January is one of the peak tourism months of the country. The climate will be pleasing with less humidity and very less rainfall. This allows you to enjoy a more beautiful vacation. Where to visit in January?
Well, we have listed the top 20 destinations to cover in the country during this month.
1- Kutch, Gujarat
Known for: Kutch Desert wildlife sanctuary, Aina Mahal, craft museum, Shrujan, Great Rann of Kutch, Dholavira, and others.
Emptiness doesn’t mean nothing always. In certain cases, this emptiness adds serenity to the region. The famous salt desert of the country, Rann of Kutch is the right example for it. However, this is not the only attraction of Kutch. Kutch or Kachchh is a wild west region in India, which is bordered by the Rann of Kutch and Gulf of Kachchh. While the desert regions preserve the natural beauty for the tourists, the villages of Kutch are the jigsaw puzzles of cultural beauty.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- January is one of the months to enjoy cultural performances and activities in the Rann Utsav celebration.
- Visit Wild Ass sanctuary and Flamingo sanctuary to spot wildlife. January months have better visibility.
- The ancient town, Dholavira will be at prime beauty during January.
- Take an evening stroll and enjoy sunset at Mandvi Beach.
- Aina Mahal is the right place for architectural sightseeing.
- January is one of the best months for hiking at Kalo Dungar.
- For pilgrimage visits, choose Bhadreshwar Jain temple, Siyot Caves and others.
How to Reach?
Kutch does not have an airport or railway station. The closest airport and railway station are located in Bhuj, which is 70 km away from Kutch. From Bhuj, you can find cabs and buses to Kutch. You can also find direct buses from Mumbai, Jaipur and other destinations to Kutch.
- Also Read: Best Places To Visit In Kutch
2- Jaipur, Rajasthan
Known for: Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, City Palace, shopping and others.
This colorful and chaotic cultural capital of Rajasthan is the right blend of new and old culture brewing in a leisure environment. Jaipur might be in a desert state but, it is not just beige and cliche. Jaipur was built as a splendorous capital fit for the royals and with January temperature, Jaipur will be at prime beauty with numerous adventure and romantic activities with a fairy-tale background. If you are looking for the best way to explore Jaipur, choose to board any luxury trains of the country like Palace on Wheels and others.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Enjoy sightseeing around the city. Some tourists prefer taking a heritage walk or food tour during January as the temperature is calm and clear.
- Many adventure and exotic activities like hot air ballooning, elephant ride, safari, and others would be open during January.
- Shopping is one of the best activities of Jaipur, no matter when you visit the place.
- It is best to visit Jaipur on the 14th of January to take part in the Kite Festival.
- If you are ready to travel a little, visit Bikaner in January to take part in the famous camel festival.
- Jaipur’s beauty raises from its cultural value. If possible, catch some cultural performances. Many high-end hotels provide dinner along with cultural performances like dance, music, musical instruments and so on.
How to Reach?
The closest airport is Sanganer Airport, 10 km away from the heart of Jaipur. There are three railway stations in Jaipur and you can easily reach Jaipur from almost all states of the country. If you are choosing buses, you can find both government buses and luxury coaches from surrounding regions. If you are up for a regal vacation, choose to book tickets in Palace on Wheels.
- Also Read: Top 10 Things to Do in Jaipur
3- Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Known for: Western group of temples, light and sound show and others.
When it comes to heritage beauty, India is not just vanilla about everything. India is the land of Kama Sutra and the Khajuraho group of temples is the best example of that. However, the erotic temples are not the only attractions of the region. The stunning sculptures, fine carvings, and marvelous mammoth stone temples, which are built ages before modern engineering and architectural science were introduced are a tribute to the craftsmanship of ancient Indians. From the tourists point of view, this is the emblematic site to enjoy ancient India.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Architectural sightseeing, photography, and exploration are the best activities to enjoy here.
- Light and sound show takes place in the evening, every day.
- If you have spare time, visit Panna National Park to explore the wilderness and spot some animals and birds.
- Shopping is one of the best activities to enjoy year-round and top items to buy here are stone replicas, printed textiles, handicraft items, jewelry, miniature sculptures, and others.
How to Reach?
The best way to reach Khajuraho is by taking the train, which halts at Jhansi Railway Station and from there, you can find taxi or buses to reach Orchha and from there to Khajuraho or directly to Khajuraho. Khajuraho has a domestic airport but, you can find direct flights only from North India destinations, mostly. Mumbai, Allahabad, New Delhi, Varanasi, and Bhopal are some of the cities from where you can find direct flights. You can find buses and cabs from almost all surrounding regions to Khajuraho.
