Winters has just started in India, we all are excited to plan our winter vacations, to plan get togethers and celebrate Christmas with our family. Winters is the one thing that Indian’s can’t wait to start, as India is full with winter destinations, the dreamy Himalayan mountains covered in thick sheets of snow.
If you’re missing out winters in India then you must make a plan to visit these awesome places which we are going to tell you today in this article. lets get started,
Shimla-
Shimla is very popular and known hill station of India, All you can see is snow everywhere & the scenic mountains, one must visit shimla in their life time, you can travel this city with your family or friends or solo as well.
Places to visit:
Christ Church-
Christ Church, in Shimla is the second oldest church in North India, it is the center of attraction in mall road shimla.
Kufri-
A few kms away kufri is situated, you can reach there by horse’s available, the road is very risky to travel, but when you reach those snowy mountain’s the mountains makes all worth it.
Snowfall in shimla-
Snowfall generally witnessed in Mid-December to January in Shimla and if you’re planning a trip in shimla be there between these months, shimla is the true beauty of North India.
Dharamshala-
Dharamshala is the new vacation spot for North Indians, you can visit their for Buddhist temples, Tibetan special food, it is just like a mini tibet. You would see authentic Tibetan food, Tibetan market, and monks everywhere in dharamshala. You can either travel by car or train or just take a flight.
Places & activities to do:
Mcleodgang-
In Mcleodgang you can see the Dali lama temple,
Mcleodgang market famous for its dumplings and special Tibetan food and it’s silver jewelry,
also few kms away you can visit St. John in the Wilderness Church,
The jaw dropping namgyal Monestary,
Dharamkot studio where you can make earthen pots yourself it’s a great activity if you have kids.
Bhagsunag-
Bhagsunag is situated just above mcleodgang, you can visit so many places here to spend your winter vacation with the fullest joy and enthusiasm. The places include bhagsu water fall,
Bhagsunag temple or Lord shiva temple, this temple is very auspicious for locals as it is believed that Lord shiva makes one’s wishes true if one prayes with pure heart and with faith.
Bhagsunag market, you can have lunch to breakfast at any time in the Bhagsunag market you can shop from clothes to jewelry or showpieces for your living room,
, well weather can be a problem as weather really changes very quickly in minutes, in mornings it is very sunny and in night it can be that cold that you may need blankets to cover yourself , so be prepared for it, don’t forget to take some woolen clothes, night suits with you .
other than everything is fabulous and the end of your trip you would never want to come home back ever.
Dal lake-
Dal lake is near nadi hill point , you can have a picnic near the corner or just take a horse ride around the river, or sit on a bench and absorb the nature around you.
Triund top-
Triund top is famous for it’s trekking if you love trekking you must visit triund top for it’s scenic views as well as if you’re a adventurous person you can enjoy Paragliding which happens in triund. The fee for paragliding is 2000, you can take a lesser price if you book through other portals online which help you book in cheaper prices.
Nadi view point-
Nadi view point is above mclodgang, it is a steep travel by car, and it will take at least 2 hours to reach there if you start from mcleodgang but the view of Nadi just makes all worth it believe me you would not get the scenic view anywhere else in the world,
you can enjoy maggi or mommos or omelettes with this scenic view and just absorb the beauty of nature,( as there are many food carts and jewelry carts on the hill selling at very cheap prices)
there is a yoga center as well on the view point you can visit that too if you’re a lover of yoga.
Winters are the best season to visit nadi view point, as if you become lucky you can see snowfall as well, and that scene is just jaw dropping.
Leh Ladakh-
The journey quite hard in leh ladakh as the road is very steep and short and Rocky, some roads aren’t even developed yet, it has a very raw road and you can see waterfalls on the roads while travelling, well as much as the travelling is hard, the fruit is as sweet as that, the view from mountains are scenic and you will get no where those views, the road is covered with rock mountains, and when the sunshine reflects on that mountain, the mountain just looks beautiful. You can click as many selfies as you want as every corner of leh is majestic.
Places & activities you must do:
Pangong Tso-
It is known to be the Most beautiful lake in India. Every adventure & nature lover must visit this place once in a lifetime. Bike ride to this lake is treacherous but it is worth every hardship on the way.. The iconic end scene of 3 idiots was also shoot here.
Thicksey monastery-
Thicksey monastery is one of the must visit monasteries of laddakh region. Set on a hillock in Leh near Sindhu river, houses few temples for worshiping buddha and other deity. The two story tall buddha statue is one of the best decorated statues in the country. The view of Indus valley and dry mountains with snow clad tops and green plains along Indus is a beautiful sight.
Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers-
Close to Leh, suggest going to Chilling and dipping feet in icy cold water. The Sangam point is located on the National Highway 1 to Srinagar. Watching the confluence of the muddy Zanskar water with the bluish green Indus is so breathtaking. En route to the Sangam point one can visit the Hall of Fame Museum, Gurudwara Pathar Saheb and Magnectic Hill.
The river rafting is a scenic excellence. The best part is that the road is along side the river, so the driver or a fried could click snaps all throughout. The water is extremely cold n wet suits are just perfect. When the two rivers meet, the indus water is really hot as compared to the rafting river.
Hall of Fame-
It is actually very close to Leh on the way from Kargil to Leh. Describes the history and geography of the Ladakh valley, the events and weapons of the Kargil war, Siachen and it’s problems. Basically shows you how brave our soldiers are in the face of obstacles that would defeat most of us. Everything is labeled and described in a really interesting fashion. Definitely worth a visit.
Gurdwara Pathar Sahib-
A very well maintained Gurudwara by the Army. The calmness and serenity is worth the mention. You get tea and biscuits all time over there as a part of community service (langar).
You’ll see many monestaries and lakes and Rocky mountains at every spot of leh & Ladakh these were our top 5 places that you should never miss if you’re going to leh & ladakh.
or you may have discovered every place of Ladakh you must come for thier winter festivals, which are very widely popular and famous for thier authentic food and culture.
Gulmarg-
Kashmir is no. 1 on our choice list, this is because of the magical snowy mountains, the true joy of winter can only be found in gulmarg, it is known to be the heaven on earth. In winters it is jam packed, all hotels are fully booked. All you can see around yourself is just snow and mountains. Gulmarg is a town in kashmir , also a hill station. If you have a good travel budget you should not miss this place ever.
What can be more beautiful than this?!!! It is a dreamy place, where everyone would want to go at least once in thier lifetime.
Places and activities you must do:
Learn sking-
You can enjoy sking as well, you can hire a trainer for yourself as well, you’ll get special trousers, jackets, gloves, bootes so that you can walk on snow, the trainer will teach you beginner level first on flat snow then senior level on the other day at steep mountains, you can drink tea and eat your breakfast in snow as there many food carts selling tea and potato parantha, maggi, coffee , etc.
You can enjoy other snow activities as well,
Gandola ride-
•Gandola ride is the world’s second longest ride
•Gondola ride is second highest cable car
• Gandola ride is setted up on 14,000 above sea level to give magical experience to the rider
you will get unforgettable and unbelievable experience in Gondala ride.
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world” – Mary Anne Radmacher
