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Winter Holiday Destinations: Top 10 Indian Destinations that will make your winter spectacular

Who wouldn’t want their winter escapes to look like a scene from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani in 2024? Definitely not you! India is a treasure trove of hidden winter wonderlands, with its Northern states that turn a frosty white the moment November approaches, perfect to be winter holiday destinations.

Most tourists save lakhs to go abroad and admire the snowy landscapes, but what if you could explore India this winter only for a few thousand? Join us on a slippery journey to discover the top 10 winter holiday destinations in India to have the most spectacular vacation of your lifetime!

Uttarakhand: The Ski Capital of India

Kuari Pass trek views in Uttarakhand
Image credit: Dilchaspiyaan/Shutterstock

Auli in Uttarakhand is India’s ski capital, which offers a magnificent view of the Nanda Devi and Mana Parbat watching over you. In winter, Auli is wrapped under a beautiful snow blanket, and its mountains and valleys give you a sense of peace if you stay overnight in a tent in the open.

One of the most popular activities is zipping on a ropeway to get to Joshimath! Spare some time to admire the highest man-made lake, with the various Uttarakhand tour packages available online, giving its waters to form thick layers of snow along the mountain ranges every winter. Auli is decorated with tiny villages, having locals with the most welcoming hearts towards all tourists.

Kashmir’s Bollywood Snowy Landscapes

Shikara boats at Dal Lake in Srinagar
Image credit: ImagesofIndia/Shutterstock

One of the best winter holiday destinations to check cable car riding off your bucket list has to be Gulmarg in Kashmir! Besides being the beating heart of Bollywood in India, always ready with its otherworldly white backgrounds for your beloved characters to shine through, Kashmir is known for its untouched natural beauty!

If you hop on a cheap flight to Kashmir, movie-like scenes of the Dal Lake will welcome you. Get your hands on the famous winter delicacy, Harissa. With a Kashmir tour package, you can explore the calming lands of skiing and cable car riding and look for adventure at the thrilling Chadar trek along the frozen waters of the Zanskar River, rapid river rafting at Pahalgam, and the treacherous trails of unexplored Sonamarg!

Winter Escape in God’s Own Country

Tea Gardens in Munnar
Image credit: niladrilovesphotography/Shutterstock

Not a fan of the cold? Plan a wintery escape to Kerala, known for its warm climate throughout the year! Including the vintage Dutch and Portuguese-inspired villas, scenic views from the Water Boat of Alleppey, and the backwaters of Idukki, Kerala tour packages truly give you a glimpse of India’s green winter beauty.

The state blooms in the winter season, and you can especially see the Periyar National Park come to life by spotting the Indian Tiger, Leopards, and other animals hiding in the greenery. Kerela’s beaches offer the perfect temperature water for a refreshing swim. Don’t forget to book cheap Kerala flights to participate in the year-end carnivals, races, and swimming competitions in Kochi, one of the best green winter holiday destinations!

Looking for cheap flights to Srinagar? Find it right here.

Visit the Colour Changing Lake at Sikkim

Tsomgo Lake in winter
Image credit: S B Stock/Shutterstock

Sikkim is among the best winter tourist destinations, better than all other cool destinations in India! The most famous sight here is the Tsomgo Lake, whose waters change colours to reflect the seasons and turn a beautiful light blue in winter that reflects the surrounding mountains. Sikkim also has other enchanting lakes, including the Gurudongmar Lake, the highest freshwater lake in the world!

With a Sikkim tour package, you can also see the sprawling Valley of Yumthang, which looks exactly like a painting with green trees and swift rivers peeking through the snowy lands! Sikkim is known for its religious temples and monasteries at Ravangla and the Rumtek monastery. You can get to Sikkim by a cheap flight instead of driving along the dreaded roads of Nathula Pass!

A Wintery Twist at the Deserts of Gujarat

A Camel cart at Rann of Kutch
Image credit: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

Enjoy camping right under the sand in the Rann of Kutch, the desert of Gujarat that drops below 30 degrees Celsius! During the daytime, the desert comes alive with the annual festival of Rann Utsav for two months. As the temperatures in the state will be less than usual in the daytime during the winter season, you can browse through the multiple Gujarat tour packages and explore the Gir National Park!

One of the best religious destinations for winter in India with family is Dwarka in Gujarat, with holy temples and majestic architecture. Book some of the best hotels in Gujarat near the temples for a comfortable winter stay at the best winter holiday destinations.

Manali’s Brilliant White Slopes

Paragliding in Manali
Image credit: Amit kg/Shutterstock

None of the other snowy winter holiday destinations can beat Manali’s beauty, with its scenic snow valley, captivating views, and bohemian-style towns and cafes! Manali is the most popular romantic winter 2024 destination in India, with its fascinating camping experiences in Hampta Pass.

