Winter tourism in India.

Missed vacationing this summer? Never heard of winter-vacationing in India? Read on and prepare to be amazed.

·         The great ‘ChadarTrek’ is the high point of winter-tourism in India. Much-awaited all year long, Indian youngsters take off to Zanskar in December when the temperature plunges to -40 degrees Celsius, in order to trek-up and camp-out on the frozen River Zanskar. Ice and snow is all you see there and sunlight is purely ornamental.

Best Time: December.

·         Get outrageously adventurous this winter and go Helicopter-skiing on the Pir Panjal Mountains at 13,000 feet altitude in Gulmarg. Rated as one of the finest powder-snow ski-descents in the world, Gulmarg offers 66 mountain peaks for professional and amateur skiers. Training and skiing equipment is provided at the GulmargSki Village - now all you need is guts.

Best Time: 25 December - end of February.

·         Seek Snow-Leopards in Hemis National Park at 20,000 feet and in Dachigam National Park at 14,000 feet altitude wrapped in -40 degrees Celsius. This needs patience, determination and a good Snow-Leopard guide. The mere journey of searching for the snow-leopards is out of this world!

Best Time: December & January.

·         Pay respects to this Great prehistoric animal that’s been on this planet for 50 million years – the Great One-horned Rhino whose largest population in India is in Kaziranga National Park which is also two-thirds of world population of Rhinos. Jaldapara WildlifeSanctuary, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Gorumara National Park are the next biggest Rhino-joints. You would also get to see other wildlife in their lush green natural habitat.

Best Time: January & February.

·         Go birding with binoculars and a camera to the country’s Bird-Hotspots between 4000-7000 feet altitude such as Neora Valley National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, BuxaNational Park among others.

Best Time: January & February.

·         Ask no more. Just head out to Goa this winter if you’ve not already been there. Goa’s beaches in winter are something else like no other in this country. Beach parties, beach shacks, beach flea-markets and the New Year’s Eve Parties are a rage here.

Best Time: December & January.

·         And this one – you’ll get sold on easily. Indulge in luxurious and romantic ‘Desert Camp Suites’ of large canvas tents lit-up with beautiful lanterns in the middle of Rajasthan Deserts of Jaisalmer and the Great Indian Thar Desert. Desert Safaris, Jeep-rides, Camel-treks – will give you fascinating desert experiences that will completely woo you and make you want to go back for more. Staying in a desert-camp is one of the best things that you could do with your money!

      Best Time: November, December, January, February.

So clear your calendar, block your dates and pack up for an amazing Winter Holiday!

Pix courtesy: Hindubusinessline, Serai, Goabeachhuts, mytourideas, valuemytrip, exoticasiatravels, travelandleisure.

Goa in high 'spirits' !!

Goa – the very name is magical. There are scores of other beachy places in India but Goa is Goa – a class apart as sworn by the 3 million annual visitors – with a majority of them being repeats. This smallest State of India sells the biggest dream-holidays every year. No wonder then that Goa is India’s richest State with Tourism being its primary industry!

Maybe it’s the palm-fringed beaches of white sands and sparkling waters.

Maybe it’s the charm of a 600-year old Portuguese colony with its world heritage architecture of Churches and houses.

Maybe it’s the bio-diverse hotspot that it is.

Maybe it’s the zipping around on rented bikes or lazing and strolling aimlessly on the beaches.

Maybe it’s the addicting flea-markets and hangout beach-shacks.

Could it be about all the sunburn and rave Goa beach-parties and discos with low-duty booze? It must be all of the above and more!

The best way to optimize your visit to Goa is to club your visit with a Goan festival. That’s when you can catch the true essence of Goa.

Countless festivals, events and parties dot the Goa calendar all year. This June, Goa would be buzzing with fun and frolic when it celebrates the onset of monsoons (Feast of St. Anthony on the 13^th); celebrates newlyweds (Sao Joao Festival on the 24^th) and celebrates fishing in the monsoons (Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul on the 29^th).

The traditions that are practiced during these festivals truly smack of Goa – interesting and vibrant and very Portuguese!

The Sao Joao Festival which is centuries old is a lively street festival where the Goan youth go berserk with fun activities. Sao Joao Festival or the Feast of St. John’s commemorates the Christening of Lord Jesus Christ in River Jordan. On this day the youth of Goa jump into ponds and wells in remembrance and play games and sing songs and pray. On this day you will find the Goan youth scurrying on the roads from pond to pond and well to well. The newlyweds are given centre-stage by giving them prominent roles on this day of distributing goodies to the others. Mothers-in-law prepare and layout an elaborate meal for their sons-in-law. There is also an annual boat-parade that is held on this day. ‘Copel’ or a tiara made of fresh flowers is worn by the participants all day. There is also a long procession that meanders through the streets of Goa and leads to a Church. Upon reaching the Church there are fireworks, games and other fun activities held. The Goan locals spend the entire day on the streets participating with gusto in a host of events.

Goa is ever-inviting. Question is.....how would you like Goa served to you!

 Pix courtsey: Top News, Goodreads, Goa tours and travels, Goaindiatourism, Mygoatour, Festivalsofindia, Indianetzone.