4- Goa
Known for: beaches, spice plantation, Basilica of Bom Jesus, water sports, nightlife, casino, and others.
Goa is one of the cliche beach destinations to visit and also the best place to enjoy a fusion culture of ancient Konkan and vibrant Portuguese culture. This land has 31 beaches, numerous churches and basilica and, most importantly, a lively nightlife. With the climate of January, the seas are calm and clear, allowing you to enjoy almost all water-based activities. The climate is dry and thus, beach and land activities like hot air ballooning, picnicking, plantain strolling and others are open for tourists.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Water activities, adventure activities, land-based activities, and other outdoor activities are best enjoyed during January as the climate is dry and calm.
- You can find many local cultural festivals in Goa during January like Sunsplash, Goa tribal festival, Shantadurga festival, and Goa tattoo festival.
- January is one of the best times to visit Goa for dolphin watching.
How to Reach?
Goa has its own airport and railway station, which connects this union territory with many major destinations. You can also find government buses, luxury coaches and cabs from numerous destinations to Goa, every day. Goa can also be reached via a cruise from other port regions.
5- Mawsynram, Shillong
Known for: Mawsmai caves, Mawlyngbna, Nohkalikai falls, and others.
Most of the people believe that Cherrapunjee is the wettest place in the world. However, it is the second wettest place and the first place goes to Mawsynram. December marks the end of the peak winter season and thus, January will be pleasing and a little dry. This allows tourists to explore this forest-filled region, caves and even take part in cultural activities. January comes with clearer skies and thus, it is easier to get a panoramic view from the viewpoints.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Caving, trekking, hiking, exploring and forest trekking are some of the nature adventure activities to enjoy during January.
- The waterfalls will be rich with water and the route towards the waterfalls will be less slippery. Thus, exploration is much easier.
How to Reach?
The closest railway station and airport are located in Guwahati. Guwahati is around 150 km away from Mawsynram. From Guwahati, you can find buses or cabs to reach your destination in a little more than 4 hours.
6- Munnar, Kerala
Known for: Atukkad waterfalls, Pothamedu, Echo point, plantations, Raja Malai sanctuary and so on.
The rolling green hills are at ornamental beauty during January. The entire hill station is covered with green foliage. There is no surprise that a Western Ghat kingdom would be at prime beauty during January. Munnar becomes a romantic hub for honeymooners with romantic foggy mornings, plantations at prime beauty and a lovely cheerful evening. January is the lush time when herbs are at bloom allowing you to enjoy Ayurvedic massages too.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- January has clear skies and thus, camping, stargazing, picnicking, and viewpoint photography is best enjoyed during this month.
- January mornings are the best time to visit tea plantations for a romantic stroll.
- Trekking and mountain biking are much easier due to dry grounds.
- Waterfalls will be lush with water in January and thus you can get a majestic view of the plummeting water.
- This is one of the best time to explore Anamudi Peak to spot animals.
How to Reach?
The closest airport is Cochin International airport, which is 125 km away. The nearest railway station is located in Ernakulam. From the airport and railway station, you can find buses and cabs to Munnar. You can also find luxury coaches, government buses and cabs from numerous destinations in and around Kerala.
7- Havelock Island of Andaman and Nicobar Island
Known for: Water activities, beach activities, bamboo beach huts, and others.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are filled with numerous beaches famous for different activities and beauties. However, the best of all is the Havelock Island. This island is famous for the azure tinted sea, biscuit sandy beaches and also the thick forest, which allows you to enjoy a lot of outdoor activities and not just water-based ones. With January, the underwater visibility is clear and thus, it would be a more colorful vacation.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Beach and water activities like boating, diving, scuba diving, snorkeling, and others
- Trekking is much easier with the dry grounds at the Elephant Beach
- Spotting coral reef and life around it is much easier as the climate of January providers better underwater visibility.
How to Reach?
There are just two options to reach Havelock Island. The first one and the most commonly opted option is a flight from mainland India to Port Blair and a 90-minute ferry ride to Havelock from Port Blair. The second option is taking a cruise ship from any port of Arabian Sea like Chennai, Kolkata or Vishakhapatnam to Port Blair and from Port Blair, you can reach Havelock by ferry.
8- Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Known for: Jaisalmer Fort, Jain temples, Havelis, Sam sand dunes, adventure activities, camping, and others.
