Himachal Pradesh, the land of snow and mountains, is famous for its serene landscape, scenic brilliance, picturesque beauty, and loads of interesting adventure sports. Literally, Himachal has innumerable attractive hill stations that are the ideal destinations for a rejuvenating and peaceful holiday.
If you want to get respite from the maddening crowd and scorching heat of the summer months, plan a vacation to the amazing hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. We have included a list of the famous and infamous hill stations that stand tall and smart in their picturesque splendour in the summer months.
# Shimla
One of the favorite jaunts of holidaymakers is Shimla. The hill station occupies the topmost place on the traveler’s list as a weekend getaway. There is a strange unique charm to this popular capital city of Himachal Pradesh, which is located about 342 kilometers away from Delhi. Plenty of people made this their weekend getaway because there is a lot to do here.
Shimla stands royally amongst dense forests of Deodars, oak, and pine. To please the holidaymakers, there are beautiful natural wonders and plenty of adventure activities. With incomparable picturesqueness, Shimla is the appropriate hub for the photographers’ cameras and nature enthusiasts.
# DharamshalaDharamsala at 1475 meters above sea level, is a scenic hill station in the Kangra Valley that showcases the most exquisite scenic spots. This land of spectacular beauty is called the “Home of Dalai Lama” and “the little Lhasa of India”. You can spot the magnificent Dhauladhar ranges from this tranquil destination.
There is a strong influence of Buddhist and Tibetan culture in this town, surrounded by thick deodar and Cedar trees and overlooking the snow-covered mountain peaks of the ranges.
# ManaliManali offers us spectacularly beautiful valleys, and the splashing river of Beas offers the complete nature package. The water running proudly through the forests of Deodar, oak, fir, and pine amidst the valley, offers a breathtaking view to the holidaymakers.
The Rahala and Jogni falls increase the beauty of the greens and irregularly placed rocks. The green terraced farming, orchards of fruits, and sprawling Meadows add to the scenic splendor of this town. Nestled in the Himalayas, Manali has historical references because of its ancient architectural Temples, such as Shiv, Manu, and Hadima temple. Also, ancient forts such as Kuthar and Naggar are interesting jaunts for history lovers.
# KasauliThis small cantonment region, at the foothill of the Himalayas, lies the extremely beautiful Kasauli in the Solan district. The serene, picturesque town is near Chandigarh and is easily accessible from Delhi and Shimla. The best thing about this area is to head here by train from Kalka, about 40 km away. The area is cool, windy, and humid and is a great place to stay for a few days.
You can see the mountainous beauty at its scenic best during the train travel, though the scenic exquisiteness by car is also unbeatable. Kasauli may be a small town but it has several must-see attractions, Gilbert Trail on Kachcha Road, Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Manki Point Sunset Point, Baba Balak Nath Temple, Central Research Library, the Gurkha Fort, and Christ’s Church.
# BirBir is a laid-back small village in Himachal that is slowly getting popular because of its natural aesthetic bounties and paragliding challenges. At a height of 5000 feet, with snow-capped mountains, somber landscapes, and beautifully created temples, Bir is rich in Hindu and Tibetan culture. Paragliding at Bir-Billing, the paragliding capital of India, renowned worldwide is an enthralling experience.
Also the Himalayan Film School, Arya Marga Yoga Institute, Drukpa Kagyu Monastery, Chowgan tea plantations, Bir Tea factory, cafes, Dharmalaya institute, and Deer Park Institute talks about the wisdom and traditions shared by Dalai Lama, in the area keep the visitor busy.
# ChailChail is a princely hill station about 63 km away from Shimla that covers nearly 72 acres of land. The weather here is pleasant and cool throughout the year, and the dense forest cover of Pine and Deodhar along with the lush green outfields provides a stunning view of the mountain ranges.
Sightseers love to visit the Chail Palace and explore its surrounding ambiance. Kufri, Shimla, and Chail are bound together as a part of the Golden Triangle of Himachal. So, if you want peace and quiet in a charming glorious hill station, then Chail should be your destination.