Winters in India - Climate, Places to Visit, Best Time to Visit, Things to Do and more

Winters in India are an enchanting season with a myriad of snow-capped mountain peaks, cool and sunny plains, scenic beaches, warm deserts and lively festivals. On an average, winters in India begin from mid-November and go on till late January, but with stark local variations. As temperatures range between 15-20 degree celsius in most parts of the country, India turns into a hotspot for tourism and sightseeing with an epic array of seasonal activities to indulge in.

While some regions of India are laden with glistening snow, others are a pleasant mix of mild sunshine and chilly breeze. Due to widely varying topography, the Indian peninsula boasts of different charms of winters in different places. The ubiquitous comfortable weather and natural splendour makes the subcontinent an ideal destination to explore during winters.

Winter Season in India

Winter in India typically spans from November to February, bringing cooler temperatures and pleasant weather across the country. Northern regions experience chilly temperatures, with snowfall occurring in mountainous areas like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. In contrast, southern and coastal areas enjoy milder temperatures, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities and cultural exploration. Winter festivals, warm traditional foods, and clear skies contribute to the charm of this season, attracting both domestic and international travelers seeking diverse experiences in India.

Here are the best places to visit in November, December, January and February in India.

1. Winters in North India - Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Kashmir

• Time of the year – October to March
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Gulmarg and Sonamarg, Kashmir
2. Auli, Uttarakhand
3. Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
4. Roopkund Glacial Lake, Uttarakhand

North Indian plains experience pleasant winters with mild sunshine while mountainous regions and glaciers of Uttarakhand are blanketed with glistening snow. During winters in India, Gulmarg valley flaunts snow-capped Himalayan peaks, frosty pine forests and trekking trails. Dharamshala is every trekker and camper’s dream destination with a pious Indo-Tibetan presence at its places of worship. A short drive away from Delhi, Mussoorie has charming colonial architecture and plenty of cozy resorts to enjoy snowfall during winters in India.

2. Mild Western Winters at Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra

• Time of the year – December and January
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
2. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 
3. Mount Abu, Rajasthan
4. Calangute, Goa

Luffed by rich culture, robust historical eminence and regal forts all over, winters in India bring comfortable weather to the sunny western states. Mahabaleshwar, the land of strawberries, has waterfalls plunging from tropical forests with numerous campsites and hiking trails meandering across sunrise points. Beaches of Goa host the biggest music festivals during winters in India while the golden forts and desert mountains of Rajasthan are best trekked and explored when basked in the pleasant sun.

3. South India’s Winters - Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry

• Time of the year – Late November to January
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Wayanad, Kerala
2. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 
3. Backwaters, Kerala
4. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

With the country’s largest coffee plantations, hill stations and beaches, South India has magical destinations during winters in India. Since the peninsula is surrounded by seas on three sides, south Indian winters are mild. The Western Ghats present lively coastal festivities, trekkable peaks and Kerala’s Backwaters to enjoy boating along coconut vines. The chilly weather makes your safari at Tamil Nadu’s Periyar National Park a rewarding experience as wildlife too are out in the open to enjoy the pleasant winters in India.

4. Winters in East India - West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Sikkim

• Time of the year – November to mid-February
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Shillong, Meghalaya
2. Darjeeling, West Bengal 
3. Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim
4. Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh

Winters in east India mostly depend on altitude and temperatures range from pleasingly sunny to sub-zero. Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh receive lots of precipitation accompanied by icy mountain landscapes and lakeside camping abodes. These states also have India’s prime tea estates and tasting gardens. Darjeeling celebrates Christmas and New Year where you can hop onto a horse and ride along the majestic hill station. Cherrapunji and its adventurous root bridges receive mild rain even during winters in India, making the Brahmaputra River and valley an ideal boating destination.