When it comes to Jaisalmer, you will not miss the sand. This is the Golden City of Jaisalmer, which gets its name from the color of the sand when the sun is at its pinnacle. Apart from camel and desert-based activities, Jaisalmer is one of the most colorful cultural destinations enchanted by the unique nature here. It is very clear that Jaisalmer would hold one of the harshest summers of the country and the monsoon is almost insignificant. Thus, if you want to enjoy the destination without being fried to a crisp, it is best to visit during winter, especially peak winter. Thus, January is one of the two best months to visit this destination.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Architectural sightseeing, exploring havelies and other structures
- Visit Sam sand dunes for camel safari, camping, cultural activities, and desert adventure activities. January climate makes the desert more favorable.
- Enjoy the culture of the land with cultural activities, visiting museums and pilgrimage sites.
How to Reach?
The closest airport to Jaisalmer is located in Jodhpur, which is around 300 km away. From Jodhpur, you can board buses or cabs to reach Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer has a railway station, which connects it with important cities of Rajasthan and surrounding regions. The Palace on Wheels and other luxury train itineraries also cover Jaisalmer in some of their itineraries.
9- Auli, Uttarakhand
Known for: Viewpoints, Gurso Bugyal, skiing, Nanda Devi peak, and others.
January is the beginning of the ski season in Auli. If you are looking for a winter fairy-tale, this is the right place to visit. India’s longest cable car line and the second highest peak (Nanda Devi) are located in Auli. Thus, you are in a treat when it comes to sightseeing. It is true that January is one of the coldest months in Auli. However, if you are into Skiing and other snow activities, cold is something that you ought to bear.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- January is the ideal time for skiing and other snow-based activities.
- Snowfall is comparatively lesser during January, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing and other outdoor activities.
- January is the best time for honeymoon trips to Auli.
- Chenab Lake will be a crystal ice lake and best for photography and sightseeing.
How to Reach?
The best way to reach Auli is from Delhi. Some tourists also choose to reach Auli from Badrinath. From Delhi, you can find overnight trains to Rishikesh and from Rishikesh, you can find cabs that can take you directly to Auli, which would take around 9 hours. The closest railway station to Auli is located 273 km away, in Rishikesh. The closest airport is located in Dehradun, the Jolly Grant Airport.
10- Kalimpong, West Bengal
Known for: Morgan House, Durpin Dara Hill, Cactus Nursery, Teesta River, viewpoint, monasteries, and others.
Kalimpong holds the beauty of the Himalayan Kingdom and you can imagine the beauty of the land in January. This is one of the colorful cultural destinations to enjoy an exotic lifestyle. Do you know that Kalimpong is a laid-back and less-crowded version of Darjeeling? Thus, you can enjoy a perfect winter hill station vacation here.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Explore monasteries to enjoy their culture and rituals.
- January is one of the most photographic times to visit Neora Valley National Park and Deolo Hill.
- River rafting would be open for tourists during January.
How to Reach?
The closest airport is located 79 km away. From the airport, you can find buses and cabs to reach Kalimpong. The closest railway station is the New Jalpaiguri railway station, which is 77 km away. If you are choosing road transportation, you can easily find buses and cabs from major cities of West Bengal. Tourists usually prefer to start from Sikkim to reach Kalimpong.
11- Lakshadweep, Islands of Indian Ocean
Known for: Water activities, island activities, beaches, lagoons, and others.
Just 300 km away from Kochi, on the Indian Ocean, you will find 36 islands with coral reefs and palm-covered beaches. This isolated union territory is famous for secluded exotic beach vacation. The traditional culture of the land creates a beautiful unspoiled environment for your vacation.
By November, the monsoon season is completed off the calendar and thus, with January’s clear skies and water, you can enjoy almost all available adventure and outdoor activities. January month is also a good time for fishing and thus, you can find many fish-based dishes and delicacies easily available. The lagoons will be warm and the place will have a photogenic beauty during this month.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Beach and underwater activities, which include almost all exotic and common water sports
- Many islands can be easily accessed via ferry, due to the calm climate of January
- Shopping and cultural sightseeing are year-around beauties here.
How to Reach?
There are two options to reach Lakshadweep, flight from Kochi or cruise from Kochi. If you wish to reach Lakshadweep, you need to arrive at Kochi first and from there, you can fly to the Agatti Island.
12- Wayanad, Kerala
Known for: Kanthanpara waterfalls, Karapuzha dam, Banasura Dam, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Edakkal caves, Chembra Peak, and others.
Wayanad is famous for its plantations, waterfalls, and wildlife. All three will be at lush during peak winter season. This allows you to enjoy all adventure activities starting from trekking to caving. The wildlife reserves will be lush during January however, the chances of finding predatory mammals are quite hard in January. The dams will be filled with water and picnic is best enjoyed in Wayanad in January. Chembra Peak is another major attraction in January.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- The January climate is dry and the water bodies will be filled with water. Thus, exploration is much easier and beautiful.
