Will forget the crowd of Shimla-Manali! These are 7 offbeat hill stations that provide relaxation at low cost.

It is everyone’s dream to spend time in the cool valleys of the mountains during the summer season. But as soon as the vacation season starts, famous tourist places like Shimla, Manali and Nainital are filled with such huge crowds of tourists that instead of peace, there is only traffic jam and expensive hotel bookings. If this time you want to go to a quiet and very beautiful place away from the crowd and noise which also fits in your budget, then you should go to some offbeat hilly areas of India. If seen from the perspective of a travel reporter, there are many such hidden hill stations in the country whose supernatural beauty makes even the big famous tourist spots pale. Let us know in this special travel guide about those 7 offbeat hill stations, where the trip will become the best memory of your life. The magical peace of Tirthan Valley and the mysterious valleys of Chakrata, the first name that comes in our special list is ‘Tirthan Valley’ of Himachal Pradesh. Situated near the Great Himalayan National Park, this valley is known for its ancient purity, the gurgling Tirthan River and the dense deodar forests spread all around. By coming here you can enjoy camping, trekking and trout fishing without any crowd. On the other hand, ‘Chakrata’ located in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand is a British era hill station which is still completely away from the glare of commercialism. The ‘Tiger Fall’ (waterfall) and the dense forest of Kanasar present in this quiet military cantonment area nestled amidst high mountains will completely mesmerize you. Mini Switzerland look of Kausani and snowy peaks of Chopta. ‘Kausani’ situated in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand is such a beautiful hill station, which Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi called ‘Switzerland of India’ because of its beauty. From here, a spectacular 300 degree view of the majestic Himalayan peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli is clearly visible. Sitting amidst the tranquil tea gardens of Kausani and watching the sun rise and set is a magical feeling. After this comes ‘Chopta’, which is also called ‘Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand’. Famous as the base camp of Tungnath Trek, this place is covered with velvety bugyalas (grasslands) and red flowers of rhododendron (Buransh), where the budget is very low and the views are amazing. The unique culture of Kalimpong and the peaceful cantonment of Landsdowne, ‘Kalimpong’ located near Darjeeling, West Bengal, is a very beautiful and peaceful hill station. Situated above the Teesta river valley, this city offers a very panoramic view of the Kanchenjunga peak. Famous for Buddhist monasteries, ancient colonial churches and flower nurseries, this place is best for those who want to experience a unique culture along with nature. ‘Lansdowne’ of Uttarakhand is also included in this series. Being the main base of Garhwal Rifles, it is one of the cleanest and disciplined hill stations of India. The old wooden bungalows built amidst oak and pine trees and the serene Bhulla Lake provide immense peace to the tourists coming here. Unique attraction of Jibhi Village: Enjoy the enchanting valleys at low cost. The seventh and most special destination of this list is ‘Jibhi’ village of Himachal Pradesh. Located in the Banjar Valley of Kullu district, this small village is fast becoming popular among the youth for its traditional wooden Victorian style cottages and beautiful waterfalls. The biggest feature of Jibhi is that the cost of living and food here is half of that of Shimla or Manali. The local people are extremely helpful and the homestay culture here connects you directly to the traditional lifestyle of the mountains. Due to its proximity to Jalodi Pass, it is also a paradise for trekkers. Why it makes sense to leave expensive commercial hill stations and go to offbeat places? The biggest advantage of visiting these untouched hill stations is that here you do not have to pay exorbitant prices for hotels nor stand in long queues at restaurants. This offbeat tourism keeps your budget completely safe and gives you mental peace. Coming to these serene places, you can truly hear the voice of nature, which is completely lost in big hill stations with pollution and commercial congestion. Then this time change your travel list and set out on a trip to these 7 hidden paradises.