With the October heat scorching through most of the country, we can’t help but close our eyes and picture ourselves in a little winter wonderland. While we’re stuck in the middle of blazing sunshine and soaring temperatures, you don’t have to be! Take a look at where you should take your next trip.

GET TO THE NORTH INDIA

1. Sonamarg

Forget all the trouble and speculation and take a trip to Kashmir, with its snow-capped mountains and verdant valleys. It makes the perfect winter destination, but do remember to carry your woolies, because it can get exceptionally cold! Often called the jewel of the Himalayas, the attraction is fuelled not just by the gorgeous weather but also the attractions. We suggest skipping Srinagar and Ladakh and heading to Sonamarg, which is also called the Meadow of Gold. There’s a beautiful glacier there that you can hike up to, making it perfect for a winter trip there. Just make sure you get a guide!

2. Dharamshala and Mcleodganj

You’ll have to trek up to the Himalayan range to get to this one, but it’s something you really shouldn’t miss out on – even if it wasn’t in our list of winter treats. Through the year, it has breathtaking scenery and the hiking trails make it a much healthier destination to visit than most others. You won’t be overloaded by tourists during the winter and since it’s often known of as the seat of the Dalai Lama, you’ll be able to soak up a little culture while you’re there.

3. Manali

Kullu and Manali are both great holiday destinations but for a truly memorable winter trip, Manali is the place to go. You can sightsee at one of the ancient temples, indulge in some adventure sports and take part in some of the snow sports. The best part about Manali is that it’s at a high altitude, making it one of the best places to experience snow. Book your trip before February to get the best of the weather.

SOUTH INDIA

4. Wayanad

You can’t visit the rest of the South if you haven’t made at least one trip to Kerala first. Take a trip on the backwaters, relax on a houseboat – whatever you’re doing, the point is that you’ll be doing it in one of the most serene, calm and incredibly beautiful locations. Wayanad is one of the best places to visit in Kerala, because there’s everything that epitomizes Kerala along with a lot of peace, quiet and some wildlife spotting thrown into the mix. It’s also great for those who think relaxing on the backwaters doesn’t count as a complete vacation, because there are several adventure sports, caves and peaks that you can head over to. And if you do need a little R&R, there’s always the waterfalls to relax under.

5. Lakshadweep

You would usually think of islands and beach destinations as summer holiday spots, but with the type of weather we’ve been having, you’ll forgive us for suggesting you would be better off visiting them during the winter. The archipelago is comfortably housed in the midst of the sea, so you can expect a fair share of sea breeze when you visit. The beaches are white and the water is a pristine blue, but that’s not the only reason we love this location. It’s rich with tropical marine life that you can spend your vacation exploring, along with coral reefs that make the weather very favourable.

6. Coorg

It’s no surprise that the hilly destination is perfect for a winter trip out of the city and you’ll even feel as though you’ve travelled back in time when you visit. It might be more commercialized than it used to be, but it’s still a beautiful destination to cool off in during your winter break, so start planning now!

NORTH EAST INDIA

7. Haflong

It may not be the best place to visit during the summer, but during winter, Haflong is one place that should be on your list. Visiting the tea gardens here is a great idea and the best part is that it will be a cool, relaxing holiday destination. We love it more because of the misty wintry mornings, so don’t sleep in till noon when you’re visiting here. When you’re there, skip the more popular places and visit the hill town of Haflong, which is extremely beautiful and very cool during the winter. The Haflong Lake is one of the major attractions in the town and it’s filled with streams, waterfalls and an abundance of lush greenery which will make for one of the most scenic holidays that you will ever have. You can also indulge in a few water sports when you visit.

Don’t forget to bring some of the delectable Assam tea home with you!

8. Shillong

If you’ve never been to Meghalaya, we recommend a visit, no matter what time of year it is. During winter in particular, it’s a beautiful place to visit, mostly because it’s home to numerous hills. But, don’t worry about getting bored when you’re on vacation, because it’s also home to several adventure sports, courtesy an artificial lake (which is actually a lot better than it sounds) ensconced in the hills. There’s also a floating restaurant that will make your experience more fun. The best part though is that the weather is perfect for a winter holiday.

9. Tawang

Roing might be a tourist favourite, but if you’re the sort of person who enjoys a hilly destination and wants to get a little peace of mind, Tawang is definitely the place to visit. Surrounded by beautiful lakes and dotted with an extremely old, very large monastery, it’ s a beautiful place to spend a winter weekend. Watch the snow on the Sela Pass, or head to Gorichen peak for a really adventurous winter break.

WEST INDIA

10. Rann of Kutch

Forget the major cities and visit this pristine white dessert on your next winter break. If you’re lucky enough to visit during full moon nights, you can experience some great cultural programs and take a moonlit safari to see the sights and sounds of the dessert after dark. It’s a particularly good destination to visit during winter because of all the flamingoes that arrive there during the season, along with numerous other birds and wildlife. It’s colourful, full of life and great as a winter getaway.

11. Jaisalmer

We couldn’t leave this off the list. It’s not only one of the most colourful places you can visit, it’s also a great tourist destination and fantastic during the winter. Think sand dunes, romantic getaway experiences and a city that’s perched high above the rest with forts that will transfix you and palaces that are so beautifully built, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to an age of utter luxury and uber royalty.

12. Goa

Sure, Goa is full of tourists through the year; very different from the sleepy town it once was and is usually a beach hotspot for a very young, very enigmatic crowd. But that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most fun destinations on this list! We suggest visiting Canacona Taluk, purely because it’s home to the beautiful Kuskem waterfalls. While it’s better to visit here during the monsoon, it’s also really great during the winter. The South Goan region is not dotted with tourist spots, but that makes it friendly, affordable and home to one of the most scenic beaches in the state. There’s a lot of animal and bird watching you can do here too.

Nicole

A poet with a penchant for prose and the itch to travel, Nicole Reed is an assistant editor and features writer for a daily newspaper, struggling to find a way out of the concrete mess by dreaming of one day living and breathing off words in an idyllic country setting somewhere. Having been editor of her college magazine, written for a number of publications including Shamiana’s short film newsletter and as a current student of Literature from the University of London, Nicole sees writing like travel - an adventure – a journey to find her place, to define and redefine who she is over and over again and to live and learn through the process.