Hill stations are the places one heads to while beating the summer heat. These places which serve as one’s best escape to the blazing Sun sees millions of tourists coming here to cool and relax for a while. As the demand for such places increases so does the cost of residing and sustaining. So, in case you are also troubled by the heat of Sun or are planning to take your family out on vacation, here are a few hill stations in India you could visit without burning a hole in your pocket.
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Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Photo by prashantby, CC BY 2.0A small hill station located around 150 kilometers away from Mangalore, Chikmagalur serves as one of the famous hill stations present in the state of Karnataka. This place of absolute beauty is around 3000 feet above the ground and is surrounded by greenery and hills on four sides. A place of low tourist attraction, Chikmagalur is still one of the unexplored hill stations in the country and thereby has prices which will fit in every mediocre range.
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Chakrta, Uttarakhand
Photo by Nipun Sohanlal, CC BY-SA 3.0A small hill station situated 2100 meters above the ground level; Chakrta is a much more affordable alternative to the popular hill stations such as Mussorie and Nainital. This place of extreme beauty has been used since the colonial times as a getaway from the hustle bustle of the city. Filled with greenery as well as wildlife, it serves as a treat for bird lovers and has the majestic Tiger Falls which are surely worth visiting.
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Kasaul, Himachal Pradesh
Photo by Himanshu Negi, CC BY 2.0
A small town located 1600 feet above the ground, Kasol is rapidly growing to become one of the most sought hill stations for tourists. This place which has now become one of the favorite spots for college students to travel to after Goa is situated on the banks of Parfait River and is one serene location to be at. Located at the center of Kullu this place offers some breathtaking views, as well as is an ideal destination for tourists to enjoy activities such as trekking and mountain climbing.
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Kausani, Uttarakhand
Photo by verseguru, CC BY-ND 2.0
Surrounded by deep valleys as well as filled with picturesque locations, Kausani is one place which will give you a good glimpse of the majestic Himalayas. Still new to many, this place of beauty referred as Switzerland of India will totally satisfy your desire to visit a hill station and that too at a totally affordable rate. Situated at around 1800 meter above the sea, this hill station has numerous sites of importance and beauty with some of the prime ones being the famous Kausani Tea Gardens and Bajinath temples.
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Yelagiri In Tamil Nadu
Photo by Avinash Singh, CC BY 2.0
Located in the beautiful land of Tamil Nadu, Yelagiri is a budding tourist site for travelers. This hill station situated a distance of 300 kilometers from the famous Ooty, is a place of beauty and a perfect relaxing destination for the family or travelers to be in. Consisting of an artificial pond, this place doesn’t have the full-fledged, sitting amongst the mountains kind of vibe, but surely does offer a great escape from the hectic and fast-paced life of the city. You can try activities such as boating and paragliding, while at the same time can sit on a hill top enjoying the landscape spread out wide.
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Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
Photo by Ankur Gulati, CC BY-ND 2.0Although slowly growing into a tourist hub, Lansdowne still is quite affordable hill station to be in. This place of serene beauty situated in the state of Uttarakhand was quite a place of interest during the times of colonial rule. At the height of 1076 kilometers above the sea level, this hill station offers activities such as trekking and boating, while the trees covered with fog give you a refreshing and positive vibe to settle in.
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Araku Valley, Andra Pradesh
Popularly referred to as the Ooty of Andhra Pradesh Araku Valley is the most popular hill station of Andhra Pradesh. This station situated 1300 meters above the ground is home to some amazing tea plantations you can dwell in combined with the sharp bending roads giving your breathtaking road trip experiences. There are sites such as Katiki waterfalls, Borra caves where you can visit as well as luxurious hotels offering an affordable stay.
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Gangtok, Sikkim
Photo by Kalyan Neelamraju, CC BY-SA 2.0
Pride of northeastern India, Gangtok has grown to become one popular hill station where a plethora of tourists visits. This place of extreme beauty has some majestic landscapes filled with greenery and heavy wildlife. Being here you can stare right at the beautiful Kanchenjunga and try some trek routes with easy to moderate levels of difficulty. You can also learn about Buddhism and at the same time visit places of interest such as the Tsomgo Lake and the Kanchenjunga National Park.
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Chopta, Uttarakhand
Photo by Ssteaj, CC BY-SA 4.0
Located in the state filled with scenic hill stations, Chopta is one hidden jewel amongst the numerous others. This place is one which would excite the bag packers and travelers considering the fact that it has some of the most beautiful trek routes available. It has everything that any other hill station in the area would have apart from the crowd or unnecessary annoyances.
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Shillong, Meghalaya
Photo by Subharnab Majumdar, CC BY 2.0
A place filled with scenic landscapes and high altitudes, Shillong offers a high level of thrill and adventure at comparatively low cost. This place of serenity is filled with clouds, and the highest point in the area is at around 6ooo feet above the ground. Known as the Scotland of East, this place will satiate the hunger of travel bug within you and at the same time exposing you to the location of interest such as State Museum, Butterfly museum and some splendid waterfalls.
So, these were the top 10 hill stations which would fulfill your dream of having a quick and relaxing vacation without much pressure on your wallet. Do let us know which you find most intriguing out of the same.
Author Bio:
Rohit, an adventure lover, visit new destinations every now and then. Travel is something which keeps him fresh and gives him a break from the usual work life.
You can visit TransIndiaTravels.com to read his traveling experience.
