It is best to be prepared when it comes to travel, and especially when you have too many options to pick from. Start 2017 by doing something that we all love to do, travelling! I have picked out some of the best places that you can visit in India in January, of which some are my personal favourites as well. Take a look! Happy travels!
Winters are the best time to be a witness to the jungle folk coming out of their dark corners and hanging out in the sun. Just like any other person, the jungle animals too love the sunny side of winters and wildlife enthusiasts have a field day photographing these animals who are least bothered about who does what. Head to India's oldest and most famous national park, the Jim Corbett National Park, one of the best places to visit in India in January. This was the first protected forest cover to be given the designation of a national park. Besides watching a heard of antlers and elephants crossing your path numerous times, you can visit the Jhula Devi temple in Ramnagar. Come and see for yourself, why Edward J. Corbett was so in love with the jungles!
How To Reach: Jim Corbett is easily accessible by both road and rail. You can hire a taxi, take a bus or drive yourself to Ramnagar. The nearest railway station is the Ramnagar railway station 60km away.
January is the perfect time to visit the summer capital of British India in peak winter. 'Simla', popularly known as Shimla has changed drastically over the years. During summer months this hill station has an overload of tourists, but you can witness the pristine old world charm that used to be its main attraction, in winters when there are hardly any tourists which makes it the best place to visit in India in January. Simla has some amazing boarding schools with fantastic architecture that you can see. Travel to Mashobra and its nearby regions for a day to have a perfect wintry holiday!
How To Reach: Shimla has the quintessential Kalka-Shimla Railway route. The nearest airport is in Chandigarh, which is 120km away. Shimla is well connected by road and daily buses go there from every major town.
Let's go back to the hill stations that we once visited when we were kids, I think it's time to go back there once again. Nainital used to be one of the most famous hill stations that people visited in India and then it became overly crowded. Over the years, Nainital has improved its infrastructure, yet maintained its old-world charm. In winters, the Naini Lake is surrounded by hilltops covered in snow and people tread along the old path doing their jobs. The little town is enveloped in misty silence and the only sound you will hear is the clinking of tea cups; pretty and surreal and among the best places to visit in India in January. Ready to go back to your childhood memories again?
How To Reach: The nearest railway station is in Kathgodam, which is 34km away. Nainital is well connected by roads.
One of the best place to visit in India in January, Jaisalmer should be on top of your list if you want to experience true Rajasthani magic! The Jaisalmer Fort stands proud in the middle of this sprawling town and has some of the most amazing attractions hidden inside it. The fort in itself is like a maze where one turn will take you through tiny settlements with pink and blue walls. Typically every house is painted in a bright colour, which makes exploring the fort extremely fascinating. Jaisalmer is home to the Sam Sand Dunes, where you can camp and witness an exquisite night sky in the middle of the dessert! Apt for being called one of the best places to visit in India in January.
How To Reach: The best way to reach Jaisalmer is to take an overnight train to Jaisalmer. The other way to reach Jaisalmer is by road. The nearest airport is in Jodhpur, 275km away.
Literally meaning the 'Queens Land', Ranikhet has never been explored too much by any Indian traveller. There is always something so mysterious about this hill station that you will never be fully satisfied by just visiting its touristy spots. Walk down the narrow paths created by villagers, drink tea with the locals and keep your woollens handy because it's going to be awfully cold and snowy! Check out the Kumaon Regimental Center to see remnants of the World War.
How To Reach: The best way to reach Ranikhet is by rail. It takes roughly about 5 hours to reach Kathgodam railway station, which is 60km away from Ranikhet.
Kalimpong will forever stay our most favourable go-to spot in the North-East side of India. With its archetypal monasteries, little gompas and tiny bazaars spreading carefully in its sidealleys, Kalimpong will attract all kinds of travellers who want to take a break from the hustle bustle of life to enjoy themselves. If you are looking for a quiet yet fun place to visit in India in January to enjoy the winters, then Kalimpong is the place for you.
How To Reach: The nearest railway station is in New Jalpaiguri and from there you can hire a taxi to reach Kalimpong, which is 79km away from the town of Siliguri.
A tryst with history is what your holiday in Khajuraho and Orchha will be. Those who are very fond of historical details will specifically enjoy travelling to these two destinations, because they are home to the most sensual architecture ever created in this world. Khajuraho is 172km away from Orchha and on your way you will come across countless magnificent waterfalls and other beautiful sights.
How To Reach: Khajuraho has its own airport and the nearest railway head is in Mahoba, which is 63km away. Khajuraho is also well-connected by roads.
Discover marvellous Jaipur this January, and experience an enchanting winter exploring the streets and corners that most tourists miss out on. January is the best time to visit Jaipur because it is during this month that the Jaipur Literature Festival is held here. Renowned authors and speakers from all over the world come to attend and be a part of this festival. This is a fantastic opportunity for all reading buffs to meet their favourite authors. Besides this, Jaipur has rambling markets that sell some exquisite traditional goods. Visit the Amer Fort for the Lights and Sound show, which will leave you speechless!
