As New Year’s Eve is about to knock on the door in January, travel enthusiasts make a hit list of the best places to visit in India. This month has a cold climate that will make temperatures fall in the range of 5 to 25 degrees, which makes your vacation more exciting. India has various exotic travel destinations from north to south that you can plan to visit and enjoy memorable holidays.
Are you wondering about the best places to visit in January? Here is a comprehensive blog to guide on favourable Indian best places to go in January that should be on your travel list. We have enlisted all major south, north, east, and western parts of India not following any specific sequence, you can choose based on your preferences.
Coorg (Karnataka)
One of the top hill stations, Coorg located in the lap of Karnataka invites tourists to sense heaven-like greenery. It is worth every bit to place on the list of best places to visit in January due to the best sightseeing of lush green fields, and waterfalls, and enjoying pleasant cool temperatures.
Major Attraction: Omkareshwara Temple, Abbey Falls, Chiklihole Reservoir
How to Reach: You can take buses & taxis directly from Karnataka, it doesn’t have any railway station so the closest station is Mysore 120 Km; while the nearest airport is Mangalore which is 150km away.
Manali (Himachal Pradesh)
Snow lovers put Manali at the top of the list of best places to visit in January. The mesmerising beauty of peace and captivating views of snow on mountain hills compel tourists to plan their vacations in January. If you love to adventure with family and friends, there is no better place than Manali; however, keep in mind the chillest climatic conditions.
Major Attraction: Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Manikarnika Sahib, Hadimba Devi Temple, Manu Temple
How to Reach: You can take buses & taxis directly from Delhi, it doesn’t have any railway station so the closest station is Joginder Nagar railway station (162 km); while the nearest airport is Kullu Bhuntar which is 50km away.
Gulmarg (Jammu & Kashmir)
Another rocking place to witness beautiful snowfall in India, you can visit Gulmarg; it will be the best place to visit in January. It is located in the heart of Jammu & Kashmir and merges in white snow as winter arrives, with the rich culture of Kashmiri and fallen beauty views. Plan your journey to take away pleasant memories.
Major Attraction: Alpather Lake, Gulmarg Gondola, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
How to Reach: There is no direct connecting railway station so you can reach Jammu Tawi railway station which is 290 km away; otherwise reach the nearest airport Srinagar International Airport (SXR) which is 56 km away.
Goa
It is commonly popular as India’s party capital, where you can spend hours watching soothing beaches flow. Goa has a stretched coastline attached to the Arabian Sea, tourists often sit back sideways to enjoy aesthetic sunset views. In the evening, you can head to thrill parties in January winter with a bunch of friends to party till morning.
Major Attraction: Fort Aguada, Calangute Beach, Anjuna Beach
How to Reach: Goa has well connected two railway stations: Vasco-Da-Gama and Margao. If you are opting for airways, it has two operational airports, Dabolim Airport at Dabolim, and the new Manohar International Airport.
Shillong (Meghalaya)
You should not miss out on Shillong, a beautiful hill station in northern India for your list of best places to visit in January. On the foothill of the Himalayas range, it offers great vibes with drizzling waterfalls, traditional cuisines, stunning landscapes, and musical shows.
Major Attraction: Umiam Lake, Laitlum Canyons, Don Bosco Centre, Elephant Falls
How to Reach: You can reach Shillong via railway, the nearest railway station is Guwahati Railway Station (135 Km). For airways, you can board at Shillong Airport or Umroi Airport which is just 30 km away.
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
It is a famous tourist location and a widely popular port city of Andhra Pradesh. To surprise visitors with greenery and stunning beaches that make it the best place to visit in January winters. You can get familiar with rich South Indian culture, cuisines, handicrafts, and Kalamkari paintings. It is the best place to go in January due to the favourable temperature.
Major Attraction: Simhachalam Temple, Ramakrishna Beach, War Memorial, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Katiki Waterfalls, and Araku Valley.
How to Reach: You can take the railway to reach the railway station, Visakhapatnam Junction. For airways, you can book a flight to Visakhapatnam (VTZ) Airport which is only 5.9 km away.
Katra Vaishno Devi Temple (Jammu & Kashmir)
A famous Hindu pilgrimage located in the Trikuta hills of Jammu & Kashmir, Vaishno Devi. It has a high spiritual connection for devotees and lakhs of visitors reach the location to seek blessings of goddess Vaishno Devi. Especially one of the best places to go in January, the whole temple is covered in layers of snow that create a breathtaking look around.
Major Attraction: Bhairo Baba temple, Ardhkuwari temple, Baba Dhansar, Devi Pindi Mata Mandir
How to Reach: You can take a bus from Jammu to Katra to reach Vaishno Devi Temple, the nearest railway station is Udhampur railway station. For airways, the nearest one is Jammu airport which is 50km away.
Nainital (Uttrakhand)
Another hill station for your list of best places to visit in January is Nainital. The location is surrounded by a green hill, Naini Lake in the centre and the sweet climatic weather of Uttarakhand makes it more vibrant. Nainital has January as the peak snowfall time during the year, so if you are lucky it will add more fun to your tour.
Major Attraction: Naini Lake, Snow View Point, Eco Cave Gardens, Mall Road.
How to Reach: You can take a bus directly from a nearby city to Nainital like Delhi, the other way is by railway, the nearest railway station is Kathgodam which is 23 km away. For the flight, you can reach Pantnagar airport, it will take around 70 km to reach Nainital.
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
One of the holiest cities of India, located in Uttar Pradesh is Varanasi or Banaras. The famous Kashi Vishwanath temple and auspicious Ganga Aarti on the riverbank become a major point of attraction. You can plan a visit to this religious place known to be the city of Lord Shiva as the best place to visit in January when cold weather makes it more dazzling.
Major Attraction: Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Panchganga Ghat, Assi Ghat, Ganga Aarti
How to Reach: You can take a direct train to Varanasi Junction and Mughal Sarai Station. For flight connectivity, the nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport which is 18km away.
Ooty (Tamil Nadu)
The most preferable place for backpackers and a common place for Bollywood shooting is Ooty. It has every element to fall under the list of best places to visit in January across India, from lakes, and waterfalls to lush flower gardens. You can visit this place with family and friends to enjoy boating around large lakes and sightseeing stunning sunrises.
Major attractions: Botanical Garden, Pykara Waterfalls, Doddabetta Peak, Elk Hill Murugan Temple, Ooty Lake, Fernhills Palace.
How to Reach: It has no railway station, you can reach the nearest station, Mettupalayam, 40 km from Ooty. For airways, you can book a flight to Coimbatore International Airport which is 85 km apart from the destinations.
Plan Your Next Trip!
As you are already familiar with the best places to visit in January, you can pick your favourite one and start planning your itinerary. You can follow TourtoReview to get more interesting recommendations for travel and other key details.