Top 10 Hill Station in India — Ultimate Guide (2025) Towns in the highlands are called hill stations. In addition to having fresh air, lush forests, and stunning views, they are cooler than the cities. The top 10 hill stations in India are covered in this guide, along with information on how to get there, what to do there, when to go, and where they are. This will help you maximize your vacation time and organize your trip. Quick Snapshot: Top 10 Hill Station in India Here’s a quick list of the most popular hill stations in India: Manali, Himachal Pradesh Shimla, Himachal Pradesh Darjeeling, West Bengal Ooty, Tamil Nadu Munnar, Kerala Nainital, Uttarakhand Mussoorie, Uttarakhand Leh-Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu Each place has something special — snow, tea gardens, lakes, or adventure sports. How We Picked These Top 10 Hill Station in India We selected these locations because to They enjoy clean air and lovely vistas. By plane, train, or car, they are easily accessible. Families, coples, and lone tourists can all go there safely. They offer enjoyable pursuits including hiking, boating, skiing, and sightseeing. Comparison Table: Top 10 Hill Station in India Hill Station State Height Above Sea Level Best Season to Visit Best For Manali Himachal Pradesh 2,050 m Oct–June Snow, adventure Shimla Himachal Pradesh 2,206 m March–June, Dec for snow Colonial charm, shopping Darjeeling West Bengal 2,042 m March–June Tea gardens, sunrise views Ooty Tamil Nadu 2,240 m Oct–June Lakes, gardens Munnar Kerala 1,600 m Sept–May Tea plantations, waterfalls Nainital Uttarakhand 2,084 m March–June, Dec–Jan Lake views, boating Mussoorie Uttarakhand 2,005 m March–June, Sept–Nov Waterfalls, viewpoints Leh-Ladakh Jammu & Kashmir 3,500+ m June–Sept Monasteries, high-altitude lakes Gulmarg Jammu & Kashmir 2,650 m Dec–March (snow), May–Sept Skiing, cable car Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu 2,133 m Oct–June Lakes, forests, chocolates Details for Each Hill Station 1. Manali — The Snow Paradise Manali is well-known for its green valleys, rivers, and snow. Activities include visiting Rohtang Pass, paragliding, and skiing. October through June is the best time. How to get there: Bhuntar, the closest airport, is 50 km away. Where to stay: Luxury resorts, homestays, and low-cost hotels. 2. Shimla — The Queen of Hills Mall Road shopping and colonial structures are two of Shimla’s most well-known features. Activities: Ridge, Jakhoo Temple, and a toy train ride. March to June is the best time, with snow in December. How to get there: Jubbarhatti, the closest airport, is 23 km away. Darjeeling, West Bengal — The Tea Garden Beauty Darjeeling is well-known for the breathtaking view of Mount Kanchenjunga, its tea farms, and its cold climate. Action items: Visit Tiger Hill to witness the sunrise. Take a ride on the toy train, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Taste fresh tea while touring tea gardens. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: An Overview The best months to go are March through June for nice weather and October through December for unobstructed views of the mountains. How to get there: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is the closest train station, while Bagdogra (70 km) is the closest airport. There are plenty of shared jeeps and taxis. Accommodation options include heritage tea estate resorts, mid-range hotels close to Mall Road, and inexpensive guesthouses. Ooty, Tamil Nadu — The Queen of Nilgiris The beautiful hill town of Ooty is well-known for its gardens, lakes, and year-round agreeable weather. Action items: Ooty Lake boat ride Go to the Botanical Garden Travel by train on the Nilgiri Mountains Hike through the Nilgiri Mountains March through June and September through November are the best times to go. How to get there: Mettupalayam (40 km) is the closest train station, while Coimbatore (88 km) is the closest airport. You must take the toy train from Mettupalayam to Ooty. Where to stay: Luxurious resorts with valley views, homestays, and inexpensive lodges. Munnar, Kerala — The Green Paradise Munnar is well-known for its waterfalls, hazy hills, and unending tea gardens. Action items: See the Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam National Park. See Echo Point and Mattupetty Dam. Entering tea plantations Savor waterfalls like Lakkam and Attukal. September through May is the ideal time to go. If you dislike a lot of rain, stay away from June through August. How to get there: Kochi is the closest airport (110 km). There are buses and taxis from Aluva and Kochi. Accommodation options include mid-range hotels in the town, inexpensive homestays, and tea plantation retreats. Nainital, Uttarakhand — The Lake Town Nainital is encircled by hills and is centered on a stunning lake. Action items: Naini Lake boating Go to the Temple of Naina Devi. Investigate Tiffin Top and Snow View Point. Shop on Mall Road. The best seasons to go are March through June for the summer holidays and December through January for the snow. How to get there: Kathgodam is the closest train station (35 km). Taxis and buses travel to Nainital from there. Where to stay: Luxurious lakeside resorts, homestays in the hills, and inexpensive hotels close to the lake. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand — The Gateway to the Garhwal Hills Nainital is encircled by hills and is centered on a stunning lake. Action items: Naini Lake boating Go to the Temple of Naina Devi. Investigate Tiffin Top and Snow View Point. Shop on Mall Road. The best seasons to go are March through June for the summer holidays and December through January for the snow. How to get there: Kathgodam is the closest train station (35 km). Taxis and buses travel to Nainital from there. Where to stay: Luxurious lakeside resorts, homestays in the hills, and inexpensive hotels close to the lake. Leh-Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir — The Land of High Passes The high-altitude desert of Leh-Ladakh is home to monasteries, mountains, and glistening lakes. Action items: See Tso Moriri Lake and Pangong Lake. Visit monasteries such as Hemis and Thiksey. Travel via one of the highest motorable highways, Khardung La. In Zanskar, try river rafting. Roads are open from June