Winters are finally here and it's about time that you get out of your blankets and take a winter vacation. With pleasant weather and eye-catching scenery, winters call for you to take some time off work and pack your bags to enjoy a family vacation or just time for yourself. Away from your laptop screens and the comfort of your house, it’s totally worth going out to see some snow or just unwind. There are plenty of places in India where you can take a small break away from work for a nice cozy wintercation.
If you love to explore and go on adventures, this is the time you can look out for some of the most spectacular winter vacation destinations within India. To make your life a little easier, we have listed down 11 best winter tourist destinations in India.
If you’re craving to go to the hills and have a rejuvenating time amidst nature and clouds, Wayanad in Kerala is the best hill station for you to visit. During winters you get the view of the white clouds resting on the top of the hill while the greenery is a pleasant watch.
Winter is the best time to go on an enthralling adventure in Wayanad. If you enjoy going on treks and hikes, you’ll find many trails and adventures to explore in Wayanad. You’re likely to experience rainfall during winters here. This allows you to visit one of the many tea plantations in the city where you can enjoy the view and the cold weather along with a cup of hot tea. Wayanad is the best place to recharge yourself and soak in the cold winter, away from the bustling city life.
Tourist Attractions - Anamudi, Mattupetty, Eravikulam National Park, Devikulam, and TATA Tea Museum
If you’re on the hunt for a beachy location that is more quiet and relaxed, Pondicherry can be the ideal destination for you. Even though Pondicherry experiences warm weather all year long, the best time to visit the place is winter. This is mainly because you get to experience pleasantly cold weather that is not too harsh or unbearable.
Winter is also the time when you can enjoy some water sports in Pondicherry. The rock beach during winters has surfing, scuba diving, boating, kayaking, kite surfing, paragliding, and more. You name the winter water sports and Pondicherry will have it. Interestingly, Pondicherry can give you budget-friendly France vibes and the French Quarter locality is proof of that.
Once in Puducherry, you do not want to miss out on the pleasant weather and experience the most thrilling new years. Puducherry is known for its New Year’s celebrations and parties. The usually quiet city is not so quiet during New Year and it's one of those things that you must not miss out on.
Also Read: One Day Walking Tour Of Pondicherry: Places To Cover
Tourist Attractions - White Town, Auroville, Rock Beach, Immaculate, Conception Cathedral, Puducherry Museum, and Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
There is no denying that Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities in India. The entire city is surrounded by some stunning lakes and palaces that are now turned into luxury hotels and resorts. It’s a beautiful city that enjoys pleasant weather during winters. Winters just make everything feel very special and more pretty in Udaipur. The beauty of some destinations in the city is even more elevated during the cold season.
You can go for an evening boat ride at Lake Pichola, where the weather is chilly and you get to have a look at the beautiful view from the lake. One other thing you can do is take a Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway ride and have a look at the lush greenery around the city.
Taking a tour of the Monsoon Palace during winters is a must when visiting Udaipur. The cool tones and pleasant weather of winters make the experience worth it. You can also visit the Ambrai Ghat in Udaipur to have a look at the thousands of lights that are lit up during the night. It’s truly one of the most beautiful sights to capture.
Tourist Attraction- Jag Mandir, Monsoon Palace, City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and Pichola Lake.
Also Read: Best Restaurants And Cafes In Udaipur
Situated in the northernmost state of India, Gulmarg is the mystical place that you must visit in the months of December or January. It’s the peak wintertime and you get to enjoy some winter sports in the hill town. The white-capped mountains make the vibe warm and cozy for you to explore the many places worth sightseeing.
You may want to take some days off work to properly explore Gulmarg and soak in all of its snow-filled glory. Skiing, snowboarding, and cable car rides are famous in Gulmarg and you should definitely engage in them whilst here. Along with that, all the adventure enthusiasts out there may want to go on a small trek or hike in Gulmarg. It will give you a taste of adventure like none other and make your visit to Gulmarg totally worth it during winters.
