Winters are pleasant at India; with the cool breeze and the warm sun, a vacation at India is going to be ever cherishing. Winters starts from mid of November to February in India and you can have the lots of things to do during winter season. While some parts of the country are covered in snow, others enjoy warm weather which is so loved by everybody. This is also the perfect time to plan a vacation with your family and friends in India. For that, we have curated the list of the 5 best places to visit in India this winter.
Picturesque and enchanting, Srinagar is cradled high in the lofty green Himalayas and hailed all over the world for its incredible natural beauty. Surrounded by mountain peaks, lush green valleys, glistening lakes, temples and spectacular Mughal-era gardens, the city has inspired poets through centuries. The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, is situated in the heart of the Kashmir Valley with the Nagin and the Dal Lake adding to its beauty. This ancient city is crisscrossed by chinar tree-lined roads and quaint wooden bridges; and is home to bustling bazaars, sufi shrines and forts. Add to this, the charms of flavourful Kashmiri cuisine and apples and walnuts from the lush orchards surrounding the city. King Pravarasena II of the Vakataka dynasty (400-415 BC) is credited as the founder of present-day Srinagar. Akbar was the first Mughal emperor to capture the Kashmir Valley and he built some of the most well-planned gardens and mosques in Srinagar. The city's beauty was enhanced during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In winter, Srinagar takes on a white glow, covered in soft snow. And in summer, as the snow melts, and the flowers in the meadows bloom, the city resembles an artist's canvas. Things to do in Srinagar: Trekking, visit the Shankaracharya Temple, enjoy the authentic cuisines, shopping, visit the famous gardens, stay in a houseboat, paragliding, enjoy a shikhara (boat) ride on Dal Lake, floating vegetable market, Gulmarg situated 52 Km from Srinagar, Sonmarg situated 79 Km from Srinagar, Tulip Garden.
Popularly known as the City of Lakes, serene Udaipur is the crowning jewel of royal Rajasthan. With shimmering lakes visible from almost every rooftop, fairy tale palaces, sprawling havelis, revered temples and narrow lanes weaving through colourful markets as ancient as the city's history, Udaipur's charm is unmatched. Founded by Maharaja Udai Singh II in 1559, the city served as the capital of the kingdom of Mewar after Mughal emperor Akbar besieged its earlier power-centre Chittorgarh. Udaipur is also referred to as the Venice of the East, a title it has earned for being dotted with numerous lakes (seven to be precise)! Nestled in the mighty Aravalli range, surrounded by dense forests and craggy hills, and magical sunrises and sunsets turning its lakes into pools of gold, Udaipur is one of the most picturesque destinations in the country. Colonel James Tod of the East India Company, who was also a scholar, aptly described the city as “the most romantic place in the Indian sub-continent”. Things to do in Udaipur: Tranquil boating on Lake Pichola, Lake Palace located at the heart of Lake Pichola, spend a day in opulence of City Palace, visit the time-weathered temples, shop at the art and curio stalls that line the streets, enjoy Rajasthani folk music and dance performances, taste mouth-watering cuisine or drive out of the city to discover legends hidden in the wooded Aravalli hills and the impregnable forts dotting its surroundings.
The gorgeously Colonial-era charm, a landscape of rolling green and pristine mountains come together to bring to life the city of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Its vistas are accentuated by pine trees, streams, waterfalls and lush green parks. With a picturesque location on a plateau surrounded by hills, Shillong makes for a pleasant tourist destination. The plateau is bound by Umiam to the north, the Diengiei Hills to the northwest and the hills of the Assam Valley on the northeast. Shillong is frequently referred to as the 'Scotland of the East' for its similarity to the Scottish Highlands in terms of topography and greenery. Along with covers of tall pine conifers and pineapple shrubs, the city also boasts trekking trails and natural parks aplenty. A natural wonder that has given the city a spot on the world map is the living root bridges. Alive and growing and capable of carrying 50 people at a time, they are a unique experience. Shillong is a city of simple yet unforgettable experiences. Its quaintness and serenity transform into liveliness and spirited festivities at the time of Christmas. With the melodious tunes of Gospel music in the backdrop, the city, laden with snow, resembles a picturesque postcard. Home to the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes, the city also has a rich tribal legacy that can be explored by strolling down its lanes. Moreover, it is known for its vibrant nightlife and amazing rock music, which is played in almost every lounge and nightclub. Things to do in Shillong: Umngot River, the cleanest river in Asia, rafting, fishing, hiking, see various unusual rock natural formations in your hike, boating in bamboo raft or kayak, visit local villages and tribes to experience their traditional ways of life and culture, enjoy several waterfalls, staying in a treehouse, caving, living root bridges, Mawlynnong the cleanest village in India located 92 km from Shillong, mawphlang the sacred forest located 25 km from Shillong has amazing life forms from plants, flowering trees, orchids and butterflies, the forest has been preserved by traditional religious sanctions since time immemorial
A mesmerizing kaleidoscope of centuries-old traditions and spectacular nature is what awaits you in the Kutch region in Gujarat. A large part of this district is known as the Rann of Kutch which is shallow wetland submerged in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The Rann is famous for its marshy salt flats which become snow white after the shallow water dries up. The district is also famous for the ecologically important Banni grasslands with their seasonal marshy wetlands which form the outer belt of the Rann of Kutch. Kutch District is surrounded by the Gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea in the south and west, while the northern and eastern parts are surrounded by the Great and Little Rann of Kutch. The walled city of Bhuj is the headquarters of the Kutch district. The Kutch festival is the most popular carnival in the state of Gujarat in India. It is a 65-days long festival that attracts thousands of local and international travelers, starting from the end of November until February every year. The weather is perfect in December, where it gets chilly at night and pleasant during the day time. Things to do in Rann of Kutch: The Kutch Festival, Camping in Kutch, book a tent at Dhordo village in the desert during the full moon, folk music, mud house painting, traditional dance performances and excellent local food, spa and meditation therapies, ATV rides, rappelling, rock climbing, basketball, camel riding and shooting. Other nearby attractions at Mandvi, Bhuj and around for temples and beaches.
Snuggled in the heart of Kerala's backwaters, Alappuzha is criss-crossed by palm-fringed waterways and dotted with over a thousand houseboats. Known for its glorious beaches, calm backwaters, enthusiastic boat races and sumptuous sea food, this green and graceful pocket-sized tropical paradise is a popular tourist destination. Adding to its charm are the Ayurvedic spas and wellness centres strewn across the city, attracting those looking to ease their tired bodies and minds. Former viceroy of British India, Lord Curzon, was so enraptured by the beauty of Alleppey, as Alappuzha was then known, that he said, "Here, nature has spent upon the land of her richest bounties. Alleppey, the Venice of the East.” And that is how this city earned its title, referring to its vast networks of waterways. Things to do in Rann of Kutch: Cruising through the backwaters in simple canoes or the more ostentatious houseboats, flanked by emerald green paddy fields, punted canoes and quaint villages, Kumarakom bird sacutuary, pathiramanal small island floats on backwaters.
From caves, temples and mosques to palaces and stupas, India boasts an architectural ...
A nations cultural and natural heritage embodied in buildings, monuments and natural
