With scorching temperatures and dry weather, summers in India can be a grueling affair. As such, the best option to escape the hot summers is to literally run for the hills. India, with its varied topography offers a range of places that you can spend your summer break and getaway to a cooler, more relaxing travel destination.
When it comes to finding a summer destination to spend your holidays, north India has a number of tourist places for you to choose from. From boating in a high-altitude lake, to trekking along the mighty Himalayan Mountains, to trying out a winter sport on a snowy hill, north India has plenty to offer. Forming the best escape from heat of the summer months, visiting the ever-loved hill stations of north India with your family can be the best way to let the summer months go by.
Read along to find out more about the top travel destinations that you can visit on a summer break in north India and make the most out of your tour.
- Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir
- Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
- Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
- Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
- Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
- Leh – Ladakh
Explore Popular Tour Packages for Summer
Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir
Among the travel destinations in the country, remains to be one of the best places for spending your summer in north India. Situated in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir is a top summer destination and a hill station favored by people through the years. Often dubbed as “Paradise on Earth”, Kashmir is called so for its scenic vistas that offer beautiful lakes, alpine forests, and ample gardens, all surrounded by the snowy Himalayan Mountains.
A truly perfect summer getaway, Kashmir is a top destination in north India to spend a holiday with your family. Kashmir’s best tourist places include the mesmerizing city of Srinagar with its Dal Lake and its floating gardens, the remarkable town of Gulmarg most known for its snow-covered ranges offering many winter sport activities such as skiing, sleighing, and snowboarding, and the hill town of Sonamarg with its glaciers and lakes that make it a trekker’s paradise.
When in Kashmir, it is recommended that you also visit the floral gardens that showcase the beauty and grandeur of the valley. A visit to its Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden and its Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden, situated surrounded by the snow-covered Himalayas will let you understand what makes Kashmir a place next to paradise.
Best places to visit in Kashmir
- Dal Lake
- Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden
- Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
- Gulmarg
- Sonamarg
Things to do in Kashmir
- Take the Gulmarg Gondola ride at Gulmarg
- Go boating at the Dal Lake in the local shikara, or a houseboat
- Try a winter sport at Gulmarg such as skiing or snowboarding
- Trek to the town of Sonamarg and witness the beauty of Kashmir
- Attend the annual tulip festival at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
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Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The beloved hill station of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is the state’s prized possession. Having been a top summer destination for ages, Shimla was also the favorite place for the British to escape the scorching Indian summers. The city offers remnants of the colonial past having seen the existence of the British for years. What makes Shimla among the top destinations to spend a summer holiday is its verdant landscape that offers a view of alpine forests, snow covered peaks, colonial architecture, all among misty settings.
A destination that can be visited all year round, Shimla forms an especially relaxing getaway during summers. With its low temperatures and high-altitude hills, the city easily forms the list of the best places to visit in summers in north India. Some of the best destinations to travel in Shimla include its famous Mall Road, known to attract tourists with its shops and restaurants that evoke a colorful and vibrant feeling in the hill city, the British-era Viceregal Lodge that once served as the summer residence to the Indian Viceroy, and the snowy hill town of Kufri recognized for its scenic views and winter sports.
Another one of the things that make Shimla among the best tourist places in north India is its fascinating toy train ride. Running between Kalka and Shimla, the Kalka Shimla Railways is also acknowledged as a World Heritage Site under UNESCO.
Best places to visit in Shimla
- Mall Road
- Kufri
- Viceregal Lodge
- Christ Church
- Tara Devi Temple
Things to do in Shimla
- Ride the Kalka-Shimla toy train
- Shop for local handicrafts and traditional woolens at Mall Road
- Experience a beautiful sunset at Scandal Point
- Try skiing or skating at Kufri
- Trek to the top of the Jakhu Hill
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Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
Built across five hills of Himachal, Dalhousie is among the top summer destinations that must be explored when visiting north India. Offering a pleasant view of the Dhauladhar Mountain Ranges, vast, green meadows, alpine forests, and gushing waterfalls, Dalhousie is the best place for a summer holiday destination with your family. Originally established as a summer retreat for the British, the town is today a top travel destination and forms the perfect getaway to escape the hot season.
