“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary

A land of mountains with views of the majestic Himalayan range from all across North India, the country is home to many hill stations that will take your breath away. From the Aravali mountains in the northwest to the Satpura range in central India, and the green carpet of the Western Ghats, all make for a truly spectacular Indian holiday.

Himalayan Mountain Range

The mighty Himalayas are a huge draw for people across the world. The sight of the magnificent Himalayan range glistening brightly in the morning sun can make your heart skip a beat and also calm you magically. The northern states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim are great viewpoints to capture a view of the highest mountain in India. The hill stations of Mukteshwar, Binsar, Shimla, Mussoorie, and Lansdowne are great spots to view the peaks such as Nanda Devi – the 23rd highest peak in the world, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Kedarnath, all part of the Himalayas mountain range. The weather in these hill stations is pleasant throughout the year, and they are perfect places to unwind and recharge.

Aravali Mountains

The Aravalli Range stretches from Gurugram near Delhi to Gujarat while passing through Haryana and Rajasthan. Spanning close to 670 km, the Aravali Range is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in India. The highest peak is on Mount Abu in Rajasthan at 5,650 feet above sea level. The whole range offers breathtaking views of green mountains and large areas of sand and stone. The popular tourist destinations of Alwar and Jodhpur in Rajasthan are also part of the Aravali Range. While Alwar is known for the famous Sariska Tiger Reserve, Jodhpur, popularly known as the Blue City, has the very famous Mehrangarh Fort. The regal fort, with beautifully carved pillars and ceiling, long pathways, and artifacts from the royal era, is a must-visit. Mount Abu, a popular hill station in Rajasthan, is known for its natural beauty. Nakki Lake is the centre of attraction, where people come to enjoy a great stay in the midst of lakes and mountains. The Dilwara Temple atop a mountain is a beauty in white. Carved out of white marble, the temple showcases the exemplary skills and craftsmanship of the artisans from the bygone era.

Western Ghats

Older than the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, with its unique geomorphic features, biophysical and ecological processes, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a very rich assemblage of flora and fauna, besides being a natural wonder with mountains, rivers, and breathtaking hill stations. A perfect place for a lush green holiday, the Western Ghats is spread through a couple of states in the south of India. Mahabaleshwar, near Mumbai, is among the top mountains in south India. The other most visited hill station in the Western Ghats is the Nilgiri Hills, with the highest peak rising up to 8,652 feet. The Nilgiri Hills, popularly known as the ‘Blue Mountains,’ have been immortalized in Indian films and are a popular place for Hindi cinema.

Satpura Mountains

Among the most famous temples in southern India, the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is perched on a hilltop 3,000 feet above sea level. Located very close to the Periyar Tiger Reserve and the Pampa riverfront, the drive to Sabarimala temple is truly memorable. The bright shining golden dome of the temple is an amazing sight to behold amidst the green landscape. One of the main idols of Lord Ayyappa inside the shrine is made of an alloy comprising five important metals. This is considered auspicious as per the Hindu belief, and hence many devotees come to pray here. The Sabarimala temple is one of the most popular temples in South India, visited by thousands of devotees during the months of November to April when the annual festival is celebrated.