Feel the Chill! Experience the Best of Indian Winters

Miserable and sweaty on hot sunny days and bright and cheerful like a mountain flower during the cold spell—if that sounds like you, you must indulge in these 8 once-in-a-lifetime wintry experiences. Truly the best that Indian winters can offer to your cold-loving wander lusting soul!

1. Trek to the Roopkund Skeleton Lake

How about experiencing a truly unique white winter, with a touch of the supernatural? Roopkund is a small lake above the snowline of the greater Himalayas, situated right in the middle of a large bugyal (meadow). The two surrounding peaks, Trishul and Nanda Gunti, further add to the experience. The Roopkund Lake’s claim to fame are the human skeletal remains, found by the edge of the lake, lending a mystical aura to this wintry paradise. Researchers are of varied opinions when it comes to the origin of these skeletons. While some say the remains belong to Iranian travellers who were lost in the snow, some scientists believe the DNA footprints belong to the Chitpavan Brahmins of Maharashtra. These mysterious remains continue to fascinate travellers across India to embark on this fairly challenging trek.

Good to know: Make sure you’ve packed enough woollens before the trek. Dress in layers to beat the cold. However, ensure that you pack light, because lugging heavy bags on a trek isn’t going to be fun. Other items you will need are a backpack with good back support and comfortable trekking shoes that have been well used, to save you shoe bites.

Altitude: 5,029 metres (16,499 feet)

Number of Days: 6-7, depending on your fitness levels

Base village: Lohajung

How to Reach: Lohajung > Didina > Ali Bugyal > Bedini Bugyal > Bhagwabhasa > Roopkund > Pattar Nauchani > Wan > Lohajung

2. Birdwatching at the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park (earlier known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), is home to several species of birds, and hosts many migratory birds during the winter months. Exotic bird species like the Siberian crane, migratory waterfowl, and several kinds of ducks, herons and storks from the colder nations fly to Bharatpur because of warmer climes.

How to Reach: Bharatpur is located on the Delhi-Agra (Yamuna Expressway) highway and is accessible by a short train journey from Delhi.

Costs:

Entry Fees: Indian/foreigner ₹50/400*
Video Camera: ₹200*
Guide charges: ₹150*

Rentals:

Bicycle/Geared-bike: ₹25/50*
Binoculars: ₹100*

Timings:

Apr-Sep: 6am-6pm
Oct-Mar: 6.30am-5pm*

Book Your Flight to Jaipur

3. Experience the Khajuraho Dance Festival

The town of Khajuraho has a distinct character, courtesy its intricately crafted temples and the famous annual dance festival. Khajuraho hosts a weeklong festival celebrating the various traditional dance forms of India, against the backdrop of the majestically lit temples. Classical Indian dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Odissi and Manipuri are performed by popular artists and these performances draw tourists from all over the world. 

Dates for 2017: February 20^th – 26^th, 2017

Number of Days: Spend 2-3 days at the festival, exploring the medieval town of Khajuraho during the days, and attending the dance festival in the evenings.

Book Your Flight to Khajuraho

Read more: Khajuraho: Poetry Etched in Stone

4. Walk around Mawlynnong in Meghalaya, the cleanest village of Asia

The mini-streets of Mawlynnong look like they are straight out of a painting! Bamboo baskets are placed outside each hut to collect scrap and waste, and the local community encourages sustainable living. The villagers have also constructed an 85 metres tall bamboo tower called the Sky View, from where you can take in panoramic views of the village, and Bangladesh on the other side!

The village of Mawlynnong is about 100 kilometres from Shillong. You’ll spot several small and big living root bridges, which are structures of aerial roots of banyan fig trees braided by locals, and pretty gurgling waterfalls surrounding the village.

Number of Days: 1 day. Combine Shillong and Cherrapunjee to your itinerary to make a vacation out of this!

Book Your Flight to Shillong (nearest airport)

Read more: 10 Awesome Places to See in and around Shillong

5. Ski down the snowy slopes at Auli, Uttarakhand

The Himalayas are a wonderful option for skiing enthusiasts. Home to many experienced ski operators, Auli is a great place for beginners and exploratory long-distance skiers alike. The Garhwal Himalayas are often compared to the Alps in terms of the gradient, and the drop that a skier experiences make for an unforgettable experience.

Charges: Approx. Rs. 3500 per head*

Number of Days: 2-3 days

Best Time: If skiing is on your mind, the ideal time to visit Auli is January.

Book Your Flight to Dehradun (nearest airport)

6. Head to Shantiniketan for the colourful Poush Mela

The Poush Mela of Shantiniketan is essentially a tradition started by the Tagore family that grew on the local community, and is now attended by thousands of people from across the globe. The festival celebrates the acceptance of the Bramho Samaj by Debendranath Tagore and his family during the Bengali month of Poush. Come here for a variety of food stalls, a giant Ferris wheels, fun games and performances by local musicians. The tribal dances and fireworks add to the festivities and make the Poush Mela a delight to visit!

7. Enjoy paragliding in Bir-Billing, Himachal

Bir and Billing are two tiny towns in the Kangra Region, face to face with the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. The pristine beauty of the Kangra Valley during the winters makes Bir-Billing perfect for paragliding. The paragliding experience in Bir-Billing is among the best in the world, owing to which the Paragliding World Cup 2015 was hosted here.  Billing is where you have to drive up to for take-off, and Bir is where you land. Add Mcleodganj to your trip, for an authentic Tibetan experience interspersed with great food and monasteries.

Number of Days: 1-2 Days

Cost of paragliding in Bir-Billing: Rs 2500 per trip*

Book Your Flight to Dharamshala (nearest airport)