Best Winter holiday destinations

Winters in India is a popular season that begins from mid-November and goes on till the first few weeks of February. This is also the peak season of tourism that has a lot to offer to visitors all over the country. There are tons of places in India that you can explore during winters except a few of them like certain parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal, Sikkim, and Jammu & Kashmir as they get blocked due to intense snowfall. Here in this article, we are suggesting some most beautiful Best winter holiday destinations.

Be part of this fun season in India which is celebrated more than lived like any other festival. It’s time to pack your winter essentials and get ready for the chilling ride of low temperature which fails to stop your enthusiasm to travel. Therefore, make sure you go through the below-mentioned places and their details so that your winter of 2022 is made memorable with trips to these amazing spots.

Here is a list of places you can visit in winter be it solo, with friends, or with family

Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir

Bounded by the Pir Panjal ranges of Jammu & Kashmir Gulmarg is a popular destination for ice sports and mainly skiing. As you reach the location you will be awestruck by the meadows of flowers, beautiful valleys, and peace of the mountains. It can be really cold in winter but worth the visit due to the mesmerizing beauty that one gets to encounter here. 

Activities and locations: Skiing, horse riding, the world’s second highest Gondola, visit Apharwat peak, Drung waterfall, etc.

Cuisine: Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Dum Aloo, Qabargaah is a fried rack of lamb, Modur Pulaav, and Muj Gaad.

How to reach Gulmarg?

The nearest airport to Gulmarg is the Srinagar airport. Later one can hire a taxi from here and visit Gulmarg

Jodhpur

This is the Blue City of India which is located in the Thar desert. A great place to visit in winter as it is a tough exploration in summers due to unbearable weather. If one checks out the aerial view of Jodhpur then you too can witness the blue color of houses and walls in this place. It is very popular for temples, lakes, and forts. One can also choose to go on a shopping spree with Sadar market. This is also the second largest city of Rajasthan which is culturally rich hence it has a lot to share from the past.

Activities and locations: Shop the handicrafts made by the local artisans, explore the Umaid Bhawan Palace, and Bullet baba temple, Explore the Bishnoi village, and Mehrangarh fort, and try the camel safari.

Cuisine: Dal bati churma, matka kulfi, Pyaaj kachori, Mirchi vada, and cultural cuisine like a Jodhpur Thali. 

How to visit Jodhpur?

A flight, train, or bus can be easily accessed to reach Jodhpur depending on your current location and budget to commute.

 Goa

Listen carefully, are the beaches calling you? Yes, if it’s winter then set your bags for a trip to Goa. No matter what you are looking for, be it chilling on the luxurious resorts of South Goa beaches without a worry in the world or could be just living the nightlife in North Goa like there is no tomorrow. You get everything here from ancient churches, and colonial buildings to flea markets and beach shacks.

Activities and locations: Calangute beach, fort Aguada, shopping in flea market cruises in Goa, water sports, and nightlife. 

Cuisine: Some must-try cuisines of Goa are xacuti a spicy chicken or meat cooked in red sauce, vindaloo a spicy dish marinated with vinegar and garlic, cafreal a dish of fried chicken in toddy vinegar and green masala. 

The Goan bebinca and Goan alcohol made of palm or cashew are popular too. 

How to visit Goa?

One can take flights to Goa from any part of India.  You can drive to Goa if heading from Mumbai.

Ooty 

Ooty a hill station of Tamil Nadu is situated in the Nilgiri Hills. The other name for Ooty is Udagamandalam which is pretty popular amongst the tourists. It use to be the headquarters of the East India Company. A lush green place much known for its greenery, country lanes, and serene mountains. This is also the location where the popular song “Chaiyaa Chaiyaa” was shot starring Malaika Arora and Shahrukh Khan. 

Activities and locations: Nilgiri Mountain Railways, Ooty Lake, Emerald Lake Ooty, Rose garden, and Dolphin’s nose.

Cuisine: The bakeries of Ooty are very popular. Try the white chocolates, strawberry chocolates, fudge, and buns. You can also try rasam, vada, dosa, payassam and kesari. 

How to visit Ooty?

Coimbatore airport is the closest airport one can get down to reach Ooty. Then take a taxi and reach Ooty by road.

Varanasi

Varanasi is holy land in Uttar Pradesh and is the best pilgrimage you can visit during the winters. The Hindu city full of sacred spaces brings us close to the reality of life. Try visiting this place as the winters begin during November as you will get to be a part of the grand Ganga Mahotsav. This zealous festival lasts for 5 days and it can make you one with the religious sanctity of this place.

Activities & Locations: Be a part of Ganga Mahotsav, talk to the sadhus, bathe in the Ganges, visit Kashi Vishwanath temple, Assi Ghat, take a boat ride at sunrise, and experience Ganga aarti.

Cuisines: Bnarasi paan, Kachori sabji, chana dahi vadha, aloo tikka, Banarasi thandai, and lassi.

How to visit Varanasi?

One can take a flight or train from their current location. If anyone lives a few hours away then choosing the bus is also a great option.

Coorg 

Popularly known as the Scotland of India, Coorg is located between the mountains of Karnataka. It has a misty landscape to offer to tourists. It’s popular for its coffee-producing plantations. As you travel to Coorg the unique culture will look enchanting and the breathtaking view will help you relax from your daily life hustle. 

Activities and Location: Abbey falls, Talakaveri, Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary, coffee plantations, Namdroling Monastery, Iruppu falls, etc

Cuisine: Akki Oti rice chapatis, Pattus a steam dish, Crab meat, Chekke curry made with unripe jackfruits. 

How to reach Coorg?

The best way to visit Coorg is via Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Kozhikode, and Thalassery.

Make your travel comfortable with zingbus

Have you read the blogs and considered where I would get the car for it and how I would manage the budget? Well! Who has told you that a road trip can only be made through a car? 

Taking a bus will cost you far less than renting a car, along with full comfort and fun. zingbus offers you several discounts on your first booking. Also, you may install the zingbus app to take advantage of additional benefits.

Our buses are clean and offer complete luxury and comfort with free wifi, blankets, water bottle, and entertainment/ TV. You can make your booking as per your requirements. Plan a road trip with zingbus. Get your bus ticket bookings done now!