Winters are usually seen as a cue to turn into bears and just hibernate at home. But you can spruce things up by treating yourself to a holiday and visit some beautiful destinations in India that turn even more magical during the winter. The north is a favorite destination for many to see snow but there are a couple of other places where you can have a crazy cool time (pun intended). Read on to find out about these places to hit when it’s winter with this list of 7 perfect winter destinations in India.
Auli, Himachal Pradesh
Looking for a wintry holiday? Then Auli is the perfect winter destination in India, and that’s why it makes it to the top of our list. It’s a skiing paradise that’s an hour away from Dehradun airport. Getting to Auli is fairly easy and we highly recommend that you plan your trip here in December or January if you wish to see the place covered in a spectacular amount of snow. When you’re here, make sure you go on the Joshimath-Auli Gondola ropeway, known to be one of the longest ropeways in India. The grand natural landscape in Auli is unmatched and comes as close to what you’d see in a winter wonderland snowglobe.
Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand
Not visited by many tourists, Mukteshwar is a small little hamlet situated in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand. If you want to spend your winter holiday in a place that’s not overcrowded with too many people, this is the place for you. Mukteshwar also offers its visitors a number of thrilling adventure activities and lip-smacking food options.
It’s a great place to consider over Nainital in Uttarakhand since it doesn’t get an intense footfall of tourists during the winter months. In Mukteshwar, you’d have both snowfall and the space to have the whole place to yourself, which is a luxury in itself. In case you choose to come to Mukteshwar for your vacation, do consider goSTOPS for your stay to have the best snow-covered mountain view from your room window.
Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Mussoorie, the Queen of the hills, often witnesses heavy snowfall from December to February. This makes it a winter destination in India to sled over to for a vacation. You can take a flight or train to Dehradun and it will then take you 1.5 hours to reach Mussoorie. If you don’t like spending too much time figuring out transit logistics but just want to head to a region for a weekend break, then Mussoorie is a suitable option. The place has a very peaceful vibe. Make sure you visit Dalai Hills to get a taste of the calmness of Mussoorie. You can consider staying at goSTOPS hostel in Mussoorie for your stay to get an insane view of Doon Valley and the Shivalik mountain range.
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur is a very interesting lake city that isn’t set in the north but has some beautiful scenery and pleasant climate to offer its visitors in winter. We suggest you spend your winter vacation here if you’re looking for an active holiday with tons of sightseeing to do. You can explore the culture of the place by visiting City Palace, watching a folk dance at Bagore Ki Haveli, or stopping by Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace.
Eat by a café that faces the lake or sit at a rooftop to capture a beautiful sunset. You can also spend your evening sitting at Ambrai Ghat or Gangaur Ghat to read a book or people-watch. Udaipur is a laid-back city with lots to do and explore, making it a perfect winter destination in India for those of you looking to fall in love with a culturally rich city.
Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
Gulmarg is a prominent destination for skiers, snowboarders, and anyone who just loves the snow! Getting to Gulmarg is also pretty easy. Many cities in India like Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and Amritsar have non-stop flights that can fly you directly to Srinagar International Airport. From Srinagar, you can reach Gulmarg in less than 2 hours. This means you can get to Gulmarg, also famed to be Jannat (Heaven), in a breeze.
Once here, you’d immediately feel like you’re transported to a winter wonderland especially if you visit in January or February. If you want to ski or snowboard, you can find shops from where you can rent all the skiing equipment you need to try these winter sports out for yourself. You can also ride a snowmobile, go on a Gondola ride or take a sled ride to feel like Santa in Gulmarg. Already excited? Read up about some easy ski tips for beginners.
Lachen, Sikkim
Lachen is a small little hamlet in the north of Sikkim from where you can capture breathtaking vistas of the Himalayan mountain range. During the winters the place gets entirely covered in snow and the temperature drops to below freezing range. It would take you 4 – 5 hours to reach Lachen from Gangtok (the capital city of Sikkim that you should keep as your base city). Even though it’s 5 hours, you won’t feel the strain of driving to Lachen but you’d be engrossed looking outside your car window.
Keep in mind that you need a Protected Area Permit to visit Lachen, so make sure you apply for it in advance. Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley are the two places that you must visit when you’re here to get surreal views of snowclad mountains. If you don’t want to travel all the way to Lachen, you can also consider spending your winter holidaying in Gangtok that gets lit up for Christmas. The cafés, mountain viewpoints, and monasteries in Gangtok don’t disappoint.
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang lies extremely close to the borders of Bhutan and sits at an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level. It deserves a spot on this list as, like the rest, it’s among the perfect winter destinations in India. The most feasible way to get to this isolated but stunning location is a drive from Guwahati (a city in Assam). Guwahati to Tawang is approximately a 13 to 14-hour drive so you’ll have to take several interesting stops en route like Bomdila, Bhalukpong and Dirang. You can choose ample places to stay the night to not feel the strain of reaching Tawang.
Remember that you also need an Inner Line Permit to visit Tawang which is fairly easy to apply for online. If you want to be greeted by a snow carpet when you reach, make sure to plan your trip around March and April. At Tawang, you’ll get to visit the largest monastery in India, the Indo-China border pass and the stunning Pangateng Tso Lake.
Conclusion
You now have a couple of options to choose from for your winter holiday in India. If winter is the season where you love being out, sled over to these places after you have your leave approved! Also, you can find cozy accommodation at goSTOPS, where you can sit by a bonfire and roast marshmallows. Do check out our accommodation options in these perfect winter destinations in India because it could be the stay you’re hunting for.
FAQs
Where Should I Go In Winter In India?
Gulmarg, Shimla, Dharamshala, Auli and Mussoorie are places that turn into a magical winter wonderland during winters. These are are must-visit winter destinations in India.
What Can You Do In India During Winters?
You can go skiing in Auli or Gulmarg during winters in India. Ideally, explore more of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh if you’d like to see snow. You can also consider visiting Jaisalmer for a desert safari or Rann of Kutch in Gujarat during winters as the desert weather gets more tolerable.
Which Place Is Hot In December In India?
Places in the south of India are relatively warmer in December. You can consider visiting Kerala or Goa if you don’t enjoy travel destinations that get super cold.
Which Is The Coolest Month In India?
January and December are considered to be the coldest months in India. Regions like Almora, Shimla, Manali, and Nainital experience snowfall too.