With a Manali tour package, you can paraglide, enjoy exciting snow sports like skiing, shop in the fantastic Manali Mall road areas, and marvel at breathtaking views of the Solang Valley and Beas Kund. Book the best hotels in Manali to ride along the famous Rohtang Pass, shot in Jab We Met, Highway, etc. You can also enjoy an energizing climb to the top of the Jogini waterfall!

Check out cheap flights to Kulu here.

A Beachy Winter in Goa

Morjim Beach in Goa
Image credit: Vansh Tiwari/Shutterstock

Do you love swimming? What are better winter holiday destinations than an exciting trip to Goa? The best place to enjoy a winter party with a sweet coconut in hand and beach volleyball games. Goa is known for its pompous Christmas markets, flea markets, and carnival, and has some of the most beautiful churches for Catholics who visit during winter.

Grab your cheap flights to Goa to experience Dolphin spotting adventures and admire scenic sunset views from the Mandovi River Cruise. Goa is also perfect for thrill seekers, with its fun water sports, like scuba diving, kayaking, jet skiing, and other exciting activities! The fish food is a must-try when visiting Goa this winter.

Also read: Top 6 Cool Places to Stay in Goa.

The Snowy Peaks of Darjeeling

Sunrise views in Darjeeling
Image credit: r-d-p/Shutterstock

Darjeeling, known for its sparkling peaks that shine with the sunrise, is one of the best winter holiday destinations for 2024! Expect the highest peaks of Darjeeling, there is not much snow here, allowing you to enjoy a cold climate without dealing with the slippery roads. A paradise for tea lovers, Darjeeling organizes the most exciting tea festival in winter! Don’t forget to hop on a cable car to admire the tea plantations from above.

You can visit Tiger Hill on a Darjeeling tour package, with the clearest view of Mount Everest on less-cloudy days and the Japanese Peace Pagoda for spectacular Himalayan views. Book the best hotels in Darjeeling close to the Carnival and Orange Festival to enjoy a glimpse of the local culture and traditions.

The Hill Stations in Maharashtra

Western Ghats mountain range in Matheran
Image credit: Parasuraman V/Shutterstock

Maharashtra is rumoured to be extremely warm in the winter season. However, this is untrue because of the low temperature, and beautiful hill stations in the region that will have you booking your Maharashtra tour packages immediately!

Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, and Amboli are some of the coldest winter holiday destinations in Maharashtra. It’s an excellent time to go trekking and hike up to the Sunset Point in Mahabaleshwar to catch the sunset over the beautiful mountains and valleys. These are some of the greenest spots in Maharashtra, book your stay at the best hotels in Mahabaleshwar, and you can try the most delicious strawberries at Mapro during the winter!

Also Read: Best 7 Monsoon Treks in Maharashtra.

Nature Escape at Ooty in Tamil Nadu

Ooty’s toy train
Image credit: Johnraja/Shutterstock

Already visited the hill stations in Maharashtra? Why not visit Ooty in Tamil Nadu this year? Begin your winter holiday at one of the coolest places to visit in India in 2024 for the most scenic ride on the toy train of Nilgiri Mountain. Daring tourists can dip in the chilly Catharine Waterfall before visiting Dolphin’s Nose Peak to admire a view from above!

Get an Ooty tour package and explore the untouched beauty of the hill station by walking through the forest to reach Doddabetta Park, admiring the beautiful High Tea Gardens and the Pykara Waterfalls.

This winter, you can explore the snow destinations in India, warm beaches, hill stations, and other landscapes without breaking the bank! Have you visited any of these winter holiday destinations in 2023? Tell us more about your experience in the comments!

Explore the cheapest Flights to Chennai.

FAQs- Winter Holiday Destinations

Which is the best place to visit in winter in India?
Some of the best places to visit during the winter season are Gulmarg, Kashmir, Darjeeling, and Sikkim for snow. A few chilly spots to explore with no are the Hill stations in Maharashtra and Ooty.

Which city is warm in winter in India?
You can enjoy a warm beachy winter in Goa or a cool desert adventure in Gujarat this winter season.

What is the best place for winter vacation?
The best place for winter vacation in India is Kashmir, known for its Bollywood movie-like landscapes, sporty snow adventures, treks, and frozen rivers.

Is there a winter vacation in India?
Yes, all schools and colleges give a week or two of winter vacation in December to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

Which city is beautiful in winter?
Manali is one of the most beautiful cities to explore in India during the winter season.

Is Goa good in winter?
Goa is an excellent spot to visit for a beach escape in winter. You can also enjoy sporty beach games and Dolphin spotting this season. Visitors who explore Goa in December can also enjoy Christmas festivities, like the carnival!

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