Best Places to Visit in Winter in India : Short trips and holidays

A shift in the seasons, a tilt of an axis and a drop in the temperature. Come winters, and India finds itself preparing for one of the best seasons to travel across the peninsula. With a string of holidays and a list of festivals and fairs, winters in India are marked by vacations to plan your year around, a dreamy beach holiday, hill stations resembling postcard sceneries and its southern tips and desserts welcoming all its visitors that had been shying away till now given their generous humidity and temperatures. Here is a list of 12 places to visit in winter in India.

1. Jaipur Circuit: Jaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer

With the most staple and obvious number of places to visit in winter in India, this circuit finds itself gathering quite some hustle bustle from all the tourist rush its temperature and deserts were keeping away till now. Dotted by countless Havelis, Palaces and Forts, winters are an ideal time to enjoy strolls through its specimens of history. While history and architecture keep you busy through the day, Desert Safaris and lakes make their way to your itineraries by evening. These pink, blue and golden cities of India, are one of the top destinations for winters, not only for all their landmarks but also their rich cultural and shopping experiences. Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Udaipur, Jaipur - the count of best places in Rajasthan in winter is too long, but these places are at their best in winters and cannot be missed.

Royal Orchid Central

Inspired by Jaipur's heritage, the Royal Orchid Central features a rooftop pool, award winning Asian restaurant & bar.

Location: The Royal Orchid Central, Jaipur is 17 km away from the Jaipur International Airport, 2 km away from the Jaipur Railway Station and 1 km away from the Jaipur Bus Station. The property is well connected to many of the popular tourist destinations of the city. The Hawa Mahal is 4 km away, Jal Mahal is 9 km away, the Amber Fort is 12 km away and Moti Dungri is 6 km away.

Room Amenities: The hotel offers rooms categorized as Deluxe and Club. The rooms offer a scenic view of the city of Jaipur, and have high-speed Wi-Fi, a TV, a tea/coffee maker, a mini-bar, an electronic safe and a well-equipped bathroom. The rooms also have an ergonomic desk and chair.

Hotel Facilities: The Royal Orchid Central, Jaipur has a swimming pool. Orchid is the banquet hall at the hotel and is available to host conferences, social gathering or events. The Boardroom is also available to hold meetings and corporate events. Other facilities include 24-hour in-room dining and room service.

Dining: Pinxx is the 24-hour coffee shop which serves quick bites and a selection of beverages. The bar is where you can unwind with the finest selection of liquors and tasty appetizers.Ginseng offers award-winning pan-Asian cuisine and boasts of being the best Oriental restaurant in Jaipur.

RAMADA JAIPUR

Proximity to Albert Hall, outdoor pool, spa and multiple dining options are the highlights at the Ramada, Jaipur.

Location: The Ramada is well connected to the transport hubs and tourist attractions of the Pink City. It is located at a distance of 10 km from Jaipur International Airport, 2 km from Raja Park Bus Stop and 7 km from Jaipur Railway Station. Hawa Mahal, Govind Dev Ji Temple and Galta Ji are within a 10 km radius, Amber Palace is 16 km away, Sheesh Mahal is 17 km away and Nahargarh Fort is 19 km away.

Room Amenities: The hotel offers 160 rooms categorized as Club Suite, Deluxe Suite, Club Room and Deluxe Room. All rooms come with amenities such as air conditioning, hair dryer, Internet access, mini bar, newspaper, flat-screen TV, tea/coffee maker and writing desk. Some rooms boast of a stunning view of the surrounding city.

Hotel Facilities: The Ramada is equipped with an array of facilities like a 24-hour business centre, gym, swimming pool, spa and pool table. In addition to this, guests are also provided with services such as 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, airport shuttle, laundry, travel desk, 24-hour security, valet parking, wedding services, banquet facilities, doctor on call and business services like audio visual equipment and LCD/projector. There are seven banquet halls available to host events which can accommodate up to 500 guests.

