The best mountains in north india to visit

Northern India and the Himalayas is one of the most diverse areas of the country in terms of landscape. It boasts lush green hill stations, the spectacular snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, tons of trekking opportunities in the Parvati Valley, spiritual mountain towns of Rishikesh and Dharamshala, and many important historical and religious sites in cities like Amritsar and Delhi.

You’ll love exploring northern India whether you’re an adventurer looking to trek through the mountains, someone who is seeking spiritual enlightenment, or a traveler in search of vibrant cities with tons of shopping opportunities, good food, and temples, forts, and palaces.

Shimla

The hill station of Shimla, the former summer capital of the British Raj, has historic colonial buildings, snow-capped Himalayan mountain peaks, cool breezes, lush greenery, and stunning lakes, making it one of the most beautiful places in northern India. Make sure you visit some of the vibrant markets in Shimla, like the Lakkar Bazaar market and the handicraft shops at the pedestrian avenue The Mall. For beautiful views of Shimla, make sure you visit The Ridge and Summer Hill. During the winter months, Shimla is a wonderland covered in snow. In the summer, you’ll see the snow covered mountain peaks in the distance but get to enjoy warm days and the surrounding nature without it being too cold.

Manali

Manali is a gorgeous mountain town near the Parvati Valley that offers a refreshing break from some of the bustling cities of India and should not be missed on any Indian mountains and Himalayas itinerary. Its cooler climate makes an ideal setting to get cozy and sip on a chai while looking at the mountains. Some of the best things to see in Manali are Hadimba Devi Temple, Manali Nature Park, the Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art, Manu Temple, and Jogini Falls.

Kinnaur Kailash

The Holy Kinner Kailash Shivling in District Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh is a site of much veneration. The holy Shivling is situated on the Kinner Kailash Range at an altitude of nearly 4700-4800m; which houses crowns of the like of Kinner Kailash (6050m), Jorkanden (6473m), Sarong (6020m), Raldang (5493m) as visible from Kalpa. The Kinner Kailash Range essentially recognized as the Eastern-most extension of the Great Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh further extends eastwards & southwards in Kinnaur.

Leh

Leh is a city located at 3,500 meters above sea level which used to be the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh and the surreal mountain scenery and Tibetan history and culture means it is regarded as one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in all of India. Leh is surrounded by mountains and is a great starting base for your adventures in one of the most northern places in India. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a Royal Enfield and drive on the highest and second highest driveable road in the world. The best time to visit Leh is during the summer months of May to September when the Leh to Manali highway is open and there isn’t any snow. You can also hire a car instead, to enjoy the trip without having to worry about driving yourself. You’ll also see Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake, a gorgeous light blue lake that sits at 4,200 meters that you can sleep next to in tents. Make sure you also visit Shanti Stupa, Thikse Monastery, and Shey Palace.

KheerGanga

Kheerganga is located deep in Parvati Valley (Kullu Valley) and is perched at an altitude of approximately 2950m.

If you are a traveler who is seeking the experience of nature’s beauty, then the Kheerganga is the right destination for you. Day by day it has become a very popular destination for young adventurers during the summer months.

In Kheer Ganga, there is a cluster of huts and cafés near the temple and natural hot water spring which can be covered on a 10-minute walk. The temple and hot water spring pool are located on top of all the huts and campsites.

Pangong Tso Lake

Pangong Tso Insanely a beautiful, calm and Pollution Free lake, which is located 160 km Southeast of Leh city. At a literally breathtaking elevation of 14,270 feet (4,350 meters) above sea level, the lake presents a real spectacle. For, Tibetan it is "high grassland lake", Now also referred to as Pangong Lake. Apparently, glacial erosion created the lake's basin, and it was initially a freshwater lake.

It turned brackish over time due to the formation of mineral deposits, which killed off its aquatic life. No one really knows exactly how deep Pangong Lake is, although it's estimated to be around 300 feet. Even though the lake is salty, it freezes in winter.

Gadsar Lake

Undoubtedly, Gadsar Lake is the attraction of the Kasmir. It is at an elevation of 3600 meters. It has a max. length of 0.85 kilometers and max. width of 0.76 kilometers. In Kashmiri, Gadsar means the lake of Fishes, and the lake freezes in the month of November to April and is mostly covered by snow during these months, the floating icebergs are seen even in summer. It is surrounded by alpine meadows full of various kinds of wild alpine flowers, therefore the lake is also called as the valley of flowers. On the other hand, Sukhna Lake is a man-made attraction which is not only a wildlife century for birds in Chandigarh but also a beautiful hangout place for tourists.

Hi, I am Kunal. I am a passionate writer and an enthusiast explorer. I am very fond of writing and most of my inspirations are from nature, travel, youth, and politics.