A huge cup
shaped meadow, lush and green with slopes where the silence is broken only
by the tinkle of cowbells, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and
not surprisingly have been the venue of several films.
The
capital of Jammy and Kashmir and the largest city in the state, Srinagar
(1,730m) is famous for its canals, Houseboats and Mughal Gardens. The city
itself is quite unlike most other large Indian cities for here you are much
more in Central Asia than on the Indian sub-continent.
Ladakh
is a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain
ranges, the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram, it lies athwart two other,
the Ladakh range and the Zanskar Range.
Ladakh is full of amazing sights - strange Gompas perched on soaring
heights; the barren, shattered looking landscapes splashed with small
brilliant patches of green; ancient palaces clinging to sheer rock walls.
Shimla
has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of. Dwelling
on a panoramic location, the hilly town is surrounded by green pastures and
snow-capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures
made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very different from
other hill stations.
Kullu was
once known as Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world.
Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the
banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled 'Silver Valley'.
Surrounded
by towering peaks at an arm length, Manali's major asset is its proximity to
the snowline. It is a flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon
destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside
ideal for adventure sport lovers.
Dharamsala
over looks the plains and is surrounded by dense pine trees and Deodar
forests. A nearby snowline with numerous streams and cool healthy atmosphere
makes the surroundings very attractive. A busy bazaar town, Dharamsala has
established itself as the travellers base camp, who come to explore the
nearby mountains.
Dalhousie
is a quiet town, with a sense of enchantment. This hill station spreads over
five low-level hills at the western edge of the Dhauladhar range, just east
of the Ravi River.
Soaked
in nature's beauty, Sarahan is flanked on the banks of the meandering Sutlej
River. Located amidst Deodar forests, Sarahan was the ancient capital of the
mighty Bushahr. It's a belief that Sarahan is the Shonitpur of old times,
and this was the place, where Banasura once ruled.
A small town
in the hills of Kumaon, Nainital is a lovely hill station surrounded by
mountains on three sides. Once this area had many lakes and it was called
the City of 60 lakes or 'Chakta'.
Mussoorie
is located in the Garhwal hills. Due to its immense natural beauty,
Mussoorie is known as the queen of hill stations. Mussoorie is an excellent
respite for tourists and people who want relief from the hot sultry
conditions of the plains. Nature has gifted Mussoorie everything which makes
a place beautiful. With the onset of summers tourists start coming here.
Rishikesh
is just 24 Kms from Haridwar. Located in the laps of lower Himalayas, this
place is considered to be the access point of three other pilgrim places of
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri the four great places which
combine to make Chardham.
Gangtok,
the "Lofty Hill" or the "Hill made flat to build the Gangtok
monastery in 1716". Gangtok is a city, which, till one sees it, one
would believe exists only in picture-story books.
Darjeeling
the dream land of the East, it has been a popular hill station since the
British period. The tourist flow to Darjeeling city has been increasing day
by day. Due to the proximity with three international borders, Darjeeling is
strategically very important
For well over a thousand years, pilgrims have
journeyed Kailash Mansarovar to pay homage to the mountain's mystery,
circumambulating it is a ancient ritual of devotion that continues to this
day.