Places to Visit in India in Winter
1. Manali
Manali is a popular tourist town, located in the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. It serves as the gateway to the Lahaul and Spiti districts as well as the city of Leh in Ladakh. Also, Manali is the most famous tourist destination in India. Here tourists can engage in various adventure activities including skiing, paragliding, trekking, and horse riding. This place attracts more than millions of visitors every year for vacation. Thus, Manali is one of the best tourist places in the world.
- Best time to visit: October to February
- Places of attraction: Solang Valley, Jogini Waterfall, Hidimba Devi Temple, Beas River, Manikaran Gurudwara, Mall road, and Old Manali.
2. Gulmarg
Gulmarg is a hill station, located in Kashmir. Also known as the “Meadow of Flowers”. It is situated at a height of 2,650 meters above sea level. Surrounded by snow-covered lofty Himalayas, meadows of flowers, deep ravines, and evergreen forested valleys. Further, Gulmarg is a popular skiing destination and thus, an absolute delight for adventure seekers. Therefore, it is one of the Best Places to Visit in India in Winter.
- Best time to visit: March to June.
- Places of attraction: St. Mary’s Church, Outer Circle Walk, Ningle Nallah, Baba Reshi Shrine, Gulmarg Gondola, Apharwat Peak, Alpather Lake, and Maharani Temple.
3. Auli
Auli is located in the Chamoli district in the Himalayan mountains of the state of Uttarakhand. Set at a height of 2,800 meters above sea level. Auli is surrounded by cold winds, vast snow-covered landscapes, and majestic mountains, all these add up to make Auli a skier’s paradise. Moreover, it is the longest and highest hill station in the whole of Asia. Thus, Auli is a popular tourist destination in India.
- Best time to visit: December to February
- Places of attraction: Auli Artificial Lake, Nanda Devi Peak, Auli Ropeway, Gurso Bugyal, Joshimath, ski resort, Chenab Lake.
4. Shimla
Shimla is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is home to a number of buildings that are styled in the Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures. Set at an altitude of 2200m above sea level. Apart from being a tourism center, this city is also an educational hub with a number of colleges and research institutions. When it comes to winter getaways, Manali is the best choice for vacation. The rolling valleys, evergreen forests, beautiful lakes, pleasant climate, and colonial ambiance make this one of the most amazing places to visit.
- Best time to visit: March to June
- Places of attraction: Jakhu Temple, The Mall, Kalka – Shimla Railway, Viceregal Lodge, and The Ridge.
5. Rann of Kutch
The Little Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh in the Kutch district of the state of Gujarat. The massive deposits of salt in the area give it a surreal appeal. The Rann has an unusual barren beauty, especially on a moonlit night. However, the place comes to life during the Rann Festival, in which there are huge camp settlements with cultural programs and adventure activities like hot-air ballooning. Thus, the view of the white salt desert in the Rann of Kutch is something that you must witness once in a lifetime.
- Best time to visit: November to February
- Places of attraction: Rann of Kutch, Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Dholavira, Bustard Sanctuary, Mandvi beach.
6. Munnar
- Best time to visit: September to May.
- Places of attraction: Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pothamedu View Point, Echo Point, Marayoor, Kundala Dam & Lake, Attukal Waterfalls, TATA Tea Museum, Photo Point, and Wonder Valley Amusement Park.
7. Ooty
- Best time to visit: March to June
- Places of attraction: Avalanche Lake, Pykara Falls, Doddabetta Peak, Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Toy Train, Deer Park, Tea Museum, and Needle Rock viewpoint.
8. Nainital
Nainital is a popular hill station, located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Set at an altitude of around 2,000 m above sea level. The majestic mountains, misty clouds, and sparkling waters lake add more beauty to this town. However, Nainital is the best place to go when people want to experience snowfall without facing the harsh climate temperatures in India. Further, it is surrounded by seven hills, popularly known as ‘Sapta Shring’. Thus, this hill station is popular among families and solo travelers.
- Best time to visit: October to March.
- Places of attraction: Nainital Lake, Tiffin Top, Naina Peak, The Mall Road, Bhimtal Lake, High Altitude Zoo, Lands End, Kainchi Dham
9. Dalhousie
Dalhousie is located in the Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh. And set at an altitude of 1970 meters above sea level. Dalhousie offers an old-world charm, mesmerizing natural landscapes, pine-clad valleys, and magnificent misty mountains. It is also famous for various adventurous activities like Paragliding, Zorbing, and trekking. This stunning hill station is ideal for family vacations and even foreign tourists prefer to visit this beautiful location. The Scottish and Victorian-era architecture of churches reminds you of its colonial heritage. Thus, it is one of the most mesmerizing places to visit in India.
- Best time to visit: March to June
- Places of attraction: Panch Pulla, Chamera Lake, Khajjiar, Dainkund Peak, Kalatop wildlife sanctuary, and Satdhara Falls.
10. Sonamarg
Sonmarg is a hill station located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Set at an elevation of around 2800 km from sea level. And home to a variety of peaks like Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak, and Sirbal Peak. This place is popular for trekking. Its landscape is marked by a glacier, forests, serene lakes, and snow-capped mountains. Sonamarg is covered with tons of snow in the peak winters and gives a beautiful sight to see and experience. Thus, it is one of the most famous hill stations in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Best time to visit: November to April
- Places of attraction: Thajiwas Glacier, Satsar Lake, Baltal Valley, Naranag, Kishansar Lake, Amarnath Cave, Vishansar Lake, and Gadsar Lake.