Named after Lord Dalhousie who founded the hill station, Dalhousie displays a number of colonial-era structures that today make up a majority of its tourist places. Some of the best places to visit in Dalhousie include its Mall Road which is a center of hustle and bustle and has a variety of markets, cafes, and restaurants for the tourists to explore. Along with this, the colonial-era buildings such as the St. John’s Church, St. Patrick’s Church, and the St. Andrew’s Church also garner much attention from the tourists. At Dalhousie, one of the best places to visit in summer is Chamera Lake, where boating can be a fun event to experience with your family along with a visit to the beautiful, gushing water body of Satdhara Falls. A town much loved by the British decades ago, Dalhousie still remains one of the most visited and favored places in north India to visit during the summer time.
Best places to visit in Dalhousie
- Mall Road
- John’s Church
- Andrew’s Church
- Chamera Lake
- Satdhara Falls
Things to do in Dalhousie
- Go boating at the beautiful Chamera Lake
- Trek all the way to the Satdhara Falls
- Shop for local handicrafts and woolens at Mall Road
- Explore the colonial architecture by visiting its churches
- Visit the town of Khajjiar, otherwise known as “Mini Switzerland”
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Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
A hill station nestled among the great expanse of the Himalayas, Lansdowne is among the best places to visit in north India for summers. A true summer retreat, Lansdowne expressed its beauty in the form of high-altitude lakes, scenic viewpoints, colonial structures and dense forests. Originally established as a cantonment by the British, this beauty is named after Viceroy Lansdowne himself. The scenic and quaint setting of this hill town makes it the perfect summer getaway, a calm travel destination that takes you away from the chaos and crowd of the city.
At Lansdowne, experience its beauty with the popular tourist places that attract the hearts of many. Things you can do this summer on a tour to Lansdowne with your family include visiting the colonial-era structures of St. John’s Church and St. Mary’s Church, going for a relaxing boat ride at the enchanting Bhulla Lake, witnessing a soothing sunset at the Tip in Top Point, and going for a fun trek to the Snowpoint and taking in the beautiful views of the surrounding mountain peaks of Chaukhamba and Trishul. With a serene ambiance, misty settings, and some amazing places to explore, Lansdowne has made a name for itself among the best places to visit in north India in summers.
Best places to visit in Lansdowne
- Mary’s Church
- Bhulla Lake
- Tip in Top Point
- Snowpoint
- Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple
Things to do in Lansdowne
- Go for a boat ride at the Bhulla Lake
- Trek to Snowpoint and enjoy a beautiful sunset
- Explore the many colonial-era structures in the town
- Take a nature walk among the forests of Lansdowne
- Visit the enchanting temple of Tarkeshwar Mahadev
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Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
The vibrant city of Rishikesh is a place that has made itself to be among the best places to visit in summers. With the varied range of places to explore and things to do, Rishikesh is easily among the best travel destinations to see with your family on a summer break. Recognized to be the “Yoga Capital of the World”, Rishikesh is also a popular pilgrimage site due to the blessed River Ganga that flows through it, making it the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city and find some peace and calm through meditation and spiritual practices.
Not just a pilgrimage destination, what makes Rishikesh a top summer destination is due to the many adventure sports that it has to offer. Popular adventure sports that tourists partake in when visiting include bungee jumping, white water river rafting, kayaking, paragliding, and camping under the open skies. Explore the beauty of Rishikesh with its top tourist places that include the suspension bridges of Laxman Jhula, and Ram Jhula, Triveni Ghat with its mesmerizing Ganga Aarti in the evenings, the striking temple of Tera Manzil Mandir, and the beautiful temple of Neelkanth Mahadev. A colorful and vibrant city, Rishikesh is a top summer destination to visit on a tour of north India. Rishikesh is a place where you can not only find peace and calm but venture out into new experiences and create new memories as a family.