Tourist Attractions - Saint Mary’s Church, Alpather Lake, Shiva Temple, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Skiing, and Gulmarg Gondola (cable car ride)
Also Read: 11 Best Winter Destinations In India
For some starry nights under the sky and some camping adventure, head out to the Rann of Kutch. The place is out of the world and gives you some peek into traditional food, desert safari, handcrafted goodies, a wide array of white sand land, and stargazing. It’s an experience of a lifetime. The Kutch Festival is the highlight of the trip during winters. The two-month-long festival in the Rann of Kutch is a must-visit for everyone who travels to this destination.
Rann of Kutch is a destination in India that you can visit all year long for some adventures. However, there’s a different charm about winters that make for a special time to spend with your family and friends. The beauty of Rann of Kutch is elevated during the winters and you’ll enjoy it a lot more with some company.
Tourist Attractions - Dholavira, Kutch Museum, Prag Mahal, Camping at Dhordo Village, Aina Mahal, and Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.
Also Read: Kutchh Rann Utsav: All You Need To Know
For a royal and majestic winter experience in India, Mysore is the perfect place for you. It’s one of the best cities that you can visit to truly experience the royal charm in India, especially during the winters. The palaces, paintings, authentic food, nature aesthetic all combine to make Mysore an elegant place to visit in India during winters.
For a great winter camping experience, you can camp at Karanji Lake for an entire evening. You can also enjoy some water sports like lake rafting and boating by the Lingambudhi Lake. A trek at Chamundi hills can be the perfect thing to engage in early in the morning. The hilly region experiences mild winters perfect for everyone to enjoy.
Tourist Attractions - Jaganmohan Palace, Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore Zoo, and Mysore Palace.
Also read: Mysore Travel Guide
Adding to the theme of hill stations as winter destinations in India we have Darjeeling, the City of Dreams. Visiting Darjeeling during winters to experience snowfall is one of the most exhilarating experiences that you’ll ever have. The beautiful landscape and view of the clouds surrounding the vicinity are breathtaking during the season.
The Teesta Tea Festival and Tourism Festival are two major festivals that are celebrated in Darjeeling during winters. The orange festival is also another festival that is celebrated in the rural places of Darjeeling. This is the time when the entire city is lit up with festive lights. Experiencing the joy and celebrating with the locals can be the best winter experiences.
You can also go on a thrilling ropeway ride in Darjeeling to have a look at the snow-covered mountains and trees. And a rafting experience at the River Teesta during winters in Darjeeling is a must. These are just a few of the things you can enjoy during winters in Darjeeling. If you want to know more about other places to visit and things to do in Darjeeling, check out our blog on 9 Places To Visit In Darjeeling.
Tourist Attractions - Ghoom Monastery, Tiger Hill, Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Teesta River, and Batasia Loop
Also Read: Best Homestays In Darjeeling
How can you talk about winter tourist destinations in India and not mention Dharamshala? It’s yet another hilly region that we are obsessed with for the snow-covered mountains, scenic charm, and its culture. The beauty of this place calls out to everyone who truly wants to experience nature’s charm during winters. It has pleasant weather all year long but winters in Dharamshala are totally worth experiencing.
You can go on an all-night camping trip at Triund or Kareri Lake in Dharamshala and gaze at the starry sky from the hilltop of Dharamshala. A cycling tour of Dharamshala is pleasant captivity to engage in during the winters as you get to experience the beauty of the wonderland at a glance. Since it's a hilly region, you can also enjoy some small hikes that you can take every morning while you stay in Dharamshala. The small pathways give you the real experience of living in the winter wilderness.
Tourist Attractions - Triund Trek, Kareri Lake, Tibetan Market, and St. John in the Wilderness
Also Read: Experiencing The Food In Dharamshala
Gangtok is an exquisite winter holiday destination in India. The charm of the city is such that you would always want to extend your stay a bit longer and embrace the beauty. You can explore the beautiful markets, trek and hike trails, monasteries, snow-covered mountains, and gondolas during your stay. It’s the perfect destination if you want to go on an adventure trip and explore the hidden beauty in India.
The ropeway over the city of Gangtok is probably one of the longest ropeway rides you might see. It’s a kilometer-long ride that gives you an aerial view of the entire city. Apart from that, the Banjhakri Falls also make for a good rejuvenation trip that you can enjoy during wintertime. The pleasant weather and cold waters make for a great jungle adventure to engage in. You can also camp at the site during the day.
