When the Heat Gets Too Much
Indian summers hit hard. Temperatures cross 40 degrees in most cities, and even 45 in some. The air gets thick, the roads shimmer, and the only thing on everyone's mind is getting out.
Hill stations are the obvious fix. India has dozens of them spread across the country, from the north Himalayas to the Western Ghats down south. But not all of them are actually cool. Some just feel slightly less hot than the plains. This list focuses on the ones that genuinely keep things cold, even when the rest of India is burning up.
Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Summer temperature: 6 to 15 degrees Celsius
Spiti is one of the coldest places you can visit in India during summer. It sits at over 3,600 meters above sea level in a cold desert landscape that looks nothing like the rest of the country. The days are bright and clear, but the nights get genuinely cold. You will need a jacket even in May.
The roads here only open properly from May to June, which is actually the sweet spot for visiting. Key Monastery, Chandratal Lake, and the villages around Kaza are the main draws. Trekking and camping are popular too, and the crowds have not caught up with this place yet.
Best for: People who want real cold, trekkers, photography lovers
Nearest airport: Chandigarh (around 380 km)
Nearest railway station: Shimla (around 250 km)
Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
Summer temperature: 12 to 24 degrees Celsius
Gulmarg stays cool all year round. In summer, it is one of the most comfortable hill stations in the country. The meadows fill up with wildflowers, and the air is crisp and clean.
The Gulmarg Gondola is the biggest attraction here. It takes you up to Apharwat Peak, where you can still see patches of snow even in May. The golf course is one of the highest in the world, and hiking trails around Khilanmarg are easy enough for most visitors. The town has a relaxed pace, and the food is solid.
Best for: Couples, families, anyone wanting cool weather without extreme cold
Nearest airport: Srinagar (around 56 km)
Nearest railway station: Jammu Tawi (around 290 km)
Ladakh
Summer temperature: 5 to 20 degrees Celsius (varies by location)
Ladakh is not just cool in summer. Parts of it are genuinely cold, especially at night and at higher altitudes. The air is thin and dry, and the landscape is unlike anything else in India. Rocky deserts, blue lakes, and mountains that look almost painted.
Summer is actually the only time you can visit most of Ladakh. The roads open up, the passes become accessible, and you can do long drives, bike rides, or treks without worrying about snow blocking your way. Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and the monasteries around Leh are the highlights.
Best for: Adventure lovers, bikers, solo travelers
Nearest airport: Leh
Nearest railway station: Jammu Tawi (around 700 km). No rail link to Ladakh, so flying or driving is the only way in.
Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Summer temperature: 10 to 25 degrees Celsius
Mussoorie is only about 250 km from Delhi, which makes it one of the easiest escapes from the capital's brutal summer heat. The temperature difference is significant. While Delhi bakes at 40 plus, Mussoorie stays in the low 20s.
Kempty Falls is the most popular spot, and it is worth the visit. Lal Tibba gives you a clear view of the Himalayan peaks on a good day. The Mall Road has cafes and shops, and the town has a relaxed, old-world feel that works well for a short getaway.
Best for: Families, quick trips from Delhi or Dehradun
Nearest airport: Dehradun (around 32 km)
Nearest railway station: Dehradun (around 32 km). Well connected to Delhi and other cities.
Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Summer temperature: 11 to 20 degrees Celsius
Kodaikanal is one of the coolest hill stations in south India. It sits at over 2,100 meters in the Palani Hills and the temperature stays mild and comfortable through the summer months. It does not get the same crowd as Ooty, which works in its favor if you want something quieter.
Kodaikanal Lake is the center of town and a good spot to spend an afternoon. Coaker's Walk gives you a panoramic view of the plains below. Pillar Rocks and Bear Shola Falls are short drives away. The town has a calm, unhurried feel that makes it good for people who want to actually slow down.
Best for: Couples, solo travelers, those wanting a quieter south Indian hill station
Nearest airport: Madurai (around 140 km)
Nearest railway station: Palani (around 64 km)
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Summer temperature: 15 to 25 degrees Celsius
Shimla was the summer capital of British India for a reason. It stays cool when the plains are at their worst. The town sits at around 2,200 meters and the temperature rarely crosses 25 degrees even in the hottest months.