- The mornings are misty and beautiful and thus, January is one of the honeymoon times of Wayanad.
- Bird watching during January is one of the colorful activities to enjoy as you can spot many different species.
- January is also the time for numerous events and celebrations like New Year’s Day, Poopoli Wayanad flower show, and others.
How to Reach?
The closest airport and railway station are located in Kozhikode, which is 90 km away. You can find buses to Kozhikode from almost all major destinations of Kerala and surrounding regions. From Kozhikode, you can find cabs and buses to Wayanad. During the tourism season, you can find direct buses to Wayanad too but, the frequency will be very less.
13- Phawngpui, Mizoram
Known for: Blue Mountain national park, Sangau, Chhimtuipui River, Phawngpui mountain, Farpak, and others.
Phawngpui is a hidden beauty and a unique attraction of Mizoram. This place is famous for its picturesque view, lofty green hills, the bounty of flora and fauna and best of all, the Blue Mountain. Of all the months, the peak winter is the best time to explore nature at its prime beauty. January gives a pleasing time with dry grounds, allowing you to explore the region with ease.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Bird watching, wildlife exploration, and spotting wildflowers are best enjoyed in January.
- This is also the best month for outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, river activities, picnic, and others.
How to Reach?
The closest airport is the Aizawl airport located 118 km away. From the airport, you can find cabs to reach the destination. The closest railway station is the Silchar Railway Station, which is 185 km away. If you are choosing buses or cabs, you can find numerous transportation from Aizawl or surrounding regions.
14- Hampi, Karnataka
Known for: Temples, ruins, street markets, and sculptures.
Winter in India is not just for high altitude vacations with snow activities or beach destination with underwater activities. India is a heritage land with numerous historic structures. With recent rains, these structures would be fresh and lush. Hampi is one such open museum with numerous ancient monuments, temples, government buildings and others of Vijayanagar Reign. You can find numerous stalls in Hampi for souvenir hunting.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Exploration, sightseeing, and photography are best enjoyed in January
- January is also the time for rock-climbing and other adventure activities.
- Hampi festival is the best cultural celebration of Karnataka. There is no specific date for the festival but, it is usually celebrated in January.
How to Reach?
The closest airport is located in Hubli, which is 143 km away. However, most of the tourists do not prefer to choose the airways to reach Hampi. The best options are roadways and railways. You can find numerous government buses, luxury coaches and semi-luxury buses from different parts of southern India to Hampi. It is much easier to reach Hampi from inside Karnataka.
15- Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Known for: Toy train, Ooty lake, rose garden, botanical garden, Emerald Lake, Thread Garden and others.
Ooty is one of the mystical beauties of the land. This is considered as the Queen of hill stations and one of the most important honeymoon destinations of South India. Ooty is usually preferred by the tourists to get out of the summer heat. However, when it is the peak winter season (January), the place becomes more beautiful and exclusively attractive.
The plantations will be at bloom and you can enjoy misty morning strolls and lake activities here. The botanical garden might not be in bloom but, the Rose Garden will be at prime beauty. This is the right time to buy orange-based products in Ooty and the most serene time to enjoy the toy train ride.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Cliche hill station activities like viewpoints, picnic spots, camping, trekking, and others.
- Visit the rose gardens and valleys to enjoy the lush flora of the land.
- Best time for sightseeing and toy train ride.
How to Reach?
The closest airport is located in Coimbatore. From Coimbatore, you can find buses, cabs and other options to reach Ooty. If you are choosing the toy train, you ought to reach Mettupalayam and from there, catch the toy train. You can find many trains from other parts of South India to Mettupalayam too.
16- Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Known for: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Tomb of Akbar, Mariam Tomb, Baby Taj, Fatehpur Sikri, shopping, and others.
Agra needs no introduction thanks to the Mughals who flourished the land with marble and sandstone beauties. If you are traveling in January, you would be happy to see nature aiding to the beauty of the land. The magic emitted by Agra is amplified during peak winter season.T he climate allows tourists to explore the land and the clear skies give a more panoramic view to the monuments. With the dry climate, it is much easier to explore the alleys of this historic beauty to find street food shops and souvenir stalls.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Sightseeing and photography are best enjoyed in January
- Yamuna River will be at prime beauty for water activities
- Best time for cultural sightseeing in Agra
How to Reach?
Tourists usually prefer to reach Agra via Delhi. You can find cabs, buses, flights and other transportation between Delhi and Agra. The city is also connected with other regions of the country via various transportation options. However, the best of all is the Palace on Wheels luxury train, which covers Agra in its itinerary.