Tourist Attractions - Nathu La, Pemayangtse Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, and Hanuman Tok
Breaking away from hill stations, Lakshadweep Islands are the lesser-crowded touristy places in India that you can visit for a nice beachy winter vacation. For a nice sun-tan during winters, Lakshadweep can really be the destination for you. It not only has pleasing weather but it’s also a quiet place away from the mainland.
You can have some fun at the smallest island situated in the area. Bistra Island is one of the dreamiest locations to spend some memorable time with family this winter season. Apart from enjoying the serenity of the island, you can enjoy snorkeling, canoeing, kitesurfing, and scuba diving in Lakshadweep. These water sports are best enjoyed during the pleasant winter season on the islands.
The Minicoy Lighthouse is a historical place that you can visit to take a look at the breathtaking view of the islands. If a good island experience is what you seek during this winter season, Lakshadweep is the perfect place for you to check out.
Tourist Attractions - Snorkeling at Agatti, Kalpeni Islands, Kadmat Islands, and Minicoy Islands.
Also Read: Top 7 Things To Do In Lakshadweep
If you’re someone who wants to go on an offbeat winter vacation to loosen up and also experience some fun things, Tawang may be the ideal place for you. Located in Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is situated 3,000 meters above sea level. It’s one of the many high peaks in Arunachal Pradesh known for its spiritual significance and pleasant winters.
The snowfall makes this place a splendid destination for a great winter vacation. One major thing that you can enjoy here is treks and hikes. You can trek up the high peaks of the Himalayas and enjoy camping in the evening. A life of wilderness is one of the best things to enjoy when in Tawang.
You can also visit the frozen lakes that you come across in Tawang. These lakes are situated on high altitudes and the mountains surrounding these lakes make for a stunning winter backdrop bereft for the Gram.
Tourist Attractions - Gorichen Peak, Taktsang Gompa, Sela Pass, Nuranang Waterfalls, and Madhuri Lake
Summing Up
All of the above-listed places are some of the best winter tourist destinations in India. If you have not explored these winter destinations in India, it’s about time you pick out one of these locations for your next winter vacation with friends and family. Having such beautiful winter destinations within India itself, you do not need to empty your pockets on international travel. All of these locations are breathtaking and give you memories and experiences of a lifetime. So make sure you pick out a few of these places for your next holiday and be ready to create beautiful memories.
Where Should I Go For The Winter Season?
If you’re looking for a vacation spot during the winter season, you may want to have a look at places like Dharamshala, Darjeeling, Gulmarg, and Udaipur. These are some of the well-known winter vacation destinations within India.
How Is Winter In Dharamshala?
The weather in Dharamshala is worth visiting all year long. But the winter season is spectacular and experiences a lot of snowfall. Most tourists who visit Dharamshala come each year to experience the snowfall.
Which Is The Best Place To Experience Snowfall In India?
India is home to some of the most beautiful places where you can experience snowfall. Some places worth mentioning are Darjeeling, Dharamshala, and Tawang. The gorgeous snow-capped mountains in these areas are proof that these places experience the best snowfall.
Which Is The Coldest Place In India?
Even though India is known for its hot and humid weather for the most part of the year, it has some breathtaking winter destinations that offer some beautiful snowfall and winter experiences. Dras, a small town located in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir is considered to be the coldest place in India. Some other places that also experience harsh colds in India are Leh and Gulmarg.
Which Hill Station Is The Best To Visit During Winters?
Winter is the best time to visit hill stations for vacations and to spend some quality time with friends and family. If that is the destination you’re looking for your upcoming winter vacation, you can visit Darjeeling, Tawang, and Wayanad. These are the best hill stations that you can visit in India during winters.
Does Darjeeling Have Snow?
While snow is rarely seen in Darjeeling, it turns the place into a calm and cosy place with a beautiful shade of white as far as your eyes can see.
Does Gangtok Have Snowfall?
Snowfall is a rare occurence in Gangtok. However, places like Tsomgo Lake, Lachun, and Lachen do experience snowfall frequently and are close enough for you to visit them while staying in Gangtok.
What Is Wayanad Famous For?
Wayanad is famous for its beautiful flora, fauna, and the never-ending spice plantations. In fact, this place is so rich in wildlife that it has been classified as a nature reserve.
