Although no time is bad time for a vacation, but there is always a better time to travel the byways and highways of a particular destination. But if you are a travel junky or want to explore every nook and corner of our country, then it calls for making plans for 2021.
Our own country is rich in beautiful places to visit throughout the year and perfect to enjoy every season as well. Curated this list of 12 destinations perfect to visit in every month to enjoy the place at its best. Happy Planning!
1. January: Gulmarg, Kashmir
Gulmarg in Kashmir is a power-packed destination and for a reason its called as 'Heaven on Earth'. It fully covered in snow in January and that makes it perfect time to enjoy snow and have fun there.
Also, Gulmarg has got lot of snow activities as well so why not go for Skiing, Snow Biking or Sledge Ride. Also, Gulmarg offers certified Skiing courses as well. Gondola Ride is another amazing experience you don't wanna miss here.
Near By Places to Visit: Alpather Lake, Gondola ride to Aparvath peak. You can cover Pahalgam as well along with Gulmarg.
Reaching Here: Take a flight to Srinagar. Hire cab to Gulmarg. You can fly to Jammu as well but Jammu-Srinagar road is usually blocked in winters.
2. February: Rajasthan
Rajasthani Culture is really colorful and its cuisines are finger licking good. Apart from being the desert state of India, its magnanimous historical forts, palaces standing out, in huge deserts, and its folk art and culture do attaract everyone.
The palaces in places like Jaipur, the lakes of Udaipur, and the famous forts in the deserts of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner should be on top of your list while visiting Rajasthan. January is very cold but with February temperature is good enough to enjoy vacation.
In February, there is Grand Music festival organised in Udaipur which is worth attending. Also, State has got great connectivity so it makes Rajasthan perfect destination for taking Road trip in the Dessert.
Places to Visit: Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh, Jaipur.
Reaching Here: Places here are very well connected by road.
By Bus: You can take state roadways to commute or private buses are also available
By Air: Take a flight to Jodhpur/Jaipur and hire cab for onwards journey.
3. March: Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Craving sunny skies, white sand beaches, blue waters and swaying palm trees? Head to Andamans and spend your time around the crystal clear beaches.
For those who prefer the serenity of nature, these islands also hold the promise of pristine beaches and the grandeur of the Bay of Bengal. From scuba diving and snorkelling to parasailing and sea walking, this tropical paradise is the hub of aqua adventures. You can plan to visit Havelock and Neil Island along with Port Blair.
P.S: Don't miss the Elephant beach trek in Havelock :)
Places to Visit: Neil islands, Ross Island, Havelock island (try water sports here), Portblair - Kala Pani Jail, Museums etc
Reaching Here: Take a flight to Port Blair. You can take local auto for travelling in portblair or hire 2 wheeler. Commuting between islands is done by Ferry which you can pre book as well.
4. April: Sikkim
Glittering glacial lakes, endless pastures, waterfalls at every turn, quiet monastery towns, and scenic drives on some of the worst roads, that's how Sikkim would be. Capital city Gantok has lot to offer. The sight of The Himalayas everywhere you look around is grandiose. The atmosphere here gives you a fresh feel.
Places to Visit: So many places to visit when you are here in Sikkim. Ravangla, Gurudongmar Lake, Nathula Pass, Pelling etc. To cover all of Sikkim you might need 10 days atleast. On the way back its a good idea to cover Darjeeling as well.
Reaching Here:
By Air: Fly to Bagdogra. Hire a cab to reach Gangtok by road.
P.S: Since all the places are reached by road and its all in steep mountains prefer to hire cab if you are not a pro driver.
5. May: Meghalaya
Situated in the hills of the eastern sub-Himalayas, Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states of India. Its also called "abode of clouds", that's the meaning of this word. It will amaze you in number of unimaginable ways. From its sheer natural beauty in the form of countless waterfalls, calm lakes and pristine rivers to humble people and their matrilineal culture.
Places to visit: Cherrapunji(we have all grown up reading about this being wettiest place on earth ^_^), Shillong, Dawki (Crsytal clear river), Mawlynnong (Cleanest Village of Asia). While being there in Cherrapunji, enjoy trek to single and double decker living root bridge and also further to Rainbow Waterfall which has got mesmerising view.
