Even as the festive season and holidays have just ended, the winter chill is here to stay for some time. Before the pleasant weather wanes off, travel to these exciting places and chill. It's the perfect time for beaches, hills and lots of snow.
Now called the Swaraj Dweep, this island can be easily reached from Port Blair, the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Its tranquil beaches lapped by the azure waves of the Bay of Bengal will surely help you unwind. Radhanagar Beach (a Blue Flag beach), Elephant Beach and Kalapathar Beach are some of the popular ones, offering a variety of water sports such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Have no second thoughts, just dive in.
The nearest airport is Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. From there, take a cab to the Port Blair Jetty, around 4 kms away. Port Blair Jetty has regular ferry services available, and the journey from Port Blair to Havelock takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the type of ferry.
Auli is one of Uttarakhand's top winter attractions, especially for its ski slopes, suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers. A five-metre- long ski lift system connects the base town of Joshimath to the Gorson slopes. Surrounded by coniferous forests, Auli offer a panoramic view of some of the highest mountain peaks of India.
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun, around 288 kms away. You can hire a cab or take a bus. It takes around 8-9 hours to reach Auli from the airport. You can also opt to take a bus till Joshimath and reach Auli by the ropeway or by road. The ropeway is the best way to get to the town. It is among the highest ropeways in India and the ride takes around 22 minutes to cover 4.15 kms. The nearest railway station is Haridwar railway station, 273 kms away. Take a bus or hire a cab to Joshimath, from where you need to take the cable car or hop on to another bus to Auli.
At first glance, the undulating desert looks like a blank space. But slowly you realise it has its own attractions. Jaisalmer, which lies on the edge of the desert, is a perfect getaway if you want to enjoy the Indian desert. Enjoy the medieval fort and other buildings, go for desert camping, and enjoy local cuisine, handicrafts, and music.
Jaisalmer does not have an airport. Jodhpur Airport is the nearest airport. Take a prepaid taxi, which will take 6 hours to reach Jaisalmer. Buses are also a convenient way to travel and you can opt for state-run sleeper coaches. Jaisalmer is well connected by a railway network to most of the cities in the country. Buses to Jaisalmer are available from all major cities in Rajasthan like Jodhpur and Jaipur.
Coorg, a beautiful hill town in Karnataka, is a popular tourist destination. This region is known for its lush, green coffee plantations and is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. In addition to the stunning environment, the region is well-known for hosting adventurous sports such as rock climbing and trekking.
Coorg does not have an airport of their own but has various nearby airports which make it convenient enough to reach here. Mysore Airport is 120 km away, Mangalore airport is 140 km, and Bangalore airport is 290 km away from Coorg. From the airport, you can book a cab or take a bus to Coorg. Coorg does not have a railway station and you can take a train to Mysore, Mangalore or Bangalore and reach Coorg by bus or taxi.
Capital of Sikkim, Gangtok nicely balances the past with the present. Take a look at the monasteries by day and enjoy music at the pubs in the evening. Mt Kanchedzonga overlooks the town and on a clear day you can enjoy a panoramic view of the snow peaks from the various view points. With special permission, drive to Nathu La, a mountain pass on the Indo-Chinese border. Do not forget to check out the local handicrafts if you like shopping for ethnic goods.
The nearest airport is Bagdogra, around 124 kms from Gangtok and the journey takes around 4-5 hours by road. There is a helicopter service available from Bagdogra, which takes you to Gangtok in 35 minutes. New Jalpaiguri Railway station is the nearest railway station, around 148 kms away from Gangtok. From New Jalpaiguri, you can get a taxi or a cab which takes around 4-5 hours to reach Gangtok. The state-run buses reach Gangtok in 6-7 hours.