John Ruskin has rightly said, “Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery.”
And why not? You get air much less polluted than in the metro cities, the landscapes are something to die for, and the cool air somehow gets in your head, making your life cooler, more relaxed, and better. And that is the reason why hill stations have been the go-to destinations for every type of population, be it the nature lovers, the business class, the honeymoon-ing couples or the elderly, because the mountains have something for everyone! These hotels can be found listed on Oyo website and apps. With Oyo Rooms, you can make your travel much safer and comfortable by booking in advance at highly discounted prices, at Oyo. These hotels are tagged as Oyo couple-friendly which can easily help you sort the best amongst the available options.
So, let’s have a look at some great hill stations to visit in India this winter or in the winters to come:
1. Nainital, Uttarakhand
Set in the Kumaon range of Uttarakhand, this is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations of this country. Also called the “Lake City of India”, you can experience several sporting activities here like parasailing, horse-riding canoeing, and rock climbing. The market is busy usually always and you can get your hands on some exquisite local items. Some of the popular sites to visit in Nainital are Nainital or Naini Lake, the Naini Devi temple, St John in the Wilderness Church, Governor’s House, Snow View, Naini or China Peak and Tiffin Top or Dorothy’s Seat.
2. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Another great hill station in the beautiful state of Uttarakhand, this hill station, developed specifically for tourism, is situated 34 kilometres from Dehradun. Towards the south, you can have a view of the Doon valley, whereas you can have a view of the Himalayas, in the north direction. This enchanting “Queen of Hills” attracts hoards of tourists every year, for a reason. If you are a person who lives and breathes books, you can personally meet one of India’s finest authors ever, Ruskin Bond, have a chat and get your copy signed if you want. Some other great points to visit while you’re at Mussoorie: Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, Cloud’s End, Tiger View Jungle Camp, Lake Mist, Mussoorie Lake, Happy Valley, Lal Tibba, Tapovan, Falls etc.
3. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
A little town in the Kullu Valley, Manali is known for its gorgeous snow clad-peaks and it’s beautiful and lush forests. One of the most popular places to visit in Manali is Solang Valley aka The Snow Point, where you can get done magnificent views of the Himalayas and also indulge in skiing, trekking etc. You can also visit other spots like Himalayan Nyinmapa Buddhist Temple, Lord Ram Temple, Manali Gompa, Naggar, Rahala waterfalls, Manu Temple, Hadimba Temple etc.
4. Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
This beautiful city situated in north India has the highest gondola in the world, which runs approximately 4000 metres above ground level. You can buy pashmina products here, one of the major industries of this region. Amongst other attractions, Gulmarg has the famous Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, the shrine dedicated to Baba Reshi, the sprawling Gulmarg golf course, Seven Springs and the Maharani Temple.
5. Gangtok, Sikkim
Despite being the capital of Sikkim, life in Gangtok movies at a leisurely pace of its own. Be it the ethereal quite of the monasteries or the hilltops show-casing the brilliant Kanchenjunga, this place delights you at every point. Feel the silence of this place, in nature, the plethora of monasteries, and even the simple roads. You can visit several sites in Gangtok like Enchey Monastery, Do-Drul Chorten Stupa, Saramsa Garden, Nathu La, Tashi View Point, Tsomgo Lake, Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Himalayan Zoological Park, Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary etc.
6. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
A trekker’s paradise, Tawang has the country’s largest Tibetan Monastery which is home to almost 500 lamas. You’ll love the wonderfully refreshing air and some great trekking sites in Tawang. You can turn the prayer wheels outside the 400-year-old Tawang Gompa, watch as the yaks graze in the lovely hills, or wander around aimlessly because what better than to just forget everything for a while and follow your instincts? Some places in Tawang you can visit are Tawang Monastery, Regyaling Gompa, Bap Teng Kang, the picturesque Sangetsar Lake, Panganag Teng Tso, Gorichen Peak, Nuranang, Tawang War Memorial etc.
7. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Quite famous for its large tea estates, Darjeeling has some gorgeous views of Mount Kanchenjunga and also of some waterfalls and several hills. The Darjeeling Himalayan railways, exotic tea flavours, and that feeling of the Victorian age, this hill station has features distinctive of its own. The historic Toy Train makes for a memorable ride and the Senchal Lake, Ghoom Monastery, and Observatory Hill are some great places to visit. Don’t forget to visit these places too: Japanese Peace Pagoda, Badamtam Tea Estate, Observatory Hills, Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop & War Memorial, Lloyd Botanical Garden etc.
8. Shillong, Meghalaya
Widely known as the ‘Scotland of the East’, Shillong is the capital city of Meghalaya. Spend some time here at the Shillong peak and gaze at the lush green hills, or have a picnic near Elephant Falls, or enjoy a boat ride over the Umiam Lake. Have an ultimate joyous experience at Shillong with the cooling breeze and the showering drizzles. For the adventurer in you, try the water sports like kayaking and water skiing at any of the stunning lakes in the city. You can also visit Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, All Saints Church, Elephant Falls, Sohpetbneng Peak, Mawjymbuin Caves etc.
So, these are some great hill stations to visit this winter! You can easily book hotels at all of these beautiful locations using the Oyo platform and ensure a comfortable stay. Oyo Rooms is an Indian hotel chain which along with a clean room, offers, quality and standardized services like in-room WiFi, breakfast, AC, backup power, etc at budget prices. You can simply book via its website or the app, get some amazing offers while booking, and enjoy a safe and relaxing trip to a hill station this winter! Till the next time, ciao!