Reaching Here: Fly to Guwahati. Hire a cab to reach Shillong and further places. Its well connected via road.
By Bus: You can take state buses as well.
6. June: Leh-Ladakh, The Land of High Passes
An adventurer’s paradise, Ladakh is one of the most enthralling places to visit in India. Arid mountains, dramatically crowned rocky outcrops, picturesque gompas, meditational mani walls and multi hued flags are few of the many sites that exemplify the beauty of Ladakh. The well balanced traditional society of Ladakh has much to offer the West in terms of ecological awareness.
If you want to explore it fully, plan for bike expedition. Be treated to long strokes, open roads and spectacular views all while climbing the world’s highest motorable passes on your classic geared bikes. A Bike Trip to Leh Ladakh is a dream of every Biker.
Places to Explore: Pangong lake, Tso Moriri, Diskit Monastry, Nubra Valley, Magnetic Hill, Leh Fort, Shanti Stupa at Leh etc.
How to Reach: Take a flight direct to Leh and hire cab/bike to roam around. If planning for a full bike expedition it can be done from Manali->Leh->Srinagar or reverse.
7. July: Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
The official holy residence of the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala is the purest and at the same time the most fun destination you can visit. The downside of Dharamshala is the Mcleodganj who is a Tibetan colony and the place of monks in exile. You’ll get to know more about Buddhism culture and Tibetans here.
There is so much to do in and around this place. A walk past prayer wheels at the serene open monasteries of Nechung and Namgyal is bound to leave you more peaceful and content than when you came in. Explore the enchanting Dhauladhar ranges with day hikes to Kareri village, overnight camps at the meadows of Triund, or 4-day treks to the Indrahaar pass.
Nestled in the lap of the majestic Himalayan mountain range lies the quaint Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, a definate picturesque stadium to visit when here.
Nearby Places to Visit: charming St. John Church, headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dal Lake, etc. Explore near by places like Bir for paragliding, Kangra, Gaggal as well.
How to Reach:
Air: The nearest airport is at Gaggal, about 13 kilometres away from Dharamshala.
Road: Hire a cab from Chandigarh/Delhi. Or book HRTC bus from here.
Train: the nearest major railway station is at Pathankot, 85 kilometres away. Take bus from Pathankot to reach Dharamshala.
8. August: Wayanad
Known for its soothing temperature all around the year, Wayanad is the ultimate destination to escape the scorching sun of North India. This place doesn’t only offer its cool temperature but along with that, it has untouched woods, misty mountains, and long spread plantations. Often called the spice garden of India.
You will feel very close to nature due to its vast orchards of various spices like cardamom, Black pepper, Star Anise, Fenugreek, Black cumin and more. These green orchards of distinct spices give this place a different fragrance which is further enriched with the aroma of coffee plantation, nutrition of organic fruits and vegetables and waving paddy fields.
Adding to all the natural beauty Wayanad have, India’s largest earth dam and Asia’s second-largest earth dam, Banasura Sagar Dam is in Wayanad.
Places to Visit: You can trek to India’s largest Earth Dam, Banasura Dam or trek to witness the sun setting behind the mountains from Wayanad’s highest peak, Chembra Peak also called as the heart-shaped lake
Reaching here:
By Air: The Karipur international airport at Kozhikode is the only airport situated within the vicinity of Wayanad.
By Rail: The Kozhikode Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Wayanad.
By Road: Wayanad has a good network of KSRTC buses to the nearby cities.
9. September: Lahaul & Spiti
Long winding roads and valleys that present unforgettable glimpses of cold desert and snow-crowned mountains welcome you when you set foot into Spiti Valley. It's good time between late June and mid September to visit Spiti, high snow-bound passes remain open and temperatures are pleasant enough for a couple of hours without a sweater. Spiti is known for its stunning landscapes and extraordinary monastries.
If you want to plan a proper trip with 7-10 days in hand, do the Delhi to Spiti Valley stretch via Shimla. Delhi-Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti-Manali-Delhi. The Kinnaur route covers Shimla, Kalpa and Chitkul which are very scenic. Plan the trip Between late June and mid September, high snow-bound passes remain open and temperatures are pleasant enough for a couple of hours without a sweater. However, if you are short on time you can head to Manali directly, now Atal Tunnel gives awesome connectivity directly to Kunzum Pass and Kaza as well.
