Want to take a nice winter vacation but unable to find accommodation at most tourist spots? Here are some underrated places you can consider!
Nothing beats ending a year with a nice cozy winter vacation, right? The typical impulse is to drive off to a hill station and enjoy misty mornings that clear up for a beautiful view. However, one of the banes of planning a winter vacation is that most popular hill stations or holiday spots are booked way in advance. Plus, rates are higher than ever in December because a lot of Europeans come down to India as they find Indian winters to be a good respite from their incredibly dull cold seasons.
So, what do you do if you want to badly go on a holiday but aren’t able to find a good deal anywhere? Simple, check out these grossly under-rated holiday spots that are sure to give you a good winter holiday experience without eating your money.
Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu
Ooty is probably the most popular hill station in Southern India, which explains why tourists flock to it throughout the year – winter being no exception. This is why you’ll find it to be quite a task to find available accommodation in winter. Besides, do you really want to deal with noisy tourists on your vacation? Nope! Take a 20 kilometre detour and head to Kotagiri instead. This charming hilly town is a birder’s paradise and offers the same climatic experience as Ooty minus the crowd. Sounds perfect, right? You can find really nice places to stay by just browsing the internet. Most resorts here also serve up some homely, farm-fresh food, so you’ll be in for a treat!
Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Want to experience natural India at its beautiful best? The meadows of Kanha National Park don an ethereal look in the winters. Make sure you layer up before heading to Kanha because you’ll be spending the wee hours of the morning as well as the evening traversing through ancient Central Indian jungle paths on the lookout for tigers, leopards and Kanha’s special gem, the Barasingha or swamp deer. Located about 165 kilometers away from the Jabalpur airport, this Tiger Reserve is a sight to behold in the winters. There’s nothing quite like spending a winter morning tracking big cats in the mist. Pure bliss.
Additional Reading: 5 Quiet Holiday Spots To Visit During the New Year Weekend
Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh
Always wanted to go to the grand canyon? Did you know there’s a lookalike about six hours away from Bangalore? Meet Gandikota, a village with a fort along the banks of river Penna. Summers here can be quite hot, so winter is probably a great time to check this place out. The main attraction here is the tented accommodation provided on the canyons that overlook the river. If the skies are clear, you could do some star-gazing too! After a night’s stay in your tent, you can walk up to nearby shops in the morning and grab a snack or two.
Travel tip: Fuel up your ride with a Credit Card and save money!
White Rann Of Kutch, Gujarat
Few experiences in life match up to watching the sun set at ground level at Little Rann. This famous desert of white salt is typically visible post monsoon, so winter is a good time to visit. A camel ride can take you to a spot on the white desert where all you can see is salt all around you! Kutch is about 80 kilometres from Bhuj airport.
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Varkala, Kerala
Love spending winters in Goa? Find a very similar setting minus the huge crowds at Varkala, Kerala. Over the past few years, Varkala has become the preferred choice for tourists who want to spend peaceful moments by the sea. Varkala shares the same sea as Gokarna and Goa, and is criminally underrated. Winter is a good time to explore this beach if you don’t want to deal with Kerala’s otherwise humid weather. The place is well-connected to main cities like Trivandrum and Cochin, so getting there shouldn’t be an issue.
Additional Reading: How To Fly First Class Without Breaking The Bank
There you go, now go travel! Psst… travel bookings are always a breeze when you have a Credit Card on your side. Don’t have one yet?