Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is a famous hill destination situated in the state of Maharashtra. Nestled at a height of 4600 ft in the Sahyadri Range, Mahabaleshwar is the highest hill station in the state. The main attraction of Mahabaleswar, Venna Lake is located at the heart of the city. There are about 30 points in this hill station from where one can enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding hills. Wilson Point, at a height of 4439 ft, is ideal for witnessing sun rise. Another spot named Mumbai Point is ideal for watching sunset. Another attraction of Mahabaleshwar is Arthur's Seat. The view of Konkan Valley from Arthur's Seat is mesmerizing. Best time to visit Mahabaleshwar is October to March.

Mahabaleshwar

How to Reach

The nearest major city from Mahabaleshwar is Pune. Distance between the two cities is 19 km. Pune is well connected to different parts of India via rail and road transport. Cars and buses are plying from Pune to Mahabaleswar. Regular bus services are also available from Mumbai, Nasik and Panaji.

Hotels

STD Code - 02168
MTDC Holiday Resort. Tel: 260318. Tariff - Rs. 1100-3200.
Hotel Regal. Tel: 260001. Tariff - Rs. 3000-5500.
Hotel Mahabaleshwar Palace. Tel: 261338. Tariff - Rs. 1600-5000.
Hotel Man Palace. Tel: 261778. Tariff - Rs. 1000-1800.
Hotel Venkatesh. Tel: 260575. Tariff - Rs. 1500-2000.

Kurseong

Kurseong is a small hill settlement on the way to Darjeeling. Kurseong is also called 'The Land of White Orchid'. You can hire a car and visit Makaibari Tea Garden, Deer Park, Forest Museum, Ambotia Shiva Temple and Eagle's Crag. The view of sunrise and sunset from Eagles Crag is mind blowing. Nature lovers can also visit Bagora village from Kurseong. It is a calm and serene village. Some home stay options are available in this hamlet. Another place worth seeing is the Netaji Bhawan on Giddha Pahar. It is 2 km from the heart of the town.

Kurseong

How to Reach

The nearest major railway station from Kurseong is New Jalpaiguri. Trains connect New Jalpaiguri to Kolkata and other major cities of the country. Siliguri is located close to New Jalpaiguri. You can reach Kurseong from Siliguri by Darjeeling bound buses and jeeps. Distance from Siliguri to Kurseong is 48 km.

Hotels

STD Code - 0354
WBTDC Kurseong Tourist Lodge. Tel: 2345608. Tariff - Rs. 1500-1800.
Hotel Amarjeet. Tel: 2344678. Tariff - Rs. 800-1200.
Kurseong Palace. Tel: 2344699. Tariff - Rs. 800-1200.
Hotel White Orchid. Tel: 9830371744. Tariff - Rs. 800-1200.

Panchgani

Panchgani is a popular hill station in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Nestled at a height of 1334 m in the Sahyadri range, this place is an ideal tourist destination due to its ambient climate round the year. The view of River Krishna flowing by the side of this hill station is amazing. It's interesting to note that all the hills surrounding the place have flat tops. This Table Land is the main attraction of Panchgani. The beautiful landscapes and scenic beauty of the surroundings of Panchgani will surely touch every visitor's hearts.

Panchgani

How to Reach

Panchgani is 103 km from Pune. You can reach Panchgani from Pune by Mahabaleswar bound buses. Hired cars are available from Mahabaleswar to reach Panchgani. Buses are also plying from Mumbai to Panchgani.

Hotels

STD Code - 02168
Hotel Five Hills. Tel: 240301. Tariff - Rs. 2850-3800.
Hotel Summer Palace. Tel: 240523. Tariff - Rs. 1200-2500.
Hotel Mount View. Tel: 240305. Tariff - Rs. 2500-3000.
Hotel Gitanjali. Tel: 241321. Tariff - Rs. 1650-2000.

Ranka

Ranka is an ideal place to spend your holiday in serenity and calmness. The place is located 12 km west of Gangtok. Situated at an altitude of 5000 ft, Ranka is surrounded by dense foliage and greenery all around. The quiet and untouched natural beauty of Ranka is mesmerizing. You can visit Lingdum Monastery along with other monasteries and Banjakhri Waterfalls. Gangtok is also close and you can go for a one-day tour.

Ranka

How to Reach

Ranka is 120 km from New Jalpaiguri. New Jalpaiguri is well connected to other major cities of India. One can reach Ranka directly by car. Cars are also available from Gangtok to get to Ranka. Time taken by cars to travel this distance is around 40 minutes.

