India a country that is fulfilled with vast of God gifted natural scenic places. India is a seasonal country & people love to travel in different-different places according to their convenience, generally, a low budget hill station in India is the 1st priority for everyone to travel across the country.
There are multiple hill stations which are very well famous among wanderers but terribly overrated & costly like Nainital, Shimla, Mussoorie, Leh (Ladakh), Manali, Ooty, Darjeeling & quite more. In this blog, we will help you to forget these overrated hill stations & instead visit these alternative underrated low budget hill station in India that are not well highlighted or promoted among the travelers but are way far better.
So here is the listing of some of the alternative low budget hill station in India that might be less popular but a well-deserving place that you should visit once in a life.
7 low-budget Hill Station in India
Low-budget Hill Station in India that you can visit.
Visit Sonamarg instead of Darjeeling
Sonamarg is a hill station located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir State, India, Asia. It is located about 80 kilometers northeast of the capital city, Srinagar.
This hill station is situated in Kashmir Valley & is close to some of the valley’s tallest peaks & famous places which consist of a humongous view of the Himalayas from Sonamarg Valley, Sirbal Sonamarg Peak & Sonamarg Thajiwas Glacier.
Best Time to visit Sonamarg:
Well during the peak winter season from the month of December to March, this place witnesses a very heavy snowfall & that’s why Sonamarg valley remains temporarily closed for the tourists also the connecting road network between Srinagar to Sonamarg remains closed.
The Sonamarg valley is generally open from April. From April till mid-November, & this is the best suitable time you can explore the entire Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg Valley.
How to reach Sonamarg?
Sonmarg is well connected through roadways with other parts of Jammu & Kashmir. The nearest airport is at Srinagar which is around 70 Km far from Sonmarg and taxis or buses are readily available to take one to Sonamarg, while the nearest railway station is in Jammu (Katra).
From Jammu or Udhampur, you can take a cab or a bus to reach Sonamarg.
Visiting Location:- Click Here
Visit Spiti Valley instead of Leh (Ladakh)
Well, Leh (Ladakh) is quite famous for its incandescent mountains and longing valleys; all of which make it a hot favourite amongst travellers. Some top-notch places for trekking and camping include Tso Moriri, Stok Kangri, Chadar, and Markha Valley. It is also a low budget hill station in India to explore.
On the contrary, if you look at Spiti Valley, popularly known as Little Tibet is famous for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Tabo monastery is one of the most prominent attractions in Spiti. The monasteries in Spiti are renowned for spectacular murals, ancient temples, and several stupas.
Things to Do in Spiti Valley, Leh?
Spiti Valley is quite an adventurous place to explore which consists of many activities mentioned as following:
- Trekking to Dhan Kar Lake.
- Buddhist Monasteries: Pay a Visit.
- Pin Valley National Park: Admire Flora & Fauna.
- Camping at Chandratal Lake.
- A visit to Giu Village as it a shrine with a dead body, which is over 500 years old and visiting this mummy is amongst the famous things to do in Spiti.
- Baralacha Pass.
- Zostel which is famous for accommodation place in Spiti Valley as it gave many options to visitors to choose the best hotel according to their perfect accommodation.
- Kaza’s Main Market famous in Spiti as a shopping center.
- Yak Safari.
- Spiti River.
Best time to visit Spiti Valley
The summer months of March-June are considered to be the best to visit Spiti not only due to the pleasant weather but also fewer crowds. For that perfect winter vacation, the months of October-February are the best time to visit Spiti.
How to reach Spiti Valley?
- By Air: The best way to reach Spiti Valley by air is from Delhi, Chandigarh, or Jubbar-Hatti of Shimla whichever falls closer to your location to have an available flight straight away to Kullu Airport also known as Bhuntar Airport. From Kullu Airport, you can hire a cab or board a local bus heading directly towards the towns like Kaza situated in Spiti Valley.
- By Train: The best option among these three would be to reach Chandigarh first by train and then travel from Chandigarh to Spiti Valley by taxi or bus.
- By Road: Spiti Valley is situated at a distance of roughly 235 km from the hill station of Shimla. You can take a bus from Chandigarh to Shimla or Reckong Peo and then you can travel to Kaza by taking a bus between Reckong Peo to Kaza (Spiti Valley).
For Visiting Location Click Here.
Visit Kasol instead of Manali
If you want to feel the beauty of Manali in another hill station Kasol could be the best option to consider. Kasol is a Low budget hill station in India situated in the district Kullu of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated in Parvati Valley, on the banks of the Parvati River, on the way between Bhuntar and Manikaran.
This Himachal’s popular destination is best known for its thrilling treks, flavorsome food, roaring river, and heartfelt humanity. As Kasol is a small town and it is well famous for trekking activity especially in the Kheerganga Trek.
