Discover 80 curated mountains spots, scenic landscapes, and offbeat travel destinations.
Mahabaleshwar, Satara district
The Queen of all points in Mahabaleshwar, perched at 1,340 metres with dramatic drop-offs into the Savitri valley on one side and the dense Jor valley on the other.
Atal Tunnel, Lahaul and Spiti district
At 9.02 km, the world's longest single-tube highway tunnel above 10,000 ft, cutting through the Pir Panjal range under Rohtang Pass. Emerging at the North Portal reveals the snow-dusted Sissu waterfall and the rugged Lahaul landscape.
Auli, near Joshimath, Chamoli district
India's premier high-altitude ski destination at 2,800 metres, surrounded by coniferous deodar and oak forests with grand panoramic views of Nanda Devi (India's 2nd highest peak). Features international ski slopes and one of Asia's longest ropeways (4 km).
Padinjarathara, Wayanad district
The largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia, constructed across the Karamanathodu tributary of the Kabini River. A group of scenic small islands dot the reservoir waters against the majestic backdrop of the Banasura Hills, with speedboating and zipline rides.
Core area, Similipal Tiger Reserve, Mayurbhanj district
Located deep inside the core of Similipal National Park, Barehipani is India's second-highest waterfall, plunging 1,309 feet (399 m) in two tiered leaps over a dramatic red cliff. Nearby Joranda Falls drops in a single uninterrupted veil of 492 feet into a mist-shrouded gorge.
Hidden Gem
Mathan, Kullu district
A mysterious hilltop temple of Lord Shiva perched on a 2,460 m spur between Kullu and Parvati valleys. The temple features a 60-foot flagstaff that reportedly draws lightning bolts, followed by the ritual restoration of the Shivlinga.
Hidden Gem
Binsar, Almora district
A high-altitude wildlife haven cloaked in ancient oak, pine, and scarlet rhododendron forests. Zero Point offers one of the grandest 300-km continuous Himalayan panoramas in India, taking in Kedarnath, Shivling, Trishul, and Nanda Devi.
Ravangla town, South Sikkim
Constructed to mark the 2550th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha, Tathagata Tsal features a breathtaking 130-foot tall statue of the Buddha set inside landscaped gardens at 7,000 feet. The statue's base contains a spiritual museum illustrating the eight stages of Buddha's life against snow-peak backdrops.
Chauragarh Peak, Satpura National Park, Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh 461881
Chauragarh is the second highest summit in the Satpura Range (1,326 meters), famous for its Shiva temple situated on a flat rocky promontory. During the Mahashivratri festival, thousands of tribal pilgrims climb the strenuous 1,365 stone steps carrying massive iron trishuls (tridents) weighing up to several quintals on their shoulders to plant them in homage, creating a surreal forest of thousands of tridents.
Chellarkovil, near Anakkara, Idukki district
A sleepy border village atop the Western Ghats ridge featuring a stunning panoramic watchtower and eco-balcony overlooking the coconut plains and vegetable farms of neighbouring Tamil Nadu, and cascading seasonal waterfalls that vanish into the valley.
Near Meppadi, Wayanad district
The highest peak in Wayanad district, towering at 6,890 feet (2,100 m) above sea level. An exhilarating guided forest trek passes through rolling tea estates and mist-covered grasslands to reach 'Hridaya Saras', a naturally formed heart-shaped lake that never dries up.
Hidden Gem
NH 30, Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh
The scenic mountain gateway of the Maikal hill range connecting Chhattisgarh with Madhya Pradesh. Known for winding serpentine roads, lush valley viewpoints, cool hill breezes, and dense teak forests frequented by wandering clouds during monsoon.
Hidden Gem
Chitkul, Kinnaur district
The last inhabited village along the old Indo-Tibetan trade route at 11,320 ft in the Sangla Valley. Known for its traditional wooden slate-roofed houses, the turquoise Baspa River, and views of snow-draped border ranges.
Hidden Gem
Churdhar, Sirmaur district
The highest peak in the outer Himalayas at 11,965 ft (3,647 m), crowned by an ancient shrine of Shirgul Maharaj (Lord Shiva). The trek traverses rhododendron meadows and deodar forests with views extending to the Gangetic plains.
