Winter Destinations: India

Winter is one of the best seasons in India for travel and vacationing. Breathtaking beauty of Himalayan mountains, ample snowfall, panoramic natural views, frozen lakes, bonfire, winter festivals, adventure sports, and skiing facilities make India a popular winter destination for all sections of tourists with diverse flavors. 

Broadly speaking there are two types of vacation preferences in winter- destinations which have a warm climate and destinations which have heavy snowfall during the winter season. The diversified land of India offers both the extremes at the same time, thus making it a prime attraction for both domestic and international tourists looking to revitalize their mind, body, and soul.

There are a wide array of options available for tourists who are looking to experience a dream winter vacation in India. Some of the famous tourist destinations to travel during the winter season are:

Auli

Auli is an important ski destination in the Himalayan mountains of Uttarakhand, India. Auli is also known as a 'bugyal' in the regional language which means meadow. Some experts consider Auli to be one of the best ski resorts in the world. Auli is less known ski destination than Shimla, Gulmarg or Manali. It was only in the recent time, after the creation of new state Uttarakhand(formerly Uttaranchal) carved out from Uttar Pradesh, Auli was marketed as a tourist destination. The state is called "Dev Bhoomi" which means "Land of Gods" as there are important pilgrimage destination in this state mainly the 'Char Dham'(Gangotri-Yamunotri-Kedarnath-Badrinath). Auli lies on the way to Badrinath. Auli is blessed with a breathtaking panoramic view of the lofty peaks of the greatest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas. The slopes here provide enough thrill to professional skier and novice as well. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (GMVNL) a govt agency which takes care of this resort have imported snow beater to maintain slopes. Auli also boasts the Asia's longest - 4 km - cable car (Gondola). It also has a Chair Lift and a Ski-Lift. Apart from Skiing there is an interesting trek route also. There is a training facility of Indo-Tibetan Border Police. A small temple having connection to great epic Ramayana is also present. Best time to visit is last week of Jan to first week of March for skiing. Though weather is highly unpredictable.

  

Gulmarg

 

  Gulmarg popularly known as "Meadow of Flowers" is the most frequented winter destination of India. The gorgeous hill resort is easily accessible from Srinagar (56 kms from Srinagar) where regular bus services and tourist taxis are available to reach Gulmarg. The buses go till Tangmarg which is 11 kms from Gulmarg and the remaining distance can be covered by smaller vehicles and tourist taxis.

The journey to the Gulmarg offers nothing but a spectacular experience to travelers - wide roads, snow-clad mountains, thick forests, fruit laden orchards and picturesque villages holding vast expanses of rice and maize fields. No wonder that Gulmarg has been the venue of several films in the past.

Gulmarg is dotted with countless sites of interest for the tourists. Snow covered hills, splendid lakes, beautiful flower valley covered with colorful Daisies, Bluebells, wild flowers, Forget Me Not's and Buttercups, and scenic pastorals are perfect for sightseeing, adventure and relaxation. Gulmarg is also India's popular Ski Resort which hosts world's highest gondola ski lift. The skiing season lasts from November to February. Gulmarg also has the highest golf course in the world. Tourists are offered short term memberships by the golf club to play in the Golf Course. Other adventure sport available is Trekking, Horse riding.

Haflong

Haflong is a hill station in Assam also referred as the land of blue hills. Haflong is connected by road and air from Guwahati, around 353 kms. from Guwahati by road. Deluxe buses run from Main Road, Hamringdi cinema for Silchar and Guwahati. The other nearest metro for getting to Haflong is Kolkata. Lower Haflong has a railway station with a slow and scenic ride to Lumding, Silchar, and Dharmanagar.

Haflong is famous for its scenic features comprising of azure blue mountains, cascading waterfalls, emerald green rivers, pleasing orchards of oranges, pineapple gardens, unique orchids such as Blue Vanda, and rare species of birds. Jatinga, a popular bird watching center is a haven for hundreds of migratory birds in winter. November to February is the best season to spend some quality time at Haflong as Wild orchids, orange orchards and pineapple gardens are at their best. The green valley and the hilly treks at Borai hills are hotspots of adventure tourism events like hang gliding, Para-gliding and Trekking. 

Shimla

Nestled between the lofty snow-capped Himalayan peaks; draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak; and surrounded by lush green pastures and lakes, Shimla offers an unforgettable travel experience. 