Dining: The hotel provides a wide range of dining options to choose from. Around The World serves dishes from just where its name suggests, while other dining options include the traditional Indian vegetarian restaurant Altitude, the grill and barbecue. The Fire Ball is the in-house pub and a good destination for those looking to party.

Radisson Jaipur City Center

Radisson Jaipur City Center within 5 km of Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Ganpati Plaza.

Location : Radisson Jaipur City Center situated in the world heritage city with its majestic pink hues and charming forts & palaces has been a part of the fabled Golden Triangle. The 5 star deluxe hotel is ideal for both business and leisure stays. Opening you up to a new world with beautifully renovated hotel rooms, lobby and boasting of majestically luxurious suites the Radisson Jaipur City Center is strategically located in the heart of the city. Your stay with us would offer prime amenities like concierge service, business travel desk, award winning restaurants, gym & spa, lounge, bar & nightclub and an outdoor pool. With major tourist attractions of the city in close proximity, the hotel is ideal for you to visit citys historic monuments like Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, City Palace and Amber Fort or go about your business schedule with comfortable ease as the major business hubs of the city, C-Scheme, Civil Lines, High Court, Circuit House & the Secretariat along with the railway station, the metro service and the bus stand are within close proximately to the hotel. The Jaipur Airport too is just 25 minutes away.

Room Amenities: Each of Radisson Jaipur City Center newly renovated rooms and Radisson suites features smart dcor and first-rate fixtures to ensure a pleasant stay for you. With free high-speed internet access, you can complete travel arrangements from the comfort of your room.

Hotel Facilities: Unwind in the rooftop swimming pool or indulge in the luxury spa at the Radisson Jaipur City Center in the heart of Jaipur. Guests can experience an array of amenities like a shopping arcade, fitness centre and a delightful spa to energise and rejuvenate themselves. The 24-hour business centre and meeting facility makes holding corporate meetings very easy. The hotel also helps organise sight-seeing tours.

Dining:When you stay at the Radisson Jaipur City Center we will always attract your attention for housing an array of award winning kitchens that offer a variety of cuisine from all around the world. Be it a hearty buffet breakfast or a special continental wish our multi-cuisine outlet Mosaic will get your taste buds to relish the best in town delicacies. Dragon house, our Pan-Asian kitchen has our masterchefs signature taste to it. After your days humdrum, you can unwind at our Moroccan theme lounge Kasbah that offers some spirited Mediterranean surprises or you could comfortably indulge yourself with an aromatically flavorful experience with the best of Indian kebabs & curries and Mughlai cuisine at The Great Kabab Factory. If you feel the night is still young and you could shake a leg, Duplay, Jaipurs No.1 nightclub awaits to entrance you.

2. Manali Circuit: Manali - Kullu - Kasol – Rohtang – Solang

If there is one hill station in North India you must visit in winters, it is Manali. A family holiday, an adventure trail, a honeymoon, or a winter vacation amongst its white, snow covered expanses- there are one too many routes that will lead your travel plans here, this winter. If you find yourself here on Dusshera, don’t miss the celebration in Kullu’s temples.

3. Goa Circuit: North Goa – Panjim – South Goa

While there is no month, not ideal to let Goa spoil you a little, this beach winter destination in India have a tendency to cast a spell. A perfect beach holiday, afternoons by the sea and a tan to show off, this one comes with its Decembers marked with the SUNBURN FESTIVAL, making it one of the best places to visit in winter in India!

4.NorthEastCircuit: Shillong - Mokokchung - Imphal - Kaziranga National Park 

Countless waterfalls, sprawling views, one of best national parks, pristine lakes, caves, peaks and acquaintance with Naga tribes. If this sounds like your idea of a winter vacation, the choice is pretty clear. Visit capitals and cultural hubs of the north east these winters and the habitat to two thirds of the world’s one horned rhinoceros. While the weather is rarely a bother in the North East, the winters tend to be one the most pleasant and enjoyable times to be here.

