Hill-station holidays
Summer escapes and misty winter retreats in India's hills.
Hill-station holidays at a glance
- Itineraries58
- In India56 itineraries
- Abroad2 itineraries
- Destinations39 places
- Trip lengths3 to 10 days
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Best suited toFamilies escaping summer heat
- Also suitsCouples and honeymooners
From Chennai, the nearest hills are a few hours away, and the classic Himalayan hill stations are a short flight plus a drive.
South Indian hills
Ooty and Coonoor in the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal in the Palanis, Munnar in Kerala and Coorg in Karnataka are best from October to June; April and May are peak summer escapes.
Himalayan hills
Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie, Nainital, Darjeeling and Gangtok are pleasant from March to June and again in autumn; December to February brings snow to many of them.
Hill stations abroad
Sri Lanka's Nuwara Eliya, Malaysia's Cameron Highlands and Vietnam's Sapa combine tea estates with cool weather.
Tips
Hill roads are slow; we plan realistic drive times. Pack layers even in summer, and a rain jacket in the monsoon months.
Hill-station holidays in Tamil Nadu
4D / 3NOoty · CoonoorOoty & Coonoor Nilgiri Escape
Ride the UNESCO toy train into the Nilgiris, spend two days around Ooty's lakes and gardens and finish with tea-estate quiet in Coonoor.
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6D / 5NOoty · KodaikanalOoty & Kodaikanal Hill Holiday
Two of the south's classic hill stations in one trip: three nights in the Nilgiris and two around Kodaikanal's star-shaped lake and cliff walks.
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4D / 3NKodaikanalKodaikanal Honeymoon Getaway
Three slow nights in the Palani Hills: misty Coaker's Walk mornings, boating on the lake and pine-forest drives, with time simply to rest.
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5D / 4NOoty · CoonoorOoty & Coonoor Honeymoon
The Nilgiris for two: the toy train up from Mettupalayam, rose gardens and a lake boat ride in Ooty, then quiet tea-estate days and Dolphin's Nose views in Coonoor.
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4D / 3NYercaudYercaud Honeymoon Retreat
Three unhurried nights in the Shevaroy Hills, the closest hill station to Chennai: coffee-estate walks, sunset at Lady's Seat and a rowing boat on Yercaud Lake.
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5D / 4NValparai · CoonoorValparai & Coonoor Tea Country Honeymoon
Mist, tea and forest: the forty hairpin bends into Valparai's Anaimalai Hills, where hornbills and lion-tailed macaques live, then the Nilgiri tea estates of Coonoor.
View itinerary →Plan hill-station holidays in Tamil Nadu → Explore Tamil Nadu
Hill-station holidays: 58 itineraries
4D / 3NOoty · CoonoorOoty & Coonoor Nilgiri Escape
Ride the UNESCO toy train into the Nilgiris, spend two days around Ooty's lakes and gardens and finish with tea-estate quiet in Coonoor.
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6D / 5NOoty · KodaikanalOoty & Kodaikanal Hill Holiday
Two of the south's classic hill stations in one trip: three nights in the Nilgiris and two around Kodaikanal's star-shaped lake and cliff walks.
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4D / 3NKodaikanalKodaikanal Honeymoon Getaway
Three slow nights in the Palani Hills: misty Coaker's Walk mornings, boating on the lake and pine-forest drives, with time simply to rest.
View itinerary →5D / 4NOoty · CoonoorOoty & Coonoor Honeymoon
The Nilgiris for two: the toy train up from Mettupalayam, rose gardens and a lake boat ride in Ooty, then quiet tea-estate days and Dolphin's Nose views in Coonoor.
View itinerary →4D / 3NYercaudYercaud Honeymoon Retreat
Three unhurried nights in the Shevaroy Hills, the closest hill station to Chennai: coffee-estate walks, sunset at Lady's Seat and a rowing boat on Yercaud Lake.
View itinerary →5D / 4NValparai · CoonoorValparai & Coonoor Tea Country Honeymoon
Mist, tea and forest: the forty hairpin bends into Valparai's Anaimalai Hills, where hornbills and lion-tailed macaques live, then the Nilgiri tea estates of Coonoor.
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3D / 2NYercaudYercaud Weekend from Chennai
A quick escape to the Shevaroy Hills by overnight train to Salem: coffee estates, Lady's Seat views and boating on Yercaud Lake.
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4D / 3NCoimbatore · ValparaiValparai Wildlife & Tea Retreat
Drive the forty hairpin bends into the Anaimalai Hills for lion-tailed macaques, hornbills and quiet tea estates, starting with Coimbatore's Adiyogi.