Hidden Gem
Barsu village trailhead, Uttarkashi district
Spanning 28 square kilometres at an altitude of 3,700 metres, Dayara is widely considered one of India's most breathtaking alpine meadows. Summer paints the rolling green slopes with colorful buttercups, while winter transforms it into vast pristine ski snowfields.
Near Doodhari, Pottangi block, Koraput district
The highest mountain peak in Odisha, soaring 1,672 metres (5,486 ft) above sea level in the Chandragiri-Pottangi subrange of the Eastern Ghats. Features rolling montane shola grasslands, crisp mountain winds, paragliding launches, and breathtaking panoramic cloud inversions at dawn.
Dhanaulti, Tehri Garhwal district
Situated at 7,500 feet on the quiet Mussoorie-Chamba ridge road, Dhanaulti is an uncrowded haven of towering virgin deodar and oak forests. The twin Eco Parks ('Amber' and 'Dhara') offer elevated walking paths, zip-lining, and crisp mountain breezes.
Satpura National Park, Pachmarhi, Narmadapuram District, Madhya Pradesh 461881
Standing at an elevation of 1,352 meters (4,429 feet), Mount Dhoopgarh is the crowning summit of the Satpura Range and the highest point in all of Madhya Pradesh. Accessible by 4x4 Gypsy along a scenic mountain road, the summit features designated viewing pavilions where crowds gather to witness breathtaking sunrises rising over jagged green ridges and fiery sunsets dipping into the Mahadeo hills.
Dhosi Hill, Near Kultajpur, Narnaul, Haryana 123001
Rising 740 meters above sea level on the Haryana-Rajasthan border, Dhosi Hill is a solitary extinct volcanic cone formed hundreds of millions of years ago. It has immense historical and Ayurvedic prestige as the hermitage of sage Chyawan, who invented the rejuvenating formulation 'Chyawanprash' here over 3,000 years ago. Visitors trek past volcanic ash vents to the crater ashram and temple.
Machkund, Koraput district
A thunderous horsetail waterfall cascading 574 feet (175 m) down a sheer granite amphitheatre on the Machkund River along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border. Surrounded by dense deciduous forests and traditional tribal villages of the indigenous Bonda and Gadaba communities.
Ambukuthi Mala, Nenmeni, near Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad
Not technically caves but a massive cleft rock shelter on Ambukuthi Mala where a giant boulder is wedged between two rock faces. Houses remarkable Neolithic rock engravings (petroglyphs) dating between 6,000 BCE and 1,000 BCE depicting human figures, animals, symbols, and ancient wheeled carts.
Rajamalai, Munnar, Idukki district
Kerala's premier national park along the crest of the Western Ghats, sheltering the largest surviving wild population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat). Home to rolling shola grasslands, mountain streams, and South India's highest peak, Anamudi (2,695 m).
Gulmarg Gondola Base Station, Gulmarg, Kashmir
The flagship attraction of Kashmir tourism, the Gulmarg Gondola operates in two stages: Phase 1 rises to Kongdoori bowl (10,000 ft), and Phase 2 ascends through pure snow and clouds to Apharwat Peak (13,780 ft). In winter, it serves world-class powder skiing and snowboarding terrain.
Guru Shikhar, Mount Abu
The highest point of the Aravalli Mountain Range at 1,722 meters above sea level, offering 360-degree views of the mountain region and housing a temple dedicated to Guru Dattatreya.
Mangan District, North Sikkim, near China border
One of the highest alpine lakes in the world, Gurudongmar sits at an astounding 5,430 meters surrounded by snow-capped peaks in the Tibetan plateau transition. Revered by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Hindus, legend tells that Guru Padmasambhava touched part of the water so it never freezes even in extreme sub-zero winter temperatures.
Hidden Gem
Harsil, Uttarkashi district
A picture-postcard Himalayan valley tucked at 8,500 feet along the Bhagirathi River, surrounded by dense deodar woods, snow-covered ridges, and wooden British apple orchards introduced by colonial adventurer 'Pahari' Wilson in the 1850s.
Near Ghangaria, Chamoli district
The world's highest Gurudwara, perched at 4,329 metres (14,200 ft) beside a pristine glacial lake ringed by seven snow-clad mountain peaks. Honored in the Dasam Granth as the meditation site of Guru Gobind Singh in a previous life.
Bhavan, Trikuta Hills, Katra, Reasi District, Jammu
Perched inside the three-peaked Trikuta mountain at 5,200 feet, the Holy Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the world's most visited pilgrimage shrines. The 13 km illuminated trek from Katra ascends paved trails, supported by battery-operated cars, ropeways, and helicopter shuttles.
Dharamshala, Kangra district
One of the world's most photogenic cricket grounds at 4,780 ft above sea level, with the jagged snow-clad Dhauladhar mountain range towering immediately behind the grandstands.
Jakhu Hill, Shimla, Shimla district
Perched on Shimla's highest hill at 8,048 ft, this historic temple is crowned by a monumental 108-foot Hanuman statue visible across the valley. Shrouded in tall deodar cedar woods with panoramic mountain overlooks.
Summit of Pavagadh Hill, Panchmahal District, Gujarat
Perched on the summit peak of Pavagadh Hill at 762 meters, the Kalika Mata Temple is one of the venerated Shakti Peethas. A high-altitude passenger ropeway (Udan Khatola) transports pilgrims over sheer cliffs to the base of the summit steps, rewarding visitors with breathtaking views of the plains below.
Near Khavda village, Kutch District, Gujarat
Standing at 462 meters above sea level, Kalo Dungar is the highest natural point in Kutch. It offers sweeping panoramic views where the boundless salt desert meets the sky, and is home to the 400-year-old Dattatreya Temple where jackals are fed sacred prasad twice daily.
Hidden Gem
Kalpa, Kinnaur district
A tranquil Kinnauri village surrounded by apple orchards at 9,711 ft, renowned for front-row dawn views of the sacred Kinnaur Kailash peak (6,050 m). Features the ancient Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar monastery and traditional timber houses.
Karli, near Lonavala, Pune district
Ancient Buddhist rock-cut shrines dating back to the 2nd century BCE, housing India's largest and best-preserved Chaitya (prayer hall) with intricately carved stone pillars and original teakwood ceiling ribs.
Hidden Gem
Kasar Devi, Almora district
An ancient 2nd-century CE hilltop cave temple situated on a geomagnetic anomaly region within the Van Allen radiation belt (similar to Stonehenge and Machu Picchu). Renowned as a peaceful spiritual retreat frequented by Swami Vivekananda, Bob Dylan, and Timothy Leary.
Kausani, Bageshwar district
Dubbed the 'Switzerland of India' by Mahatma Gandhi, who penned his treatise on Anasakti Yoga here in 1929. Perched on a 6,000-foot ridge, Kausani commands a breathtaking 300-km panoramic vista of Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Panchachuli peaks bathed in crimson dawn light.
Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district
One of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas and the most revered of the Panch Kedar, standing at 3,584 metres against the monumental snow-clad Kedarnath peak. Built of giant grey granite slabs in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya near the Mandakini River.
Khajjiar, Chamba district
A picturesque saucer-shaped alpine meadow at 6,500 ft, surrounded by dense deodar and pine forests with a small natural lake at its centre. Officially certified as India's mini-Switzerland with a dedicated commemorative stone.
Hidden Gem
Khirsu, near Pauri, Pauri Garhwal district
An offbeat, peaceful village perched at 1,700 metres in the heart of Pauri Garhwal, blanketed by dense forests of oak, pine, and ancient rhododendron. Renowned for zero commercial noise, birdwatching, and unobstructed vistas of over 300 snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
Kottakudi / Munnar border, Idukki district
Perched at nearly 7,900 feet above sea level, Kolukkumalai is the highest organic tea plantation in the world. Accessible only by rugged 4x4 Jeep trail, it offers awe-inspiring sunrise cloud inversions, crisp mountain air, and a traditional 1930s Orthodox tea factory tour.
