Winter is on it's way, and there is no better time than NOW to book your vacation well in advance. While we have a plenty of choice to pick from, this blog is precisely inclined to the best winter vacation spots in India.

Yes, India has, is, and will always be one of the most alluring winter vacation spots for tourists, native and foreigners alike, and we are here to tell you why. Read on as we reveal 7 of the topmost winter vacation spots in India (arranged in alphabetical order).

Andaman Island

The tranquil ambience and exotic marine life of Andaman Islands can be enjoyed in the winter months at it's best.

The islands of Andaman and Nicobar are hilly in places fringed with coconut palm, covered with tropical jungle and interspersed with flat stretches of crescent shaped beaches offering paranomic views to the tourist.

Dharamshala & McLeodganj

Dharamsala is renowned as the seat of Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile is nestled in the Dauladhar range of Himalaya.

A little ahead of Dharamsala is McLeodganj which is at a bit higher altitude and is a different world altogether. The weather, ambience, the crowd and the culture makes these two places one of the most alluring and beautiful destinations to enjoy your winter vacations.

Goa

Goa is not only famous for its beaches, but also for its carnivals and old churches. It’s a perfect destinations for fun lovers. Goa has always been a popular haunt for international tourists much for the vibrant nightlife, cruises, and beaches.

As it is the time for Christmas and New Year and people of Goa celebrate both these occasion With great gusto and this tourist destination is best to visit in winters.

Kashmir

Kashmir is known as one the most beautiful places in India where time stands still. Water, in all or any forms, is one of Kashmir's charms like rivers, lakes, springs, make music all over the valley.

The alluring and majestic sweeps of forested mountains are tempered with miles of flowering meadows. It has many breathtaking and attracting places that is beyond imagination.

Kerala

The mesmerizing waterfalls, the enchanting backwaters of Kerala, the serene atmosphere and the hill stations makes the Kerala one of the most preferred tourist destinations, especially in the beautiful and chilly winter season.

Kerala is an ideal place to enjoy your winter vacations as it experiences moderate climate throughout the year.

Rajasthan

The best times to visit this Land of Maharajas is during the winter months. Rajasthan is land of desert, forts, palaces and colorful attire.

The state experiences cold climatic conditions during the winter months. Coupled with traditional folk dances and the famed Rajasthan hospitality, there is something magical about visiting the different forts and palaces of Rajasthan.

Shimla

There is nothing better than spending a romantic vacation with your loved one someone in the midst of snow.

The mall road here is packed with beautiful and lovely couples as the snow covered peaks and good accessibility makes it one of the hottest destinations for honeymooners in the winter season.

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While India enjoys the reputation of being one of the most happening destinations during September through March, when the weather is cool and opportunities are plentiful, there are a few brave ones who tend to gather the guts of traveling to this country during the monsoons- not the best time to travel to India, whatsoever. And this blog is intended precisely for that daring few to update them with tips on how to survive through the harsh yet magical Indian monsoon. Here we go.

But before we proceed with the tips, there are a few things a prospective foreign traveler to India should know. In spite of the fact that Indian monsoons are a pleasure to contemplate, it comes with a price.

We certainly do remember the delicious hot pakoras and the masala chai from a street tea-stall with the rain battering on the roof above you head, but as you go through a reality-check, the ugly side of the Indian monsoon hits you hard on your groin in the form of flood and epidemic— Landslides, water logging, flood, mosquitoes & flies are just to name a few.

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So, here is what you need to do if you are a foreigner and happen to be in India to enjoy its exquisite monsoon.

1. Be very careful of what you drink and where you drink

Most tropical disease like cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid is water borne. So, what you can do here is to avoid drinking water from a source that you are not sure about. It is better to carry your own bottled water or better still, boiled water just to be sure. In the absence of both, carry water purifying tablets and dissolve them in water before drinking them. They may not taste good but will save you from falling sick. Another thing to remember is not to add ice to your drink unless it is from a trusted source. You should check if the ice has been made from filtered water. If not, avoid it.