Read: Jaipur Literature Festival 2017: A Guide To Having The Best Of Literature And Jaipur In Three Days by Sreshti Verma
How To Reach: Jaipur has its own airport and is well connected by both rail and road.
'The City Of Lakes' as it is popularly known, is a spectacular option to pick from this list out of the places to visit in January. Because it will not be hot at all during this month of the year and you can easily do all your sightseeing without sweating a drop of sweat. Udaipur is a fantastic place to visit in January in India because if you do not want to be completely involved in the traditional culture, you can always enjoy the European culture that has developed because of the increasing foreign tourists here. Pick a pretty rooftop cafe, bask in the sun and drink a hot cuppa coffee!
How To Reach: Udaipur has an airport, which is just 22km away and is well connected by both rail and road.
For all mountain lovers who can never get enough of true winters, the best place to visit in January in India is Manali! Completely covered in snow and disconnected from the world, Manali is a great choice for all those who want to spend some quiet time and get refreshed! When in Manali, experience the preparations for various local festivals and interact with those who do their daily chores without much difficulty in such extreme weather. If you're feeling adventurous, then you can head to Solang to ski or paraglide!
How To Reach: The best way to reach Manali in winters is by taking an overnight bus that takes about 6-7 hours depending on the condition of the roads.
Visit the little village with boats floating on crystal clear river water and enjoy a fishing trip out. Dawki is a remote destination in the north east, but all efforts to reach this destination are absolutely worth it. If you are looking for offbeat, interesting places to visit in January in India then Dwaki will be the best destination for you. There isn't really much to do in Dawki besides enjoying the peaceful environment and spending time with nature.
How To Reach: Dawki is a small village very close to the Indo-Bangladesh border and reaching here is an adventure in itself. You will have to reach Guwahati either by air or train and then hire a vehicle to go up to Dawki since there is no railway station in Dawki.
Famous for its trekking routes, 100-year-old bungalows and the Chamunda temple, Chamba is an ideal holiday option in January in India. It will be cold, yet comfortable to travel to various places around it. If travelling to Chamba, you can also pay a visit to Manimahesh Lake, Kala Top National Park or the Khajjiar Lake in Khajjiar, which is popularly called mini Switzerland.
How To Reach: The nearest railway station is Pathankot, which is 120km away from Chamba. Chamba is well connected by roads, so you can take a taxi from the railway station to reach Chamba.
If you are interested in exploring something new and exciting this winter, Santiniketan is a rather happening option on the list of place to visit in West India. If you're looking for something different and out of the box, then Santiniketan is the one for you. This place has a very important heritage value because the town belonged to the great Rabindra Nath Tagore himself. This town reflects the soul of Santiniketan and it is popularly called the 'sweetest part of India'. Stay here and enjoy your lazy afternoons reading literature that has been highly appraised all over the world and during the day, explore different parts of Kolkata!
How To Reach: The most convenient way to reach Santiniketan is by a train. The nearest railway station is only 3km away.
Winters are the best time to enjoy either snow or beaches! If you are not a 'mountain person', then beaches are what will make you the happiest! Ditch the overcrowded and over-hyped Goa this January and try something a little more refreshing. Gokarna is not very far from Goa, but it somehow still has not attracted too many tourists. The beaches in Gokarna are almost close to virgin and probably the most beautiful you will see on Indian west coast. Indulge in various water sports, lounge at the beach or explore the various pilgrimage sites, in this beach side paradise!
How To Reach: The nearest airport is in Goa about 140km away and the nearest railway station is in Ankola about 40km away. Gokarna is well-connected by road.
Covered in snow, and surrounded by Christmas trees tingling with fairly lights, Gangtok is the perfect place to enjoy the winter cheer. Perfect for places to visit in January in India for travellers who enjoy snowfall, because Gangtok will have plenty of it. You can also go around to the Nathu La pass, or visit the Namgyal Institute Of Buddhism, which is considered to be the largest institute in India for Buddhism studies. You can also drive to the Tsongmo Lake, which might just be absolutely frozen and a mind-boggling sight!
How To Reach: The nearest airport is in Bagdogra, which is 120km away. You can also take a train to New Jalpaiguri and then take a taxi from there to Gangtok.
Are you an adventurous person? Would you enjoy spending your day sweating it out climbing really big boulders and hanging off inclines? If your answer is yes then don't wait here and leave for Hampi already! Hampi in the winter months is the perfect climber's paradise, where you can meet many climbers from across the world. There are quite a lot of things to see here as well. Visit the well-preserved temples of the Vijaynagara empire. You can even take a boat ride in saucer-shaped little boats!
How To Reach: The nearest railway station is in Hospet about 12km away and the nearest airport is Bellary and Belgaum.
Do you have more places that can be added to this list? Let me know by commenting below or create your own listicle of the best places to visit in 2017!