Miscellaneous

8 Charming Spring Getaways in India!

Last updated on December 26th, 2017 at 05:14 pm

It is spring time folks. Here is our list of the spring getaways where you can head to enjoy the season in India.

The cold winter is coming to an end. The morning mist is receding allowing sun to peep in. With melting of snow, small little flowers and grass are popping out turning valleys green in the mountains. This is the best time to be outdoors.  It is possible that you might have been to these places earlier but may not be in spring. These are the getaways we would love to go any day and which should entice to plan your next trip.

1. Srinagar, Kashmir

Yes. Kashmir is heavenly in Spring. The season of white is over and the beautiful valleys are now visible flanked by snow caped mountains. The weather is great in spring with clear, blue skies. Go for a Shikara ride in Dal lake. Hop into gondola in Gulmarg. Or Hike in Yusmarg – the unexplored wonder of Kashmir! Drive around the countryside.

This is also the time when almond trees are in full bloom making the valley beautiful. Then we have Tulips. This is the time when the largest tulip garden in Asia will be at its best and in full bloom.

Spring Getaways Srinagar

Tulips in Bloom, Srinagar (Photo Courtesy – Gowhar Butt)

Travel Information

Getting there – Srinagar is well-connected by Air to other parts of India. Train connection is only up to Udhampur from where one can take a bus or taxi. Srinagar is well-connected by road to other parts of the country

Stay Options – Srinagar has many options to stay suiting all budgets. One can also stay in houseboats on Dal lake.

2. Dalhousie/Khajjar, Himachal Pradesh

They call this “Chota Kashmir”. But Dalhousie and neighbouring Khajjar has their own charm. This is European landscape at its best. Meadows stretching miles and miles only disturbed by bunch of Himalayan Cedar trees. Streams flowing gently enhance the beauty of the landscape. Still unspoilt. Drive to nearby Dharamshala and “Go for a heavenly hike to Triund and enjoy the Rhododendrons in bloom.

Spring Getaways Khajjar

Meadows in Khajjar (Photo Courtesy – Mokshananda)

Travel Information

Getting there – Nearest airport is Dharamshala which is 110 KMs away. Dalhousie is well-connected by train and bus to other parts of the country.

Stay options – There are many stay options in both Dalhousie and Khajjar.

3. Ranikhet, Uttarakhand

The Himalayan state of Uttarkhand is blessed with some lovely small towns at the foothills of Himalayas. Uncrowded and away from touristy circuits, Ranikhet is one such place. Get up to a fantastic view of Himalayan ranges from your room even as you sit in the verandah sipping hot tea. Go for long walk in the woods, angle in the local stream, bask in the spring sun or just do nothing.

Spring Getaways Ranikhet

View of Himalayas in Ranikhet (Photo Courtesy – M S Mehta)

Travel Information

Getting there – The nearest airport is at Lucknow. The nearest railway station is at Kathgodem. Both places are well-connected to other cities of Uttarakhand and Lucknow by buses.

Stay Options – You have some lovely options to stay in restored British Bungalows in this area. Alternately, the hotels of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam is a good option.

4. Yumthang, Sikkim

Sikkim is a beautiful state and Yumthang valley takes the cake. Come spring and the valley turns colourful with rhododendrons in full bloom. Known as “Valley of Flowers” Yumthang Valley is extremely picturesque, with green slopes covered with trees, yaks grazing in the flower-spangled grassy plains below, and a river flowing right through the valley. The serene and tranquil air of the Valley cannot be described in words. A single visit there can leave the visitor in an enchanted state for weeks.

Spring Getaways Yumthang

Rhododendrons and snow caped peaks, Yumthang ( Photo Courtesy – Rakesh Dhoumdiyal)

Travel Information

Getting there – The nearest airport is at Bagdogra which is four hours journey. Make Gangtok as base and explore Yumthang.

Stay options – Lachung has good options to stay from where one can explore the valley.

5. Ooty, Tamil Nadu

The queen of hill stations is at its best in Spring. There is a chill in the air. The skies are crystal blue. There is no crowd. Drive around in the country side of Avalanche, Coonoor or Kotagiri and experience amazing landscape.

Spring Getaways Emerald Lake, Ooty

Emerald Lake, Ooty

Travel Information

All you need to know about Ooty is available in this post on this blog.

Ooty – An escape to Red Hills

6. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Kodai still retains its charm. Spring means salubrious climate with a nip in the air. Low hanging clouds caressing the valleys. Yes, crowds are still not there yet. Time to be there.

Spring Getaways Kodaikanal

Terraced farming, Kodaikanal (Photo Courtesy – Ramkumar)

Travel Information

Getting there – The nearest airport is at Madurai which is 100 KMs away. The nearest railhead is Kodaikanal Road which is well-connected to other parts of the country. Kodai is well-connected by bus to other towns of South india.

Stay options – Kodai has excellent choice of hotels suiting all budgets.

7. Malnad Region in Karnataka – Coorg, Chikmagalur, Sakleshpur, Tirthahalli and Sirsi/Dandeli

We wanted to include Malnad in the list. Our choice of season for Malnad is fag-end of Monsoon when you find a water fall every KM! This is the best time to explore Western ghats if you have missed out on winter and don’t want to get wet in monsoon.  The forests are colourful, the streams are gentle and the sun is still not hot. It is the time to trek to many peaks and most importantly to water falls which you can not do in any other season.

Kavadekere Lake, Uttara Kannada

Kavadekere Lake, Uttara Kannada

Travel Information. You can check the following posts for further information

Chikmagalur – A monsoon drive in Western Ghats

Tirthahalli – An itinerary t0 experience monsoon in western Ghats

Sakleshpur – Kaptivated in Kadamane estate

Sirsi/Dandeli – Explore Uttara Kannada

A Hill Holiday in Coorg

8 Munnar, Kerala

Munnar

Mettupatty Lake, Munnar

Munnar is lovely in any season. Our pick is monsoon. If you don’t like to get wet, then this is the best time to be there. Fantastic weather and greenery around make this place a perennial choice.

Travel Information

You can check this post on this blog for detailed information on Munnar – All about Munnar

What are your choices for this spring? We would like to hear from you.

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