5 Awesome Places to Escape Delhi This Winter

by Alap Parikh.

Winter is almost here, and if you're like us, you're thinking of the road again. Whether you want to escape or embrace the cold, India Untravelled has places for you to beat the crowds and soak in the serenity of nature. Tropical or snow-capped, your paradise awaits.

RAISON

Manali has being seeing a lot of tourists of late and has lost some of the charm it was initially famous for. However, that does not mean you cannot visit without staying away from the bustling crowds. One option that enables you to do this is a royal heritage villa in Raison, a quaint British structure set among apple and kiwi orchards and restored as a homestay by the apple barons of the region. It is surrounded by panoramic views of the Himalayas on all sides, with the River Beas flowing below. It offers a quiet retreat close to nature, and you can easily visit Manali for a day trip as well. You can also spend time winding down in a homely environment, trekking in the majestic outdoors, following Buddhist trails, or exploring the gorgeous countryside of Himachal Pradesh.

Stay in this heritage villa amid the mountains

PEORA

The Dak Bungalow is a quaint mountain homestay, run by a hospitable family which works with the region's local NGO. Accommodation is provided in an English Dak Bungalow that retains its original mud walls, high ceilings and colonial character. It is surrounded by the terraced valleys of Peora, and offers beautiful views of the Himalayas beyond. You can hike in the surrounding forests and mountains, walk along the forest trails, interact with the local village folk, and do day trips to Almora / Mukteshwar. 

The Bungalow

SATTAL

Camping in the middle of a Himalayan forest is not everyone’s idea of a holiday! If you are up for spending the night with a lantern, exploring the jungle at night with a torch, living in a tent amid a dense jungle, rappelling on the rock face, waking up at midnight to the call of the barking deer, or if you’re lucky, a leopard, then you are sure to love an adventure at Sattal. To reach the campsite, you have to boat across the river and walk through the woods for 10-15 minutes. The campsite is a  beautiful valley surrounded by the Himalayas. Adventure activities like rapelling, river crossing, burma bridge, flying fox, night forest trek can be organized, as well as games like volleyball, football etc.

Boating across the lake

BEYOND JAIPUR & CHANDIGARH

If you've ever wondered how life on a farm in India must be like, the organic farm stays near Jaipur and Chandigarh are what you should be looking at. Living in thatched huts or tents and savouring delicious food cooked with fresh produce from the farms itself, you can get involved in the farming activities and learn more about the way things work, or just observe the goings-on and relax amid the natural rural setting. It will certainly be both a rejuvenating and eye opening trip! 

Cut, sow and harvest the farm crops

DELHI!

Perhaps you didn't want to go too far out of Delhi and were searching for something just a hop, skip and jump away. Or maybe (and unfortunately) you don't have much time to holiday. Why not stay in Delhi itself and explore it like you probably never have before? We've put together a 4 day itinerary on which you could find yourself in a talented village of potters and witness lakes reminiscent of those in the grand Himalayas. If knowing more about Delhi is on your checklist, then the 'Untravel Delhi' itinerary would be perfect for you.

Pristine lakes near Delhi

For more ideas on offbeat and responsible destinations in India, visit www.indiauntravelled.com or join India Untravelled on Facebook and Twitter. To contribute guest posts / photo essays to this blog, please see our contribution guidelines and send your story ideas to blog@indiauntravelled.com.