As a child, being forced into cars for ‘quick’ getaways to hill stations served better as punishment than vacation. Relentless motion sickness meant the journey never seemed worth the destination. Before we got there anyway. After was always a different story. One filled with endless chapters of hot stacks of breakfast parathas with dollops of white butter in a precarious dhaba at the edge of a Himalayan cliff or a quiet, freezing waterfall picnic somewhere in the Aravali ranges. Every summer was different because nobody cared to repeat with the countless options available. So every summer, my stomach braved the twists and turns of whatever perilous hilly journey lay ahead of us because something more special than a pot of gold awaited us at the other end of the rainbow.
Sadly, things just aren’t the same anymore and I’m not even one of those cranky next-generation travellers who won’t stop complaining about the ‘damn kids’. I’m one of those kids and I’m willing to admit, the last two decades have been unkind to tourist spots, hill stations more than others. Just ask Shimla and its water crisis. The silence of several of these more popular hill stations has been taken over by the constant influx of tourists, followed by heavy commercial infrastructure and activities. Be it fancy hotels, shopping malls and popular restaurant chains, most seem to have lost their rustic charm.
Fortunately, necessity breeds innovation or vice-versa in this case. Thanks to this new age of rampant technological advancements, it has also become easier than ever to reach (and make it back alive) some of the remotest areas in the country. Thus, we compiled a list of quaint, unknown hill towns across the country that are just waiting to be explored. Particularly so in June, so get planning.
I. Valparai, Tamil Nadu
Valparai is adorned with lush coffee plantations and innumerable waterfalls, which is exactly why late summer and early monsoon is the ideal season to visit this little hill station in Tamil Nadu - or a little towards the end of it if you would like to plunge into the Monkey Falls, situated at the foothills of Balparai. With plenty of trekking opportunities, Valparai makes for an ideal destination if you’re someone who has a knack for adventure and solitude.
For The Curious Eye
The path to Valparai passes through the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary where you can expect to spot elephants, boars, gaurs, and giant squirrels along the way.
Stay At
The Petra Family Guest House comes with a glowing recommendation from us for the lovely home-cooked meals by the forest.
Getting There
You can take a bus or hire a local taxi (if you want to spot the occasional lion-tailed macaque) from Coimbatore, which is 100 km away, or Pollachi, which is 60 km away and consists of 40 hairpin bends that make the ride even more thrilling.
II. Agumbe, Karnataka
Ever thought you could volunteer at a rain forest station? Well, you can at the Agumbe Rainforest research centre located in amongst the fascinating Western Ghats. The lovely hill station situated in the Shimoga district of Karnataka welcomes tourists throughout the year as it is perpetually green and pleasant owing to the abundant rainfall it receives. Whether it’s mountain trekking, learning about the rich flora and fauna of the region or exploring the thriving cottage industry, this quiet village has a little something for everyone.
For The Curious Eye
Look out for one of the oldest homestays in Agumbe called Dodda Mane. It is a short walk from the Agumbe bus station and is the iconic house where the famous Indian television show ‘Malgudi Days’ was shot. Agumbe is also known for Barkana Falls which is one of the highest waterfalls in the country.
Stay At
We’d suggest staying at Dodda Mane itself for the wonderful hospitality offered by an old woman, referred to as ‘Amma’, who runs the place and lets people stay there free of cost. However, there is no system of online booking and it’s recommended that you make calls in advance and check availability.
Getting There
You can drive down to Agumbe from Udipi as its only a 60 km stretch or Mangalore which is 100 km away and has the nearest airport.
III. Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
Winding roads that take you back a century, old Edwardian buildings nestled amidst the glistening Himalayas and a breathtaking landscape that is right out of an old postcard - Visiting Lansdowne, a sleepy hill station in Uttarakhand is like stepping into a little corner of pre-independent India. Here most buildings here have been around since the British Raj. Today, it stands strong as a cantonment town and prides itself in the Garhwal Mess which is located in one of the oldest buildings in town.
For The Curious Eye
The colonial architecture of the town is indeed complemented by the history that presents itself in its name. The town is named after the then Viceroy of India, Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne.
Stay At
We recommend staying at the Fairydale Resort for its warm hospitality, proximity to Lansdowne’s major tourist attractions and homecooked North Indian cuisine.
Getting There
The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is almost a four-hour drive away.
IV. Khimsar Village, Rajasthan
Perhaps the most striking thing about this desert village is that every moment here is golden, quite literally. Never ending sand dunes, only interrupted by a huge fort where history still beckons, Khimsar is an opportunity to get a taste of the challenging life in Thar desert. Here the past, present and the future all intermingle as the hotels in the area are all run by people belonging to royal lineage. While here, make sure to strike a conversation with strangers and learn more about the cultural legacy of Khimsar.