2. Say no to cut fruits

In most of the tourist cities in India like Banaras, and Jaipur, you will find that vendors setting up their stall of cut fruits by the roadsides. While you may be tempted to taste them, it is a good idea to resist the temptation as the water used to keep the fruits fresh may not be free from contamination. You can always buy uncut fruits, wash them and eat them after cutting, but anything that has been already cut and raw should be avoided.

3. Book your tickets well in advance

A lot of tourists who come to India want to take things in stride and arrive without tickets booked for further journeys within India. While you should generally avoid this, it becomes more important during monsoons as a lot of trains at times are running late due to heavy rains, and you may not get last minute bookings because of the rush. Also, never buy tickets from unauthorized agents or touts as there is no guarantee those tickets will be genuine.

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4. Trekking in the Himalayas

Most of the Himalayas during monsoons get heavy rainfall, and there are higher chances of landslides during this season as compared to other times of the year. Consequently, hundreds of tourists get stuck in the landslide prone areas (like Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal) during the monsoons. But if you still want to go for trekking in Himalayas, you should go to Leh in Laddakh. Leh is in the close proximity of the Nubra Valley which falls under the rain shadow area and gets very little rainfall during this period.

5. Best Places to Visit in Monsoon

So, you still want to experience Indian monsoons? Well, if such is the case then there is no better place than Kerala, Goa or Mumbai (needless to mention, North East India) that has an abundance of monsoon magic for you. All these places are well connected to the rest of the world by air. Goa and Kerala and the North East will give you the magic of monsoon in its natural form while Mumbai will show you how a modern metropolis faces the onslaught of monsoon while the life goes on.

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Monsoon is when the toad within you strives to get out, and the best happens when you have been bitten by the travel bug and you can wait no longer to pack your bags and set off for a romantic trip with your ladylove. Trust me when I say, there is nothing more passionate than a monsoon holiday (or honeymoon) — you would never get luckier, if you know what I mean!

Now, the question is, where on earth to go to during the monsoons? Well, if you can afford breaking the bank, the choices are limitless. But if you happen to be from India and you have a stipulated budget, then the following list of top 10 monsoon destinations in India will prove an impressive lot. As they say, we have saved this list for the “rainy” day!

Gangtok – Sikkim

Sikkim, the only brother of seven sister states of India is situated in the Great Himalaya Mountain. The second smallest state of India is least populous state and home to the Kangchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak.

Gangtok the capital and the hill city of Sikkim is the main tourist destination for its Enchey Monastery, Tsomgo Lake, Ridge and Nathula Pass. Gangtok enjoys a gentle, mild climate and receiving heavy rainfalls along with strong winds during the June to August months.

Darjeeling – West Bengal

The perfect monsoon getaway of India is the well known for tea industry along with a popular tourist destination. Darjeeling also known as The Queen of Hills is situated at the foothills of the great Himalayas. Due to surrounded hills, Darjeeling receive heavy to very heavy showers during the monsoon.

Darjeeling-Rangeet Valley Passenger Cable Car is one of the major attraction, other main attractions are Darjeeling monastery, adventure sports like river rafting and mountain treks.

Shillong – Meghalaya

Shillong, The capital city of north east sister states of Meghalaya. Shillong receive heaviest rainfall during the monsoon season and rain usually lasts longer than rest of India. Cherrapunji and Mawsynram located at 16km to each other are the two wettest places on Earth with an annual rainfall of 11872 millimeters.

Shillong is surrounded by picturesque valleys of Khasi and Jayanti hills, adorned by numerous waterfalls and offer a panoramic view of green natural scenery.

Kodaikanal- Tamil Nadu

The popular hill station is situated among the Palani Hills of Western Ghats. Kodaikanal means The Gift of the Forest; it is also referred to as the “Princess of Hill stations” due to its charming beauty. The finest hill station is full of mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and beautiful lake.

