Hello friends, If you are also a nature lover like me then for sure you have to visit Hill stations. Today I am gonna tell you about the best hill stations in South India that you should visit once in your lifetime. A trip to hill stations with friends gonna be a lot of fun, check out the awesome tourist destinations where you will have blast and serve perfect retreat from your usual life. If you want to recharge then pack your bags.
Top 10 Hill Stations in South India
Munnar
Munnar is one of the best hill stations in South India located in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. It is situated around 1600 meters(5200ft) above sea level in the western ghats mountain range. Munnar is also known as “Kashmir of South India”. It is the most incredible hill station in south India, also called honeymooner’s paradise, which is located in green lands of Kerala surrounded by beautiful lakes and waterfalls flowing down through sweet-scented fields.
Munnar is a stunning hill station near Madurai. The climate and tea plantation are the main attractions in Munnar. The tourists count increases every year in the month of April-May when summer vacations begin in the country. A huge number of tourists are expected in the month of September when Kurinji blooms once in 12 years.
Places to Stay: Mountain Hut Resort, Spoony Residency, Matha Regency, Blanket Hotel, and Spa.
Places to Visit: Chinnakanal Waterfalls, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Echo Point, Anamudi Peak
Things to Do: Plantation Resort, Retail Therapy, Kundala Lake, Eravikulam National Park
How to reach Munnar: Nearby airports are at Kochi(130Km) and Madurai(142km), Nearby airways at Kochi and Kottayam
Araku Valley
Araku is located in the Eastern Ghats about 144 km from Vishakapatnam. It is one of the least polluted hill stations. It is a famous location for cinema shooting. The nature is amazing with the coffee plantation, sweet-scented smell, pleasant weather, lush valleys, rich landscapes, and the journey through the woods makes it a fascinating dreamlike gateway.
The Ananthagiri and Sunkarimetta forests are part of Araku valley. This place is rich in biodiversity and mined for bauxite. The Coffee beans aroma will be mesmerizing. The Tyda park offers a splendid bird view and wildlife.
Places to Stay: Green Valley Hotel, Ushasree Residency much more
Places to Visit: Borra caves, coffee museum, tribal museum, Tyda Park, Katiki falls
How to reach Araku: Airways in Vishakapatnam (112kms), It is connected by both rail and roadways
Kodaikanal
It is located in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, known as “Queen of hill stations”. It is one of the well-known hill stations in South India. Meadows, lakes, waterfalls, grasslands, valley’s, forests define this impressive hide way. Boating to Kodai lake and trek to various viewpoints are amazing
Places to Stay: Pears Tree, SaffronStays Kurinji Estate, SkyHigh Villa
Things to Do: Night Safari, Kodaikanal Lake-Take A Misty Boat Ride, Coaker’s Walk-Take A Stroll, Dolphin’s Nose:-Gaze At Stunning Panoramas
Places to Visit: Pillar Rocks, Guna caves, Silver cascade, Dolphine’s nose, Berijam lake, Green valley view, pine forests
How to reach Kodaikanal: The nearest airport in Madurai (120kms), Kodai Road Railway Station (80kms) and the Palani Railway Station (64kms)
Coorg
Coorg forms a district in Karnataka state. It is one of the perfect hill stations in South India. The valley is covered by tea plants in the steep hills. It is a good place for trekking, rock climbing. One of the best things is the trekking in Coorg for natural trials. Kodagu is the only district in Karnataka without an inch of rail track Oct-April will be the best time to visit this place.
Places to Stay: Acacia Villa Five By VistaRooms, Acacia Villa Three By Vista Rooms
Places to Visit: Abbey falls, Nagarhole National park, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Brahmagiri, Barapole- river rafting, Madikeri Fort, Omkareshwara Temple, Chettalli, Kopatty Hills Trek
How to reach Coorg: Via airways in Banglore(260Kms), Railways in Mysore district(120kms)
Ooty
Ooty is known as Udagamandalam also known as Ootacamund. It is located 86 km north of Coimbatore and 128 km south of Mysore. Occupied by the Toda people. It is one of the popular hill stations in South India, with snoring mountains, grasslands, thick forests, miles of tea gardens the spread the aroma, and dazzle the travelers.
Mainly the famous train ride that takes you to the nearby hills, a tour through coffee plantations, and have some fresh coffee.
Places to Stay: The Clive and Curzon, orchids square boutique hotel, Misty Meadows Coonoor
Things to Do: Summer festival in Ooty, Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train, Botanical Gardens, Toda Huts
Places to Visit: Catherine falls, Pykara, Ooty lake, Avalanchi lake, Emerald Lake, Thread garden, Kalhatty Waterfalls, Tea museum, The Most Picturesque Backdrop, Doddabetta Peak.
Yercaud
Yercaud is a hill station in Selam district in Tamil Nadu. It is located in the Shevaroys range of hills in the Eastern Ghats. Located at a height of 1500 meters above the sea level with an amazing swish climate. This place is famous for coffee plants and orange groves. Yercaud means “Lake Forest” is hailed as a jewel of the south. The best time to visit this place is between September to May.
Places to Stay: Grand Estancia, Radisson Salem, CJ Pallazio
Things to Do: High Rope And Zipline, ATV Ride, Trampolining
Places to Visit: Kiliyur falls, Botanical garden, Pagoda Point, Deer park, Sankagiri Fort, Lady’s seat, Rose Garden
Cardamom Hills
It is also known as Yela mala is in southern-western ghats of Kerala and southwest of Tamil Nadu. This place is famous for the best sunrise/sunset view over the ocean. It is surrounded by the Laccadive Sea from three sides. The one who loves the hills can spend more time. All-year-round is the best time to visit this place.
Places to Visit: Ldukki Dam, Suruli Falls, echo point, Cheruthoni, Meessapulimala, KDHP Tea Museum, Spice Walk
Nandi Hills
Nandi hills are one of the hill stations in south India, located in Karnataka. It is named after a sleeping bull shape, is also known as Ananda Giri. It is located at an altitude of 1478 meters. It holds the shimmering Amrita Sarovar Lake and offers walks of sylvan beauty. You can visit the place all around a year.
Places to Visit: Tipu drop, Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple, M Vishvesvaraya Museum, Bhimeswara temple, Sakandagiri
Horsley Hills
It is located in Chittoor district about 9 miles from Madanapalle town in Andhra Pradesh, Blessed with thick verdure of various species of plants. You can go trekking, hiking, rappelling, and zorbing while you stay in the hills. September to May will be the best time to visit this place.
Places to Visit: Kalyani – Eucalyptus Tree, Gali Banda, Gangotri Lake, Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary
Devikulam
It is 16kms from Munnar, The Tea Plantation, waterfalls add the scenic beauty for this place. It is said that Goddess Sita took a bath in the lake and it is treated as sacred and believed to have curative powers. This place attracts families and couples. The best time to visit this place is between September to May
Places to Visit: Tea And Spice Plantations, Devi Lake, Thoovanam Falls, Thoovanam Falls
These are some of the top best hill stations in South India that you can visit. A trip to these places will cherish your mind, regenerate yourself. The travel experience of this place will allow you to taste different cultures and traditions.
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Nice content. I would love to visit all once this corona ends 🙁
I am glad you like it. I am sure it worth’s visiting.