Summers are really painful for the ones who live near the equator, especially in a country like India. Major parts of the country battle with dry winds called loos and harsh sun rays. However, there are little pockets here and there, which offer a respite from this overwhelming heat. All you have to do is pack your bags and visit one of best summer holiday destinations in India in order to sit back and rightly “chill”.
Hill stations make the perfect summer getaways. Undecided where you want to go to this summer? Take your pick from the list of the 10 most amazing summer holiday destinations in India, given below-
A trek to Tonglu
Here is a very offbeat option for you. If you do not like the crowd flocking to the hill stations and want some peaceful time to yourself then head out for a trek to Tonglu. It is located in West Bengal, in the Darjeeling district. You will have to trek to this place. Fancy accommodations will perhaps not be available here, but the basic necessities are well taken care of. So, if you are up for a trek and a quiet time with yourself, Tonglu is the place to go.
In the lap of Matheran
This hill station is located in Maharashtra, very near Pune. You will most likely have to take a bus or a car to this beautiful and quite place. Sunsets are a treat to watch from the Matheran hilltops. Accommodations are available in plenty, and eateries and restaurants are available as well. There is a pathway to the jungles for a nice and cosy walk. If you are in the mood for some adventure, you can always take a horse ride back from Matheran. Though like Tonglu, this is one of the lesser known tourist places in India, it makes for a lovely place to visit.
The Classic Darjeeling
The British found the Indian heat intolerable. Thus, the ones stationed in then Calcutta decided to make a summer destination for themselves in the hills, and thus, began flocking to Darjeeling in the summers. This tradition continues amongst most of the Bengalis even today. Darjeeling is a busy summer holiday destination. It is very convenient when it comes to transportation and accommodation. People flock to get a view of the beautiful Kanchenjunga range at least once in their trip. If you have not been to this place, then you must visit it at least once!
The Shimmering Shimla
No summer holiday is complete without a visit to Shimla. This is one of the most favoured and popular places for family holidays in India. Shimla, like Darjeeling, too used to be a favourite respite in the summers, of the British. People, from all over India, flock to this place during the summer months. Located in Himachal Pradesh, this place is the best-liked tourist destination as well as a shooting spot.
A detour to Dharamshala
If you are in Himachal Pradesh in the summer months, then Dharamshala is a place that you must visit. Its scenic beauty really captures the mind’s eye. There is a famous Jwala-Mukhi temple, very near this place and that too is a must visit. Generally, foreigners flock to this place more than Indians. All types of accommodations and restaurants are available here.
Summer sojourn to Srinagar
If you want to plan a lavish summer holiday trip and have quite a few days at your disposal, then opt for Srinagar. Surrounded by the Himalayas, this capital city is one of the places to go on holiday. You can go for nice cosy accommodations or even stay in a Shikara or boats. These are bit expensive, but even if you do not stay in one, make sure you take a ride once in them on Dal Lake. It is reputed to be one of the most beautiful places in India and has been an all time favourite, right since the time of the Mughal emperors.
Chilling at Kalimpong
If you have visited Darjeeling before and are planning to go there again, this time make sure you pay a visit to Kalimpong. This place boasts of the same scenic beauty as Darjeeling. Monasteries are found in various places of this wonderful getaway. If you want to avoid the mad rush of the crowd in Darjeeling but want to get its feel at the same time, Kalimpong is a must visit for you.
Trip down south to Coonoor
Did you know that Coonoor ranks as the second most largest of all hill stations of the Nilgiris? If you want to lose yourself in the lap of nature, this is the place to be. There are plenty of things to do out here, the most popular of them being bird watching. Migratory birds are often spotted over here, which adds to the flocks of the local birds as well. The northern part of India is the most well-known part for summer destinations, but if you plan to move down south, do visit this place in Tamil Nadu.
Pachmarchi
Located in the laps of Satpura ranges, this beautiful hill station in Madhya Pradesh makes an excellent pick as a summer holiday destination. There are various places in this area that one must visit like Bee Fall, Apsara Falls, Chauragarh, Handi Khoh, etc. Make sure you have a few days in hand if you want to visit all the places and get a complete feel of the place.
An adventure in Ladakh
Undoubtedly, the most favoured summer destinations in India is “little Tibet” or Ladakh. The most favoured way of travelling to this place is by motorcycles. Bikers, generally, meet with their bikes at Delhi, Manali or Srinagar, and then, set out from there. So, if you are up for some biking adventure, Ladakh is the place to set out for!
It is always better to get a background check done of the places that you are planning to visit and make reservations beforehand, especially if you are travelling with your family. If on a trip alone, you can set out any time for these wonderful places to go on holiday and have your summers spent “chilling” in these hill stations!
