As the New year has begun, people are making new resolutions in their busy schedules. The best way to accomplish one is to travel. Here are the best destinations this winter season that you can add to your bucket list for January.

  1. Auli (Uttrakhand)
  2. Zankar (Jammu and Kashmir)
  3. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
  4. Kutch (Gujarat)
  5. Mawsynram (Shillong)
  6. Auli (Uttrakhand)

Auli is known for its skiing activities in India. It’s a hill station which is situated in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. You can explore different treks in the hills of Garhwal Himalayas and appreciate the fascinating perspectives on the snow-decked mountains. Auli likewise offers the plain sight of Nanda Devi range and other sensitive nature design that incorporates regular streams and verdant greenery. As you are visiting in January attend the national skiing championship.

Best place to visit in Auli: Auli ropeway, Kwani Bugyal, Trishul peak, Rudraprayag, Joshimath, and Chenab lake

Activities in Auli: Skiing, trekking, riding a cable, catch the 180-degree view of the Nanda Devi range.

How to reach Auli

By air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport

By Rail: The nearby railway station is Rishikesh

By road: State transport buses from Haridwar and Rishikesh are available

Places To Stay: 

Ideal stay in Auli: 2-3 days

Zanskar (Jammu and Kashmir)

Zanskar is also known as Janskar or Jangskar. Plan your travel well in advance to avoid the hassle of arranging basic things at the last minute. This valley is a semi-desert with a known affinity for Buddhist beliefs. During this period, a snowy white sheet covers the entire valley and the Himalayan range, making it one of the best times to visit. The thrill of walking in the snow is onerous. 

If you want to explore Zanskar in January, you will have to reach the valley, and that will be via walking over the Chadar trek because roads are closed during this period. 

Best place to visit in Zanskar: Suru Valley, Patnitop, Shafat Glacier, Phuktal monastery, Sani Monastery, Drang Drung glacier, stod river, Panikhar, and Zongkhul

Activities in Zanskar: Paragliding, Trekking, rock climbing, river rafting.

By Air:  Kushok Bakula airport (Leh) get a car or coach service to Zanskar Valley.

By Train: Tawi railway station (Jammu) hire a cab that will take you to Leh following Zanskar Valley. 

By Road: Visit Leh from Srinagar and then hire a vehicle from Leh via Kargil to Zanskar valley. It takes 12-13 hours to travel via the national highway (NH 1 / NH 301 ) to cover 461 km. 

Ideal stay in Zanskar: 2-3 days

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)

Varanasi is an Asian nation of your imagination. Varanasi can be one of the world’s oldest frequently thickly settled cities and one of all the holiest in Hinduism. Pilgrims come back to the river here to scrub away sins within the sacred waters, to burn down their favorite ones, or just to die here, hoping for liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Best place to visit in VaranasiShri Kashi Vishwanath temple, Jantar Mantar, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Weaver’s village, Manikarnika ghat, Tulsi Manas temple, Ramnagar fort

Activities in Varanasi: Ganga Arti, Pilgrimage visits, Arti of Ganga River, boating, roam around the ghats, Sarnath tour.

How to reach Varanasi

By air: Varanasi airport is well-linked to some major cities in India like Delhi and Mumbai.

By train: From Varanasi Junction Railway Station, a coach service is connected to Varanasi.

Places To Stay: 

Ideal Stay in Varanasi: 2-3 days

Kutch (Gujarat)

Kutch is likewise among the most prominent region of India with a low populace thickness. Additionally, Kutch lies on the India-Pakistan outskirt, and you can see portions of Pakistan from Kutch. The spot becomes animated during the winters when the Rann Festival is held during December-February. There are tremendous camp settlements with social projects, capacities, and experience exercises like hot-air expanding. 

Kutch is likewise famous for artworks and weaving works, Flamingo Sanctuary and Wild Ass Sanctuary. Bhuj is an ideal beginning stage to visit the Rann of Kutch. Kutch is presumably one of India’s most lovely yet strange spots with the white salt desert’s immense breadths. 

The best destinations in Kutch are Narayan Sarovar, Rann of Kutch, Dholavira, Mandvi Beach, Darbargadh, Kachchh Museum, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Aaina Mahal, Narayan Sarovar.

Activities to do in Kutch: Attend international kite festival, Visit Rann Utsav, Shopping in Kutch; you can visit villages like Bhujodi, Dhamkada, Nirona, and Bhachau for exhibitions that offer handicrafts.

How to reach Kutch

By air: Bhuj Airport 

By train: Kutch Railway Station 

By road: Coach Services

Places To Stay: 

Ideal Stay in Kutch: 2-3 days

Mawsynram (Shillong)

The ‘Maw’ in Mawsynram is a Khasi word signifying ‘stone.’ It represents the impressive stone monuments uncovered in the Khasi Hills territory. The town is notable for its immense arrangement of a stalagmite, which takes after the state of a ‘Shivling.’ Recognized as the wettest spot on the planet, the hypnotizing town of Mawsynram, found 61 kms south of Shillong is a nature darling’s enjoyment and the ideal objective for an end of the week trip.

Situated in the East Khasi Hill locale of Meghalaya, Mawsynram is 1400 m above ocean level. The downpours are so incredible in Mawsynram that the nearby residents need to utilize thick grass to sound-verification their homes from the loud rainfall.

Places to visit in Mawsynram: Mawjymbuin Caves, Krem Dam, Lum Symper

Things to do in Mawsynram: Sightseeing

How to reach Mawsynram

By air: Shillong Airport 

By train: Guwahati Railway Station (151 km) 

By road: From Major cities, you can hire a cab or coach service.

Places To Stay: 

Ideal Duration: 1 day