During the rainy season Kodaikanal becomes more beautiful; its’ gorgeous natural scenery and the cascade falls make it one of the best hill station to visit.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a large group of nearly 570 islands located at southern part of the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of the best monsoon and Eco-friendly tourist’s destination in India.

Its’ beautiful silver sandy virgin beaches, submarine mountains, breathtaking natural beauty and thrilling adventures water sports attracts tourists from all corners of India as well as world.

Munnar – Kerala

Munnar, the most popular hill station of Kerala and one of the best honeymoon destinations in India. The great mountains, deep valleys, dense forest and variety of wildlife makes Munnar one of the hot spot in the monsoon. Kerala, The land of attractions becomes more and more beautiful during the monsoon season.

Its spectacular green scenery, backwaters, houseboats and monsoon therapy make it a major tourist destination in India.

Coorg – Karnataka

Coorg or Kodagu is one of the favorite travel destinations in Karnataka, especially during the monsoon. The amazing and pleasant hill station in Karnataka covers 4100 square kilometers of land in the Western Ghats. Coorg, the honeymoon destination offers a fascinating view of beautiful hills, waterfalls, coffee plants and well famous for its cuisines, traditions and hospitality.

The astonishing Jog falls, the second highest plunge water fall located near Shimoga District is a major tourist attraction in Karnataka.

Goa – Goa

Visiting Goa in Monsoons is the unique experience to share with the sand and enjoy the rain. The chilling summer destination of India becomes more beautiful during the rainy season. Dudhsagar Falls– Sea of Milk is one of the most exquisite falls in the world located in the border of Goa and Karnataka.

In rainy season Goa offer’s picturesque scenery, fantastic waterfalls, hills covered with green layers and wildlife sanctuaries. Ready to get wet and enjoy the nature along with delicious cuisines of Goa would be good experience to have.

Lonavala – Maharashtra

During the monsoon while Maharashtra becomes the hot spot for nature lover, Its Sahyadri Mountains ranges awake from a sleep to sing and dance with the rain. The mountain ranges of Sahyadri offers some of the best waterfalls of the country along awesome climate and beautiful natural scenery to capture.

Lonavla is well known for its greenery during the monsoon with astonishing waterfalls and ponds.

Ranikhet – Uttarakhand

Ranikhet, one of the amazing hill station in Uttarakhand formerly Uttaranchal, situated in the northern part of India. Ranikhet the picturesque location is surrounded by hills, blessed with a pleasant climate, lush green forests and famous for majestic views of great Himalayan Ranges.

The mountains of Garhwal offer breathtaking views of deep valleys, snow-capped mountains, dense forest and high-altitude lakes. The rolling hills of Garhwal Himalaya is paradise for nature lovers.

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We all have grown up listening haunted tales, but what if the character of those spooky stories comes alive in front of you, you must scare like hell. Well, don’t worry, no one is here to scare you, we are here just to tell you about the India’s ten most haunted places.

Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan

World famed for its notorious past, Bhangarh Fort is known for its shocking paranormal activities, and nobody after sunset is allowed to enter this fort. There is an interest tale associated with this beautiful yet spooky fort.

According to the locals, there was a tantric named Singhiya who was smitten by the beauty of Princess of Bhangarh, Ratanvati. Although, he knew that his dream of getting Ratanvati was just a dream and has no connection with reality but one day when he saw the princess’s maid buying oil in the market, he thought of tricking the princess by casting a spell on the oil so that upon touching it, the princess would surrender herself to him.

However, all his plan dashed to ground when princess seen him enchanting the oil and poured it on the ground. As the oil touches the ground it turned into boulder, which crushed Singhiya. But before he died, he cursed the fort, saying that all who dwelt in the fort shall die.

