Top Places to Visit in North India in June

Anantnag

Anantnag District, known as the commercial capital of Jammu & Kashmir, is located in the south-western part of the Kashmir valley. Anantnag district has derived its name from the popular folklore according to which Lord Shiva discarded all his valuables while on his way to the Amarnath Cave. The place where he dropped numerous snakes has been named as Anantnag. Tourists can visit the Martand Sun Temple that is located at a distance of 9 km from the destination.

Baramulla

Baramulla is situated to the south of the town of Kupwara and north of Pooch and Budgam with Srinagar and Ladakh bordering its eastern side. Baramulla is popular among tourists for its gurudwaras, temples, monasteries, and shrines.

Photo Courtesy: Aehsaan

Dras

Dras, also known as ‘The Gateway to Ladakh', is located in the Kargil District of Jammu & Kashmir. Dras is popular among tourists due to its rugged landscape that enables one to indulge in adventure-based activities. Travelers planning to explore Dras can undertake trekking at Suru Valley that is located in the vicinity of the town. Moreover, travelers can choose the trek route to Amarnath Cave which would require people to cross a 5200 m high pass.

Photo Courtesy: Rohan

Gulmarg

Gulmarg, situated at an altitude of 2730 m in the Baramulla district of Jammu & Kashmir. Tourists must visit the Ningle Nallah, a stream originating from the melting snow of the Apharwat peak. Tourists can cross the stream ending in Khilanmarg over a bridge, which is another popular tourist spot. The ‘Outer Circle Walk' of Kashmir Valley comes highly recommended to tourists. During the walk, visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the place and the magnificent view of the fourth highest peak in the world, the Nanga Parbat, standing tall at 8500 m.

Photo Courtesy: Geetanjali J

Hemis

Hemis is a popular tourist attraction in Jammu & Kashmir situated 40 km to the south-east of Leh. This town is the perfect destination for people who wish to spend some time in the lap of nature and is known among tourist for its Hemis Monastery or Gompa. The major attraction of the monastery is a copper idol of Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist religion, can be seen on the walls of the monastery. Beautiful paintings that represent the ‘Kalachakra' or the cycles of time' and the ‘Lords of the Four Quarters' can be seen on the walls of the monastery.

Photo Courtesy: Michael Douglas Bramwell

Kargil

Kargil, also known as the Land of Agas, is a district in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. A famous Buddhist sculpture of the Maitreya Buddha or Future Buddha, also known as the Laughing Buddha, is the major attraction of the Mulbekh Monastery. This monastery is situated on a rocky hill and houses a 9 m tall idol of Buddha.

Photo Courtesy: Corto Maltese 1999

Kashmir

Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Kashmir is known throughout the country and the world for its natural beauty. Clear blue waters, mountains, lakes, and pleasant climate are the most prominent features of the valley of Kashmir. Orchards of apple and cherry, shikara rides, gondola rides, houseboats, and Kashmiri handicrafts are some of the attractions unique to this place.

Photo Courtesy: Sudesh Nayak

Ladakh

Ladakh, situated on the banks of the Indus River, is a famous tourist spot in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It is also known as 'the last Shangri La', 'Little Tibet', 'the Moon Land', or 'The Broken Moon'. Beautiful lakes and Monasteries, mesmerising landscapes, and mountain peaks are some of the attractive features of this place. Buddhism being the dominant religion of the region, monasteries or gompas are a major feature in Ladakh's list of attractions.

Photo Courtesy: T. R. Shankar Raman

Leh

The city of Leh is situated between Karakoram and the Himalayan ranges, on the banks of the Indus River. The scenic beauty of the place attracts tourists from far-flung areas all the year round. Adventure enthusiasts can take up trekking in the different regions of Leh such as the rugged Himalayan terrains where they can enjoy the natural beauty of the place.

Photo Courtesy: Aman Gupta

Pangong

Pangong Tso, also known as Pangong Lake, is situated in the district of Leh of Jammu & Kashmir at an altitude of 4350 m above sea level. Despite being a salt-water lake, Pangong completely freezes during winters. The water of the lake being brackish allows for very low micro-vegetation and minimal aquatic life. Only a few species of perennial herbs and shrubs are found in the swampland around the lake.

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Sarchu

Sarchu, also known as Sir Bhum Chun, is situated on the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. The place serves as an over night resting base for people travelling from Manali to Leh. Sarchu acts as a trekking base for individuals who wish to trek around the Zanskar region of Ladakh.

Photo Courtesy: Mahuasarkar25

 

Sonamarg

Surrounded by snow capped mountains, the city of Sonamarg lies before the Zoji La Pass in Jammu and Kashmir. Sonamarg is a perfect destination for travelers who have an interest in adventurous activities such as trekking and hiking. All the important trek routes start from Sonamarg, making it a popular place for trekking. The place is known for its natural beauty, which includes lakes, passes, and mountains. Sonamarg also acts as the base camp for the pilgrims heading towards Amarnath.