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6D / 5NOoty · Mysuru · CoorgNilgiris & Coorg Hill Circuit
A cross-state hill loop: Ooty's gardens and toy train, Mysuru's palace on the way down and two nights among Coorg's coffee estates.
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5D / 4NMadurai · KodaikanalMadurai & Kodaikanal Family Trip
A temple city and a hill station: Meenakshi Amman and Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, then three relaxed days in Kodaikanal's cool air.
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4D / 3NMunnarMunnar Tea Country Short Break
Three nights in Munnar for Eravikulam's Nilgiri tahr, tea estate walks, Mattupetty and a jeep ride up to Kolukkumalai at sunrise.
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4D / 3NWayanadWayanad Adventure & Nature
Treks, caves and waterfalls in north Kerala: Edakkal's engravings, Banasura Sagar, Chembra Peak (subject to permits) and a treehouse night.
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5D / 4NKochi · Munnar · VagamonKochi, Munnar & Vagamon Hills
Swap the crowds for meadows: Munnar's estates followed by Vagamon's pine forest, paragliding (in season) and misty viewpoints.
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6D / 5NWayanad · Coorg · MysuruMalabar & Coorg Road Trip
A green road trip across the Western Ghats: Wayanad's forests, Coorg's coffee country and Mysuru's palace on the final evening.
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5D / 4NKochi · MunnarKochi & Munnar Extended Stay
Kochi's heritage followed by a longer Munnar stay with time for Top Station, Attukad falls and a spice-plantation tour.
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4D / 3NMysuru · CoorgMysuru & Coorg Holiday
The palace city and coffee country: Mysuru's palace, Chamundi Hill and Brindavan Gardens, then two nights on a Coorg estate.
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4D / 3NCoorgCoorg Coffee Estate Honeymoon
Three nights in a plantation stay with estate walks, Abbey Falls, Raja's Seat at sunset and candlelit dinners among the coffee.
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5D / 4NBengaluru · Mysuru · OotyBengaluru, Mysuru & Ooty
A classic South Indian loop: Bengaluru's gardens, Mysuru's palace and a scenic climb through Bandipur and Mudumalai to Ooty.
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4D / 3NChikmagalurChikmagalur Trekking Break
Karnataka's highest peak, Mullayanagiri, the Baba Budangiri ridge and a jeep ride to Hebbe Falls, based in a coffee-estate homestay.
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5D / 4NCoorg · KabiniCoorg & Kabini Nature Holiday
Coffee hills and wildlife in one trip: Coorg's waterfalls and Dubare elephant camp, then safaris at Kabini.
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4D / 3NVisakhapatnam · Araku ValleyVizag & Araku Valley Holiday
Beaches and hilltop views in Vizag, then the glass-roofed train to Araku Valley's coffee country and the Borra Caves.
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5D / 4NMumbai · Lonavala · MahabaleshwarMumbai, Lonavala & Mahabaleshwar
From the city to the Sahyadri: Mumbai's landmarks, Lonavala's caves and viewpoints, then Mahabaleshwar's strawberries and valley views.
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4D / 3NMahabaleshwarMahabaleshwar & Panchgani Couple's Break
Three nights in the Sahyadri's highest hill station with Venna Lake, Panchgani's Table Land and Pratapgad Fort.
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5D / 4NUdaipur · Mount AbuUdaipur & Mount Abu
Lakes and hills: Udaipur's palaces and folk shows, then the Dilwara temples and Nakki Lake at Rajasthan's only hill station.
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6D / 5NShimla · ManaliShimla & Manali Holiday
The most-requested Himachal route: colonial Shimla and Kufri, then Manali's orchards, Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel.
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5D / 4NManaliManali Honeymoon
Four nights in Manali with Solang Valley, Sissu via the Atal Tunnel, Old Manali's cafés and a riverside cottage stay.
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5D / 4NDharamshala & McLeod Ganj · Dalhousie & KhajjiarDharamshala & Dalhousie
Tibetan monasteries and Triund views at McLeod Ganj, then Dalhousie's colonial walks and Khajjiar's meadow.
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10D / 9NShimla · Manali · Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj · Dalhousie & KhajjiarHimachal Grand Tour
Nine nights across Himachal's four best-known hill towns, from colonial Shimla to Tibetan McLeod Ganj.
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3D / 2NShimlaShimla Weekend
The Kalka–Shimla toy train, the Ridge and Mall Road, Jakhoo Temple and a day out to Kufri or Chail.
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6D / 5NAmritsar · Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj · Dalhousie & KhajjiarAmritsar, Dharamshala & Dalhousie
The Golden Temple and Wagah, then into the Dhauladhar hills for monasteries and Khajjiar's meadows.
