Ever wonder where Indians escape to when the heat gets brutal? They've got some of the world's best hill stations tucked away in their backyard, and May’s is actually the perfect time to experience them. If you're planning a trip to India and want to dodge the meh places, then here are five absolute beauties that will keep you nice and cool. Flights from New Zealand to India are getting more competitive these days, so call us & talk with our travel experts 0800 428 334 for best service and peace of mind travelling. Let’s plan your next travel to India together.
This place is legendary for a reason. Manali sits high up in Himachal Pradesh with snow capped peaks all around. Experience traces of Mahabharat; you can feel history closer than ever. It's massive with honeymooners and adventure junkies alike – you can go paragliding, river rafting, or just wander through pine forests. (PS – Rent a Himalayan bike and ride up to Atal tunnel, it would be the most scenic ride of your life) It's about 550km north of Delhi, so easy to reach once you've landed. The mountain air up here hits different.
They call it the Queen of Hill Stations, and honestly, it lives up to the hype. Ooty's perched at 2,240 meters in the Nilgiri ranges down south in Tamil Nadu. Temperatures sit around 15-20°C most of the year, sometimes dropping to zero in winter. The place is covered in tea plantations, eucalyptus forests, and rolling hills that look straight out of a postcard. There's something really peaceful about sipping fresh chai while overlooking endless green valleys.
Whoever has ever been to Kashmir has lost its piece in Gulmarg. If you're into valleys and mountain scenery & fairytales, Gulmarg's hard to beat, literally one of the most beautiful regions on earth. The name means "meadow of flowers" gul is flowers & marg is fields and when you see it, you'll get why. Snow-covered peaks surround these lush green meadows, and the whole scene is just unreal. Kashmir's often called heaven on earth, and spending time in Gulmarg makes that pretty clear.
Kerela known as the "God's Own Country". Munnar's been a go-to summer escape since British colonial days. The British officers knew what they were doing when they set up shop here. Three rivers wind through the area and meet just outside town, adding to the scenery. The tea estates blanketing the hillsides are iconic, and the air's so clean and cool you'll want to bottle it up and take it home.
This lake town in Uttarakhand is genuinely charming. The centerpiece is Naini Lake, but there are several other lakes dotted around the area. It's nestled in the Kumaon foothills of the Himalayas, and the views are mint. Beyond the natural beauty, Nainital's got a gorgeous blend of architecture and local culture. Boating on the lake when it's hot outside is exactly the kind of therapy that makes travel worthwhile.
Planning your escape to the hills? Start checking flight prices early you'll get better deals that way! And to make things super easy for you Buddha Travel & tours do Holiday packages too which means from your flight tickets to your day-to-day itinerary all will be covered!