9 Extremely Exotic Indian Hill Stations

There are number of  hill stations located in India that serve as popular tourist destinations. Now, there are also quite a few in the country that when visited feels “too good to be true”. So, here is presenting a list of “9 exotic Indian hill stations”  that certainly “takes your breath away” due to their exquisite picturesque beauty. They are as follows:

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a. Ladakh- Jammu and Kashmir:

Ladakh Map

“Land of the High Passes” is the literal translation of Ladakh, a region located in Jammu and Kashmir.  Considered to be “the most sparsely populated area” in the state, this scenic hilly area extends from the Kunlun mountain range to the Himalayas. Furthermore, apart from its scenic beauty Ladakh is also known for its sparse flora and exotic fauna. In addition, the unique and “breathtaking” landscape found in this region makes it a “paradise” for photographers. And so, with its picturesque beauty, Ladakh is easily one among a few exotic Indian hill stations that is worth visiting.

b. Chopta- Uttarakhand:

 Chopta Map

Located in the state of Uttarakhand, and popularly referred to as “Mini Switzerland”, is a beautiful hill station known as Chopta.   Apart from its scenic beauty this quaint village is renowned for the Tungnath Temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Furthermore, this picturesque hill station is known for beautiful meadows and an evergreen forest. In addition, the Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek is extremely popular among trekking enthusiasts. It is thus the exquisite beauty of Chopta that makes it one among the few exotic Indian hill stations that definitely must be visited.

c. Auli-Uttarakhand:

 Auli Map

“Meadow” is the literal translation of Auli, a picturesque hill station located in the state of Uttarakhand.

Situated at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level, this beautiful town is known for being a popular “skiing destination” in India. Furthermore, a 4 kilometer cable car, chairlift, and ski lift are also available at this quaint hill station. In addition, an artificial lake, Nanda Devi National Park, Joshimath, Winter Ski Resort, Gurso Bugyal and Bhavishya Badri forest are some of the other tourist attractions located over here. Above all, it is due to its scenic beauty as well  popularity as a skiing destination that Auli (one among the few exotic Indian hill stations) is explored on a frequent basis by tourists.

d. Chamba- Himachal Pradesh:

 Chamba Map

Located alongside the banks of River Ravi is a scenic hill station in Himachal Pradesh known as Chamba.   Surrounded by beautiful mountains, this picturesque town is elevated at an altitude of 3,268 feet above sea level. Furthermore, Chamba is renowned for possessing a number of temples and palaces. It is also known for being host to two popular fairs (locally known as jatras) called the “Suhi Mata Mela” and “Minjar Mela” which basically comprises of a lot of singing and dancing. It is thus a unique combination of “beauty” and “culture” that makes Chamba, one of the many exotic Indian hill stations worth visiting.

e. Manali- Himachal Pradesh:

 Manali Map

“An Ideal Honeymoon Destination” would be the best way to describe the quaint hill station called Manali situated in Himachal Pradesh.  Surrounded by magnificent snow capped mountains, this small town serves as a gateway to Leh situated in Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, it is also considered to be one of the “most popular skiing destinations in India”. A few popular tourists attractions over here include the Hadimba Temple, Solang Valley, Rohtang Valley, Rahala Waterfalls, Pin Valley National Park, Manali sanctuary, Nehru Kund, and Jagatsukh. And so, it is the all around beauty of Manali that makes it one among the few exotic Indian hill stations that is worth visiting not only for holidaying but also for skiing.

f.  Munnar- Kerala:

 Munnar Map

“Three Rivers” is the literal translation of Munnar, a picturesque hill station located in Kerala.  Situated in the Idukki district, this beautiful town is elevated at an altitude of about 1600 meters above sea level. Furthermore, it is renowned for a rich flora and fauna, and comprises of sanctuaries such as Kurinjimala, Chinnar, Manjampatti, Indira Gandhi Wildlife, Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, Pampadum Shola National Park, and Palani Hills National Park. In addition, it is also renowned for a dam known as Mattupetty. It is therefore the eye catching evergreen “natural beauty” of Munnar that makes it one among a few exotic Indian hill stations that is visited frequently by a large number of tourists.

g. Kodaikanal- Tamil Nadu:

 Kodaikanal Map

“Princess of Hill stations” is how a picturesque city located in Tamil Nadu known as Kodaikanal is referred to as.  Comprising of beautiful eucalyptus trees and orchids, this beautiful hill station is elevated at an altitude of 2,133 meters above sea level. Furthermore, it is also known for its rich and diverse “flora and fauna”. In addition, spots such as the Berijam Lake, Kodai Lake, Coaker’s Walk, Dolphin Nose, Bryant Park, and Green Valley View are major tourist attractions available over here. It is therefore the “tropical” beauty of Kodaikanal that makes it one among a few exotic Indian hill stations that is regularly visited by tourists.

h. Pauri – Uttarakhand:

 Pauri Map

“The magnificent views of Himalayan peaks” can be witnessed from a scenic hill station known as Pauri located in Uttarakhand.   Situated in the Pauri Garhwal district, this quaint town is elevated at an altitude of about 1,814 meters above sea level. Due to its beautiful landscape this hill station is renowned for being a “Photographer’s paradise”. Furthermore, spots such as the Kandoliya Devta Temple and Tarakund serve as major tourist attractions in this town. It is thus the fusion of “scenic beauty” and “beautiful landscapes” that makes Pauri one among a few exotic Indian hill stations that is annually visited by large number of tourists especially during the summer.

i. Gulmarg- Jammu and Kashmir:

 Gulmarg Map

“A beautiful skiing destination in India” would be the best way to describe the picturesque hill station called Gulmarg located in Jammu and Kashmir.  Elevated at an altitude of about 2690 meters above sea level, this town is considered to be one of “India’s most popular skiing destination”. Furthermore, one of the most popular tourist attraction at this hill station is the “Gondola”, which comprises of a cable ride to the Mount Apharwat Summit which is located at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level. Above all, it is because it has been officially ranked as “Asia’s seventh best skiing destination” that Gulmarg is one among the few exotic Indian hill stations which is extremely popular with tourists from around the globe.

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Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons