India is blessed with plenty of natural wonders that are impeccably beautiful, the stunning valleys of India is one among them. With travel getting very adventurous, people are now looking at scenic landscapes in the palette of India’s topography as a top pick. Thankfully there are over 20 astonishing varieties of valleys with distinct landscapes, serenity and formations. With so many magical valleys in India, it may be difficult to experience the exquisite beauty of all. So here’s our top pick covering the most popular ones from top to the bottom of India.
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Stunning Valleys In India That You Shouldn’t Miss
Valleys are generally in low-lying areas sandwiched between hills or mountains. From Kashmir Valley in the north to Araku Valley in the south, each of these valleys vary in shape and size and has something different to offer.
1. Kashmir Valley, Jammu & Kashmir
The stunning Kashmir Valley, which is tucked away between the Karakoram and the Pir Panjal Range, is well-known for its quiet lakes, stunning views, and vibrant flowers that adorn the picturesque surroundings. The valley is so beautiful that it’s appropriately referred to as ‘Heaven on Earth.’ Then how can we forget the Dal Lake in Srinagar which is one of the valley’s most popular attractions. Its unending rows of exquisite houseboats, which are serenely floating on the lake, are so elegant and luxurious that it would be difficult to pass up the chance to spend the night here.
Best Time To Visit: March-August
Top Attractions: Gulmarg, Amarnath Temple, Suru Valley, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Dal Lake, trekking trails
2. Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
The Dibang River, which rises in the highlands and runs through the valley, sculpted the Dibang Valley in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. This is one of the most beautiful valleys in India as it is a complete package; lofty mountains, verdant valleys, mysterious waterfalls, gorges, natural lakes, and many wandering rivulets. Upper Dibang Valley and lower Dibang Valley are the two divisions of the valley. While the lower Dibang draws environment lovers, and wildlife photographers, the Upper Dibang is known for its beautiful landscape.
Best Time To Visit: October to April
Top Attractions: Mayudia Pass, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Dibang River, Anini, Roing
3. Nubra Valley, Ladakh
One of India’s most picturesque valleys is Nubra Valley, created by the Shyok and Nubra Rivers is around 150 kilometers from Leh. The valley, which is surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan hills, is well-known for its picturesque views, monasteries, small villages, Bactrian camels and orchards. Particularly in the winter, the entire valley resembles the moon’s landscape, and in the summer, when it is lush and verdant, the view of the valley is charming and magnificent. The breathtaking vistas of this valley make the world’s highest motorable route even more worthwhile. It is also home to the well-known Siachen Glacier.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Top Attractions: Diskit Monastery, Sumur, Panamik, Khardung La Pass, Hunder
4. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
The Valley of Flowers is a breathtaking valley in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district encased in mountains like a lost paradise. This national park is well-known for its vibrant mix of plants and animals, undulating hills, and lovely blossoms. With about 300 distinct species of wildflowers, including the Himalayan blue poppy, dianthus, calendula, and others, this valley is unquestionably one of the nicest places to visit in India despite being untouched by the chaos of society. The best time to go is when the valley’s snow has melted, the flowers are in full bloom, and there is an abundance of greenery everywhere you look. It boasts the most stunning hiking paths with vibrant orchids.
Best Time To Visit: July, August
Top Attractions: National Park, Hemkund Lake, Pandukeshwar, Bedini Bugyal
5. Dzukou Valley, Nagaland
Situated on the border between the Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland, Dzukou Valley is one of the country’s most picturesque and beautiful valleys in India. The valley, which is encircled by bamboo trees and green landscape is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. The Dzukou and Japfu rivers wind through the valley, forming charming gorges that are perfect for hiking and trekking. The Dzukou Lilya, a rare species of lily flower, is found only in this valley, and is well-known worldwide. In the winter, the valley is entirely covered with snow, while in the summer, a variety of lovely wildflowers adorn the valley’s undulating grasslands.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Top Attractions: Rare Dzukou Lily flower, Shilloi Lake, Japfu Peak, trekking routes
6. Yumthang Valley, Sikkim
Yumthang Valley, one of India’s most breathtaking river valleys, is located in North Sikkim, close to the Tibetan border. It is a must-see destination for Sikkim tour packages. The Tista River sculpted this stunning gorge. With its winding rivers, hot springs, and verdant meadows, the valley appears alluring which makes it one of the beautiful valleys of India. The rolling plains of Yumthang Valley are blanketed in a stunning bed of red rhododendrons throughout the warm summer months of February through June, creating an ambiance that is quite mesmerizing. If you prefer the winter months, it is highly recommended to go there in November and December, when the valley gets a lot of snow.