There are so many Things to do in Kasol as numerous adventurous activities like Riverside Camping in Kasol, Tosh Valley Trek, Trek to Malana Village, Visit Manikaran Sahib, Walk along the Parvati River.
Kasol has some really amazing riverside campsites and it also serves as the basecamp for a number of thrilling treks. Kheerganga Trek, Sar Pass Trek, Chalal Trek, and Pin Parvati Pass Trek are some of the exhilarating expeditions you can take from Kasol. Kasol is also known as the Mini – Israel of India due to a high percentage of Israeli tourists here.
Best places to visit in Kasol
- Parvati River
- Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara
- Malana
- Kheerganga
- Tosh Village
- Tirthan Valley
- Chhalal Village
- Bhuntar Town
- Naggar Village
Best time to visit Kasol
The best months to visit this scenic paradise of Kasol are from October to June. Kasol has mild and pleasant weather throughout the year. But from March to May you can experience the magical landscape of this place.
Kasol experiences snowfall in winters between October to February, when it is extremely cold on the hills.
How to reach Kasol?
By Air:
The nearest airport to Kasolis Kullu Manali Airport also known as Bhuntar Airport in the Kullu district. Daily flights connect the airport to the country’s capital, Delhi. You can book a cab or a taxi to go to Kasol from the Bhuntar airport which is a mere 31 km and will take you about 1 hour to reach there. The nearest airport to Kasol is located in Bhunter, which is 31 kilometers away.
By Train:
You can take a train to Chandigarh at a distance of 296 km from Kasol, which connects major Indian metro cities. You have to take a bus towards Manali or hire a cab to reach Kasol which should take about 8 to 9 hours.
By Road:
The NH-3 is the main road leading to this village towards Manali. A road journey should simply just be as enjoyable and pleasant as Kasol itself. You can opt for self-drive or hire a cab. Delhi sets the base for people coming from long distances.
Click Here for Visiting Location.
Visit Auli instead of Shimla
If you are excited to visit Shimla this time wait…… you can choose Auli instead of Shimla as Auli is relatively more beautiful and peaceful than Shimla, Also it is the most underrated low budget hill station in India you should visit once.
Auli a popular tourist destination in Uttarakhand, India is rightly famous for being home to meadows surrounded by the dense vegetation of oaks and coniferous. It is popular for its natural attractions, panoramic views of the snow-clad mountains, wildflowers, trees, and lush vegetation. Moreover, Auli is also famous for being an adventure sports destination, especially during the winters when one can enjoy skiing here.
Auli is a popular skiing destination in India because of its glittering slopes and clean environment & it has numerous ski resorts situated over the surrounding Himalayas. Apart from skiing you can also go for numerous treks in the hills of Garhwal Himalayas and enjoy the spellbinding views of the snow-draped mountains.
Apart from these Auli has quite well-known mountain ranges like:
- Nanda Devi Range
- Mana Parvet
- Kamat Kamet
Best places to visit in Auli
- Skiing in Auli
- View Points in Auli
- Gurso Bugyal
- Kwani Bugyal
Best time to visit in Auli
The best month to visit in Auli is from December to March as during this season this place witnesses high snowfall. The summer season from April to July witnesses decent snowfall with pleasant weather.
How to reach Auli?
By Air:
Dehradun Airport, situated around 220 km away, is the closest to Auli. Daily flights operated by Jet Airways, Air India Regional, and SpiceJet are available from major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore & Lucknow.
By Train:
Haridwar railway station is the nearest railhead situated at a distance of 273 km and numerous trains run from here on a regular basis connecting all the major towns and cities of India. From the railway station, there are various taxis and buses are available which can be taken for reaching Auli at an economical cost.
Also, The nearest railway station to Auli is Rishikesh. Rishikesh railway station is situated 264kms from Auli on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India and trains to Rishikesh are frequent.
By Road:
There are direct road connectivity to the Auli from many nearly major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh & Lucknow.
Also from Rishikesh, either you can take a private cab direct or a Volvo Bus to Auli (8-9 hours) or a shared taxi till Joshimath.
Visiting Location Click Here
Visit Munsyari instead of Mussoorie.
Munsyari may be an alternative for Mussoorie for its uniqueness and cost-effective trip, making it an excellent low-budget hill station in India. Munsyari is a small village and a subdivision in the Pithoragarh district in the hill state of Uttarakhand, India, Asia. Munsyari is situated on the banks of the Gori Ganga river, it is a fast-growing tourist destination, and mountaineers, glacier enthusiasts, high-altitude trekkers, and nature lovers commonly use it as their hub or base camp.
It is a hill station and lies at the base of the great Himalayan mountain range and is a starting point of various treks into the interior of the range. Munsyari offers a landscape bordered by towering Himalayan peaks. Munsyari also offers you stunning panoramic views of the sun-kissed Panchachuli peaks.
