Summer has arrived, as the COVID restrictions that have stalled business operations and muted travel activities since 2020 are revoked. Thanks to the lockdown, travel has just got bigger and bigger, with 3 out of 5 people, according to a popular survey, now ready with travel/vacation plans. And let’s not forget that just two years ago, the Novel Coronavirus, or COVID, had sent shockwaves across the world drastically transforming things over the longer haul–the impact of which is felt even today. So what’s next? You need to chalk out immediate plans for a perfect summer vacation with your kith and kin. This year can well be the one for North India tour, whilst you’re looking to escape from the intense heat and rising temperature level and hustle and bustle of the city life. Let’s brace ourselves for a trip to North India, and make the most of whatever travel experience it has to offer. You can enjoy the pleasant weather in most regions of North India, see some breathtaking sights, and always have a few interesting things to do while you travel in North India, the details of which will be seen later in the article. Here’re some of the best summer destinations in North India to travel this year:
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Shimla:
Shimla is the most preferred destination to spend your summer vacation in India. Dubbed as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, it is the highest revenue generator in terms of tourism in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh. One of the favorite holiday getaways, the biggest plus of the gorgeous hill station of Shimla is of course its salubrious climate all throughout the year. This in fact is the reason why the British in India post-independence chose Shimla over other hill stations as their favorite summer retreat. Shimla gives you plenty of accommodation and recreation options. Listed among the top summer tourist destinations in India, it’s overall a welcome hill station whether you need to travel alone or with your family.
Once you’re in Shimla, take a toy train from Kalka to Shimla; involve in high-adrenaline sporting activities such as water rafting at Tattapani; do some shopping and enjoy the foods at the local mall, visit the Jakhu Hanuman Temple, nestled atop a hill; unravel the colonial-style architecture of the Christ Church, Viceragal Lodge, etc; explore the beauty of Mashobra, Chail, Kufri and other lovely hill getaways and last but not the least, capture those magical moments that will be etched in your memory forever.
Manali:
Manali, again located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, is second to none.Often described as a paradise for honeymooners and the newlyweds, Manali is the ultimate combination of ravishing beauty, adventure, and all you need to make a vacation really memorable. The scenic town of Manali is enveloped by snow-laden mountain ranges and lush green meadows fed by the River Beas. There are a host of sporting activities that you can try out with or without prior experience including paragliding, river rafting, zorbing, etc. One of the highlights of your vacation at Manali is enjoying the snow at the Rohtang Pass, quite popular among Ladakh travelers but the avalanche that is so unpredictable, and inclement weather conditions can be scary at times.
There are a number of things you can do in the enticing hill station of Manali including sightseeing at Van Vihar Himalayan Nyingmapa Gompa monastery, Club House, Hadimba Temple and many more; involve in activities that could cause an adrenaline rush at Solang Valley; travel to Rohtang Pass to witness the snowfall; do river rafting in Beas river; make short trips to Vashisht Hot-Water Springs, Bhrigu Lake, Arjuna Gufa, Jogini Falls, Manikaran Gurudwara and Kullu; have a bash at the apple orchards and do some trekking and camping.
Rishikesh:
Rishikesh, though rated as one of India’s top spiritual retreats, is not far behind in terms of a perfect summer destination. You can just spend a few moments of solitude on the banks of the Holy Ganges at the foothills of the Himalayas in the state of Uttarkhand. Rishikesh is credited for teaching the world the science and art of Yoga. There are a number of ancient temples, yoga centers, river banks and ashrams in and around it. You will also find adventure sporting activities including cliff jumping, river rafting, bungee jumping, fox flying and others. Things you can do in Rishikesh include river rafting in the Ganges; camping on the banks of the river; body surfing; visiting ancient temples and shrines and learning Yoga, Ayurveda and the science of meditation at the ashrams.
Nainital:
Nainital is another charming hill station in Northern India. Also known as the “Lake District”, Nainital is snuggled high up in the Kumaon Himalayan range. This lovely town is surrounded by ‘Shapta Shring’, or more popularly the seven hills. The splendid mountains and the glittering waters of the lake add a layer of beauty to this quaint town. Once the summer capital during the British rule, the town boasts of a strong colonial tradition, sporting a number of bungalows and villas spread over a vast expanse of green valleys. It’s also popular for the Naina Devi temple held in high reverence by the Hindus.
Nainital is not only known for its touring destination, but also for its world-famous schools and educational institutions, most of which were established during the British rule. Looking for a perfect holiday? Nainital has a plenty of resorts and hotels all set on the hillside. You can visit the Mall Road comprising a lot of cafes, restaurants and busy shopping malls. There are numerous forested trails that lend awesome views of the surrounding verdant landscape. Why not take a horse ride in the calm town or enjoy a ride in the soothingly still lake? Nainital is also known for its mountaineering and hot air-ballooning
Ladakh:
Any North India tour plan is incomplete without travelling to Ladhakh, the erstwhile Buddhist kingdom. Arid mountainous ranges, spectacularly laden rocky outcrops, scenic gompas or lings, mani walls for meditation and multi-hued prayer flags are sights that typify the beauty of this region. Ladhakh also takes pride in a well-balanced societal structure, besides what it has to offer in terms of its growing ecological consciousness.
Ladhakh, situated at an altitude of 2750 – 7672 mtrs above sea level, is still an unexplored beauty on many fronts. Located in the wonderland of the Himalayan ranges, it is the ideal destination if you’re looking to satiate your hunger for adventure. Trekking, as a sporting activity, is commonplace in the region, in addition to adventure sports like water rafting, safaris, biking, etc. Described as the ‘Land of Passes, the region of Ladhakh forms a major territory of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Set against the backdrop of snow-laden hills, Ladakh is the seat of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning. You can find numerous colorful Buddhist monasteries all over the region. While in Ladhakh, don’t miss out on visiting popular tourist destinations including Alchi and Nubra Valley. In addition to this, Ladakh is characterized by rich culture, traditional practices and heritage. It is also the abode to rare wild animals such as the yak, ibex and Tibetan antelope. To sum up things, Ladhakh is a major touring destination for summer as part of any North India vacation packages.
For complete North India tours and travels, do refer to any North India travel packages and North East packages offered by the local tour operators and travel agencies before making an informed travel decision.
