Winter in India is the best season to explore this lovely country. It is also the time when kids have holidays during Christmas. We were going through some travel magazines this month which did list some places one should go in the winter. We started thinking whether we can list some off beat destinations/activities you can do this winter. Here is our list. Some done by us, some told by friends and some in our bucket list. Read, plan and explore this winter....
1 Beach treks in Karnataka
Winter and beaches are made for each other. If you don't want to just laze around and are game for a bit of adventure, you can try these lovely beach treks.
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| Half Moon beach |
Four beach treks in Karnataka you must do!
2 Caving in Andhra Pradesh
You can do this only in winter. Andhra Pradesh has some lovely cave formations. Explore Belum and Yaganti near Kurnool or Borra caves near Vishakhapatnam.
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| Yaganti Caves (Photo Courtesy - Lovell D'souza ) |
Travel tips - Make Kurnool/Nandyal as base to explore Belum and Yaganti. Vizag is the best place to make base for exploring Borra caves. Other attractions around Kurnool are temples in Alampur, canyons of Oravakallu etc.
You can also read the following post on our journeys in Rayalaseema in this post
3 Surfing in South India
Come and surf here in South India. The nascent sports has really picked up in last few years. You have options to go for surfing in Pondicherry or Mulki (near Mangalore) or Kodi Bengere (near Udupi). Of these, the location of Bengere is just a class apart. A Jutland between a river and sea with fabulous beach thrown in. Do you need anything more?
Travel Tip - You can read all details on surfing in this post in this blog
4 Scuba on West coast
If you can not go to Bali or Thailand or Andamans, don't worry. You have options closer home. Netrani Island near Murudeshwar and Goa are great places to go for snorkeling and Scuba diving. Of course, winters are the best season with great weather and clear waters. We did it in Netrani and it was mind blowing experience
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| Yours truly Under water in Netrani! |
Travel tip - You can check out details on Scuba diving in the link given above. Also you can also read our scuba diving experience in Netrani Island here in this blog
5 Explore history in Bundelkhand
Bundelkhand? Where is it? Did we hear this question?
Yes. many are not aware of the treasures of Bundelkhand. If we tell you that Khajuraho is in Bundelkhand region, you would be surprised. But there are many such gems in the regions - Deogarh, Gyraspur, Mahoba, Chhattarpur, Orchha........
Travel tip - Combine this with your trip to Khajuraho. Make Jhansi/Orchha as base and explore the places as day trips. Check out this post on our blog
6 Count tigers in Simlipal in Odisha
We know you have been to Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh or Bandipur chasing tigers. Simlipal? An unspoilt wilderness with waterfalls, rivers and forests beckons you. Yes, there are 80 tigers too.
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| Barehipani Waterfall |
Travel tip - You can find all details about the park here
7 Five unexplored beaches
India has a coastline 7500 KMs of which means it also has hidden, unexplored beaches as well. We know you have vacationed in Goa or Kovalam or Pondy. Why not look at these unexplored beaches?
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| The beach at Baindoor |
Travel tip - Check out details on some of the unexplored beaches in this post on this blog
8 Drive in snow in Himachal Pradesh
If you love snow and don't mind winter cold, then here is an option to enjoy the white drive in Himachal Pradesh. It will be stunningly beautiful.
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| Mall Road, Shimla (Photo Courtesy - Shobit Sharma ) |
Travel tip - Reach Shimla/Kufri, then start your "White drive" onto Manali via Mandi. Drive safe as Winter fog will be very heavy all over the region. Be prepared for some sudden snowfall in those parts and keep a couple of days for dislocations.
9 Christmas in Aizawl
This is real fun. One week of festivities. Aizawl is a one of the loveliest hill station in the north east India and Mizos are very hospitable. Christmas is the best time to mingle with Mizos and live the spirit of yuletide.
Travel tip - Aizawl is well connected by air to major Indian cities. For more on exploring Aizawl, please check out this link below.
Exploring Aizawl
10 Camel safari in Barmer
Move over Jaisalmer. Welcome to Barmer. This is in the heart of Thar desert. The dunes are alluring. The best place to go for a camel Safari.
Travel Tip - Sanchal Fort is the only decent accommodation in Barmer. The hotel will organise the safari to sand dunes of Magabar. The website of the hotel is
Sanchal fort - A haveli in the desert!
Sanchal fort - A haveli in the desert!
11 River cruise on Chambal
You can not do this in summer when mercury reaches 48 degrees. The morning cruise on Chambal is soothing. If you can't get up in the morning then opt for afternoon safari with sunset cruise. The bird life is fantastic. You will get a chance to see endangered Gharials sunbathing on the banks of the river.
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| Sunset on Chambal river (Photo Courtesy - Paul Ian Holt )
Travel tip - The best option to explore Chambal is through Chambal Safaris. Check out more details here
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12 Sky watching in Kutch
If you have done sky watching in Ladakh, you would love this as well. Winter skies in Kutch are spectacular. Weather is chilly. Sit around the fire and look at the sky at night. Or get up early to see spectacular sunrise. Or ride a camel into beautiful sunset.
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| Morning colours of the sky at sunrise in Kutch |
Sham-e-sarhad Village resort, Hodka
13 Drive on Coast road in Maharashtra
The drive on Maharashtra State Highway 4 is just out of the world. The drive through Konkan coast takes you to breathtaking cliffs overlooking the sea, mighty sea side forts and of course unexplored beaches. Go for it!
Travel tip - This is a scenic drive which also involves ferry crossing. Take detours and explore the beaches on the route.
14 Check out winged visitors in Point Calimere
Kodikkarai or Point Calimere is at the nose of Coromandel coast in Tamil Nadu. Starting October, the sea front of Kodikkarai and its backwater lakes are filled with winged visitors from outside the country. They remain till end of January.
Travel Tip - Kodikkarai can be easily reached by road and the rail services. The accommodation options are in Vedaranyam which is 10 KMs from Kodikkarai. For more details check out this nice web site by the Forest Department
Point Calimere Wild life Sanctuary
Point Calimere Wild life Sanctuary
This was our list. Plan now and go and check out these places this winter. Have you made your own list for venturing out this winter? Why don't you share it with us?
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