Munsiyari is the base for trekking and hiking trips, to the Ralam and the Milam glacier, which in the Nanda Devi Peak. Munsiyari is surrounded by undulating greenery closest to the Munsiyari bugyal. Read our trekking guide if you are interested in Trekking.
Note:- Munsyari is situated at a high altitude of 2200 meters so while visiting here you may experience High–altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) so always take some advice before traveling, & if you are going solo with a bike then make sure you must have a tubeless 300 cc plus bike.
Best places to visit in Munsyari
- Milam Glacier
- Goriganga River
- Birthi Falls
- The Panchachuli Peaks famous for Trekking.
- Maheshwari Kund.
Best time to visit Munsyari
The best time to visit Munsyari is from March to June. Also, alternative months for visiting Munsyari are October to November.
How to reach Munsyari?
By Air:
The nearest airport to Munsyari is Pantnagar Airport, situated 250km from Munsyari in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. Buses & Taxi facilities are available from Pantnagar Airport to Pithoragarh, Almora & Munsyari. Currently, the only flight route is available from Delhi to Pantnagar Airport twice a week & it is well connected with beautiful roads with Munsyari.
By Train:
The nearest railway stations are Kathgodam & Tanakpur. Kathgodam & Tanakpur are well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Buses & Taxi facilities are available from these railway stations to Pithoragarh, Almora & Munsyari.
By Road:
Munsiyari is connected by motorable roads to all the major towns and cities.
Visiting Location:- Click Here
Visit Bhimtal instead of Nainital
Visiting Nainital is the dream of many couples and families but in true terms Nainital is expensive but you can plan your visit to Bhimtal lake very close to Nainital & also very cheap to visit here making this low budget hill station in India.
Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India, Asia, is comparatively peaceful than Nainital making it an ideal destination for nature-lovers and wanderers. Nainital is quite crowded with visitors. Bhimtal is situated 25km far from Nainital city.
The main attraction of Bhimtal is the Bhimtal Lake. It is at a scenic spot with a small island in the center of Bhimtal Town.
Bhimtal is more often a silent place in comparison to Nainital as it is less crowded.
Similar to Nainital, Bhimtal also offers you multiple adventurous activities to do like, boating, paddling & trekking.
There is a Bhimeshwar Temple situated in Bhimtal which is known as the most popular holy place over here.
Best places to visit in Bhimtal
- Bhimtal Lake on Bhimtal Island
- Bhimeshwar Temple
- Victoria Dam
- Aquarium on the Bhimtal Island.
- Butterfly Museum
- Hidimba Parvat
Best time to visit Bhimtal
February to May.
Alternative Months: October – November.
How to reach Bhimtal
By Air:
The nearest airport to Bhimtal is Pantnagar Airport, situated 58km from Bhimtal in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. Buses & Taxi facilities are available from Pantnagar Airport to Bhimtal, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Almora & Munsyari. Currently, the only flight route is available from Delhi to Pantnagar Airport twice a week & it is well connected with beautiful roads with Bhimtal.
By Train:
The nearest railway station is Kathgodam Railway Station Kathgodam is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Buses & Taxi facilities are available from this railway station to Bhimtal, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Almora & Munsyari.
By Road:
Bhimtal is connected by motorable roads to all the major towns and cities.
Visit Coorg instead of Ooty
Coorg (Madikeri), also known as Kodagu, is a beautiful hill station in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is well-known for its tea estates, rolling hills, innumerable streams, for the rich variety of flora and fauna, and is surrounded by lush green forests and breathtaking views. Coorg is a 1525m above sea level in the Western Ghats
Tadiandamol Peak is the highest peak in Coorg. It is also the second-highest summit in the state of Karnataka. This site is one of the most sought-after Coorg, destinations, especially for hiking.
Coorg is also known as the Scotland of India, on the basis of the striking similarity between the two sites in terms of geography, the land, the architecture, the environment, climate change, and the many rivers and streams. This is also very attractive & less cost-effective making Coorg a low budget hill station in India to visit with your family and friends.
Some Best Places to visit in Coorg
- Abbey Falls
- Iruppu Falls
- Mallalli Falls
- Raja Seat’s Forest & Mountains
- Harangi Dam
- Mandalpatti View Point
- Dubare Elephant Camp
- Brahmagiri Hills
- Nagarhore National Park
- Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Raja’s Tomb
- Namdroling Monastery
- Monnamana Kere Lake
Best time to visit Coorg
February to April
Alternative Months: October – Novermber
How to reach Coorg?
Coorg does not have an airport on its own. The nearest air and the gateway to the hill station is Mysore (120 km), Mangalore (175 km), and Bangalore, Karnataka (about 280 km).
This is the best way to travel to the nearby towns and cities such as Mysore, Mangalore or Bangalore, Karnataka, India, by air or by train or by bus, taxi or rental vehicle, in order to reach Coorg.
For Visiting Location Click Here
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