From a 6-hour drive to Mussoorie to an overnight bus to Manali, these hill escapes are Delhi’s favourite way to beat the heat.
The yoga capital of the world on the Ganges: ashrams, white-water rafting, suspension bridges and Himalayan foothills.
Sep-Nov, Feb-May 2-4 days
A Himalayan resort town for snow, apple orchards, adventure sports and the gateway to Lahaul, Spiti and Ladakh.
Oct-Jan, Mar-Jun 3-5 days
The old British summer capital: colonial Mall Road, pine forests and the UNESCO-listed toy train from Kalka.
Sep-Dec, Mar-Jun 2-3 days
Home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile: monasteries, momos and the Triund trek under the Dhauladhar range.
Sep-Nov, Mar-Jun 2-4 days
The “Queen of the Hills” above Dehradun: Mall Road, Landour’s quiet lanes and views of the snow peaks.
Sep-Nov, Mar-Jun 2 days
A lake town in the Kumaon hills, with boating, ropeways and quieter lakes like Bhimtal and Sattal close by.
Sep-Nov, Mar-Jun 2-3 days
A quiet colonial hill station on five hills, and Khajjiar’s meadow ringed by deodar forest, often called India’s little Switzerland.
Sep-Nov, Mar-Jun 2-3 days
A small, green cantonment town 65 km from Chandigarh: pine walks, colonial churches and sunset views over the plains.
Sep-Dec, Mar-Jun 1-2 days
Where the Ganga leaves the mountains: the evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri, hilltop temples by ropeway, and the start of the Char Dham road.
Oct-Nov, Feb-Apr 1-2 days
A quiet army cantonment town in oak and pine forest, home of the Garhwal Rifles, and an easy weekend from Delhi.
Sep-Dec, Mar-Jun 1-2 days
Not sure where to start? Try the trip finder: tell us when you’re going and what you love, and we’ll match destinations.
See also: best time to visit India · where to go each month.
Been to Hill stations near Delhi? Share one tip that would help the next person. The first good one goes right here.
Weekend getaways from DelhiThe best weekend getaways from Delhi: Agra, Jaipur, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Shimla, Nainital and Jim …
Best hill stations in IndiaIndia’s best hill stations from Shimla and Darjeeling to Munnar and Ooty, with the best time to vis…
Where to go in summer in IndiaThe best places to visit in India in summer (hill stations, Ladakh, Sikkim and Darjeeling) when the…
Spiritual places in IndiaIndia’s great spiritual destinations: Varanasi, Rishikesh, Amritsar, Madurai, Pushkar, Dharamshala …
Honeymoon places in IndiaThe most romantic honeymoon destinations in India (lake palaces, houseboats, hill stations, islands…
India’s great heritage sitesIndia’s most spectacular heritage destinations: the Taj Mahal, Rajasthan’s forts, Hampi, Khajuraho,…
