1. Winter festival at Mount Abu This sleepy little hill station in Rajasthan celebrates a three-day winter festival called Deepdan, in which hundreds of diyas are set afloat in the serene Nakki Lake. This is accompanied by activities like boat races, tug-of-war, cricket matches, and more.

2. Misty mornings at Lambasingi This little hamlet is nestled in the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh. Sitting at an altitude of 1025 m above sea level, the area acquires an all-white snowy cover due to an unusual geological cooling effect. Moreover, it is renowned for its organic coffee plantations.

3. A snowy sojourn through Sela Pass If you are in search of snow-capped high mountains for a cosy winter getaway, then Sela Pass is the perfect destination for you. This rocky pass, blanketed in snow for the majority of the year, presents breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayan range.

4. A dip in the hot springs of Nubra Valley Among the most beautiful places in Ladakh, Nubra Valley is known for its two hot springs — Panamik and Chumathang. These naturally heated springs are rich in minerals, and taking a dip in their waters would be a great way to beat the cold!

5. Star-gazing in the Great Rann of Kutch If you find yourself gazing at the night sky often, then you must visit the Great Rann of Kutch. Rann Utsav, a vibrant festival in Dhordo (81 km from Bhuj), lets you experience the lively Kutchi culture while gazing at the winter stars.

6. Gawp at Spiti’s frozen waterfalls Picture a 200-feet frozen waterfall. Situated at 13,000 feet above sea level, the Shela waterfall in the Spiti Valley transforms into a frozen marvel during winters when temperatures drop as low as minus 35 degrees Celsius.

7. Frozen lake of Tawang Another offbeat place to visit this winter is Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, you can visit the frozen Pangateng Tso Lake here. Besides the lake, you can also enjoy the local Monpa culture and try their traditional cuisine.

8. Cloud-kissed forest trails of Daringbadi Known as the Kashmir of Odisha, Daringbadi is at a height of 3,500 feet above sea level. During winters, it is draped in an ethereal white mist that swirls and moves with the wind, making the place feel like it’s straight out of a fairytale.

9. Spotting the elusive snow leopard at Leh If you want to spot the enigmatic king of the mountains — the snow leopard — in its natural habitat, then Leh might be the perfect place to visit this winter. Even if you don’t get lucky enough to spot the big cat, you can visit the historic Leh Palace and Thiksey Monastery.

10. Skiing in Sikkim’s Yumthang Valley If you have been to Auli, Manali and Gulmarg before, this winter, try Sikkim’s gorgeous Yumthang Valley. Also known for its ‘Valley of Flowers’, it is a perfect offbeat winter destination if you enjoy skiing.

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