Shimla is well connected to major cities by air, rail, and road. There are connecting flights from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Kullu to Shimla. Delux bus services shuttle between Shimla and Delhi, Kalka, Chandigarh,Dehradun, Ludhiana, Ambala, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Jammu and other towns in Haryana and Punjab. Shimla is connected by train to Kalka which has direct rail connections with Delhi, Calcutta and Amritsar. There are taxi services available between Shimla and Kalka. 

Shimla enjoys heavy snowfall from December to January which make it a perfect destination for snow lover tourists and winter sports enthusiasts from across the world. One can savor gorgeous sights such as planes and hills covered with white blanket, cascading waterfalls, fruit laden orchards, and verdant hills. All in all Shimla gives you an excellent opportunity to reconnect with nature. For tourists Shimla boasts of a wide range of deluxe and budget hotels and accommodation options.

You can also plan to visit churches, temples, colonial mansions, and markets during your tour to the hill station. Tourists are presented with an unprecedented view of erstwhile colonial era in the city. The city retains its colonial charm in the form of ancient heritage buildings, museums and churches which are preserved in their original neo-gothic architecture. Shimla is also a major hub for major adventure sports activities such as Fishing, Golfing, Mountaineering, Paragliding, Ice Skating, Skiing , and Trekking.

Main tourist spots in Shimla are Himachal State Museum & Library, Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens, The Ridge, The Mall, Chadwick Falls, Elysium Hill, Annandale, The Mall, Dorje Drag Monastery, and Prospect Hill. Religious places to visit are Christ Church & St. Michael's Cathedral, Jakhoo Temple, Sankat Mochan, Kali Bari, and Tara Devi.

The city also offers an enjoyable shopping experience to shopaholics. Markets of Shimla offer some of the best collection of small souvenirs, knick-knacks, exclusive handmade decoratives, utility pieces, wooden shawls, sweaters, and other artifacts. Popular shopping places in Shimla are Mall Road, Himachal Emporium, Minchys, DOCKERS San Francisco, Minerva Book House, Lower Bazar, and Lakkar Bazar (for wooden souvenirs). To sum up, a magnificent destination for snow capped mountains, nature walks, religious and cultural feasts, and thrilling winter sports - Shimla is a million dollar worth of experience. 

Goa

This is the time of year when most of India is booking tickets for their winter vacations. And often their best option is Goa. Goa - the land of enchanting beaches is a winter destination which is second to none in India. The getaway beaches of Calangute, Baga, Vagatore and Palolem can help you escape winter and warm your spirit in the sun and relax your mind. Goa is a host to numerous winter festivals. You can indulge yourself in Goan festivities like the Goa Heritage Festival, Feast of the Three Kings, the Konkani Drama Festival and enjoy all the fun and frolic that happens. Goa is a heaven for ocean-lovers who could indulge in - sunbathing, swimming, yachting, surfing, or simply reclining on a lounger on the golden sands with a drink. 

Jaisalmer

The desert festival in Jaisalmer was started to attract foreign tourists, who always wanted to explore as many facets of Rajasthan as they could in the possible crunch of time. The three-day event stresses more on local elements and heritage. For example, this no-nonsense festival will only showcase Rajasthani folk songs and dance. These are presented by some of the best professionals of the art. Similarly, local customs such as Turban tying etc have been added to make it more exotic and colorful in its outlook. 'The moustache competition' is very popular among foreigners. This is simply because of the surprise value attached to this event. Foreigners can be seen posing for pictures with the winners. This is truly a moment worth preserving. 

You will never forget marvels like the famous Gair and Fire dancers that are the major attraction of the desert festival celebrations. Interesting contests including a tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest further enhance the fun of the occasion. A trip to the Sam sand dunes marks the grand finale, where you will enjoy camel rides and brilliant performance by the folk artist under the full moon against the backdrop of picturesque dunes.

  

Backwaters of Kerala: 

Kerala is aptly called ‘God’s own country’.. Kerala also score high in tourism industry. Geographically Kerala can be divided into Eastern highlands, Central midlands and western lowlands. Such is the diversity of landforms. It is also in the biodiversity hot spot regions. Kerala entertains various kinds of tourist year round. But the famous Kerala Backwaters are most popular destination during this season. Backwaters are unique of Kerala.

Backwaters cover a network of 1500 km of canals both man made and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes all over Kerala. It was traditionally used as means of transportation by the locals to navigate the unique water bodies. Today it is being used innovatively to give whole new experience of exploring the beautiful landscapes of Kerala while enjoying the peaceful stay inside the boat Hotels. The most popular and easily navigable Backwaters are Vembanad backwater, Astamudi Lake and Kannur-Valiyaparambu Backwaters.