Winters are perfect for a short family trip. Travelling in winter is an experience in itself. India as a travel destination has a lot to offer no matter what the season. From snow-peaked mountains to unexplored beaches, we have it all – just waiting to be discovered! We have shortlisted five destinations that a perfect for families in winter. So buckle up and get ready to experience winters like never before! Ladakh Overrun by travellers in the summers, at least in the well known tourist spots, Ladakh in winter is a special treat – both as a visual treat and for being less explored when snow and sun show up next to each other. Though many parts of the recently sanctioned Union Territory will be snowbound and inaccessible and most of the hotels will be shut, for the adventurous there will always be some areas to explore, especially those who are interested in wildlife and wish to seek the elusive Snow Leopards and other wildlife and birds of the trans-Himalayas. Winter is also the time when some of the shepherd communities come down from the higher altitudes with their livestock to escape the harsh winter, mainly sheep-rearing nomads who lead an interesting life depending on sheep rearing and weaving as they move from place to place. Another reason to be in Ladakh in the winter is to be a part of some of the winter festivals like Losar and the Oracle Festival and games like ice skating. Connect with your travel agent to help them curate a program that allows you to explore Ladakh at your own pace without the crowds. Just before the region transitions to winter, is the time when myriad colours light up the landscape as the poplars, willows and various wild shrubs take on fall hues. Closer to spring is also the time when the apricot flowers bloom in gently blushing clusters. Where to Stay One of the best hotels in Leh, The Grand Dragon Ladakh. is on the edge of the main town. A 15-minute drive from Leh Airport, the property is a family-run standalone hotel with the best suites in the entire region. The Grand Dragon boasts a multi-cuisine restaurant and a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect both for families and friends travelling together. For couples celebrating events, the hotel’s top suites are an other worldly indulgence. On request, the hotel can organize close-by excursions to the Indus confluence, LAMO and Central Asian Museum with a guide, besides visits to monasteries that are open at this time. Western Ghats Siruvani and Valparai: It is easy to miss Siruvani, a small hamlet right over the Western Ghats and the Muthikulam Forests of Palakkad district. But those who live in and visit Coimbatore know that the water supply for Coimbatore is from Siruvani. touted to be the sweetest water in the country. Combined with Valparai in the Annamalai Hills, this will be your intensive of the western ghats, known to be one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its population of endemic bird species, forests, communities and walking trails – Valparai is a sanctum for wildlife and nature lovers. Where to Stay Dvara offers ten cottages offering you a glimpse into the traditions of Tamil Nadu from its cuisine, local farming (baby shallots are grown in this region), floor art and the delightful stories woven into your rooms as Dvara (thresholds), architecture, calendar art, snacks and vintage furniture. Highlights include bike rides, walks along the reservoir, visit to the Isha Yoga Ashram, local temples and hand-woven textile units. With Salem and Tirupur close to Coimbatore, there are some interesting textile immersions, including a museum in Coimbatore and relics that suggest that Salem and Tirupur supplied fabric to ancient Romans. On the other hand, Sinna Dorai Valparai is your definite base, set inside thousands of acres of tea gardens that meander over slopes that hug forests and meadows, small reservoirs and gushing seasonal streams. The Sinna Dorai Plantation Bungalows are the ideal between heritage stay, personal services and local cuisines. A good team will help you hike through the forests and plantations, giving you a glimpse of the region’s birding habitats while short excursions around include visits to Roti Kadai and also the Reservoir. North Kerala North Kerala is still unexplored in parts and has many visual treats to offers and hot spots that are unspoilt by unchecked tourism. Bekal Fort, Chembara Peak, the forests of Wayanad, the remote beaches of the Malabar coast to name a few. The Malabar Coastline of the Arabian Sea has several towns and small hamlets accessed by trains or flights and good road connectivity from major metros. One such beautiful village is Neeleshwaram in Kasargod District, a little under two hours from the Kannur International Airport. The pride of the district is the miles of undisturbed beaches lined with palm groves, peaceful inland waterways and clean sandy beaches. Where to Stay: An oasis of calm set in twelve naturally landscaped acres, Neeleshwar Hermitage is built according to the traditional architectural principles of traditional Kerala architecture that leans towards the perfect Vastu. The whole site is oriented towards the east to catch the energy of the rising sun, while the buildings are positioned cleverly in relation to each other for privacy and views, and in sync with the four directions and the site as a whole. The traditional wood-and-thatch architecture is balanced with stylish contemporary touches and familiar modern comforts. Neeleshwar Hermitage overlooks a gloriously unspoiled beach of sand, stretching as far as the eye can see all around. The sea is clean and safe for swimming most of the year, perfect for families to spend time together, meditate or begin a day with Yoga. Murshidabad Murshidabad is a historical town about six hours by road from Kolkata, also accessible by day train. Flanked alongside the eastern bank of the Ganges river (called Bhagirathi in these parts), you arrive at