For The Curious Eye
Going around the Khimsar village will be quite an adventure as the only modes of transportation available are jeeps, camels, and horsebacks. Watch out for the oasis - a mini lake that seems to appear suddenly out of nowhere.
Stay At
You can stay at the Khimsar Fort and Dunes Hotel that provides top-notch rooms with a panoramic view of the sand dunes.
Getting There
For visitors within Rajasthan, Khimsar has regular buses from various cities. For those visiting from outside of Rajasthan, Jodhpur is the closest airport as well as railway station.
V. Kurseong, West Bengal
Known for its white orchids, tea plantations, museums, and skies that change colours in the blink of an eye, Kurseong is a hill station near Darjeeling. One of the oldest tea gardens, the Makaibari Tea Estate is located here. It is the perfect place for anyone interested in delving deeper into the history of the estate as you can speak to the founding family members themselves. This little town also offers a plethora of eco-tourism opportunities like tea plucking, tea tasting, full moon harvesting etc.
For The Curious Eye
As pretty as Kurseong may be, it is not for the faint-hearted. The quaint town is infamously known for its haunted locations like the Dow Hill, the Death Road and a Headless Ghost that lurks through the forest.
Stay At
What’s better than waking up to the aroma of freshly brewed tea every morning? As indigenous as it can get, we’d recommend staying at the Makaibari homestays run by local families. Managed by an organisation called ‘Volunteer in Makaibari,’ they offer food, lodging, and make for an insightful company.
Getting There
Makaibari is almost an hour long drive from the neighboring town of Siliguri. The closest airport is the Bagdogra airport. Makaibari is situated at a distance of almost 30 km from Darjeeling in West Bengal.
VI. Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
When the valley comes alive with the melodies of the Ziro Music Festival, it enchants all your senses. But Ziro is just as mesmerizing in silence. Surrounded by paddy fields and bamboo trees, Ziro’s vastness is an enigma. Here, you can push back, bask in the greenery and do absolutely nothing or step out to visit the Apatani villages where you can speak to the locals and get a taste of their culture. If stargazing under the chilly skies is your thing, then Ziro also has plenty of camping opportunities.
For The Curious Eye
Look out for the famous four-day outdoor Ziro music festival that is held annually and showcases some of the most phenomenal musicians across various genres.
Stay At
If you’re there to attend the Music Festival then we’d recommend staying at the Ziro Valley Resort which is in proximity to the venue of the festival. Otherwise, Ziro has plenty of home stays to offer its travellers.
Getting There
You can take a bus to Ziro from Itanagar which is almost 100 kms away. The closest airport is in Tezpur. You can also take an overnight train from Guwahati, Assam.
VII. Kausani, Uttarakhand
Perched atop the Pingnath peak with a splendid view of several other Himalayan peaks like Trishul and Nanda Devi, Kausani is a quiet village surrounded by dense pine forests and the rivers Kosi and Gomti on either side. However, the breathtaking scenic beauty is not all. There is a historical school here which was set up by one of Mahatma Gandhi’s disciples in the 19th century. Called the Lakshmi Ashram, it has been functioning for nearly seven decades and has played an important role in the education of girls living in and around the area.
For The Curious Eye
The hill station is home to a literary gallery called Sumitranandan Pant gallery named after a Hindi poet who was born in Kausani. Here his legacy is visible in the form of original manuscripts of his poems, photographs, awards, and other published work that are on display.
Stay At
We’d recommend staying at The Buransh for its exotic view of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks. They also have several bird-watching trails and spacious rooms.
Getting There
You can take a bus from any of the major cities in Uttarakhand. The nearest airport to Kausani is at Pantnagar which is 150 km away.
VIII. The Goat Village, Uttarakhand
The last one on the list, this immersive journey is for those willing to get their hands dirty. Be it farming on the hills with locals or hunting for herbs, the Goat Village is a rare opportunity to experience the kind of lifestyle our ancestors once lived. An initiative of Green People, an organisation that is successfully blending tourism with the village lifestyle, The Goat Village is a step forward to bring back villagers who’ve abandoned their lives to go live in the cities. With goats–their ultimate mascot, homegrown vegetables, and cottages built by local artisans, this one makes for a perfect rustic experience.
For The Curious Eye
While here, make sure to trek up the Nag Tibba, the highest peak of the Garhwal region, that will take you through rough rocky patches and enchanting forests. Look for the chamomile flower fields during your trek or befriend the locals and set off on a mushroom and herb hunting adventure.
Stay At
The Goat Village offers cosy homestays at a reasonable cost throughout the year.
Getting There
The Goat Village is a four-hour drive from Dehradun which is where the closest airport is located.
Feature Image Credit: chaloarunachal.com
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