Hidden Gem
Kunzum La, Lahaul and Spiti district
One of India's highest motorable mountain passes connecting Kullu and Lahaul to Spiti Valley. Features 15 hair-raising hairpin bends, a sacred Buddhist chorten adorned with prayer flags dedicated to Goddess Kunzum, and Bara-Shigri glacier views.
Near Jelep La Pass, Kupup, East Sikkim
Revered locally as Bitan Cho, Kupup Lake resembles an elephant in shape — with a curved trunk outline on the right and tail on the left. Located at 13,066 feet near the Jelep La pass into Tibet, it is bordered by the world's highest yak golf course maintained by the Indian Army.
Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal district
A quiet, immaculate cantonment hill station founded in 1887 as the headquarters of the Garhwal Rifles. Tip-in-Top (Tiffin Top) is a panoramic clifftop vantage point overlooking the snow-capped Chaukhamba and Trishul massifs across deep pine valleys.
Purushottampur, Ganjam district
One of the revered ancient Shakti Peethas (Stana Peetha), perched atop the holy Purnagiri Hill (Taratarini Hill) beside the sacred Rushikulya River. Reachable via 999 stone steps, a motorable ghat road, or a modern passenger ropeway.
~75 km from Ambikapur, Surguja
A cool pine-clad plateau nicknamed the Shimla of Chhattisgarh, dotted with Tibetan settlements, monasteries, the quaking 'Jaljali' marsh and open grassland views.
Mattupetty, Munnar, Idukki district
A concrete gravity storage dam nestled at 5,600 feet, surrounded by mist-draped tea hills and tranquil lake waters where wild elephants occasionally gather to drink. The nearby Echo Point offers a scenic natural acoustic phenomenon along the reservoir edge.
Morni Hills, Panchkula District, Haryana 134205
Morni Hills is a serene spur of the outer Shivalik ranges rising to an elevation of 1,220 meters, blanketed in maritime pine and oak forests. It provides cool refreshing mountain breezes, scenic trekking ridges, abundant birdwatching opportunities for Himalayan species, and the historic hilltop Morni Fort overlooking lush emerald valleys.
Bhavnath, Junagadh District, Gujarat
Mount Girnar is older than the Himalayas and sacred to both Jains and Hindus. Rising 1,118 meters with 9,999 ancient carved stone steps, it is crowned by the 12th-century Neminath Jain Temple and Guru Dattatreya shrine. Asia's longest ropeway ferries pilgrims up in just 8 minutes over breathtaking cliff drops.
Hidden Gem
Mount Manipur National Park (Mount Harriet), Port Blair and South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Renamed Mount Manipur National Park in honour of Anglo-Manipur war heroes, this 383-metre peak is the highest in South Andaman. The park offers dense tropical jungle treks, endemic butterflies and birds, and the historic viewpoint looking out toward North Bay Lighthouse, immortalised on the reverse of the older ₹20 Indian rupee banknote.
Mukteshwar, Nainital district
Perched at 7,500 feet, Mukteshwar offers 180-degree panoramas of Nanda Devi and Trishul peaks. Chauli Ki Jali is a thrilling cliff edge of natural criss-cross rock lattices overhanging a 1,000-foot sheer abyss, popular for rock climbing and sunset viewing.
Munsiyari, Pithoragarh district
Known as the 'Little Kashmir of Uttarakhand', Munsiyari sits at 7,200 feet in eastern Kumaon near the Gori Ganga River. Famous for the closest, most dramatic panoramic view of the five towering Panchachuli peaks ('the five cooking hearths of the Pandavas').
Hidden Gem
Nathang Valley, Old Silk Route, East Sikkim
Originally inhabited by traditional Tibetan yak herders, Nathang Valley is a high-altitude bowl at 13,500 feet with picturesque wooden hamlets, a Buddhist Gompa, and an old British war memorial. It changes character dramatically through the year — golden in autumn, blanketed in deep snow in winter, and covered in wild gentians in monsoon.
Kotdwar-Rishikesh hill road, Pauri Garhwal district
A highly revered Shiva temple perched at 1,330 metres amidst the Manikoot, Brahmakoot, and Vishnukoot hills. Marking the legendary spot where Lord Shiva consumed the Halahala poison during the churning of the ocean, turning his throat blue (Neelkanth).
