OT Staff & Waquar Habib
Walk Lodhi Gardens or Sunder Nursery early mornings, sip street chai, explore historic tombs, seasonal birdwatching and crisp winter sunlight across lawns for a peaceful urban morning and reflection.
Taste sarson ka saag with makki di roti at rustic dhabas, topped with white butter; mustard greens, smoky chulha flavours and communal warmth define winter meals across northern villages.
Ski between January and March; ride the gondola, join lessons for beginners, breathe alpine air, admire Nanda Devi panoramas and relax in cosy lodges after snowy days with cocoa.
Experience Rann Utsav’s white-salt plains, moonlit walks, tented camps, folk music, handicrafts and local cuisine; dramatic sunrises and cultural performances enliven cold desert nights under starry skies.
Stay in a heated Srinagar houseboat, sip kahwa, take shikara rides over Dal Lake, visit Mughal gardens and day-trip to Gulmarg for snow sports when snow permits with caution.
Walk misty tea gardens, ride the Toy Train, sample muscatel teas, visit Glenburn estates, enjoy sunrise Kanchenjunga views and homestay hospitality among aromatic plantations with guided estate walks daily.
Brave frozen high-altitude terrain, stay in homestays, visit ancient monasteries, try winter trekking, witness stark desert landscapes and starlit nights for rugged winter solitude with proper acclimatisation protocols.
Savour milder winter mornings with beach walks at sunrise, seafood shacks, Christmas markets, backwater cruises and December music festivals mixing coastal calm with party energy and relaxed hammock afternoons.
Glide on Shimla’s ice rink, stroll the Mall Road, enjoy Kufri’s snow meadows, horse rides, cosy cafés and crisp Himalayan sunlight for festive winter charm and warmth.
Experience crisp winter Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, early-morning misty boat rides, street snacks like kachori, paan and reflective riverside walks among temple bells with local priests' blessings daily.