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5D / 4NNainital · Jim Corbett National ParkNainital & Jim Corbett
Kumaon's lake district and India's oldest national park: boating, cable cars and jeep safaris in Corbett.
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5D / 4NMussoorie · RishikeshMussoorie & Rishikesh
The queen of the hills and the yoga capital: Landour's walks and cafés, then riverside Rishikesh.
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5D / 4NRishikesh · AuliAuli Snow & Skiing
A beginner's ski course or snow walks on Auli's slopes facing Nanda Devi, subject to snowfall and road conditions.
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5D / 4NNainitalKumaon Lakes & Hills
Nainital, Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal, with a day trip to Mukteshwar's orchards and Himalayan views.
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5D / 4NAmritsar · ShimlaAmritsar & Shimla
Punjab's food and faith, then a scenic drive into the hills for Shimla's colonial charm.
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7D / 6NSrinagar · Gulmarg · Pahalgam · SonamargKashmir Paradise Tour
Kashmir's four classic stops: a houseboat on Dal Lake, Gulmarg's gondola, Pahalgam's valleys and Sonamarg's glacier.
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5D / 4NSrinagar · GulmargGulmarg Snow & Ski Holiday
Three nights in Gulmarg for skiing lessons, the gondola to Apharwat and snow activities in winter.
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5D / 4NPahalgam · SonamargPahalgam & Sonamarg Nature Trip
Riverside meadows, trout streams and the Thajiwas glacier, staying in the valleys rather than the city.
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3D / 2NPachmarhiPachmarhi Hill Weekend
Bee Falls, Jata Shankar caves and sunset at Dhoopgarh in Madhya Pradesh's only hill station.
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6D / 5NDarjeeling · GangtokDarjeeling & Gangtok Holiday
Tea gardens and Tiger Hill sunrise in Darjeeling, then Gangtok's monasteries and a day at Tsomgo Lake.
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6D / 5NDarjeeling · Kalimpong · GangtokDarjeeling, Kalimpong & Gangtok
Three hill towns in the eastern Himalaya, with tea, nurseries, monasteries and Kanchenjunga views.
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4D / 3NDarjeelingDarjeeling Tea & Toy Train
A tea-estate stay, the UNESCO toy train to Ghum and the Batasia Loop, and sunrise over Kanchenjunga.
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8D / 7NGangtok · Lachung & Yumthang · PellingSikkim Explorer
Gangtok, North Sikkim's Yumthang Valley and Zero Point, and Pelling's close-up Kanchenjunga views.
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5D / 4NGangtok · Lachung & YumthangGangtok & North Sikkim Snow Trip
Snow at Zero Point, rhododendrons in Yumthang and Tsomgo Lake from Gangtok, with all permits arranged.
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4D / 3NPellingPelling & West Sikkim
Three nights facing Kanchenjunga in West Sikkim, with Pemayangtse Monastery, the Rabdentse ruins, sacred Khecheopalri Lake and the Pelling skywalk, without long daily drives.
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7D / 6NDarjeeling · Gangtok · PellingDarjeeling, Gangtok & Pelling
The eastern Himalaya's three classic bases with toy train, monasteries and mountain sunrises.
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4D / 3NShillong · Cherrapunji (Sohra)Shillong & Cherrapunji Short Break
Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Nohkalikai and the caves of Sohra in a compact four-day trip.
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4D / 3NChandigarh · ShimlaChandigarh & Shimla Getaway
A night in Le Corbusier's garden city with the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake, then two nights in the hills of Shimla.
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5D / 4NShimla · Chail · KasauliShimla, Chail & Kasauli Hills
Shimla's Mall Road and toy train, the Patiala maharajas' palace at Chail, then Kasauli's pine walks and Sunset Point on the way down to Chandigarh.
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3D / 2NKasauliKasauli Weekend Getaway
Two nights in Kasauli's colonial cantonment: Christ Church, the Gilbert Trail, Monkey Point and quiet evenings at Sunset Point.
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3D / 2NLansdowneLansdowne Forest Retreat
Two unhurried nights in Garhwal's oak forests: the Garhwal Rifles museum, Bhulla Tal, sunrise at Tip-in-Top and the Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple.
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4D / 3NKurseong · DarjeelingKurseong & Darjeeling Tea Trail
Makaibari tea estate and the toy train at Kurseong, then sunrise at Tiger Hill and the tea gardens and monasteries of Darjeeling.
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5D / 4NKodaikanal · ValparaiWestern Ghats Trek: Kodaikanal & Valparai
Forest trails and viewpoints around Kodaikanal with a local guide, then tea estates, waterfalls and lion-tailed macaques around Valparai; forest permits arranged where needed.