Best places to visit in Rishikesh
- Ram Jhula
- Laxman Jhula
- Triveni Ghat
- Tera Manzil Mandir
- Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir
Things to do in Rishikesh
- Attend the Ganga Aarti at the Triveni Ghat in the evening
- Try out an adventure sports from the many that Rishikesh offers
- Camp along the River Ganga under the open skies
- Attend a yoga and meditation programme
- Go trekking to the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
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Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
The residence of the Dalai Lama and an important center for the Tibetan population in India, Dharamshala is a top travel destination in north India. Located in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala makes for a fun summer destination to spend your holidays. A quiet town surrounded by the mighty Himalayas, Dharamshala is a miniature version of Tibet, containing within itself the culture, traditions and the way of life of the Tibetan people who reside in the region.
A relaxing place to retreat on a summer break, Dharamshala has numerous places for you to explore along with your family. Among the popular hill stations in north India to visit in summer, this colorful town has some of the best places for tourists to explore beginning with the residence of the Dalai Lama at the Namgyal Monastery, the architecturally fascinating Church of St. John in the wilderness, the vibrant Gyuto Monastery that you can visit for a meditative experience, McLeod Ganj for an immersive experience of the lifestyle of the Tibetan people, and scenic destinations such as Triund Hill, and Kangra Valley. Situated among the high hills of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala is a hill station that is different from the rest. Forming one of the best places to visit in north India in summers, this vibrant town will surely exceed your expectations.
Best places to visit in Dharamshala
- Namgyal Monastery
- John in the wilderness Church
- Gyuto Monastery
- McLeod Ganj
- Triund Hill
Things to do in Dharamshala
- Go trekking to the Triund Hill
- Explore “Little Lhasa” or McLeod Ganj
- Visit the Gyuto Monastery and immerse yourself in a spiritual experience
- Try the local, delicious delicacies of the region
- Camp out and spend a night under the open skies
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Leh – Ladakh
Among the perfect travel destinations to getaway during a summer break, Ladakh is a popular choice. This union territory forms some of the best tourist places to explore in north India in summers, whose beauty comes out the best during the hotter months. With high altitude lakes, old monasteries, trekking routes, and a mesmerizing landscape with the cold mountains, Ladakh makes for the perfect destination to spend your holidays.
A center stage for Tibetan Buddhism in the country, influences of it can be seen in the culture and lifestyle of Ladakh, giving rise to some of the popular places that can be explored during a visit, such as the enchanting Pangong Lake, known to be the highest saltwater lake in the entire world, the mysterious Magnetic Hill that sits defying gravity, the Stok Palace, residence of the royals of Ladakh, and the fascinating Buddhist monasteries such as the Thiksey Monastery and the famous Hemis Monastery. Given the mountainous terrains, ascending altitudes, and a beautiful landscape, Ladakh is also home to a number of trekking routes such as the Markha Valley Trek, Nubra Valley Trek, Tso Moriri Trek, Snow Leopard Trek, and the challenging winter trek of the frozen Chadar River.
Best places to visit in Ladakh
- Pangong Lake
- Magnetic Hill
- Stok Palace
- Hemis Monastery
- Nubra Valley
Things to do in Ladakh
- Go for trek from the many trekking routes
- Visit a monastery and spend a calming time
- Explore the delicious local cuisine
- Visit the Hemis Monastery during the annual Hemis Festival
- Visit the Magnetic Hill and witness the game of gravity
Other Interesting Blogs to Read
When it comes to travel destinations, the region of north India is truly a gem to behold. From hills, to heritage sites, to fascinating riverfronts, this region of the country has many options for the curious traveler. A blessed destination as itself, the region does not disappoint even during the summer months, offering respite in the form of numerous hill stations situated surrounded by the snowy mountains. Explore some of the top tourist destinations in north India this summer on your tour to the region and find yourself a calm escape from the harsh heat of the plains.
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About the author
Sharon is a curious human who is always eager to learn about the history and mysteries of places, which she then brings to life with her words. A travel writer at Tour My India, her bucket list keeps expanding every day in search of places to explore.
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