Reaching Shimla/Manali: Take overnite bus from Delhi or directly hire cab from Chandigarh.
10. October: Gokarna
Goa is everyone's favourite but over the past few years it has become crowded. If you are looking for a place with equally beautiful beaches and hippie vibes but lesser crowd then Gokarna is right place for you.
It's beaches comprise the ideal sunset treat. The temple town has something to offer for every traveller. From Mahabaleshwara temple to the pristine beaches, Gokarna is the epitome of beauty, spirituality and tranquillity. There are a number of things you can do in Gokarna. Trek from one beach to another, practice yoga by the beach, visit a nearby temple or simply sit and stare at the beautiful blue waters in Gokarna. Gokarna is a perfect place to unwind in the lap of nature. It has got many hostel and homestays as well to give backpackers and ideal stay.
Places to Visit:
* Om Beach (connected to Gokarna by road)
* Half moon beach (connected to Om beach via a hiking path)
* Paradise beach (connected to Gokarna by road)
* Kudle beach (connected to Gokarna by road, but you still need to walk down to get to the beach)
Reaching Here:
By Train: Gokarna Road is the nearest railway station (about 8 km away) to the main Gokarna town. However, the station is not that well- connected with other cities. Another station called Ankola which is about 20 km away from Gokarna is a relatively more well-connected railway station.
By Air: The nearest airport to Gokarna is the Goa Dabolim airport.
By Road: Gokarna is well- connected to the nearby cities by road. Direct buses run from Goa, Bangalore and Mangalore at regular intervals. You can also hire a cab from nearby cities to reach Gokarna
11. November: Munnar & Alleppey, Kerala
The magical land of god- Kerala, is one of the most beautiful places on earth, filled with tropical beaches, coconuts, shimmering backwaters, a tropical climate, a rich cultural tradition and the elephants, is one of the best place to plan a vacation. From indulging in ayurvedic treatments to local cuisines, there’s a lot that will make your trip experience enriching.
Munnar is also called "Kashmir of South India" and has large expanses of tea plantations, forests, diverse wildlife, valleys and mountains. Extremely famous for its beautiful backwaters, the city of Alleppey in Kerala is also known for its beaches, temples and traditional boat races. Munnar and Alleppey are 180km apart so good to plan both the places together.
Places to Visit:
Munnar: Go trekking to echo point, catch a glimpse of rare bird species at the wildlife and the bird sanctuary and mountain bike riding or climb the huge hills.
Alleppey: Witnessing the boat race, bird watching, engaging is ayurvedic spas and visiting the temples and churches pres.
Reaching Here: Kochi is the nearest railway station to Munnar at a distance of 88 km from Munnar. You can hire cab for onwards journey.
If taking a train, then Located 1km from the beach, Allapuzha is the nearest railway station to Alleppey.
12. December: Kasol
It's the winter month in North India and those who enjoy winter, chilly temperature, and are waiting to have fun in snow for whole year then Kasol is the right place.
Peacefully set along the banks of Parvati River, amid the picturesque Parvati Valley, Kasol is truly a paradise for all those who want to find their true calling, those who want to climb the mountains, those who want to swallow some sunshine, those who want to experience the warmth of the people of mountains, and those who want to witness Kasol in winter.
There are so many things to do while in Kasol. Explore near by treks, do cafe hopping, visit Manikaran's hot water springs and Enjoy snowfall when here in December.
Near By treks to do: Grahan Village trek, Kheerganga, Malana, Challal trek. Also visit Kalga-Pulga-Tulga, Tosh.
Cafes to Explore: Evergreen Cafe, PanjTara, Moon Dance Cafe etc.
Reaching Here:
By Air: Nearest Airport is Bhuntar. Hire a cab from Bhuntar to Kasol
By Bus: Overnite buses are available from Delhi/Chandigarh
By Road: Hire a cab from Delhi/Chandigarh
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed reading this travel plan and might help in planning your own 2021 Travel plans. For more travel stories connect on Instagram