Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir also called J & K is the northern most state of India. Due to its natural beauty and charming places, Jammu and Kashmir has always been a dream destinations for global tourists. Since the time immemorial Kashmir Valley has been a source of inspiration for poets, and many of them named Kashmir a Paradise on Earth.

In fact, the Mughal Emperor Jehangir once said, "if there is paradise on earth, it is this, it is this". Kashmir is bestowed with lush green valleys, snow-capped mountains, gushing rivers, shimmering lakes, beautiful waterfalls and alpine meadows. Besides, the state is home to religious shrines like Hazratbal mosque, Vaishnodevi and Amarnath shrines and Buddhist monasteries.

For adventure seekers, Kashmir offers several excellent sites which have won worldwide recognition. Adventure enthusiasts can enjoy the adventure sports of trekking, skiing, angling, rafting in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir is also famous for its rich handicrafts such as carpets, shawls, paper machie works and wood works. While visiting Kashmir, you make buy the handicraft items to bring them as souvenir alongwith you. Jammu and Srinagar are the summer and winter capitals of Jammu and Kashmir respectively. Other important destinations are Ladakh, Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Srinagar : Situated in the heart of the Kashmir valley, Srinagar is divided into two parts by the river Jhelum. The Dal Lake is the prime attraction of Srinagar which is a maze of intricate waterways and channels. Besides Dal Lake other places of interest in Srinagar include the Mughal Gardens namely Chashmashahi Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, the Nagin Lake and Skaharacharya Temple.

Ladakh : Ladakh also called the Lama Land is situated at a distance of 400 kms from Srinagar. Set in varying altitudes, ranging between 9,000 feet and 25,170 feet, Ladakh is bounded by two of the highest mountain ranges, Himalayas and Karakoram. A place of great significance for Buddhists, Ladakh is home to several monasteries. Some of the famous attractions of Ladakh are Hemis Monastery, Thikse Monastery, Sankar Gompa, Hemis Wildlife Sanctuary and Nubra Valleys.

Gulmarg : A nature lover’s delight, Gulmarg can be described as a huge cut shaped meadow with undulating slopes ringed by fir trees and snow-capped peaks. Here at Gulmarg you can hear the birds song and the sound of the wind blowing through the pines. Gulmarg is a paradise for trekkers, as it is home to thrilling trek routes.

Sonamarg : Sonamarg lies 80 kms north-east of Srinagar at an altitude of 3,000 mts. Literally meaning the meadow of Gold, Sonamarg is a quiet valley carved by the river Sindh and encircled by the placid lakes and awesome glaciers.

Vaishnodevi : A holy site for Hindus, Vaishnodevi lies at 61 kms from Jammu. A 13 kms trek from Katra (50 kms from Jammu) takes you to Vaishnodevi shrine. Sightseeing places in and around Vaishnodevi shrine include Raghunath Mandir, Bhumika Mandir and Kalka Mandir. Other places of sightseeing include the Shalimar Park and the Chintamani Park.

Pahalgam : Pahalgam is situated 96 kms east of Srinagar at an elevation of 2,400 mts. Set amidst the amazing backdrop of upland meadow and hills covered with pine forests, Pahalgam offers perfect setting for a peaceful vacation. For adventure seekers Pahalgam offers excellent options of trekking and fishing.


Patnitop : One of the most beautiful hill stations of North India, Patnitop is situated at a height of 1,950 mts. Surrounded by thick forest and lush greenery of the pines, Patnitop is an ideal place for walks and picnics. You can even indulge yourself into pony rides along the lesser known trails and camps.

Hill Stations of India

Topographically India is varied land comprises of mountains and plains. Out of India’s total land area, a fair portion is occupied by the mountains and hills. Great Indian Himalayas runs almost all through the northern part of the country. However, the western ghat range runs from Maharashtra to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India. The British East India Company developed a number of hill stations in these mountain ranges, which still flourish.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the cities, the hill stations of India provide a welcome break and take one close to mother nature. Hill Stations of India are famous worldover for their cool salubrious climate and their spectacular scenery. Every year thousands of tourists from all over the world visit the hill stations to enjoy the pleasant climate and getting rejuvenated by the rolling meadows and serene ambience. India is home to more or less around fifty hill stations, some of the popular hill stations are :

Darjeeling : Situated in the Indian state of West Bengal, Darjeeling is often referred to as the 'Queen of all hill stations.'Darjeeling is known for its pristine natural beauty, clean fresh air and year round present weather. Above all, you will be certainly pleased by the warm hospitality of smiling and welcoming local people. World's third highest pick mount Kanchenjunga lies very close to Darjeeling and provides clearest view. The toy train running between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling is a major attraction and you should not miss the adventurous journey. A World Heritage Site, the Darjeeling toy train takes you through the winding railway tracks,flanked by the lofty mountains all across. Other popular destinations in and around Darjeeling include Ghoom, Kalimpong and Mirik.


