Soon as the new year dawns upon us, we get busy streamlining our resolutions and traveling mostly features at the top of the bucket list. Helping you further with the wish list, here are a few places to visit in India. The lush green environs breathe life around, and the chill in the air infuses positivity, which makes India an ideal destination to explore in the month of January. Be it walking on the frozen lake in Zanskar, or beholding the magnificent Republic Day parade in Delhi; sailing over the turquoise water in Dawki or attending the coveted Jaipur Literature Festival; India presents the best of the best in January.
With this list of the 5 best places to visit in India in January, you’ll have your priorities sorted and you’ll be able to close the destination you wish the conquer next.
- Zanskar, Jammu And Kashmir: Walking The Frozen Lake
- Auli, Uttarakhand: For Snow Lovers
- Delhi: Yummy Street Food
- Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Pink City
- Kutch, Gujarat: White Desert
1. Zanskar, Jammu And Kashmir: Walking The Frozen Lake
This January, catch the nature at its fluffiest as you walk the thick sheet of snow, endure the piercing wind, and contain the elusive. Chadar Trek– the most daunting trek in the Himalayas will test your agility to the core. The trek located in the Zanskar range is a living legend made up of breathtaking trails coated with thick snow sheets on the frozen lake.
Winter is the time when the entire valley and the Himalayan range is engulfed by a pristine white sheet clearly making it one of the places to go in January in India. The difficulty level, along with the thrill of walking on the snow, makes it one of the top contenders among the best places to visit in India in January.
Places to visit in Zanskar: Patnitop, Phuktal monastery, Drang Drung glacier, Panikhar, and Zongkhul
Things to do in Zanskar: Trekking, paragliding, river rafting, and rock climbing
How to reach Zanskar
By air: Leh is the nearest airport
By train: Banihal railhead is 167 km from Zanskar
By road: Regular buses run from major North Indian cities to Zanskar
Also known as the skiing destination of India, Auli wears almost all shades of nature to become one of the favorite tourist places in India in January. The hill station – adorned with snow and ladened with adventure – has everything awesome about it that makes people drool over the idea of exploring it.
Apart from skiing, Auli also offers the raw view of Nanda Devi range and other fine architecture of nature that includes pristine rivers and lush greenery. Auli is certainly the place to visit in North India in January. Choose from a range of Uttarakhand tour packages that are completely customisable as per your requirement.
Places to visit in Auli: Kwani Bugyal, Trishul peak, Rudraprayag, Joshimath, and Chenab lake
Things to do in Auli: Skiing, trekking, riding a cable, catch the 180-degree view of Nanda Devi range.
How to reach Auli
By air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport
By train: Nearest railway station is Rishikesh
By road: State transport buses from Haridwar and Rishikesh are available
3. Delhi: Yummy Street Food
Nothing beats the charm of Delhi in the month of January. Beautiful people, vibrant festivals, and one national carnival – the capital city of India charm its visitors in more than one ways, every winter. It is this charm that puts Delhi in the bracket of the best destinations in India in January.
While the Mughlai delicacies of Old Delhi tickles the taste buds, the fine ancient architecture of medieval era leaves you in awe. But if I had to underline one thing that compels anyone to visit the city in January, it has to be the Republic Day parade. The parade exhibits numerous elements of India and grapples the onlookers with its sheer excellence and fine execution. India Art Fair is another awaited event for art enthusiasts that catches their fancy. And the Delhi winter is to die for!
Places to visit in Delhi: Historical monuments, architecture, and Baoli in Mehrauli, Akshardham Mandir, Jama Masjid, Iskcon temple near East of Kailash, Lotus temple, and Lutyens Delhi
Things to do in Delhi: Watch the Republic Day parade at India Gate, go shopping at Karol Bagh, Sarojini Nagar, try Mughlai delicacies in Old Delhi, and explore the Tibetan settlement at Majnu Ka Tila
How to reach Delhi
By air: Indira Gandhi International Airport connects Delhi with other major cities across India and world
By train: New Delhi Railway Station is an important junction, which is well connected to different part of the country
By road: Delhi roadways buses cover most of the important cities across the North and Central India
Suggested Read: 26 Magnificent Places To Visit Near Delhi In Winters 2020
4. Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Pink City
The capital city of Rajasthan evokes an aura of nonchalant charm and imperial regalia, something that the royal state has thrived on since ages. The pink city wears an even darker shade in the month of January, which makes it one of the favorite tourist places to visit in India in January. Jaipur Literature Festival is a huge confluence of literature enthusiasts and book snobs that take place in the month of January. Besides, Jaipur boasts of imposing forts and palaces that make the sparkling grandeur of the city. Go on, book your Rajasthan tour package, and take a dip in the royal madness and live the excellence!
Things to do in Jaipur:
Attend Bikaner camel fair in Bikaner located at a distance of 335 km. Time taken to reach Bikaner from Jaipur by road is 5 hours.
Kumbhalgarh festival, experience the tranquility of Ram Nivas Garden and enjoy a hot air balloon ride. Other interesting activities are paragliding, camping, and jeep safari. Kumbalgarh is located at a distance of 345 km from Jaipur. Time taken to reach Kumbhalgarh from Jaipur by road is 5.75 hours.
How to reach Jaipur
By air: Jaipur airport is located at a distance of 12 km from the heart of the city
By train: Jaipur Railway Station is right in the city which connects Jaipur to other major Indian cities.
By road: Rajasthan state road transport buses operate in tandem with Delhi and other major cities of Rajasthan
Comprising of the upper half of the westernmost state of India, Kutch is another exciting place to visit in India in January. Apart from white desert which acts as a major source of tourism in the state, there are other forts and historical buildings that catches the fancy of a travel freak. Kutch is blessed with rich flora and fauna, and also happens to be one of the favorite residing places for migratory birds who flock to the place especially during winters. Rann Utsav and International Kite Festivals act as the primary allure.
Places to visit in Kutch: White desert/Rann of Kutch, Centre for Desert and Ocean, Darbargadh, Kachchh Museum, Wildlife Sanctuary, Aaina Mahal
Things to do in Kutch: Attend Rann Utsav, International kite festival, watch the beautiful birds walking on the beach in Mandvi, stay in the eco-resorts and homestays, visit- Nirona, Nakhatrana, Khavda, Bhujodi and Ajrakhpur, Dhordo and Hodka- villages popular for handicraft
How to reach Kutch
By air: Bhuj Airport is the nearest flight strip to Kutch
By train: Kutch Railway Station is the nearest railhead
By road: Bus services from nearby and major cities of Gujarat is convenient and simple
