Best Places to Visit in Winter in India
Winter, very cold and one of the four seasons of India, starts from December and ends in March. December and January are considered as the peak cold months of the winter season and also make a good time to go on a vacation. Winter is the season when pleasure mixes with coolness and creates a refreshing atmosphere. This is also the time for a number of fairs and festival, which create a string of holidays.
This article is the compilation of the Best Places to Visit in Winter in India that you can get started with:
- Goa
- Shimla
- Manali
- Auli
- Munnar
- Rann of Kutch
Goa- party capital of winters
Goa is a small state located in the extreme western end towards the southern coast of India right below Maharashtra. The real essence of Goa lies in its rich history, unique culture and the original natural beauty. Goa is known for its dazzling beaches, delectable food and Portuguese heritage. With a coastline stretching for over 100kms, Goa has numerous beaches that attract millions of visitors. North Goa beaches, Baga and Calangute are more popular among the Indian family crowd; Anjuna and Arambol draw a lot of foreign tourists. The beaches in South Goa are relatively lesser explored but some of them like Agonda and Palolem are more beautiful. People from the country as well as all over the world come to visit Goa.
Goa is the land for all seasons but it is famously called the Party Capital of Winters because of the number of music festivals and parties that are hosted in its territory increase every year. The space comes alive during the winter month with all-night parties and some seriously crazy crowd. The whole would be in party vibe. With the Christmas and New Year Parties, Sunburn and Goa Film Festival scheduled for the winter months, the high spirits of Goa make it the best among the winter destinations in India.
Key Attractions:
- Water Sports Activities
- Christmas and New Year Beach Parties
- Sunburn Festival
- Goa Film Festival
- Delicious Sea Food
- Beautiful Beaches
- Cruise
- Nightlife
Shimla – queen of hills
Shimla (capital of Himachal Pradesh) - the Queen of Hills, located in Northeast where Himalaya is located, is nothing like spending a romantic vacation with your special someone in winter. Shimla is an ultimate winter holiday destination in India. Though each of the seasons has its own charm in this city, winters are just incredible. Snow-clad mountains, pine and deodar trees make Shimla one of the hottest destinations for honeymooners.
However, you could enjoy a vacation in Shimla in winter months even if you are alone and looking for some adventure you can go for paragliding, ice skating and skiing and trekking. Highly popular as a skiing destination, Shimla attracts adventurers from different parts of the world.
Key Attractions:
- Shimla City
- Mashobra
- Kufri
- Narkanda
- Rohru
- Summer Hill
- Shaily Peak
- Chadwick Waterfall
- Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Viceregal Lodge
Manali – a most popular hill station
Want to visit Swiss?? Look no further than to visit Manali. It is the most popular hill stations in the country situated in between the snow-capped slopes of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges in Himachal Pradesh. With awesome views, dense forests, meadows carpeted with flowers, flowing river, mist lingering in the air, apple orchards and age-old temples and a persistent fragrance of pines and freshness -Manali has been blessed with extraordinary scenic beauty.
This destination receives heavy footfall all year round especially during winters because it offers enormous adventure activities to be done on snow. For those keen on experiencing snow, December is the best time to travel to Manali. Many people have been to Manali, but, Manali in December has a whole new look. You can pamper yourself in various activities like skiing, skating, snow fighting, snowboarding etc.
Key Attractions:
- Solang Valleys
- Rohtang Pass
- Old Manali
- Manikaran
- Naggar Castle
- Hadimba Temple
- Kullu
Auli – best skiing destination
Winter months, are perfect to visit Auli. A famous hill station in Uttarakhand, Auli is renowned for fascinating ski resorts and stunning natural panoramas. This mountainous region surrounded by the snowy peaks of the mighty Himalayas offers the sceneries of slopes with Oak trees on edges, coniferous forests, apple orchards and fine deodar trees and spectacular views of the lofty mountain ranges like Nanda Devi, Mana Paravat and Kamat Kamet.
Being located at an altitude of 2,500 m, it provides ample opportunity for skiing and thus it makes a popular destination among the adventurous characters. Trekking can also be enjoyed in this region. Hence, Auli is the best visit place for all the nature lovers and of course for a passionate skiing fan. You must visit this place for some snow fun. However, it is suggested you visit at the end of December as the chances of snowfall during this time is higher. Also, Auli has Asia's longest cable car of 4 km. Tourists can enjoy the dazzling beauty of Nanda Devi, Trishul, Dron Parvat and Chhang Bhang.
Key Attractions:
- Skiing
- View Points
- Joshimath
- Rudraprayag
- Gurson Bugyal
- Gondola Ride
- Nanda Devi National Park
- Chenab Lake
Munnar – Kashmir of South India
If you are looking for a peaceful hill station, Munnar is the best option for you. Also known as Kashmir of South India, Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in Kerala state. This hill station was once the summer resort of the one-time British Government in South India. It serves as the commercial centre for some of the world’s largest tea estates and that’s why also known as Tea Lover’s Paradise.
One of the top honeymoon destinations of Kerala, Munnar is actually a destination that can be visited anytime during the year. With moderate temperature, winter in Munnar is a great time to allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure in activities such as trekking, rappelling, and rock climbing. Many people come over during winter to enjoy the gentle cold weather.
So prepare yourself up for one of the most romantic places in India, for the delightful weather, the endless lush green fields of tea-gardens and the hilly terrains of Western Ghats.
Key Attractions:
• Anamudi- Highest peak in South India
• Waterfalls.
• Eravikulam national park.
• Tea gardens.
• Devikulam.
• Tata tea museum
Rann of Kutch – the white salt desert
Kutch is one of the most fascinating places to visit in winter in India. With the vast stretches of white salt desert in the Rann of Kutch area, would be an amazing experience to witness. One would be able to see just stretches of white pure land as far as the eyesight goes. Rann of Kutch, which separates India from Pakistan, is located in the Thar Desert in Kutch District of Gujarat. It is spread over 7500 square km and is one of the world’s largest salt desert. Kutch is also among the largest district of India with an awfully low population density. Also, Kutch lies on the India-Pakistan border and you can see parts of Pakistan from Kutch. A full moon night in Rann of Kutch gives you to the most unforgettable and romantic experience.
Gujarat is said to be blessed with culturally and naturally abundant landforms and Rann of Kutch is surely adds seven stars to this statement beat its evening sunsets or a full moon night, white desert safari or its glorious past traditions and cultures. The best time to visit the place is in December as the weather is at its best there and The Great Rann Utsav of Kutch is organized here in the month of December. In this Utsav, there are huge camp settlements with cultural programs, functions and adventure activities like Hot Air Ballooning, Camel Rides, Golf Cart, etc. Also, you can enjoy Meditation, Folk Performances, Yoga and Gujarati Culture.
Key Attractions:
- Rann Utsav
- Kalo Dungar – The Black Hill
- Kutch Museum
- Dholavira
- Mandvi Beach – Bhuj
- Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
India is blessed with natural beauty and rich ancient heritage. There are many amazing places in India that you can explore during Winter Season. So get your backpacks ready and head for some of the Best Tourist Places in India that completely change in character during winter.