Best Time To Visit: February to June and September to December
Top Attractions: Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Lachung Monastery, Hot Spring, Zero Point
7. Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh
The breathtaking Kangra Valley, India’s largest valley and one of the must-see destinations in Dharamshala tour packages, is drained by the powerful Beas River. Beautiful thickets of pine forests, orchards, and raging streams that come from the permanent snowy mountains abound in this valley. The beauty of the valley is at its peak when the sun starts to rise and reveal the breathtaking landscape.
This Himalayan valley is home to the Dalai Lama’s residence, Dharamsala, Palampur, and the rock-cut Kangra temples. Additionally, Kangra Valley is thought to be among India’s top locations for mountain biking.
Best Time To Visit: January and February
Top Attractions: Dharamshala, tea gardens, Kangra Fort, waterfalls, adventure activities
8. Ketti Valley, Tamil Nadu
One of the most captivating valleys in India is the Ketti Valley which is surrounded by the stunning Nilgiri Mountains. It is situated in Tamil Nadu, a state in South India, on the main Coonoor-Ooty road. This valley is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. It is a great place to go climbing, trekking, and bird viewing for adventure seekers and nature lovers. The 25-minute toy train journey is the greatest way to experience this beautiful valley. Since its close proximity to top hill station Ooty, Ketti Valley is one of the most visited tourist destinations.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Attractions: Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak, Rose Garden
9. Silent Valley, Kerala
The Silent Valley, one of India’s most exquisite valleys, is located in God’s own land, Kerala. It is renowned for its evergreen natural rainforests and is situated in the Nilgiri hills of the Western Ghats. The valley is a treasure trove of rare vegetation, endangered wild animal, bird, and insect species, and exceptional natural beauty. It is most notable for its renowned Silent Valley National Park which is home to unique and endangered fauna species like the Malabar giant squirrel, hairy-winged bat, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri leopard, and lion-tailed macaque. It is one of the most beautiful valleys in India and should be a part of every Kerala tour package.
Best Time To Visit: December and April
Top Attractions: Rich biodiversity, Kunthi River, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
10. Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh
Araku Valley is a popular hill station located in the state of Andhra Pradesh. This beautiful valley is only 120 km from Visakhapatnam, another top tourist destination. The valley is famous for its lush green forests, rich landscape, wonderful weather, beautiful waterfalls, and tribal culture. It’s not just the valley that’s beautiful, the journey to get to the top of the valley by road and train is also truly mesmerizing. It is a must visit destination for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts and honeymoon couples alike.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Top Attractions: Borra Caves, Padmapuram Gardens, tribal museum, coffee plantations
Also Read: 8 Refreshing Indian Hill Stations To Visit To Escape The Heat
Conclusion
Words are not enough to describe the beauty of these valleys in India, you have to see it to believe it. So, if you’re planning a magical valley escape sometime soon, don’t delay, just do it now. We would love to know of your experience in the comments below.
FAQs
Valleys like Tirthan Valley, Thachi Valley, Dzukou Valley, and Ziro Valley are less-crowded valleys that offer a tranquil escape. Just like the other valleys one can enjoy the serenity of nature and explore the place by hiking.
The list of activities are many, however trekking, camping, river rafting, skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, zorbing and exploring local culture are the most popular ones.
Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh is the biggest valley in India. It covers an area of 5739 square kilometers.