Panhala hill town, ~20 km from Kolhapur
The largest hill fort in the Deccan, strategically dominating Sahyadri mountain trade passes. Associated with Shivaji Maharaj's historic siege escape, featuring Teen Darwaza, Sajja Kothi, and huge granaries.
Patnitop, Udhampur/Ramban border, Jammu
Originally known as 'Patan Da Talab' ('Pond of the Princess'), Patnitop is a charming hill resort on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Towering deodar and blue pine trees shade carpeted meadows, while the modern Skyview Gondola connects Sanget to Patnitop spanning 2.8 km across deep river gorges.
Hidden Gem
Pin Valley, Lahaul and Spiti district
A high cold-desert biosphere situated in the trans-Himalayan Spiti region. Shelters rare and endangered wildlife including snow leopards, Siberian ibex, bharal, and Himalayan snowcocks in a dramatically barren mountain terrain.
Hidden Gem
Ponmudi, Nedumangad taluk, Thiruvananthapuram district
A serene, mist-cloaked hill retreat nestled at 3,600 feet in the southern Western Ghats. Reached via a winding road with 22 scenic hairpin bends, it features cool mountain breezes, rolling tea estates, orchids, and trekking trails through shola forest valleys.
Hidden Gem
Prashar, Mandi district
A mystic high-altitude lake at 2,730 m surrounded by the Dhauladhar range. Features a naturally floating island that slowly rotates across the water, and a 13th-century three-tiered pagoda temple dedicated to sage Prashar.
Poladpur road, ~22 km from Mahabaleshwar
The legendary mountain citadel built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1656, site of the historic triumph over Afzal Khan. Commands sweeping 360-degree views of the Konkan and Mahabaleshwar valleys.
Hidden Gem
Putsil, Semiliguda block, Koraput district
Often called the 'Switzerland of Odisha', Putsil is a hidden highland tableland nestled at 3,500 feet near Deomali. Known for dramatic cloud seas enveloping pine plantations, rolling grasslands, cool mountain breezes, and offbeat eco-camping under starry night skies.
Hidden Gem
Panathady, Kasaragod district
Known as the 'Ooty of Kerala', Ranipuram sits at 2,460 feet in the Kasaragod Western Ghats. A scenic 2.5-km trek through dense evergreen shola forests and rolling montane grasslands leads to a dramatic rounded rocky summit offering views over Coorg in Karnataka.
Rohtang La, Kullu-Lahaul border
Legendary mountain pass at 13,054 ft on the Pir Panjal range, offering polar snowfields, hanging glaciers, and jaw-dropping vistas into the Lahaul Valley and Chandra river gorge. Requires online NGT green permit.
Ranni taluk, Pathanamthitta district
One of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world, drawing an estimated 40 to 50 million devotees annually during Mandala-Makaravilakku. Perched atop a hill surrounded by 18 sacred mountains inside Periyar Tiger Reserve, pilgrims observe a 41-day vratham and trek through dense forests from Pamba.
Saddle Peak National Park, Diglipur and North Andaman Peaks, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Saddle Peak is the highest mountain peak in the entire archipelago (732 metres above sea level). The national park is cloaked in dense, multi-tiered evergreen rainforest harboring unique sub-alpine stunted montane flora, Kalpong River (the only perennial river of Andaman), and panoramic oceanic vistas from the summit.
Hidden Gem
Sangla, Kinnaur district
One of Himachal's most picturesque alpine river basins, lined with walnut and apple orchards along the rushing Baspa River. Crowned by the tower-like wooden Kamru Fort dating back over a thousand years.
Naina Devi Hill, Bilaspur district
One of India's revered 51 Shakti Peethas atop a triangular hill at 3,600 ft overlooking Gobind Sagar. According to belief, Goddess Sati's eyes fell here. Connected by a scenic 800 m cable car ropeway.
Thoptewadi, ~30 km SW of Pune
A historic mountain citadel perched on an isolated cliff of the Sahyadri ranges, scene of Tanaji Malusare's legendary battle. Famous for panoramic valley views, cool mountain air, and authentic pithla bhakri.
