While northern india is covered with snow and chilly winds and southern part acquires a mystic charm, the Indian peninsula enters one of the best seasons to embark on an adventure. Here are 10 places to make the best use of your year end holidays and take the journey of a lifetime.
1. SHILLONG
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It is a hill station in eastern India and the capital of Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states of eastern India. Located between the Brahmaputra and Surma valleys, the hill station lies 5000 feet above sea level with temperatures dropping to 2 degrees in winters. During winters it remains cold and dry, unlike summers, which are hot and wet. The Elelphant Falls attracts tourists from everywhere with its scenic beauty. It is a set of two streams falling over dense fern covered rocks. The hill station is also home to India’s largest and the oldest Golf course, called Glen Eagle of the east. It is one among the few naturally formed golf courses of Asia. Presently, it has an 18 hole course which encites anyone to give it a try on account of its challenges and serene scenic beauty. Shillong peak is another major attraction which is a picnic spot in the outskirts of the city. It is the highest spot around and gives you a really epic view of the entire city, especially during the dawn.
Shillong
2. OOTY:
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Ooty, the queen of hill stations has uniform climate throughout the year. Dense grasslands and new tea plantations on the hills welcome the tourists in December. It is famous for its high quality single estate tea, meaning the tea which is not mixed with tea from any other source. The atmosphere gets foggy, romantic and cozy. It is a great destination for couples and a great place to escape to for office goers. The nights will surely give you chills but the natural beauty of the hill station is really alluring. The main attractions are the Dodabetta peak, the botanical gardens, the deer park and the Ooty tea factory. There are many lakes too.
Ooty
3. KERALA:
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The land of spices gains a new color in winter. A sail in the backwaters and lagoons will calm your soul. The spice gardens and the lush greenery of tea plantations will welcome you. It is also home to some of the best Ayurvedic treatments and therapies in the world. The temperatures are not very low here during winter. The incredible Indira Gandhi boat race, a huge event conducted in December with lots of men participating is a splendid sight for the eyes. Allepey and Munnar are the places worth checking out.
4. KANYAKUMARI:
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The southern most tip of the country, also known as Cape Comorin, consists of two parts, Nanji nadu and Idai nadu. The place is full of paddy fields and coconut tress. There are temples and many churches here. The sunset and the sunrise views get really spectacular in December. The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, the view tower and the Thiruvalluvar statue are the famous tourist spots. Sunrise can be seen all round the year at Bay of Bengal and sunset can be seen from the view points.
5. GOA:
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The first reason for you to choose Goa is for its parties. The Christmas parties are amazing and the biggest electronic music festival, the Sunburn happens here, at Candolim. Bands and people from around the world attend this. The climate gets calm and clear at this point of time and hence it is the best time to visit Goa. The beaches, nature trials, spice plantations are must see places. One can also put one’s luck to test here, for Goa is also home to the largest and the best Casinos in India.
6. MANALI:
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December is one of the best times to visit Manali since it is bathed with fresh snow. The mountains are covered with pure snow and it seems like heaven, especially for the newly weds. One can do skiing, snow boarding, go-karting in snow and other winter sports. One can also check out the Rohtang pass which is 51km from the city. Adventure sports like paragliding is popular in Solang valley, just a dozen kilometers from the Manali city.
7. JAISALMER:
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The desert of Jaisalmer opens itself and shows its magical colors in the time of winter. The city is known for its architectural skill and heritage. The Jaisalmer fort along with many Jain and Hindu temples are major attractions. Outdoor activities like desert safari and camel riding are a must do in Jaisalmer. These include. Kuldhara village, a deserted village is one of the famous tourist spots. Gadisar lake, the main source of water for the city is also a must see place.
8. HAVELOCK ISLAND:
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The island in Andaman and Nicobar is famous for its resorts and beaches. The elephant beach and the Radha Nagar beach are the notable ones. The island has been sprouting with a number of restorts recently for the comfort of the honeymooners. It is one of the best islands for Snorkeling and Scuba diving as it contains one of the best Coral reefs of the union territory.
9. KUTCH:
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The Rann Utsav, a celebration of music, dance and art is held in the month of december. It is held every year to appreciate and enhance the white land of Rann. The Rann desert appears milky white when the light of full moon flashes on it providing a spectacular sight. The carnival is famous for the articraft and handicraft exhibitions by the local people. One can grab a fun ride in a camel cart here and do motorbiking across the great Rann of Kutch. There are eco-resorts for honeymooners here. A visit to the local handicraft village will turn out to be a pleasant experience.
10. AULI:
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An important destination in the Himalayas, Auli is a hill station,3000 feet above sea level. The temperatures get very low, like 2 degrees, and there will be fresh snowfall during December. Skiing is what Auli is known for. People from all around the country come here for a great skiing experience. Further exploration of the place will tell you that the hill station is also famous for other adventure sports like trekking. Auli has the reputation for having the highest manmade lakes in the world.
