Visit these 7 offbeat hill stations of South India during summer holidays with children. Great family trip.

Whenever there is extreme heat in North India, people often rush to traditional hill stations like Shimla, Manali or Nainital, where the fun of the trip gets spoiled due to heavy crowds and expensive hotels. But do you know that in South India, there are many beautiful and peaceful hill stations situated in the lap of nature, which are not only very beautiful but are also not heavy on the pocket? If you are planning to go to a cool, green and unique place with your children this summer vacation, then these offbeat hill stations of South India are the perfect option for you. The best thing is that here you can enjoy a wonderful and memorable family trip in a budget of just ₹25,000. Let us know about these 7 beautiful places: 1. Vagamon, Kerala Vagamon is a very beautiful and peaceful hill station located in Idukki district of Kerala. This place is away from commercialization, so here you will feel the natural peace. Children like the lush green meadows (pine forests), beautiful waterfalls and tea gardens here. Budgetary homestays and resorts are easily available here, making it pocket-friendly. 2. Coorg (Kodagu), Karnataka (Coorg, Karnataka) The beauty of Coorg, called the ‘Scotland of India’, can win anyone’s heart. Spending time with children amidst coffee plantations, orange groves and mist covered hills is a great experience. Here you can visit Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat and again the Elephant Camp, where children can see elephants bathing. A family with a budget of ₹25,000 can comfortably spend 3-4 days here. 3. Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu If you do not want too much trekking or a hectic schedule, then Yelagiri in Tamil Nadu is an ideal option. This is a small and very quiet hill station. Boating in the Punganur lake here and visiting the nature park is a lot of fun for children. Apart from this, Swamimalai Hill Trek here is also quite famous. This is the best destination to spend a weekend in low budget. 4. Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh Araku Valley, located near Visakhapatnam (Vizag), is known for its natural beauty and rich tribal culture. The train journey to reach here is in itself a big adventure for children, because the train passes through many caves and hills. Borra Caves, coffee plantations and Chaprai Waterfall are the main attractions of tourists here. 5. Peermade, Kerala: Located close to Vagamon, Peermade is another hidden treasure of Kerala. It was once the summer retreat of the kings of Travancore. Surrounded by tea, coffee, rubber and cardamom plantations, this place is a paradise for nature lovers. Showing children the spice gardens here can be an enlightening and fun experience. Accommodation is available here at very affordable rates. 6. Offbeat option of Coorg: Sakleshpur, Karnataka If you are looking for a place quieter and less crowded than Coorg, then Sakleshpur, situated in the hills of the Western Ghats, is a great option. This place is known for its excellent weather and pleasant environment. The Manjarabad Fort here, which is built in star shape, can be a subject of curiosity for children. The homestays here are quite budget-friendly. 7. Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu If you want to avoid the huge crowds and expensive hotels of Ooty, then head to Kotagiri, located in the Nilgiri hills. This is a very peaceful and beautiful alternative to Ooty. The lush green tea plantations, Catherine Falls and Kodanad View Point are the main attractions here. The climate here remains pleasant throughout the year and it fits perfectly into your budget.