Best Mountain Places in India – Finding Solace in Nature’s Lap

India is a country that is steeped in culture, wisdom, spirituality and blissful beautiful places. From lakes to oceans that stretch as far as the eye can see. Sun-loving desserts and lush plains to high peaks with their crisp mountain air, every place you go to is blessed by nature. Perfect for adventure seekers and those seeking tranquil surroundings to unwind and slow down, the country leaves no excuses to call travellers again and again.

Especially the mountain tops, and remotely located areas that offer a laid-back experience and allow travellers to slow down and rejoice in being present. A mountain trip is the perfect time out to experience slow living and a rather uncomplicated lifestyle. And for those looking for a perfect chance to get up and close with nature, a mountain tour is all that is required to feel rejuvenated and downright jolly.

Mountains have a charge of their own. The mountains of India, especially are as legendary as they are diverse. From the serene glamour of the Western Ghats to the sheer magnitude of the Himalayas. Visiting them will be a delight to your senses and a perfect escape from the daily grind.

To make your search easy, we have curated a list of the best mountain places to visit in India.

Best Mountain Places in India

Some popular and some untouched avenues, so that you have your pick of the season and have a one-of-a-kind mountain trip.

• Tabo Monastery
• Ooty - Nilgiri Mountains
• Darjeeling
• Auli
• Tawang

Tabo Monastery

Nestled high in the Himalayas, India offers a treasure trove of breathtaking mountain destinations, each with its unique charm. Among these, the Tabo Monastery stands as a testament to both the serene beauty of the mountains and the rich spiritual heritage of India. Fondly called the Ajanta of the Himalayas, Tabo Monastery is among the oldest monasteries in India and is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhist culture.

Located in the enchanting Spiti Valley, and built in 996 AD surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains that strum the hearts of every tourist like a well-strung guitar, Tabo Monastery is among the mountain places in India that tourists visit not only for its cultural and spiritual significance but also because of the archaeologically contained paintings on its walls. The monastery has 9 temples, and 23 chortens each containing priceless pieces of manuscripts, thongkas (Buddhist scroll paintings), and stucco. The inner walls are also lined with intricate frescoes and murals. The caves surrounding the monastery are also used by monks and Lamas to train their higher selves in the mountains, away from the physical world and explore their inner world.

Tabo Monastery is a must-visit tourist destination when exploring Spiti Valley. May to October is a great time to visit the monastery. Especially during September and October, if lucky enough, you can explore the sites and enjoy the masked dances and traditional folk dances of the “Chakhar” festival held every three years.

Ooty - Nilgiri Mountains

Out of all the most popular mountain places in India, Ooty or Ootacamund takes the spot among the best places to visit for mountain lovers in India. Set amidst sprawling mountains, great lakes, tea plantations, and eucalyptus trees growing in abundance, Ooty is all about misty mornings, cool afternoons, and unhurried cosy evenings.

Nestled deep in the Nilgiri Mountains, this former British summer resort has always managed to excite and intrigue visitors. Travellers looking for a quick escape away from the hot climate and bustling city life find it a perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Ooty is among the mountain places in India that are best explored in the months from October to June. Though the weather is pleasant all year round, peak seasons are when visitors can enjoy rejuvenation and relaxation. It is when the famous Ooty flower show is held every year in the month of May and the world pays tribute to the bonny flowers that bloom in myriad hues.

Another attraction to the delight of tourists is the toy train that runs through the Nilgiri Mountains. One of the three trains that run in the mountains, the Nilgiri mountain train travels from Mettupalayam to Ooty and Coonoor, another tourist destination in Tamil Nadu.

Darjeeling

A famous mountain destination for tourists popular for its fairytale-like charm is the “Dreamland of the East”. Home to waterfalls, and captivating scenes surrounded by mountains, Darjeeling is a picture of delight. Affectionately mentioned as the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling is one of those mountain places that is counted among the best tourist destinations to visit in India.

Another favourite for tourists who love to travel on trains in the mountains, Darjeeling will lure you in with the views of the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga, misty hills, and lush tea plantations abuzz with butterflies and wild birds. Picture the Magnolias and the orchids swaying softly in the mountain breeze and a century-old Darjeeling Himalayan toy train rushing through the mountains offering mesmerising views and a glimpse into the different cultures of the diverse communities from Siliguri up to Darjeeling.

Travellers can find many attractions in this quaint little town such as Ghoom Monastery, Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, Kalimpong Science Center, Neora Valley, Mahakal Mandir and much more. From indulging in the soft yellows of the sunrise to taking a cable car ride and witnessing hypnotising views of the hills valleys and waterfalls around Darjeeling. Every corner of this town is open for exploration and interpretation. After all, someone once said, “Darjeeling is not a place. It is an emotion”

A visit to Darjeeling is incomplete without taking in the sights from Tiger Hill. Witness eminent natural beauty, sublime clouds in the background, and panoramic views of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga that are lit up by the soft glow of the rising sun. There is also the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park best known for housing endangered species including snow leopards, red pandas, and Himalayan Salamanders.

Auli

Auli has held a soft spot for adventure and ski lovers in India. With its snow-capped slopes that see hundreds if not thousands of tourists every winter, Auli offers a chance to indulge in snowy

In summer, the place becomes a paradise with lush foliage and flowers blooming every nook and cranny. Residents prefer to spend time soaking in the warmth of the sun and swimming in the artificial lakes or placing a camp under the starry night sky.

Surrounded by acreages of oak and coniferous woods, Auli offers some of the most enchanting views of some of India’s highest mountain peaks. As the gateway to the Nanda Devi and the Valley of Flowers National Park, Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, Gorson Bugyal - a popular tourist destination, Pangerchulla Summit, Auli has so much to offer.

Tawang

Located in the Arunachal Pradesh state of India, at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, Tawang is where you will find picturesque landscapes, waterfalls, glacial lakes with crystal clear waters and mesmerising spots. A bit laid back compared to other mountain spots around the world, this quaint little town is great for anyone looking to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Famous for numerous trekking trails, Tawang is an ideal vacation spot for those looking for a break from city life.

There is something about the air of Tawang that is charged with peace and spirituality. People looking for some much-needed relaxation and peace come to Tawang to meditate at Taktsang Gompa and other Buddhist monasteries. Also, a visit to Tawang is incomplete without hiking the spectacular Gorichen Peak, which offers surreal vistas of the town that will enchant your senses and have your imagination flowing freely and without abandon.

Known for its mystical beauty and snow-clad mountains in the backdrop, Tawang is surely among the top mountain places to visit in India.

Experts believe that the mountains are the medicine for a tired body and soul. Especially when you spend time in nature, taking in the fresh mountain air, away from the toxic environment in the cities. Be it the mountains in Himachal Pradesh or the Himalayas bordering as a crown jewel of the country, or Anamudi Peak in the south, a trip to the mountains is a must for tourists looking for a new way to look at life.

Don’t wait around! Book a mountain trip with us at Veena World and treat your eyes to some of the most spectacular vistas and lose yourself in the charm of the best mountain places in India.