchar, is sprinkled with the distinctive houseboats or shikaras, which were once used by the British.

Royal Springs Golf club has the Zabarwan hills and Dal Lake in the background, and has been voted the best golf course in India.

Shimla

Shimla, in Himachal Pradesh, enjoys fantastic views of snowy mountains and rolling hills covered in dense forests of rhododendrons, oak and pine. This picturesque hill station is ideal for nature lovers and outdoor types.

Alongside its spectacular natural scenery, Shimla is famous for its sporting activities, and has an excellent outdoor ice skating rink.

From camping to skating, Shimla offers plenty to do for energetic tourists, but for those wishing to enjoy a more laid-back stay, take the miniature train from Kalka and enjoy the impressive views.

India’s hill stations offer the perfect holiday for anyone wanting to enjoy the finer things in life and experience some of India’s most idyllic scenery. You can save money by taking advantage of the excellent offers, coupons and discount holidays available in these fabulous destinations.

South India hill stations- Charming tourist places

South India hill stations are best suited tourist places for visitors. Some of the highly known South India hill stations are Ooty, Munnar, Kodaikanal, Coonor, Coorg, Horsley hills and so on.

South India hill stations are best suited tourist places for visitors. Some of the highly known South India hill stations are Ooty, Munnar, Kodaikanal, Coonor, Coorg, Horsley hills and so on. All South India hill stations are rich with natural beauty and pleasing features of green hills, cascading waterfalls, snow falling and so on. South India hill stations are perfect spots for honeymoon as well.

South India tourism is always fun loving for global tourists. On this journey, you can explore amazing greenery of Kerala, enchanting temples of Tamilnadu, exotic sea beaches of Andhra Pradesh etc. Besides it, South India hill stations are well known tourist spots in across the state. Tourists are keen to cherish the best known hill stations of South India. Many of the honeymooners love to plan their wedding celebrations at the Ooty and Munnar hill stations of South India as well. Yes, it is high time for all newly wedded couples to enjoy their honeymoons at the renowned hill station of South India. Plenty of the best known South India hill stations are mentioned as follows:

Ooty hill station
This hill station is located near about the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu state. Ooty is also popular as “Queen of hill stations”. The short name of this mountain is “Ootacamund”. This hill station is blessed with incredible beauty and cool climate. Ooty is counted as one of the best known honeymoon spots in across the India. Some of the best features of this hill station may include as Botanical garden, snow falling, cascading waterfall, lakes, green hill and many more. With these pleasing features, Ooty Hill Station attracts the global tourists with ease.

Kodaikanal Hill Station
Kodaikanal hill station is located at the Palani hills, Madurai in Tamilnadu. This hill station is counted as one of the best known hill resort in India. Kodaikanal is renowned as the “Princess of hill Stations” as well. Besides it, tourists will be delighted to see the soothing environment and cool climate of this hill station as well. One can also explore more features of this hill station such as beautiful lakes, gardens, cascading waterfalls, green hills and so on. Hence, the Kodaikanal Hill Station is an ideal tourists spot for visitors.

Munnar Hill Station
Munnar is located at ldukki district in Kerala. This charming hill station fascinates through its scenic beauty and pleasing climate as well. Munnar is also renowned as “Switzerland of India”. This hill station is the perfect holiday spot for world’s travelers. Moreover, the honeymooners can also plan their wedding celebrations at the Munnar Hill Station as well. This mountain station may include the best features like gardens, Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Bird Sanctuary etc. Hence Munnar is an ideal tourist place for the global visitors.

Thus, South India hill stations are the soothing tourist places for world’s travelers. Moreover the honeymooners can also enjoy their wedding moments at the popular South India hill stations as well.

South India hill stations are best suited tourist places for visitors. Some of the highly known South India hill stations are Ooty, Munnar, Kodaikanal, Coonor, Coorg, Horsley hills and so on.

Periyar Tiger Reserve Trekking, Munnar, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Wildlife Kerala, Travel to Periyar Tiger Reserve, , Periyar Wildlife Tours

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar, in Kerala, is the best-known wildlife sanctuary in south India. Though billed as a tiger reserve, Periyar is really famous for its wild elephants, 100-year-old artificial lake and its setting in the beautiful thickly forested Western ghats. This is not your best shot at spotting the Bengal Tiger considering there are less than 40 of them that inhabit an area of 777sq.km but there’s plenty of other game like the Nilgiri langoor, Nilgiri tahr, bison, deer, antelope and about 700 elephants to make the trip worthwhile.

