Winter is the best season to travel in India. But most travellers head to regions where the winter is not harsh. But if you want to go off the beaten path, visit destinations in the upper reaches of the Himalayas. If you are adventurous and do not mind some hardship, then you may try the upper regions of Himachal Pradesh or Jammu & Kashmir. If you are not keen on adventure, then some of the hill towns of Uttarakhand are for you. Here is a list of our five favourite destinations.
Snow covers lush, green Chatpal, a small town located around 90 km from Srinagar. Winters are brutal here. You will be able to enjoy a trek of the mountains, on foot or on horseback, through the snow-laden pine forests and the apple and walnut orchards. While summers are the time when you will be able to appreciate the greenery, snowfalls in this region are equally spectacular. Best of all, Chatpal's tourism potential wasn'tt discovered until recently, so it is highly likely that you will be able to enjoy natures gifts in splendid isolation.
Legends and customs have rendered a mysterious aura to Malana, a village on a remote plateau in Kullu. The green-eyed villagers, many of whom speak the obscure Kanashi language and claim to have descended from Alexander the Great's army, are also known for their strict insistence that outsiders should not touch them or their belongings. So if you are visiting, it is best to know about and respect the local customs.
Perhaps, quite fittingly, the uphill journey/trek to reach the village is as arduous as the complicated and rigid customs here. However, once you make it here, snow-capped mountains and beautiful valleys will be the highlight of your winter vacation. You can explore the village and its traditional architecture - plan a visit to the Jamlu Devta temple built in Kathkuni style where the locals worship their guardian deity but make sure not to touch anything on the premises.
Trekking and hiking expeditions to the nearby hills and temples have also grown in popularity. If you prefer rafting and exploring wildlife, you could head out to the Great Himalayan National Park.
Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh houses vast mountains, deep terrains, some green patches and cold desert landscapes, which are all engulfed in a blanket of white snow during winters. Weather permitting you may choose to trek to the high-altitude Dhankar Lake. Other adventures include heading to Bara-lacha La or camping on the shores of the picturesque, mesmerising lakes in the vicinity.
A part of the Kedarnath WildLife Sanctuary, Chopta in Uttarakhand is the base point for the Tungnath-Chandrashila trek. It is often called Mini Switzerland for its breathtaking, panoramic views of the Himalayan range and beautiful bugyals (alpine meadows). As many as 41 peaks are visible from Chopta, including Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba.
In Chopta, camping, trekking, skiing, rock-crafting, rappelling and rock-climbing are popular activities in winter. And since Chopta sees the arrival of many rare birds, birdwatching is a hobby worth pursuing here.
In winter, Lansdowne resembles a town you would encounter in Ruskin Bond's prose. Little wonder then that the town has been frequented by vacationers since the British era. Lansdowne retains much of its old-world charm, and remains one of the best destinations where you are likely to enjoy a white, frosty and snowy Christmas or New Year.
You can add a dose of excitement to your winter trip to Lansdowne by opting for thrilling treks, boating in Bhulla Lake or a visit to the Kalagarh Tiger Reserve. If you are making your way to Lansdowne by road, the blue pine forests in the town's vicinity are majestic and simply unmissable.