Jakhu Temple is the highest point in Shimla and gives you a wide view of the surrounding hills. The Mall Road is busy but worth walking. And if you have time, the Kalka to Shimla toy train ride is one of the best train journeys in the country. It is a UNESCO World Heritage route and the views along the way are genuinely good.
Best for: Families, first-time hill station visitors, people from Delhi
Nearest airport: Chandigarh (around 170 km)
Nearest railway station: Kalka (around 88 km). The famous toy train to Shimla starts here.
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Summer temperature: 15 to 25 degrees Celsius
Darjeeling stays pleasantly cool through the summer. It sits in the eastern Himalayas at around 2,100 meters, and the mornings here are some of the best in the country. Tiger Hill is where you go for sunrise, and on a clear day you get a direct view of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world.
The tea gardens around Darjeeling are lush in summer, and visiting one gives you a real sense of how the tea you drink every morning actually gets made. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train is another UNESCO route, and it is worth taking at least one way.
Best for: Tea lovers, photographers, families
Nearest airport: Bagdogra (around 88 km)
Nearest railway station: New Jalpaiguri (around 88 km). Major junction with trains from Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
Shillong, Meghalaya
Summer temperature: 18 to 25 degrees Celsius
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and one of the most comfortable cities in India during summer. The temperature stays in the low 20s, and the air is clean and fresh. It is also one of the few hill stations in northeast India that is easy to get to.
Umiam Lake is the main attraction, and it is a good spot for an afternoon. Elephant Falls is a short drive and worth seeing. The food here is different from anywhere else in India, with smoked meats and local ingredients that are worth trying. The town has a relaxed vibe and a strong music culture that gives it character.
Best for: Solo travelers, food lovers, people wanting something different
Nearest airport: Shillong Airport (flights from Delhi and Kolkata)
Nearest railway station: Guwahati (around 100 km). No rail lines in Meghalaya, so Guwahati is your only train option.
Munnar, Kerala
Summer temperature: 15 to 25 degrees Celsius
Munnar sits in the Western Ghats at around 1,900 meters and stays cool and comfortable through the summer. The tea plantations here turn a deep green in these months, and the mist that rolls in during the mornings makes the whole place look like something out of a painting.
Eravikulam National Park is the biggest draw for nature lovers. It is home to the Nilgiri Tahr, a rare Himalayan wild goat. Mattupetty Dam is good for a quiet boat ride, and the short treks around Munnar are easy and rewarding. The town itself is small and calm, which is a nice change from the busier hill stations.
Best for: Nature lovers, couples, those wanting peace and quiet
Nearest airport: Cochin (around 140 km)
Nearest railway station: Aluva (around 110 km). Ernakulam Junction is another good option.
Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Summer temperature: 25 to 33 degrees Celsius
Mount Abu is not as cold as the other places on this list. But here is why it still makes it. It is the only hill station in Rajasthan. When the rest of the state is sitting at 44 to 48 degrees, Mount Abu stays 10 to 15 degrees cooler. For anyone stuck in Rajasthan during summer, it is the closest escape.
Dilwara Temples are the main reason people come here, and they are genuinely impressive. The Jain architecture and stone carvings are some of the finest in India. Nakki Lake is a good spot for the evening, and the Sunset Point gives you a wide view of the Aravalli hills.
Best for: Families visiting Rajasthan, anyone looking for a quick escape from desert heat
Nearest airport: Ahmedabad (around 220 km)
Nearest railway station: Abu Road (around 35 km). Connected to Mumbai, Delhi, and Jaipur
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Not every hill station in India is actually cool. Some just feel slightly less painful than the plains. The places on this list are the ones that genuinely deliver cooler temperatures, some of them significantly so.
Pack layers. Even in summer, hill stations get cold at night. A light jacket or sweater is a must, especially at higher altitudes like Spiti or Ladakh.
Book early. Summer is peak season for hill stations across India. If you are going in May or June, plan at least two to three weeks ahead. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends at most of these places.
Sunscreen matters more than you think. The higher the altitude, the stronger the UV. Spiti, Ladakh, and Gulmarg especially need good sun protection even though the air feels cool.
Final Thoughts
India's summers are tough. But the country has enough hill stations spread across different regions that you do not have to suffer through it. Pick a spot based on how much cold you can handle and how far you are willing to travel, and summer actually becomes one of the better times to be in the mountains. The crowds are real, but so is the relief.
