Winter is the best season to travel and to explore the beauty of nature. India is a land of diverse topography. During winter, many places in India are covered with a blanket of snow accompanied by a touch of sunshine.
There are numerous festivals lined up in the winter season which makes it the best season to explore various places. The otherwise very hot deserts become the most welcoming places in winter.
Local and international tourists flock to snow-laden mountains, beaches, plains, and deserts which are usually not visited due to the scorching heat in summers.
As the winter has arrived in India, here are the Top 10 must-visit places in India to enjoy the beauty of winter.
Auli, Uttarakhand
Auli is an ultimate winter destination with snow-draped mountains on every side. There are numerous skiing resorts which makes it a major tourist attraction especially for people who love skiing.
Every January, there is a National Championship of Skiing organized in Auli. People who loves trekking can try the Gurson Bugyal or the Kwani Bugyal track.
Auli has the longest cable car which gives a fantastic view of the various peaks of Himalayas like Nanda Devi, Hathi Parvat, Mana Parvat, and Trishul.
Nainital, Uttarakhand
Nainital is popularly known as the lake district of India. The name itself suggests that the city is full of eye-pleasing lakes. Nain in Hindi means “eyes” and Tal means “lakes”.
It is a glittering jewel in Himalayan necklace. It is surrounded by Himalayan ranges and the view is breath-taking.
The best thing about Nainital is although it is cold, one can enjoy going outside in the snow. The weather is not very harsh. The shopping at Mall Road is heaven for shopaholics.
Kullu & Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Although Manali is worth-visiting all round the year, it’s beauty is at it’s best in winters. There are towering snow-laden Himalayan peaks and stunning valleys.
The hill-station is famous for its adventure sports like skiing, paragliding, horse-riding, and zorbing. One can also explore Kullu, Kasol, and Rohtang which are small hamlets nearby. Many mountaineers come here for trekking and mountaineering. Hot sulfur bath at Manikaran is also one of the biggest attraction in Manali.
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla is fondly called the Queen of Hills. People come here to enjoy the snow and ice-skating from December to February.
There are open-air ice-skating rink. The remnants of Colonial Era Architecture is a beauty to the eye. Kufri and Narkanda which are about 2 hours from Shimla are worth-visiting for their scenic beauty.
Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
It is the world’s biggest salt desert and one can witness a white expanse of serene salt. Lakhs of tourists come to this place in winter especially to witness the colorful Kutch festival “Rann Utsav” which is usually held in winter.
The festival brings a ton of treasures for everyone right from traditional food, shopping, folk dances, and cultural events to art, handicrafts, desert safari, and star-gazing. Staying in tents near Dhordo village is a unique experience.
Gulmarg & Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir
Gulmarg looks magical when laden with a white sheet of snow all around. It is one of the most famous skiing areas in India with frozen lakes and ice-glazed trees. There are other snowy activities like snowboarding and trekking.
The view from the cablecar is mesmerizing. Sonamarg is just a 2-hour drive from Gulmarg and is usually covered with snow from November to April. The Thajiwas Glacier is the main attraction here.
Goa
Goa is one of the most happening tourist destinations in India. There is a heavy tourist flow all around the year but Goan winter has a different experience. This place is for the party and adventure lovers.
There are many beach parties and nightclubs throbbing with loud music and there are free-flowing drinks and happening crowd. The pristine beaches are the place to relax. There are numerous water sports activities on these beaches.
The Goa Film Festival, Goa Carnival, Sunburn music fest, Christmas, and New year parties are the major attractions in Goa during winter.
Kerala
Kerala, “God’s Own Country” is famous for its beaches, backwaters, hills, greenery, tea and spice gardens, and the ayurvedic spas. It is a must-visit place for nature-lovers.
The Periyar National Park, Silent Valley National Park, and the Eravikulam National Park are worth visiting. Munnar is a very beautiful hill-station in Kerala.
The houseboat in the backwaters of Alleppy is a very romantic experience. The Varkala and Kovalam beaches are famous for surfing.
Rajasthan
As the name suggests, it is Land of Maharajas or Kings. It has a very colorful culture. The weather is very pleasant during winters as compared to the scorching heat in summers.
Rajasthan is full of places and forts and there are many beautiful cities to visit. The golden city of Jaisalmer, the pink city of Jaipur, the blue city of Jodhpur, the holy city of Ajmer, and the city of lakes Udaipur are famous tourist destinations. The Ranthambore National Park is home to many endangered species of tigers.
Kohima, Nagaland
Kohima is one of the very beautiful places in North-East India. The Hornbill festival which is usually held in December is the main tourist attraction.
One can experience the rich culture and tradition of Nagaland through folk dances, songs, and other performances by the local tribes of Nagaland.
The main sightseeing options are Nagaland State Museum, the Catholic Cathedral, the Zoological Park, and the World War II cemetery. Many trekkers come to this place to trek the beautiful Dzukou Valley
The Bottom Line
India has many places worth visiting with a rich cultural heritage. Winter is the best season to visit these pristine locations. So, book your tickets and pack your bags to head to these beautiful places to enjoy winters.