5.ChennaiCircuit: Chennai - Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Thanjevur - Madumalai - Yercaud

 While you’d probably pass Chennai for most parts of the summers and the monsoons that follow, winters leave this metropolitan a favorite if you want to travel south. One of the places to visit in winter in India, Chennai is the fourth largest city of India, and finds its itineraries dotted by temples, churches and beaches. Landmarks in Mahabalipuram include rock sculptures and caves and a crocodile farm while Thanjevur keeps you busy with its temples and handicrafts and Madumalai with a national park that boasts of exotic species of flora and fauna.

6.UttarakhandCircuit: Nainital - Mussoorie - Auli - Corbett National Park

 If you want to keep this winter for the likes of a Jungle Safari, elephant rides and tiger spotting tigers at the oldest national park of the country lakes, boating,  river rafting and sceneries, Uttarakhand is almost obvious. While summer won’t be a bother either, the weather only get more enjoyable towards winters and one can can also enjoy snowfall in places like Nainital, Auli and Mussoorie.

7.RajasthanWildlifeCircuit: Alwar - Ranthambore - Bharatpur

Dotted by one of the best tiger reserves and bird sanctuaries of the country, put this trail on your list for some of the richest and most enjoyable wildlife experience. With birds migrating all the way from Siberia for the colder months, Bharatpur is one of the places to visit in winter in India for an amazing bird watching experience. Your jungle safaris and tiger spotting expeditions through Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserve will only be more convenient by winters. While reserves and national parks tend to be the generic highlight here, don’t miss the forts and temples at Alwar.

8. Delhi Circuit: Delhi - Mathura - Agra

 As summers that kept the mercury from falling below 40 in Delhi leave the capital, its calenders are turned to its favorite months. There is no better time than winters to visit the capital of India, indulge in its heritage walks, street food and shopping experiences. About Agra, while this one gets the limelight pretty much all year round, the temperatures aren’t as friendly in summers. Hence if you have the choice, add Delhi to your list of places to visit in winter in India, for a much cooler and pleasant weather.

9.GujaratCircuit: Ahmedabad - Kutch - Gir

 You might not find too many reasons to be here in summers, but its winters have one too many things on its itineraries to tempt you. Winters in Kutch are planned around its much celebrated and grand Rann Utsav, which is one of the most unique experiences of the state. Gir, the only remaining home to the Asiatic lion, is also avoided in summers and welcoming and pleasant during winters, while Ahmedabad, under the cover of an industrial and commercial hub, tend to surprise one with its heritage and architectural marvels with the Sabarmati ashram, forts, temples, mosques lake and a swaying minaret. These best places to visit in winter in Gujarat are surely going to make your winters different and memorable.

10.DharamsalaCircuit: Dharamsala - Mcleodganj

Marked by a strong Tibetan influence, Buddhism and spirituality, these sister hill stations are though pleasant throughout the year, they tend to be all the more charming in winters. While monasteries are the obvious highlights here, the area is also loved for it falls, hills, lakes and trekking trails.

11. Kerala Circuit: Munnar - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Alleppey - Thekkady

Its hot and humid summers, leave Kerala, quite a favorite for the winters. Famous for its backwaters, beaches, sparkling lush greenery, temples, Ayurveda spas, a hill station and the largest tiger reserve in the country all wrapped in one of the richest and most colorful instances of culture and arts, this one is definitely one of the most sought after and popular winter destinations in India. 

12. Jammu Circuit: Amritsar - Jammu - Vaishno Devi

If this winters you you want to be on a religious and spiritual trail and make the most of the cooler temperature and pleasant winds, take a trail through the Golden temple, to the the city of temple and all the way to some sacred caves high up at Vaishno Devi. While here, don’t miss the Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations at the Golden temple, which falls in the month of November.