Photo Courtesy: Geetanjali J

Srinagar

Srinagar, popularly known as ‘Paradise on Earth' and 'Venice of the East', is situated in the beautiful valley of Kashmir. Located on the banks of the River Jhelum, the city is renowned for its beautiful lakes, houseboats and numerous Mughal gardens.

Photo Courtesy: Geetanjali J

Barog

Barog is a noted tourist spot located in the Solan District of Himachal Pradesh. Choor Chandni Peak is counted among one of the prime tourist attractions of the region. Some of the other prominent tourist spots in Barog are Dagshai, the Vishal Shiva Temple, Dolanji Bon Monastery and Renuka Lake. In addition to this, the Sholoni Devi Temple, Children's Park, and Jawahar Park are also frequented by tourists.

Photo Courtesy: Fred Hsu

Bir

Bir is a popular tourist destination in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is popular for its various centres for spiritual studies such as the Deer Park Institute and the Dharmalaya Institute. Apart from these, Bir is an adventure sports destination too. It is referred as the ‘Paragliding Capital of India' and in the month of October, every year, the Department of Tourism, Civil Aviation, and Government of Himachal Pradesh hold a 'Paragliding Pre World Cup' event here. This popular global level paragliding competition draws a large number of visitors every year.

Chail

Chail is a beautiful hill station located on Sadh Tiba Hill in the Sloan district of Himachal Pradesh. The Chail Palace is a major tourist attraction here. Another popular tourist attraction is the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary that offers a rare opportunity to observe the indigenous flora and fauna of the region. Species found in the sanctuary include the Indian muntjac, leopard, crested porcupine, panther, wild boar, goral, sambar, and European red deer.

Photo Courtesy: Vinish K Saini

Dalhousie

Dalhousie is a prominent tourist spot located in the Dhauladhar range of the state of Himachal Pradesh. Some of the noted tourist spots in the region includes St. Andrew's Church, St. Patrick's Church, St. Francis' Church and St. John's Church.

Photo Courtesy: Sonusandhu

Kalpa

Kalpa is a small village situated in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh. Travellers can see the beautiful Sutlej River flowing down the Great Himalayas and passing through the rocky surface of Kinnaur. One of the prime attractions of Kalpa is the Kinnaur Kailash Mountain. It is considered to be sacred by the locals of the region as a Shiva Lingam measuring 70 m in height sits on top of the peak which attracts a large number of devotees and tourists all year round.

Photo Courtesy: snotch

Kangra

Kangra is a tourist destination located at the meeting point of the Manjhi and Bener streams in Himachal Pradesh. Travellers can visit various exotic tourist destinations at Kangra, such as Kareri Lake, Bagalamukhi Temple, and Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple. The majestic Kareri Lake, perched at an elevation of 2934 m above sea level, can be accessed via a trekking route. Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple and the lingam enshrined below ground-level are among the attractions that draw numerous people to this destination.

Photo Courtesy: Dinakarr

Kasauli

Kasauli is a popular hill station located in the district of Solan in the sate of Himachal Pradesh. Situated amidst nature, the town is also known for attractions that include the Christ Church, Monkey Point, Kasauli Brewery, Baba Balak Nath Temple, and the Gurkha Fort.

Photo Courtesy: Varun Kutty

Kufri

Kufri is a small town located at a distance of around 13 km from Shimla. Mahasu Peak, Great Himalayan Nature Park, and Fagu are some of the prominent tourist spots in Kufri. Great Himalayan Nature Park houses over 180 species of birds and animals. Fagu, situated 6 km away from Kufri, is a popular destination among peace lovers.

 

Kullu

Kullu is a beautiful district in the state of Himachal Pradesh and is often referred to as the 'Valley of Gods',. One of the popular spots here is the Sultanpur Palace, also known as the Rupi Palace. The Raghunath Temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Rama, is another major attraction of Kullu. The building of the temple, displaying a perfect blend of Pyramidal and Pahari style of architecture, was constructed in the 17th century by Rajah Jagat Singh.

Photo Courtesy: John Hill

Keylong

Keylong, popularly known as the ‘Land of Monasteries', is a beautiful tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh. Keylong offers visitors with the opportunity to visit several Buddhist pilgrimage centres, which are famous for their unique architectural deigns and have historic relevance. The Kardang Monastery and the Shasur Monastery are two of the famous monasteries situated in the region. Keylong is also a popular destination for various adventure sports such as trekking, fishing, jeep safari, paragliding, skiing and camping.