Dumas Beach, Gujarat

There are many tales of horror associated with this beautiful beach and many people after sunset claim to experience some paranormal activities.

They heard weird noises or whispers as they stroll along the beach. Many locals also complain that that their dogs have tried to stop them from continue further. It is said that many tourist and locals who have walked along this stretch of black sand at night have disappeared and none of them have been found.

Dumas beach is a cremation ground for the Hindus and it is said that souls who didn’t seek moksha after death linger on the beach.

Lambi Dehar Mines, Uttarakhand

These shut down mines can give you spine chilling experience. According to the locals these mines are haunted by a witch who makes scary noises at night. According to legend, this mine was home to more than 50, 000 worker and they all died coughing blood.

This mining place is said to be most haunted at night as strange sounds and screams fills the area. It is said that witch walks down the hill at night. These mines are closed now and this area is almost deserted.

Tunnel No. 33, Shimla

Have you ever heard of friendly ghosts, No then we have something interesting to tell you. Tunnel number 33, Shimla is a place where many people claim to meet the friendly ghost of Colonel Barog who loiters around the tunnel during the night. 

According to localities, this ghost of Colonel Barog, a railway engineer by profession during the British Raj is totally harmless and has friendly chats with people who take the tunnel.

Agrasen Ki Baoli, Delhi

Agrasen ki Baoli is quite famous in Delhi as a haunted place. This architectural marvel despite of free entry witnesses very few visitors. It is said that black water of the well has something that entice people and lure them to jump into the water.

According to locals, evil spirits reside here and every time any one jumps into it, its water level raises. It is situated on Hailey road in Connaught place, Delhi.

Savoy Hotel, Mussoorie

Built by Cecil D. Lincoln, Savoy hotel has legendary past and was once among the most famous hotel of India. However, today it is counted among the spookiest hotels in India. In 1911, a Miss Frances Garnett-Orme, a 49-year-old spiritualist, came to stay with her companion from Lucknow, Miss Eva Mountstephen, also a spiritualist who specialised in crystal-gazing.

One morning when Miss Mountstephen returned to Lucknow, Miss Frances was found mysteriously poisoned with prussic acid in her room. The murder mystery was never solved, however Miss Mounstephen was later arrested for allegedly tampering with her friend’s bottle of sodium bicarbonate by adding prussic acid to it, though the court found her not guilty.

Mentioned in many books, it is said that still the ghost of Lady Garnet roams around the heritage Savoy hotel in Mussoorie in the search of the person who killed her. The case later inspired two works, Agatha Christie's first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920) and also writer Ruskin Bond's In A Crystal Ball — A Mussoorie Mystery.

Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad

Close your eyes and imagine you are sitting in a film studio where movie are being shot and suddenly lights goes off on its own and people start disappearing , definitely it will give you nightmare even in the full day light, but many people have gone through such horrible experience at Ramoji Film City.

Dow Hills, West Bengal

Located at the distance of 30 Kms from Darjeeling, Dow hills are counted among the most haunted places of India. Many stories of Murders and ghosts of Dow hills are quite popular in the region.

According to locals, ghosts are supposed to be residing in the Victoria Boys High School. Even from December to March, when school remains closed erratic sounds & whispers spread out from the school. 

These tales of murders and ghosts make it the horrifying forest and therefore people never dare to hang around in the area of the Dow hills.

Raj Kiran Hotel, Lonavala

Lonavala is a quite famous picnic spot and many people plan night out there, but most of them avoid staying at Raj Kiran hotel. People have experienced strange knockings on their room door, bed sheets being pulled off and other paranormal activities.

South Park Street Cemetery, Kolkata

Counted among the most famous tourist’s spot of kolkatta, it is one of the oldest cemeteries constructed in 1767.

This place is spooky but spirits do not annoy any visitors. Once a group of friends visited this place and took a group picture. Suddenly, after posing for pictures entire group experienced paranormal activities.

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