Winter Tour Packages

Winter in most of India pulls people in two opposite directions at once: some want to experience the snow, while others want to escape the gloomy days to chill by a beach. From a Gulmarg ski slope to a Maldivian atoll, winter tour packages cover a wider spread of cold weather and mood than any other time of year. 

So, picking the right destination makes all the difference. This guide runs through 10 destinations, domestic and international, each one at its best between November and February.

10 Best Destinations for Your Winter Holiday

Winter in India runs roughly from November to February. What that actually feels like on the ground, though, changes completely depending on where you are.

It can mean snowshoes and a thermos of kahwa, or it can mean a cocktail by a pool. This range makes winter worth planning around rather than waiting out indoors.

Here are ten destinations that top the list:

Gulmarg and Srinagar, Kashmir

Kashmir's harshest cold spell, locally called Chillai Kalan, runs from 21 December to 31 January, and this is also when Gulmarg's snow turns straight out of the scenery.  The Gondola ride is one of the top things to do in Kashmir. 

The two phases of Gondola carry you from the meadow at 2,650 metres to Apharwat Peak at 3,979 metres. Phase 1 suits first-timers, Kongdori's bowl works for intermediates, and the steep runs off Apharwat are for experienced skiers. 

Heli-skiing operators run trips through January and February. If you are on honeymoon tour packages, pair the slopes with two nights in Srinagar for a Dal Lake houseboat stay and a Shikara ride to the floating market.

Goa

Goa's winter is really two different holidays wearing one name. North Goa, around Baga, Calangute and Anjuna, gets crowded from mid-December. The Arpora Saturday Night Market runs through the season, and Vagator hosts Sunburn's main festival crowd most years in late December. South Goa, around Palolem and Agonda, stays quiet to enjoy the waves.

Daytime temperatures sit at a comfortable 29 to 32°C through December and January, dropping to a pleasant 18 to 20°C at night. Christmas Eve draws large crowds to Midnight Mass at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. 

Hotel rates across both coasts climb sharply for the week spanning Christmas and New Year, sometimes doubling from November prices. Skip that ten-day window, either early December or the first two weeks of January, and you get the same weather and beaches at a fraction of the cost on most Goa tour packages.

Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Winter turns the Great Rann of Kutch into one of the most photogenic sights in the country: close to 30,000 sq. kilometres of white salt desert that stretches flat to the horizon. Under a full moon, the cracked salt crust glows almost silver, which is why locals call this stretch the Moonland of Gujarat.

The Rann Utsav festival runs from late October through early March this season. It turns Dhordo village, about 80 km from Bhuj, into a temporary tent city with nightly Kutchi folk performances, craft bazaars and bonfires. Tent tariffs range roughly from ₹6,000 to ₹20,000 per person depending on the category.

Away from the tents, Rann of Kutch Holidays offer travellers a chance to explore the region's unique attractions. Kalo Dungar (Black Hill) offers the highest viewpoint over the desert, and a day trip to Dholavira,  a UNESCO World Heritage Harappan site,  shows off one of the best-preserved Harappan cities ever excavated. 

Coorg, Karnataka

While the north chases snow, Coorg offers a gentler winter escape. It has misty mornings, coffee estates in full bloom, and pleasant daytime temperatures. 

Tucked into Karnataka's Western Ghats, Coorg (also called Kodagu) runs its tourist season from October to March. The coffee plantations look their best, with ripening berries and low cloud settling over the hills at dawn.

Abbey Falls, a short walk from Madikeri through spice and coffee estates, is especially atmospheric in the cooler months. Nearby Namdroling Monastery, home to a large community of Tibetan Buddhist monks, adds a completely different texture to the trip. 

Coorg tour packages often include a visit to Dubare Elephant Camp on the banks of the Cauvery is another regular stop, where entry costs a nominal ₹20 to ₹50 and a one-hour river rafting session runs around ₹1,200. These are best booked between October and December for the calmer water levels.

Havelock and Port Blair, Andaman

The Andaman Islands run on a completely different calendar from the rest of India, and winter is the best season to travel here. November through May brings calm seas, minimal rain and excellent visibility. This is ideal for scuba diving off Havelock Island (officially Swaraj Dweep) or a snorkelling trip to Elephant Beach.

Port Blair, now officially Sri Vijaya Puram, still holds the Cellular Jail's evening light and sound show, a 45-minute retelling of the freedom struggle projected onto the old colonial prison. A short ferry ride away, Ross Island, renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, walks visitors through the island's history as the old British administrative base. 

Port Blair tour packages often include a visit to Radhanagar Beach on Havelock remains the postcard image most people come for, and arriving around 4:30 pm to watch the sunset is a must. 

Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the top destinations to visit on winter tour packages. The Jungfrau region turns into one long postcard once the snow settles in December. 

