Top 10 places to visit in North India this Summer

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The summers are here and the temperatures have started soaring! And we’re sure the traveller within you is itching to go out to the alluring mountains of North India. Here, we present to you the top ten places to visit in North India during the summers:

Leh: One of those places that are there on everyone’s bucket list. Leh was the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh and is now in the Indian state of Kashmir. It gets really cold during the winters (below -20 degrees celsius) and hence June-September is the best time to visit. Always better on a bike, Leh is a journey that doesn’t have a destination. Transformational for many, Leh is always a trip that cannot be forgotten easily.

Dharamsala: A city in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh, Upper Dharamsala (also called McLeodganj) is the residence for Dalai Lama and headquarters for the Central Tibetan Administration. A beautiful scenic area, McLeodganj is home to some of the best cafes and Tibetan cuisine restaurants. This is one place which is relatively easy to reach, is open all around the year and has terrific locations.

Spiti: The Spiti Valley is a desert mountain valley in the Himalayan mountains in the northeastern part of Himachal Pradesh. The name "Spiti" means "The Middle Land" and it is like a part of Tibet marooned in India. It is a far off land with limited connectivity and the July- mid October is the best time to visit this marvellous part of the planet.

Dalhousie: A hill station in Himachal Pradesh, Dalhousie is full of the colonial charm. Spread out over the five hills (Kathlog, Potreys, Tehra, Bakrota and Balun), the town is named after the 19th century British Governor-General Lord Dalhousie. It was popular with the British Army personnel in 1860's.

Vaishno Devi: One of the most popular pilgrimage shrines in India, the temple is near the town of Katra, Jammu and Kashmir; in the Reasi district. The place is for the religiously inclined but the experience is phenomenal. It has a very rich culture behind it with some amazing stories.

Pahalgam: Pahalgam is a town and a Municipal committee in Anantnag district in India's northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir. Wikitravel calls it a heaven on Earth where you can spend two to three weeks without getting bored. Apart from treks, white water rafting, pony rides, Pahalgam is also the starting point for the holy pilgrimage to the Shiva Lingam, Amarnath Yatra.

Valley of Flowers: Nestled in the western Himalayan region in Uttarakhand, the Valley of Flowers is one of the most picturesque places you’ll ever witness. The VOF is situated in the Bhyundar Valley at an elevation of 3658 metres above sea level. It was declared as a National Park in 1982 and is now amongst the world heritage sites.

Mussoorie: Mussoorie is known as the Queen of Hills and is located at a distance of 35 kilometers from Dehradun. It is situated at a height of 2000 metres is a very popular hill station. It is pretty crowded in the peak season but lush green hills and the varied flora and fauna with the amazing view of the Shivalik ranges makes it worth it.

Parvati Valley (Malana and Kasol): Situated in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, Paravati Valley runs eastward after the confluence of rivers Parvati and Beas. The valley stretches from Bhuntar to Spiti and is a great mix of scenic locales and some amazing spots for the adventure seekers. And while you’re here, Malana and Kasol would surely be on your map. Malana is a solitary village in the Malana Nala, a side valley of the Parvati Valley and Kasol is another lovely village that lies in between Bhuntar and Manikaran.

Amritsar: Well, we’ve covered the three prominent states of north India- Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal- extensively in this list. The reason for this being that we've tried to keep a focus on the mountains (owing to our #PhotoCards campaign) but on your way there, Amritsar is something you can't miss. The Golden Temple will leave you in awe!