Missed vacationing this summer? Never heard
of winter-vacationing in India? Read on and prepare to be amazed.
Pix courtesy: Hindubusinessline, Serai, Goabeachhuts, mytourideas, valuemytrip, exoticasiatravels, travelandleisure.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
