5 Best Places to Visit in UTTARAKHAND during Winter (Preferably Dec-Jan)
WINTER IS COMING!
Charismatic snowfalls, breathe taking view of snow covered mountains, purity of Ganges river, magical & mysterious roads, picturesque view at every next stop, adorable locals and much more!!! This is about the divine land of lord Shiva – ‘UTTARAKHAND’. It is one of the Travel Diaries to be cherished once & forever.
Winters in Uttarakhand are just spellbinding. The snow blanket on the rooftops, streets, lanes, hills and vehicles is absolutely mesmerising to eyes. Especially when it comes to December, white Christmas is a dream & it can be easily fulfilled at a destination like Uttarakhand.
If snow is your mind this winter and love for it goes uncontrollable, then you must visit this raw, untouched & unconventional beauty of North India. Even if you do nothing and sit in the balcony of your room, you can spend hours gazing at the beautiful mountains covered with snow blankets. Or you can sit on the riverside of Ganges and feel the freshness in the air.
YOU CAN MAKE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES WITH SNOW & CELEBRATE THE WINTER SEASON IN UTTARAKHAND’s
- Dehradun
- Rishikesh
- Chopta – Tungnath & Chandrashila Trek
- KedarKantha
- Haridwar
1. DEHRADUN
Capital of Uttarakhand!
When we think about a family vacation, the first few imaginations thar erupts in our mind are greeneries, blue skies, villa with a view, market place to shop, beautiful weather & good food.
This city is all about it. Dehradun is the place where it all starts!
To go to any of the treks/destinations like Chopta, Kedarkantha, Kedarnath, Mussoorie, etc. You need to start your journey with this City. Dehradun is mainly known for its beautiful climate & the lovely landscapes. One of the most amazing facts about Dehradun is that it is one of the most important education hubs in India.
You must surely get a mini vacation to this Smart City!
2. RISHIKESH
Yoga Capital of the World!
A place full of relaxation, adventures, pilgrimage sites and what not. Rishikesh is known to be the gateway of Garhwal Himalayas and you can’t resist to stop or halt here while heading to the mountains.
If you have a good amount of time you can try adventure sports like river rafting, Bungee jumping, cliff jumping, flying fox, mountain biking, kayaking, etc.
Attractions that you can’t just miss out are –
- Ram Jhula & Laxman Jhula (Suspension Bridges over 750 ft above Ganges)
- Tera Manzil Trimbakeshwar Temple (Grand Temple just besides Laxman Jhula)
- Jaw-dropping Spectacle of Ganga Maha-Aarti at Triveni Ghat (By 6pm in the evening)
While Summers are hot & humid here and temperature goes to around 36 degree, winters are cold & sunny with the temperature as low as 6 degree.
Best months to visit can be anytime between November to March.
3. CHOPTA: TUNGNATH-CHANDRASHILA TREK
Tungnath Maharaj temple here is known to be world’s highest Shiva temple at an altitude of 12,083 ft. Chopta has got many magical surprises stored for you. Snow covered mountains and alluring greens flora has its own magic. To have the best stay experience in Chopta, you need to choose the Local Tent Camps. Chitchat around bonfires with your closed ones, hot served food, clear night sky with brightest star is all what you want to capture in your eyes & mind for memories.
Coming to the Tungnath-Chandrashila trek, It’s a journey worth putting efforts to reach the highest peak & feel the depth of the mountains overlapping one another. This trek can be easily done in a day without any risk factor that is why It is recommended to the beginners mainly. The trail/journey carries its own beauty. Every halt will show you a breath-taking view. A must visit place in Uttarakhand!
4. KEDARKANTHA TREK
One of the Best in the Country!
Sunrise at the Kedarkantha summit is one of the experiences you can’t miss out surely. Trek distance is 20km and one with no previous trekking experience can easily do it considering the ease and accessibility.
For snowfall experience, best time to visit here is from Nov – March. The trek starts from a small village called Sankri, it’s a hike through dense snow-covered forest of oak & Rhondendron. There is base camp at Hargaon – a village where you can take halt for a night. From there you reach Juda ka Talab – a frozen Lake and finally a beautiful snowy hike to the summit.
Apart from this, trekkers along with you can make it more fun by sharing the stories, experiences. Trek Packages ranges from Rs. 6000 to Rs. 8000 depending on the season. People from all around India come here to experience the snowfall & challenge themselves. Don’t you feel a strong urge to visit here?
5. HARIDWAR
Haridwar has been a major Hindu pilgrimage Site for centuries & known its propitious location near the Holy River Ganga.
One among the seven holiest cities of India, Haridwar has its own Charm. This place often bustles with devotees. Especially when KUMBH MELA is around the corner, this sacred city will be full of devotees coming from different parts of India. Adding more, people reach here to immerse the ashes and take a holy bath to wash away their Sins.
A must attend ritual here is the Maha Ganga aarti on the ghats!
A Beautiful Experience of Purity!
Well, Don’t you think this experience/feel is worth saying “Zindagi me ye nahi kiya toh kya kia?”
So what are you waiting for??
You & Your family surely deserves a mini snow vacation to Uttarakhand!! Go for it now!!
Compiled by: Vibhuti Hemant Naik