Winter Festivals in India

 Goa welcomes winters with an inflow of the coolest crowds who celebrate Goa Carnival and India’s biggest fest, the Sunburn Arena Music Festival in November with international artists. On a more cultural side, Rann Utsav in Gujarat is the time for camel safaris, living in tents and traditional dances, dramas and music. Ziro Music Festival at Arunachal Pradesh’s verdantly green Ziro valley, is hosted by elite local tribes who bring talented independent artists of India to perform live and spread cultural vibes. If sports are your niche, participate in the National Championship Skiing festival at Auli in Uttarakhand for competition worth a lifetime’s memories.

Best Winter Destinations in India

India boasts of spectacular locations for those who wish to enjoy snow as well as for those seeking an escape from it. Take a look at the following list of handpicked vacation spots during winter in India: -

• Jaisalmer - Located in Rajasthan, Jaisalmer houses a large section of India’s western desert. Winter is an excellent time to explore the Sam Sand Dunes and National Desert Park while enjoying a camel ride. Jaisalmer has majestic, golden forts showcasing the Rajput heritage of the state. Gadisar Lake is a man-made reservoir, popular for its sweeping city views and boat rides.

• Manali - This hill station in Himachal Pradesh is a great winter spectacle with lofty Himalayan peaks and gurgling snowbound valleys. Manali offers locations for thrilling activities like hiking, skiing, paragliding and zorbing. Parvati Valley here has beautiful hamlets like Kullu, Kasol and Rohtang, most of which have hot springs for you to enjoy sulphur baths during winter in India.

• Kerala - At the very first sight, Kerala has it all - lush hill stations with challenging hike trails, coffee plantations, the world-famous Backwaters, lively beaches with surfing facilities, historical temples with architectural marvels and hubs of Ayurveda, art and culture. Wayanad and Munnar are two such beautiful winter abodes, best explored in the misty aura of winters.

• Sonamarg - Renowned for its verdant subalpine vegetation, ice-glazed lakes and Thajiwas Glacier, Sonamarg in Kashmir is canvassed in snow from November to late April. A cable car ride along the valley provides elusive views of nearby villages at the Himalayan foothills. Skiing, trekking, snowboarding and riding sledges are popular winter adventures in Sonamarg.

• Zanskar Valley - Housing the coveted “Chadar Trek”, Zanskar Valley in Ladakh in a winter wonderland for adventure enthusiasts. You can enjoy trekking over frozen glaciers and Himalayan peaks to reach the unforgettable final destination, River Zanskar. In December, it stops flowing and tourists walk over it for miles. There is a Buddhist monastery offering light refreshments, also popular for snow leopard sightings.

Adventure Activities During Winters in India

 1. Camping: For those who wish to enjoy winters under blankets while admiring scenic landscapes around, winters in India offer glamorous camping locations throughout the country. You can huddle up against a bonfire next to your luxury tent, relish barbecued delights and enjoy live entertainment.

2. Skiing: Nothing offers a better adrenaline rush than gliding through sparkling icy valleys on your rolling skates. Skiing is one of India’s most popular winter activities, gathering pros from around the world at Auli, Gulmarg, Manali and Sikkim. Trained instructors and equipment are available at every ski destination. 

3. Ice climbing: If steep slopes and glazed rocks evoke the wild side within you, spend your winters in India and experience climbing icy northern peaks in Uttarakhand and Kashmir at sub-zero temperatures. You can bring as many people in a group as you wish and hoist your flags high atop the mighty Himalayas.

4. Trekking: Trekking and mountaineering expeditions are favorite activities among tourists at Kanchenjunga, Zanskar, Nanda Devi and Sikkim. There are plenty of resorts during winters in India that arrange group treks. You can easily find affordable seasonal deals and lavish hotels for winter staycations on holidify.com.

Whether you enjoy sweet sunshine or frosted white snow up to the horizon, India has wonderful winter destinations for everyone. If you are planning to spend your next winter in India and have any queries, let us know in the comments below.