Manali

Manali gets its first snowfall around mid December, when it transforms into a winter wonderland replete with snow-covered peaks, and a blanket of pristine white draped all across the hill station. With the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas, it offers the perfect balance between tranquility and adventure, making it one of the most popular hill destinations in northern India. Fringed by thick pine trees and the Beas river gurgling along, you can decide to spend your holiday doing nothing at all or pack in your itinerary with interesting activities. Approached by road from Chandigarh, which is about 300 kilometres away, there are a number of Himachal Tourism buses that run from Delhi and Chandigarh at frequent intervals, though the distance from Delhi is best undertaken in one of the comfortable overnight buses. For those who wish to partake in adventurous activities, there’s fishing, white water rafting, paragliding, skiing, mountaineering, and hiking in and around Manali. If you’re looking to go off the beaten path, try one of the packages organised by Trans Himalayan Adventures, which focus on healing and rejuvenation. Solang Valley is a good option for the kids, offering a bunch of fun winter sports including skiing.