1. Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir

Known as the land of high passes, Ladakh is tremendously beautiful, & to one’s delight, it offers more than just postcard-perfect views. Leh Palace, Magical Hill, and Pangong Lake are its noted attractions, and its stretch from Siachen Glacier to Great Himalayas are full of treks and hikes, full of photo ops and enough fodder for a lifetime, for the eyes that constantly look for beauty and peaceful views.

Best Time: Any time between the months of June and September

2. New Delhi, NCR

The historical center of India, Delhi is the place where history and modern life walk hand in hand. From iconic historical places like Red Fort and Mughal Gardens to sprawling shopping malls, Delhi’s street food culture is a must have experience! Delhi has the tendency to make you feel spirited and full of life, and a visit to Delhi University is bound to make you feel young and liberated.

Best Time : Months of October through March is a great time to visit Delhi

3. Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Corbett National Park, located on the foothills of Himalayas, is a wildlife sanctuary and a paradise for photographers and animal lovers. Though the place is home to some rare flora and fauna especially elephants, tigers, and leopards that roam about the area freely, it is most famous for Bengali Tigers. Jhirna, Garjiya Devi Temple and Bijrani zone are some of its major attractions.

Best Time : Mid October to Mid June

4. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Known as the yoga capital of India, Rishikesh is home to numerous temples and ashrams where yoga is taught. These ashrams sit on the eastern banks of Rishikesh. Since Rishikesh is located on the Himalayan foothills near the Ganges, it offers adventurous water activities which are in fact the major crowd puller after Yoga. Whitewater Rafting and camping are the major highlights!

Best Time : Throughout the year

5. Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Also known as Lover’s  paradise and the honeymoon capital of India, Manali is Himachal Pradesh’s renowned resort town. Sitting amidst Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges, Manali with its lush green cover, sparkling streams and mesmerising views is one of the best hill stations in India.

A lot of river adventure awaits you in Manali with multiple opportunities for trekking. Shopping venues are numerous and if visiting a quaint little village is on your list, you will find a couple of options in Manali. Museums, temples or attractions like Solang valley, Manali has something for everyone.

Best Time : October to June

5. Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir

The land where gems like Dal Lake exist, the place whose history speaks volume through Mughal gardens like Nishat Bagh, it is true when they say that Srinagar is ‘Heaven on Earth’.

Nestled on the banks of Jhelum,  Srinagar with its hypnotizing views and cool pleasant climate that prevails all year round makes it an ideal hill station. Water rafting, water trekking, and boating are some of the popular activities you can enjoy in Srinagar, especially in summer.

Best Time : The months of April through October

7. Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir

2730 m above sea level, Gulmarg sits amidst snow-capped mountains and is yet another ski destination in Northern India. Gulmarg Gondola, St Mary’s Church, Maharani temple, Khilanmarg and numerous Golf courses, Gulmarg offers a eclectic mix of things to do and see.

Best Time : October to June

8. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

Mussoorie is not just another hill station, it is popularly termed as the queen of hills. And rightfully so, the place is not only beautiful but offers enough to meet the expectations of a variety of travelers. Home to landmarks like Mall road, Lal tibba, Happy Valley, Jharipani Falls, Gun Hill, and Kempty Falls, there is enough to fill your days in Mussoorie.

Where the view of Mussoorie from the top of Gun Hill will make your trip more memorable, you can buy loads of souvenirs at Mall road – it is the shopping district full of shops, cafes and skating rinks.

Best Time : September to June

9. Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh

Famous as the residence of Dalai Lama, Dharamshala sits at a distance of 18 km from the city of Kangra and is divided into two parts – the upper division is known as Mcleodganj. There are many malls in Dharamshala, which makes it a great shopping destination and its tea gardens are just the icings on the cake. Moreover, in the shopping district, you can also enjoy great food and if you feel like, even movies.

Last but not the least, for trekkers, Dharamshala is a sacred place. Many treks start at Dharamshala, like the one that leads to Ravi valley’s upper region. Other popular treks include Toral Pass, Dharamshala—Baleni Pass and Triund-Thatri-Trek.

Best Time : October to June

10. Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh

Located in Dharamshala, Mcleodganj is a hill station known for its connection to Dalai Lama – there is also a temple dedicated to him. The place is mainly inhabited by Tibet population and interestingly, their culture is a mix of Tibetan and british influences.

Though the place is mainly popular among trekkers, there are many things worth-exploring here, like the Tibetan Institute of Performing arts and the Namgyal Monastery. The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is also a great place if you are into history.

Best Time : October to June

11. Auli, Uttarakhand

The skiing destination of India, Auli is the ultimate Ski resort, but it is not the only thing that it is famous for. Surrounded by dense forests, this hill station in Northern Uttarakhand has been popular since the 8th century. It has cable car links that you can use to reach the town of Joshimath. Another great thing about this place is its many apple orchids and green cover full of old oak trees and mesmerizing treks waiting to be explored.

Best Time : Throughout the year

12. Haridwar, Uttarakhand

The holiest place in India, Haridwar is a city where faith resides and the age-old religious beliefs and practices still prevail. Part of Uttrakhand’ Garhwal region, Haridwar’s literal translation is ‘Lord Vishnu’s Abode’ & it is not surprising that it is also called the land of legends. No matter where you go you will find someone singing the praise of the lord or reciting his life stories. But this is just one facet of Haridwar, it is also popular for its cultural multifacetedness and attractions like Rajaji National Park.

Best Time : All year round destination