Destinations You Can Visit In India For This Winter

Winters knocking on the door. Holiday destinations are on your calendar’s radar. Here are a few destinations you can fly to in India for this winter.

Gulmarg – Kashmir

The paradise in India. Popular for its excellent gradients and snow peaks for skiing in India. Gulmarg is nestled in the Pir Panjal range which is a cup-shaped valley. It is one of the most visited destinations in India. Best to visit during October till Jan for an amazing snow experience. With Srinagar as a base, Gulmarg can be reached via taxi. Make sure you take gumboots to walk in the snow.

The nearest railway station is Jammu

Srinagar is the closest airport – 35km

Auli – Uttarakhand

For ski lovers and thrill-seekers, Auli is one of the best destinations in India to visit during winters. It is Switzerland of India dotted with apple orchards, pine trees, and numerous treks for skiing in the Garhwal region. Auli is a hill town dating back to the 8th century, hence you may witness vivid locals and culture too. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (GMVL) runs a ski resort and a ski rental shop. Located at 2800 meters above sea levels, it is home to the mountain ranges of Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat and Kamat Kamet.

Auli can be reached via taxi and buses from Delhi, Rishikesh or can take a shared taxi from Joshimath.

The cable car ride is also available from Joshimath which is around 700 rupees per person.

Closest airport – Jolly Grant airport of Dehradun.

Nearest railway station – Haridwar is the closest, but Dehradun and Rishikesh are also connected via train.

Coonoor and Ooty

Coonoor nestled in southern India is a beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu. It is in the Nilgiri hills and the second largest hill station in western ghats. Just around 19 km is Ooty, another cute little town in Tamil Nadu. One can explore both in winters. Both the hill stations are blessed to have chilly and cosy weather round the year. These two are perfect spots for staycations.

Via road, it can be reached through Bangalore, Coimbatore, and Kochi. Road connectivity is excellent. Driving Enthusiasts as self-drive. State Transport buses also ply.

Nearest airport – Coimbatore

Nearest railway station – Mettupalayam which is 45 km

Mussoorie – Dehradun

Named as queen of hill stations – Mussoorie is situated on the backdrop of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and the Doon valley. It stands gorgeously at the altitude of 7000ft above sea level. Best to visit in winters and throughout the year. Mussoorie was once the British summer capital. The British remnants can be seen in the city in the archaic architecture of the hotels and churches. The Mall road gives off a distinct colonial vibe. Another major attraction is Gun hill. Landour, along with Mussoorie, Barlowganj and Jharipani together form the greater Mussoorie, these are the adjoining hill stations. With a lot of waterfalls, the town of Dhanaulti in the vicinity and the remains of colonial architecture, Mussoorie has everything to make a memorable vacation.

Mussoorie is well connected via roads, to Delhi, Dehradun.

The nearest railway station is Dehradun 68 km away.

The closest airport is Jolly Grant airport Dehradun.

Mussoorie Chamba Highway is the best for driving enthusiast.

Shillong Meghalaya

Shillong also acts as the gateway to Meghalaya, the state famous for heavy rainfall, caves, tallest waterfalls, beautiful landscapes and amazing people and their culture. Shillong is also fast emerging as an education hub for the entire northeastern region. Ward’s Lake is surrounded by walking trails. Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures features displays on the region’s native people. One can find descendants of the Khyrim, Mylliem, Maharam, Mallaisohmat, Bhowal and Langrim tribes. Popularly known as Scotland of India. It derives its name from Lei Shillong, an idol worshipped at the Shillong Peak.

The nearest railhead to Shillong is Guwahati

Shillong airport at Umroi connects only to Kolkata, else Guwahati is the nearest major airport.

Shillong is connected to Guwahati by NH 40 and the rest of the North-East by NH 44.

Coorg – Karnataka

This town is popularly known as Scotland of India. The Kodavas, the local clan are known for their martial arts and especially for their keen hospitality. It is adorned by misty landscapes and is popular as a coffee producing hill station. Coorg is officially known as Kodagu. Madikeri is the region’s centre point with all transportation for getting around starting from here.

Closest Airport – Mangalore, 152km

Coorg has its own railway station

One nearest is Mysore – 120km

You can catch deluxe KSRTC buses to Coorg from Mangalore, Bengaluru and Mysore.

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Dharamshala – McLeod Ganj

Land of His Holiness the Dalai Lama – Little Lhasa

Mcleodganj is a hill station near Dharamshala, quite popular among trekkers. Located in Kangra district, Mcleodganj’s culture is a beautiful blend of Tibetan with some British influence. It is situated in the upper region of Dharamshala. This small town is the home of the Dalai Lama. Go hiking at scenic Dal Lake and Triund. Do not miss the snowline café at the top where you can enjoy Maggie. Visit Bhagsu Nag and Kangra, the nearest places where there are ample tourist destinations and treks that one can choose. Visit Namgyal Monastery and Tsuglagkhang, where the spiritual leader Dalai Lama resides.

Closest Airport – Gaggal, 30 km, another major city nearby is then Chandigarh and Delhi.

Nearest Railway station – Pathankot, 90kms broad gauge

Taxis and buses are easily available for tourists to commute from there to Mcleodganj. Himachal State Buses ply buses to Mcleodganj from various parts of the state, Punjab, Harayana and Delhi and they are the most economical and decently comfortable way to reach Mcleodganj.

Kalimpong West Bengal

Kalimpong is a virgin hill station in West Bengal distinguished for its panoramic valley views, Buddhist monasteries and churches and Tibetan handicrafts etc. As per the Lepchas, Kalimpong means ‘ridge where we play. It is 67 Km from Siliguri. It used to be the gateway for trade between Britain and India during the British era. Make sure to visit the flower markets famous for their orchids and lovely bright flowers.

Closest airport –  Bagdogra in Siliguri, almost 50 km

Nearest railway station – New Jalpaiguri

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Gangtok Sikkim

It is The Gateway to Sikkim. Its name meaning is hill-top. The places you can cover in Gangtok, include many famous religious sites such as the (Enchey Monastery – Established in 1840) Ganesh Tok, Do Drul Chorten Rumtek Monastery, etc. Also, river Teesta is one of the best spots for white water rafting in North East India. It remains a Tibetan Buddhist centre and a base for hikers organizing permits and transport for treks through Sikkim’s Himalayan mountain ranges. During March to Mid-May, the blooming of wild Rhododendrons transforms the surrounding regions into vast fields of colourful carpets, which is not to miss.

Closest Airport – – Bagdogra, West Bengal which lies at a distance of 126 Kms.

Nearest railway station – The nearest railway station from Gangtok is in Siliguri

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