Hidden Gem
Park Estate, Mussoorie, Dehradun district
The 1832 historic laboratory and estate of Sir George Everest, Surveyor General of India after whom Mount Everest is named. Perched on a dramatic cliff ridge offering breathtaking 360-degree vistas of the snow-clad Himalayas and Doon Valley.
Above Zuluk loops, Pakyong District, East Sikkim
Situated 14 km ahead of Zuluk at an elevation of 11,200 feet, Thambi View Point provides an unmatched panoramic vista of the entire 32-hairpin road network looping below, alongside golden morning sunrises washing over the Eastern Himalayan peaks and Kangchenjunga.
Kannankavan, Munnar border, Idukki district
The highest elevation point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road (6,170 ft), historic terminus for the vintage Kundala Valley monorail that once transported tea down to Kottagudi. Offers breath-taking 360-degree vistas over the rolling clouds and the deep plains of Tamil Nadu.
Triund, above McLeod Ganj, Kangra district
A famous ridge trek at 9,350 ft offering an unmatched close-up panorama of the massive Dhauladhar snow barrier on one side and the sweeping Kangra Valley on the other. A beloved Himalayan day hike and camping destination.
Jawaharlal Nehru Road, East Sikkim
Nestled in the rugged mountains 38 km from Gangtok along the Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Tsomgo is a sacred glacial lake frozen solid during winter months. Revered by Lamas who once read future fortunes in its shifting hues, it features yak rides, alpine flowers, and the world-class Sikkim ropeway.
Chopta, Rudraprayag district
The highest Shiva temple in the world, standing at 3,680 metres (12,073 ft) on the Chandranath mountain. A 3.5 km stone trail from the alpine meadow of Chopta ('Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand') climbs past rhododendron woods to the temple and the 13,000 ft Chandrashila summit.
Near Ghangaria, Chamoli district
A UNESCO World Heritage alpine valley situated at 3,600 metres, famous for carpets of over 500 species of wild alpine flowers (including Blue Poppy, Brahma Kamal, and Cobra Lily) blossoming against glaciated mountain walls and crystal streams.
Yamunotri, Uttarkashi district
The westernmost shrine of the Garhwal Char Dham, sitting at 3,291 metres in a narrow gorge against the Kalind mountain. Known for near-boiling thermal sulfur springs (Surya Kund) where pilgrims cook rice in cloth bags as prasadam before offering worship.
26 km from Lachung, North Sikkim
Perched at an elevation of 3,564 meters, the Yumthang Valley is framed by sheer Himalayan crags, the meandering Yumthang River, and lush yak pastures. In spring, the valley explodes into a kaleidoscope of colors with over 24 species of blooming rhododendrons, primulas, and Himalayan poppies.
Hidden Gem
47 km southwest of Srinagar, Budgam District, Kashmir
Situated at 7,861 feet in western Kashmir, Yusmarg is an idyllic highland bowl surrounded by dense pine forests and the snow-crested Sunset Peak (Tatadoti). A quiet, crowd-free alternative to major resorts, travelers enjoy horse riding through the Doodhganga river gorge and trout fishing.
Yumesamdong, beyond Yumthang, North Sikkim
Located 23 km further up from Yumthang Valley near the Chinese border, Zero Point marks the terminus of all civilian roads. Sitting at 15,300 feet where three alpine rivers converge, this breathtaking outpost is perpetually covered in blanket snow, offering raw Himalayan grandeur.
Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH 1), 25 km from Sonamarg
One of the most thrilling high-altitude highway passes in the Himalayas, Zoji La connects Kashmir's lush green valleys with the high-altitude cold deserts of Ladakh. The famous Zero Point beyond the pass features perennial snowfields, ice-tubing, and military historical monuments.
Zuluk, Pakyong District, East Sikkim
Zuluk was a historic transit transit post on the ancient Indo-Tibet Silk Route. Today it is famous for the 32 dizzying hairpin turns carved into mountain faces that climb dramatically from 9,400 to over 11,200 feet, offering one of the most thrilling road journeys on the Indian subcontinent.