Shimla : Once the capital of British India, Shimla is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Set at an altitude of 2,196 mts above sea level, Shimla is one of the most popular hill stations of India. Of course, the British are no more here, but even today you can experience the bygone era in colonial structures here. With lofty snow-covered peaks all around flanked by pine, cedar, oak and rhododendron forests, the hill station makes a prefect base for a leisurely holiday. Shimla is easily accessible from India’s capital Delhi (343 km). Trains, Buses and Air services are available to Shimla from Delhi. Ridge, Lakkad Bazaar, St Michael's Cathedral, Institute of Advanced Studies and Tara Devi Temple are the main attractions of Shimla. Don’t forget to enjoy the toy train journey between Kalka and Shimla.

Manali : An important hill station of northern India, Manali is situated in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Literally meaning the abode of Manu or "Home of Manu", Manali boasts of cool atmosphere. Dotted with a number of temples, Manali is also treated as an important pilgrimage destination. If you are an adventure seeker, then Manali is a perfect place for you. Situated at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level, along the banks of the river Beas provides excellent opportunities for a variety of adventure sports. Here you may enjoy the adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking. Some of the attractions of Manali include Arjun Gufa,Hadimba Temple,Jagatsuhk, Kothi, Manu Temple, Monasteries, Rahala waterfalls, Rohtang Pass (3979 m), Solang Valley, Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temple.

Ooty : Ooty also called Udhagamandalam is one of the most popular hill stations of South India. Nestled amidst the lush green hills of the Nilgiris, Ooty was developed as a hill station by the British in the early 19 th century. Bestowed with a landscape perpetually enveloped in mist, Ooty’s beauty has a timeless appeal. Peaches and plum orchards, terraced tea plantations, and eucalyptus, pine and wattle lining the landscape, add more to the beauty of Ooty. Government Botanical Garden (2 Kms), Artificial Lake, Mini Garden, Doddabetta, Hindustan Photo Films, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Deer Park are some of the attractions of Ooty.

Nainital : Nainital, literally meaning the ‘city of lake’ is the gateway of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state. A beautiful hill resort, Nainital is visited by thousands of domestic and foreign tourists. Flanked by the lofty peaks, Nainital provides a heaven like feel. Enjoy the boating in Naini lake, horse safari or reach to snow-view by ropeway. From the snow-view enjoy the spectacular view of the snow-covered Himalayan ranges. Some of the popular attractions around Nainital are Bhimtal (22 km), Khurpatal (12 km), Nakuchiyatal, Sattal, Kainchi, Kilbury (12 km), Ranikhet (63 km) and Kausani (120 km).

Mount Abu : Mount Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan, is just like a green oasis in the barren desert scape. Set at the southern tip of the Aravali range, Mount Abu is covered with varied floral species that include coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. Gaumukh Temple, Dilwara Jain Temple, Adhar Devi Temple, Sunset Point, Honeymoon Point, Shri Raghunathji Temple,Museum and Art Gallery, Guru Shikhar(Highest peak), Nakkilake etc. are famous attractions of Mount Abu.

Kodaikanal : Kodaikanal lies 120 kms away from Madurai on the southern crest of the Palani hills. Set at an elevation of altitude of 2100 mt, Kodaikanal is surrounded by wooded slopes, waterfalls and precipitous rocky outcrops. Established by American missionaries in 1845, Kodaikanal is steeped in history. Even today you can see the relics and artifacts of the Paliyans who once lived in these hills in the Shenbaganur Museum. You can also see a few Paliyans near Kukal Cave.

Other Popular Hill Stations of India : Mussoorie (Himachal Pradesh), Almora (Uttarakhand), Khandala (Maharashtra), Lonavala (Maharashtra), Gangtok (Sikkim), Gulmarg (Jammu and Kashmir), Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir), Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) Panchgani (Maharashtra), Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra), Patnitop, Munnar, Dalhousie and Kufri.