17- Pondicherry, Southern India
Known for: Beaches, promenade seaside, Aurobindo Ashram, colonial buildings, heritage walk, and others.
The French and Indian cultural fusion is the main beauty of Pondicherry. Combine it with the natural charm that January brings in and you are in for a treat. Starting with water activities to cultural celebrations, the month of January is one of the best times to visit. Pondicherry has a very humid climate, which makes the peak winter, the best time to visit.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- The New Year celebration in Pondicherry is one of the most important events for the young generation.
- January is also the celebration time for Pongal, Heritage Festival and others. Thus, January is the most-culturally beautiful time to visit Pondicherry.
- Sightseeing and water activities will be at prime beauty during January.
How to Reach?
You can find buses, cabs and luxury coaches from many parts of South India to Pondicherry. The closest international airport is located in Chennai, which is 170 km away. From Chennai, you can find numerous options to reach Pondicherry.
18- Darjeeling, West Bengal
Known for: Toy train, Tiger Hills, Darjeeling ropeway, Batasia loop, Nightingale Park, plantation, and others.
Darjeeling is famous for its jaw-dropping sceneries, untouched with commercialization. This is one of the mesmerizing hill stations in India. With a pleasing climate throughout the year, January gives the perfect environment for honeymoon and other activities. The tea gardens will be at prime beauty allowing you to enjoy tea tourism in January. With clear skies, you can easily get panoramic views of Himalayans from the viewpoints of Darjeeling.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- A drive to Tiger Hill will be very mesmerizing
- January is the right time for adventure and outdoor activities like ropeway, trekking, hiking, exploring Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo and others
- Choose January afternoons for exploring the colonial buildings and culture of the land
How to Reach?
The closest railway station is located in New Jalpaiguri. From New Jalpaiguri, you can choose to board the toy train. the closest airport is located in Bagdogra. You can find buses, cabs, coaches and other transportations from numerous major destinations of the country to Darjeeling.
- Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Darjeeling
19- Rishikesh
Known for: Adventure activities, Neelkanth Mahadev temple, Lakshman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, and others.
Rishikesh is the most famous cultural, spiritual and natural beauty, which is riddled with adventure activities. With the onset of winter season, tourists can enjoy numerous water and land-based activities here. January climate makes the place more pristine to visit. The month of January is mildly cold and is best suitable for sightseeing. This tranquil town of Yoga is the right place to recharge yourself at your own pace.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- Camping, bungee jumping, high swing, ropeway, trekking, hiking and the list of adventure activities to enjoy in January goes on and on.
- This is the right time to enjoy exploring nature by sightseeing and photography
- The spiritual destinations will be at prime beauty and easily accessible as the climate is dry in January.
- Mountain biking is the best activity to explore untouched regions of Rishikesh. January month is the easiest time to enjoy mountain biking, even by novice bikers.
How to Reach?
The closest airport is located in Dehradun, which is 35 km away from Rishikesh. From Dehradun, you can find cabs, buses, and coaches to reach Rishikesh. The closest railway station is located in Rishikesh. You can find daily trains from various parts of the country to Rishikesh. You can also find direct buses and cabs from surrounding regions to Rishikesh, throughout the year.
20- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Known for: Kashi Vishwanath temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, New Kashi Vishwanath temple, Tulsi Manasa Temple and others.
It is true that Varanasi is filled with temples and it is one of the most spiritual destinations to cover in India. However, it is not the only beauty of the land. The River Ganges and rituals might bring colors to this spiritual land but, the actual beauty lies in the culture of the region. The place is filled with interesting rituals, which would drop your jaw. Apart from sightseeing and rituals, you can take a road trip to Sarnath to spot Buddhist structures and deer park.
Top activities to enjoy in January:
- With January climate, you can explore all the temples without sweating and exhausting
- Sunrise and sunset Ganges boat ride will be the perfect activities during January.
- Road trip between Sarnath and Varanasi will be at prime beauty
- January month holds many cultural and religious celebrations like Makar Sankranthi, Kashi Ganga Mahotsav, Kashiyatra, and others.
How to Reach?
Varanasi has two major railway stations, making it easier to reach the destination via trains. You can also find daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Varanasi Airport, which is a little away from the heart of the city. You can also find cabs and buses from various parts of the country to Varanasi, throughout the year.
- Must Read: Varanasi Tourist Places & Travel Guide
India is a land of more interesting beauties. If you do not want to miss any iconic attractions of the land, it is best to choose the Palace on Wheels train trip to cover eminent attractions of the land. Since January is one of the prime months to visit, the accommodations, tickets and other services have to be pre-booked at least a few months prior to your vacation.