Photo Courtesy: Peter Krimbacher Moebius1

Lahaul

Lahaul lies in the Indo-Tibetan border in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The major tourist attractions of the region include the village of Kibber, which is famous for its monastery and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Other attractions of the place include the Pin Valley National Park, the Key Monastery and the Kunzum Pass.

Photo Courtesy: Nvvchar

Manali

Manali is situated at an elevation of around 1950 m above sea level and is counted among the most famous tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh. The destination is popular among tourists for its scenic beauty, flowery gardens, snow-capped mountains, and orchards of red and green apples. On a trip to Manali, tourists must visit the Great Himalayan National Park, Hadimba Temple, Solang Valley and tiny lake of the Beas Kund and Rohtang Pass. The Pandoh Dam, Chandrakhani Pass, Raghunath Temple, and Jagganathi Devi Temple are other prominent attractions in the city.

Photo Courtesy: Iapain

Mandi

Mandi, also known as 'Varanasi of Hills', is a well known district located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Famous for its stone temples, the destination has more than 300 shrines devoted to the Hindu deities Shiva and Kali. Some of the popular and ancient temples include the Panchvaktra Temple, the Ardhanarisvara Temple and the Triloknath Temple.

Photo Courtesy: Ritpr9

Manikaran

Manikaran is a famous pilgrimage centre for both Sikhs and Hindus. The Sri Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara is a popular attraction of Manikaran and people believe that Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, visited this place along with his five disciples. A hot spring in the gurudwara's premises also attracts many visitors. Another major attraction of the place is the Temple of Lord Shiva. A unique feature of the temple is that it became tilted after a massive earthquake, measuring 8.0 on the Ricther's magnitude scale, hit the region in 1905.

Photo Courtesy: Aman Gupta

Almora

Almora, perched on a horse saddle shaped ridge, is a popular hill station of the Kumaon region. Travellers can enjoy the panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Himalayas from the hills of Almora. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful views of sunrise and sunset from the Bright End Corner. Simtola and Martola are ideal for picnickers. The Deer Park is also popular as it houses animals like deer, leopard, and the Himalayan black bears. Some other popular tourist attractions of the place include Gobind Ballabh Pant Public Museum and the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Trekking and mountain biking are popular activities among visitors here.

Photo Courtesy: solarshakti

Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti is a picturesque hill station situated Garhwal District of Uttarakhand. One of the prominent tourist attractions of Dhanaulti is the Eco Park surrounded by deodar forests. The Dashavatar Temple, New Tehri Township, Barehipani and Joranda Falls, Deogarh Fort and Matatila Dam are some of the other tourist hot spots here.

 

Gangotri

Gangotri is a popular pilgrimage centre, which is located in the district of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. Gangotri is famous for its ancient temples and religious beliefs. The Gangotri Temple is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre of the region. Tourists can also visit the Gyaneshwar Temple and Ekadash Rudra Temple. The latter shine is famous for the celebration of Ekadash Rudrabhishekam Pooja.

Photo Courtesy: Debapratim Chattopadhyay

Gomukh

Gomukh is a beautiful place which marks the end of the Gangotri Glacier. Tourists can see various attractions in Gomukh, and the Gangotri Glacier is one of the prominent ones among them. This is one of the biggest glaciers of the Himalayan Region and is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of Shivling, Thalay Sagar, Meru, and Bhagirathi.

Photo Courtesy: Atarax42

Kalsi

Kalsi is a beautiful tourist destination in the Dehradun District of Uttarakhand. This place is famous for various ancient monuments, adventure sports and picnic sites. Ashokan Rock Edict, an important monument in the history of Indian epigraphy is one of the popular tourist attractions of Kalsi.

Photo Courtesy: "Nipun Sohanlal"

Kedarnath

Kedarnath is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath Temple, considered as one of the holiest destinations in Hinduism is located here. Travellers visiting Kedarnath should also visit the Samadhi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya, Sonprayag, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Gaurikund.

Photo Courtesy: Geetanjali J

Mussoorie

Mussoorie, popularly known as the ‘Queen of Hills', is a well known hill station situated in the Dehradun District of Uttarakhand. This picturesque hill station is popular for its ancient temples, hills, waterfalls, valleys, wildlife sanctuaries, and educational institutes. The Jwala Devi Temple, the Nag Devta Temple and the Bhadraj Temple are some of the noted religious sites here.

Photo Courtesy: Rameshng

Ranikhet

Ranikhet is a scenic hill station of the Almora District and is widely known as the ‘Queen's Meadow'. The Jhula Devi Temple, Binsar Mahadev and the Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum and Memorial are the most prominent tourist spots of Ranikhet. Mountain biking and trekking are the most popular adventure sports here. Other attractions of Ranikhet are Dwarahat, Bhalu Dam, Tarikhet, Kumaon Regiment Golf Course, Cantonment Aashiyana Park, Sunset Point and Khoont.

Photo Courtesy: Thetomcruise