Hotels

Khangchendzonga Tourist Villa. Tariff - Deluxe Double Bed Rs. 3750-5500, Junior Cottage Rs. 6250-8050, Deluxe Cottage Rs. 6875-8675, Duplex Cottage Rs. 7500-9300. Tel: 9674758061.

Aritar

Aritar is a picturesque hamlet located in East Sikkim. Situated at an altitude of 4600 m, the prime attraction of this place is the Lampokhari or Aritar Lake. The lake is in a calm and serene environment surrounded by lush greenery and towering hills. One can also enjoy boating in the lake. A number of swans are seen in this lake which adds to its beauty. Every year a tourism festival is held here during the months of March-April. Another attraction of Aritar is the Mankhim Hilltop from where you can get a spectacular view of sunrise. Other attractions include the Dak Bungalow and Aritar Gumpha.

Aritar

How to Reach

The nearest railway station from Aritar is New Jalpaiguri. New Jalpaiguri has good connectivity with Kolkata and other parts of the country. Auto rickshaws are plying from New Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. Hired cars are available from there to reach Aritar directly. You can also reach Aritar by service jeeps via Rangpo and Renok.

Hotels

Hotel Aditya. Tel: 9932487358. Tariff : Rs. 700-3000.
Lampokhari Village Resort. Tel: 9933187911. Tariff - Rs. 1000-3000.
Dadul Guest House. Tel: 9933195461. Tariff - Rs. 1000-1800.

Bhaithiri

Bhaithiri is an offbeat destination situated in Wayanad district in Kerala. Situated at a height of 700 m, the place is blessed with unending natural beauty. The serenity, light breeze, undulating hills and chirping of birds make Bhaithiri amazing and awe inspiring. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, Bhaithiri is surrounded by various types of trees and forests. You can visit Pookot Lake, Edakkal Cave and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The best time to visit Bhaithiri is during the monsoon. One can also go for adventure sports like rock climbing, boating and trekking.

How to Reach

The nearest railway station from Bhaithiri is Kozhikode. Kozhikode is well connected to cities like Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata by train. Buses and cars are available from Kozhikode to reach Bhaithiri. Distance is 62 km.

Hotels

STD Code : 04936
Bhaithiri Resort. Tariff - Rs. 9000-13000. Tel: 256800
Hotel Green Paradise. Tariff - Rs. 2500-4000. Tel: 320137.
Mishti Heights. Tariff - Rs. 2500-3500. Tel: 256644.

Binsar

Binsar is situated at an elevation of 2420 m in Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand. The majestic view of the snow capped peaks including Chaukhamba, Panchachulli, Nandadevi and Trishul. The main thing which attracts tourists is the immense natural beauty of the hill station. You can visit Zero Point at a height of 8220 ft which is 1 km from the Tourist Resthouse. Other attractions in Binsar include Binsar Hill, Gannath Temple and Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spanning over an area of 45 sq. km., this sanctuary is home to leopard, barking deer, wild pig, bear etc.

Binsar

How to Reach

The nearest airport to Binsar is Pantnagar Airport. Indira Gandhi International Airport. Delhi is the nearest International Airport from Nainital. Kathgodam is the nearest railway station. It is well connected to major cities of the country by rail.

Hotels

KMVN Tourist Resthouse. Tel: 8650002537. Tariff - Rs. 1700-2500.
Binsar Eco Camp. Tel: 262022. Tariff - Rs. 1350.
Binsar Retreat. Tel: 9719631469. Tariff - Rs. 6000.
Anandamoyee Guesthouse. Tariff - 1400-1900.

Kausani

Kausani is a mesmerizing hill station in Bageshwar district of Uttarkhand. It is located at an height of 1890 m above sea level. The 300 km wide panoramic view of the Himalayas especially during sunrise and sunset is awesome and mind blowing. A number of snow capped peaks including Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, Trishul, Nandadevi and Panchachulli are visible from Kausani. The attractions of Kausani are Sumitranandan Poem Library, Pingalkot Tea Garden, Pinath, Gandhi Ashram etc.

Kausani

How to Reach

Kausani is 60 km from Ranikhet. The nearest rail station from Ranikhet is Kathgodam. Regular train services are available from other parts of the country to Kathgodam. Hired cars are plying from Lalkuan Junction and Kathgodam to Ranikhet via Nainital and Almora. Buses are available from Ranikhet to reach Kausani.

Hotels

KMVN Tourist Resthouse. Tariff - 1600-2600. Tel: 258006.
Hotel Sagar. Tariff - Rs. 1000-2000. Tel: 258018.
Hotel New Pine. Tariff - Rs. 800-1200. Tel: 258151.
Hotel Pine Heavens. Tariff - Rs. 2000-2500. Tel: 258258.