India, being one of the most culturally and geographically diverse countries, has a lot to offer especially considering its 365 day tourist destination location when it comes to travel. Each region of the Indian peninsula is unique and diverse.
From beaches to deserts, mountains to caves; tropical forests, tropical forests; bio-resources; in terms of archaeological wealth, in countless UNESCO Heritage sites, you name it, as India will surely be having something wonderful enough to make you love to travel again! Transport through Railways and airways makes these places easily accessible, the flagship service of Indian Airways Air India has also taken the initiative to promote Indian tourism by increasing its reach to some of the untouched remote Indian tourist spots.
North India hides some of the most beautiful places with millions of picturesque landscapes under its topography when it comes to summers. It serves as an ideal location to serve the tourists some of the best summer tourist destinations of India. Here is a list of top 6 places to visit in North India during summer:
Leh-Ladakh
Located in the Himalayas and the turns of the Karakoram, Leh-Ladakh is one of the most popular and well-known places for bikers for summer and retreats. With a rich landscape that defines the true nature of mountains and snow, the land of Leh-Ladakh is also rich in cultural heritage, being close to the Indus river.
Image Source: www.indianexpress.com
The place is also well known among trekkers for the amazing and unique treks it has to offer, Nubra Valley is a favorite place. You can experience the Tibetan culture first hand on the road as you arrive at the different places there.
There are many points of attraction to visit and many adventurous activities to undertake, a couple of which you can definitely add to your bucket list. The official languages spoken in this region are Urdu, Ladakhi, Balti, and Tibetan.
Best Spots to visit: Pangong Tso Lake, Khardung-la Pass, Nubra Valley, Diskit Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Shanti Stupa, Zanskar Valley, Magnetic Hill, Chadar Trek, and Royal Leh Palace.
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh.
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar.
Dharamsala
Located in the Western region of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala is a popular tourist and Buddhist pilgrimage. The place is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Dhauladhar range and the Pir Panjal Mountains and has several pilgrim and trek places to visit.
Mcleodganj is one of the main attractions for pilgrims and Buddhist scholars as it hosts the residence of the highest spiritual leader Dalai Lama who was the former head of state of Tibet. Dharamshala also hosts a wide variety of historical and spiritual places mixed with the beautiful scenic beauty of the Himalayan hills.
The official languages spoken in this region are Hindi, English, Tibetan, Nepali and Pahari.
Best Spots to visit: Kangra Fort, Dalhousie, Baijnath, Naggar, and Manali are few other major attractions near Dharamshala, which attract major tourists and showcase the cultural richness of Himachal Pradesh.
Nearest Airport: Kangra Airport, Gaggal
Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot.
Hrishikesh
The city is located in the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, a North Indian State. The seventh most populous city of Uttarakhand, Hrishikesh, or the Yoga Capital of the World, is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage for Hindus in the Indian Subcontinent.
Endowed with Hindu culture and a population that believes in the benefits of Yoga in daily life, all surrounded by the scenic beauty of Holy Rivers such as Bhagirathi and Alaknanda. Besides being just a Hindu Holy City with temples, Hrishikesh offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of adventure sports opportunities.
Hrishikesh is one of the places you must visit if you visit north India. The official languages spoken in this region are Hindi, Garwhwali, Kumauni, Punjabi, and Nepali.
Best Spots to visit: Tehri Lake, Gumkhal, Haridwar, Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Mohanchatti, Byasi, Ranichauri.
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh
Nainital
Often referred to as the Glittering jewel in the Necklace of the Himalayas and the Lake District, “Nainital” must be a place to visit while visiting Uttarakhand. If you are a lake lover, then Nainital, if your destination is on the Himalayan foothills full of natural beauty mixed with crystal clear lakes, it makes Nainital a hotspot for tourists seeking relief from the scorching summer heat.
Image Source: www.chikucab.com
The Naini lake is a major attraction for visitors because of its unique eye shape and mythologically considered as one eye of Lord Shiva’s wife. The lake, on clear days, hosts a unique view of the reflection of the peak of China which is located on the back side of the Naini Lake.
The spiritual integrity and culture of the Kumaon valley will make you feel at home, and the unique dishes of the hill station will make you stay longer in Nainital. The official language in Nainital is Hindi, English, Sanskrit and Kumaoni.
Best places to visit: Nainital Lake, Jim-Corbett national park, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, Ramgarh, Haldwani, Mukteshwar, Almora.
Nearest Airport: Pantnagar, Rudrapur
Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam, Haldwani.
Spiti Valley
Called the cold desert valley of northern India, Spiti Valley is a popular tourist spot for outdoor enthusiasts and people seeking knowledge about Buddhist preaching. Host to the Main Monastery and the Tabo Monastery, one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries globally and the second home of the Dalai Lama, Spiti Valley has served as the home of Buddhist scholars throughout the generations.
Being at an altitude of 12,500 meters above sea level and 250 days of sunshine throughout the year, the Spiti valley has some mesmerizing scenic views, making it an ideal place to visit during the conditions of -summer of the Indian Sub-Continent. The official languages spoken in this region are Hindi, English, Stod Bhoti, and Lahaul, which are close to Tibetan.
Best Spots to visit: Chandratal Lake, Main Monastery, Kunzum Pass, Pin Valley National Park, Tabo Monastery, Dhankar Monastery, Kibber, Hikkim, Komic, Langza,
Nearest airport: Bhuntar Airport.
Nearest train station: Joginder Nagar, Himachal Pradesh.
Mussoorie
The Queen of Hills, Mussoorie, Established in 1825, is a paradise for nature lovers. The hill station of Mussoorie offers a good social life, cozy cafes, old inns, churches, and a hotel in a beautiful position to capture the maximum of what nature has to offer during summers .
Heritage, nature, art, and culture are all packed into a small hill station with awesome weather; this is what you can expect if you visit Mussoorie around this time of the year. The highest official languages Spoken are Hindi, Punjabi, English and Kumaoni.
Best Spots to visit: Kempty falls, Lal Tibba, Gun Hill Point, Company Garden, Cloud’s End, Jharipani Falls, Mussoorie Lake, Sir George Everest’s House, Library Bazaar, and Lake Mist.
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Uttarakhand.
Nearest Railway Station: Dehradun, Uttarakhand
In short if you are looking for a cool getaway in this scorching Indian summer heat then the north Indian Destinations mentioned above are one you must try. Cultural diversity, natural beauty, and a feeling of home wherever you go are what these destinations offer with a mix of urban amenities and a deep spiritual background making these places not to be missed this summer.