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5D / 4NCoonoor · OotyOoty Kids' Holiday
The Nilgiri toy train, boating on Ooty Lake, the botanical garden, a tea factory and the Pykara falls, with short drives and an easy pace for children.
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5D / 4NKuala Lumpur · Cameron HighlandsCameron Highlands & Kuala Lumpur
Tea estates, mossy forest and strawberry farms in the highlands, with the capital on either side.
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5D / 4NKandy · Nuwara EliyaKandy & Nuwara Eliya Short Trip
Temples and tea: Kandy's lake and botanical gardens, then the hills of Little England.
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5D / 4NKasol & Parvati Valley · ManaliKullu Manali Holiday
The Kullu valley and Manali in five days: rafting on the Beas, Kasol and the hot springs of Manikaran, then Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel to Sissu, Hadimba Temple and Old Manali's cafés.
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7D / 6NSrinagar · Gulmarg · PahalgamKashmir: Heaven on Earth
Seven days in Kashmir: a houseboat night and shikara ride on Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens, Sonamarg's glacier, the Gulmarg Gondola and Pahalgam's Aru and Betaab valleys.
View itinerary →58 itineraries
Destinations for hill-station holidays
Tamil NaduOoty
Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is the queen of the Nilgiris, a colonial-era hill station at about 2,240 metres surrounded by tea estates, eucalyptus forests and grassy downs.
Tamil NaduCoonoor
Coonoor is Ooty's quieter neighbour, lower and warmer, with tea estates spilling down to the plains and viewpoints over the Nilgiri valleys.
Tamil NaduKodaikanal
Kodaikanal, the princess of hill stations, sits on a plateau in the Palani Hills around a star-shaped lake.
Tamil NaduYercaud
Yercaud is a small coffee-country hill station in the Shevaroy Hills above Salem, often called the jewel of the south.
Tamil NaduValparai
Valparai is a remote plateau of tea and coffee estates in the Anaimalai Hills, reached by a road with forty hairpin bends.
KeralaMunnar
Munnar is Kerala's best-known hill station, at around 1,600 metres in the Western Ghats, where tea estates cover the slopes in neat green rows.
KeralaThekkady
Thekkady is the town beside Periyar Tiger Reserve, where a lake created by a nineteenth-century dam attracts elephants, gaur and deer to its shores.
KeralaWayanad
Wayanad is a green plateau in north Kerala of coffee estates, prehistoric caves, waterfalls and forest reserves that link to Karnataka's Bandipur and Nagarhole.
KeralaVagamon
Vagamon is a quiet hill area of rolling meadows, pine forest and tea estates at the edge of Kottayam and Idukki districts.
KarnatakaCoorg
Coorg (Kodagu) is Karnataka's coffee country, a district of misty hills, estates shaded by silver oak and waterfalls in the forest.
KarnatakaChikmagalur
Chikmagalur is where coffee was first grown in India, according to the legend of Baba Budan.
Andhra PradeshAraku Valley
Araku Valley is a cool hill area in the Eastern Ghats, home to tribal communities and India's first organic-certified coffee.
MaharashtraLonavala
Lonavala and neighbouring Khandala are hill stations on the Mumbai–Pune route, famous for monsoon waterfalls, misty valleys and chikki.
MaharashtraMahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is the highest hill station in the Sahyadri, with viewpoints over deep valleys, strawberry farms and Venna Lake.
RajasthanMount Abu
Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station, set on a forested plateau in the Aravallis.
Himachal PradeshShimla
Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and its Mall Road, Christ Church and Viceregal Lodge still feel colonial.
Himachal PradeshManali
Manali sits at the head of the Kullu Valley, with apple orchards, old wooden temples and snow peaks all around.
Himachal PradeshDharamshala & McLeod Ganj
Dharamshala and the upper town of McLeod Ganj are home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Himachal PradeshDalhousie & Khajjiar
Dalhousie is a quiet colonial hill station spread over five hills, with churches, pine walks and views of the Pir Panjal.
Himachal PradeshKasol & Parvati Valley
Kasol is a riverside village in the Parvati Valley known for its cafés, pine forests and treks to Kheerganga, Tosh and Malana.
UttarakhandNainital
Nainital is a lake town in the Kumaon hills, built around the pear-shaped Naini Lake and the Mall Road.
UttarakhandMussoorie
Mussoorie, the queen of the hills, sits on a ridge above Dehradun with views of the Doon Valley on one side and Himalayan peaks on the other.
Jammu & KashmirPahalgam
Pahalgam sits where the Lidder river runs through pine forest, and it is the base for the Amarnath Yatra.
Madhya PradeshPachmarhi
Pachmarhi is Madhya Pradesh's only hill station, on a plateau in the Satpura range with waterfalls, cave paintings and forest trails.
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