The Eiger Express gondola cuts the ride from Grindelwald up to Eiger Glacier station to under fifteen minutes. It connects onwards to the cogwheel train that climbs through a tunnel cut through the Eiger's north face to reach the Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, at 3,454 metres.

Switzerland Holidays become especially magical during winter, when Zurich, Basel and Montreux fill their old towns with Christmas markets from late November. They sell mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and hand-carved wooden ornaments under strings of lights. Most markets run through to Christmas Eve, and a few, like Basel's, stay open a little longer. Ski activities in Zermatt and St Moritz run from December through March.

Dubai

Dubai flips its entire personality once winter arrives. The summer's 45°C heat drops to a manageable 24 to 28°C through December and January. This is the only stretch of the year when the desert, the pools and the rooftop terraces are all enjoyable.

Dubai Trip Packages often include a visit to Global Village, the seasonal outdoor market and entertainment park, usually opens around late October and runs through April. It includes pavilions representing more than 25 countries and a nightly fountain and fireworks show that's free. Dubai Shopping Festival remains open during December and January too, filling the malls with raffles and discounts.

Thailand

Thailand's cool season, running roughly November through February, is the most comfortable stretch of the year. Bangkok and Chiang Mai cool down to a pleasant 20 to 32°C, with Chiang Mai's evenings occasionally dropping into the 15 to 16°C. 

Thailand Holiday Packages are ideal for exploringPhuket, Krabi and Koh Samui stay warmer at 24 to 32°C, with none of the humidity or rain that makes the same beaches unbearable in June. Chiang Mai's night markets and temple circuit suit travellers chasing culture over beaches, while Railay and Phi Phi work better for anyone who wants the classic postcard water.

Maldives

The Maldives runs on the northeast monsoon through winter, which is the dry season here. November or December through April brings calm lagoons, minimal rain and daytime temperatures of a steady 27°C to 31°C.

Maldives tour packages are ideal during these months, as Snorkelling and diving visibility improve through these months as the seas settle, making it a strong window for house-reef snorkelling straight off the resort jetty. Speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport take 20 to 40 minutes for North Malé Atoll resorts. At the same time, atolls like Baa or Noonu usually need a 30 to 45-minute seaplane transfer. 

Vietnam

Northern Vietnam gets cold in winter, which surprises most first-time visitors expecting only tropical heat. In Sapa, daytime temperatures hover around 8-15°C through December and January, dropping close to freezing at night. 

Fansipan, the 3,143-metre peak known as the Roof of Indochina, occasionally sees frost or a light dusting of snow between late December and early February. It is one of the only places in the country where this happens.

The Fansipan cable car, one of the longest three-rope systems in the world, covers the climb from Muong Hoa Valley in around 15 minutes. Hmong and Dao villages around Sapa town stay active through winter, with markets selling handwoven textiles and warm clothing that double as useful souvenirs.

Vietnam tour packages are a great way to explore Further east, Halong Bay's limestone karsts look just as scenic in winter's cooler, mistier air. Hanoi in between offers Old Quarter street food and lakeside mornings considerably calmer than the city's summer crowds. 

Winter Travel Tips: Making the Most of the Season

A few practical points apply if you're booking a winter tour package. Here's what's worth sorting out before locking in dates:

• Book tents and ski slots before flights: Rann Utsav's better tent categories and Gulmarg's peak-week ski packages sell out faster than the flights to reach them. Book your Hotels in Gulmarg or the Rann of Kutch the moment your travel dates are confirmed.
• Pack in layers: Desert nights in Kutch drop close to freezing despite warm afternoons, so pack a compressible down jacket to stay prepared.
• Book snow destinations early: Kashmir hotels fill up fast once the first snowfall hits, and Gulmarg's gondola slots go even faster. Booking 2 to 3 months in advance is a realistic minimum for peak weeks.
• Protect your electronics: Cold weather drains lithium batteries fast. Keep your phone and camera batteries in an inner jacket pocket close to your body heat to prevent them from dying halfway through the day.
• Check visa timelines separately for each country: Thailand's rules changed twice in 2026 alone, and Switzerland's ETIAS system is still being phased in. Confirm current requirements a few weeks before departure rather than relying on what a friend did last year.

Book Your Winter Escape With EaseMyTrip

Winter rewards planning more than almost any other season because it offers two completely different kinds of holiday under one calendar window. Whether that means watching your breath fog up on a Gulmarg chairlift or ordering a second mocktail by a Maldivian lagoon, the destinations on this list cover both ends of that spread.

EaseMyTrip Holiday Packages are built to make this choice easy, with flights, hotels and sightseeing bundled as per your preferences. Book your winter holiday with us and enjoy zero booking fees on flights, whether you're headed for snow, sand or somewhere in between.