The Asian elephant is diminutive compared to its larger African cousin but the thrill of spotting a herd of them lumbering through the dense shola forest or wading into a lake is going to be no less than seeing the African elephant in the Masai Mara grasslands. There are more than 700 of these large grey animals that have for a long time been a symbol of Indian exotica. Over a 100 species of butterfly and at least 240 species of birds inhabit the area.

Around the park are some interesting aromatic spice gardens. Many have good guides who’ll tell you about the medicinal value of each spice and maybe startle you with how much of the research is millennia old.

Entry Requirements for Periyar Tiger Reserve Trekking:

Entry permits to visit Periyar are available at the Wildlife Information Centre (near the boat jetty) in Thekkady. For foreigners, the permit costs Rs 50, and it’s valid for five days. Charges for guided tours of the sanctuary and for boat trips, are extra.

Access for Periyar Tiger Reserve:

The nearest airport is not in Kerala but at Madurai (140 km) in Tamil Nadu. In Kerala, Thekkady is closest to the Kochi international airport (190 km). The nearest railhead is Kottayam from where it takes about 4 hours by bus, marginally lesser by car. Buses to Periyar usually originate and terminate at Aranya Nivas, a posh hotel inside the Park. They do halt briefly at the town of Kumily, just outside Periyar. The sanctuary is very well connected by bus to many towns in Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. There are bus connections from Ernakulam (6 hours), Kottayam (4 hours), Trivandrum (8 hours), Kovalam (9 hours), Munnar (4 ½ hours) and Kodaikanal (6 hours).

Jeep and elephant safaris are also a good perch from where to view the animal world. A little ‘encouragement’ from you would probably take the mahout off the beaten path to more rewarding locations. If you are staying outside the park then a rented bike or local bus will take you to the park’s entrance. Most visitors tour the park on the two-hour boat rides around Periyar Lake. Rather than the larger sized public boats, which proportionately dim your chances of actually seeing game, go for a smaller private boat, which would correspondingly tilt the odds in your favor. Early morning and dusk are the best times for wildlife. In the afternoons they all tend to disappear into the shade of the thick forests.

A morning ‘trek’ is another great way of doing some serious game watching. A knowledgeable guide will take you to all the hot spots and point out anything interesting like pug marks (if you are really lucky) or chital droppings. Some hotels offer more serious treks into the forest that a keen enthusiast will enjoy.

Best time to visit Periyar Tiger Reserve:

The tourist season is from September to May and particularly the Christmas - New Year holidays. From February onwards it starts getting warmer and though this could be distinctly uncomfortable, it has its benefits. The animals are easiest to spot now as elephant and chital (spotted deer) alike flock to the waterholes. Avoid weekends when the park can get quite full with people looking for a daylong getaway.

Accommodation and other facilities Periyar Tiger Reserve:

There are enough possibilities to suit different budget requirements both inside and outside the park. The entire gamut from cheap basic to expensive luxury will present itself before you. Inside the park it is also possible to stay in the very rudimentary set up of the observation tower or ‘machaan’ (like the hunters would in earlier days). This gives you a very good chance at game spotting. Be sure to carry bedding and food, and mosquito repellent or you might find it easier to stay up than you thought! Also carry sturdy and comfortable shoes for your nature walk, dull clothes, some warm and waterproof clothing, and mosquito repellent. Cameras and camcorders too are allowed into the park but the latter has to be accounted for with a ticket.
There are several restaurants outside the park including some fairly posh ones with great food and ambience. Inside the park it’s a different matter altogether. The Rest Houses provide you with a cook but carry your own supplies. If you’re camping out on the observation tower the entire bedding and eating arrangement has to be yours.

Accommodation tariffs in Periyar range from Rs 150 a night (in the state run guest house) to a steep Rs 7000 a night in the luxurious Lake Palace resort.

Further information on the sanctuary can be obtained from the Wildlife Preservation Officer, Aranya Nivas, Thekkady. Arrangements for boat trips and elephant rides within the sanctuary can also be made at Aranya Nivas (a KTDC hotel), by contacting the manager.

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