Starting the year with a trip is the way to set the tone of your year accordingly. The place you choose to visit can be a reflection of your year’s goals. But, with so many options for you to visit, where should you go?
Well, you can start with Incredible India. No matter where you are based in the world, the seventh-largest country and the largest democracy in the world is undeniably one of the most amazing places for you to visit.
So, without further delay, let’s look at the best places to visit in January in India. This list will feature some of the most beautiful locations in the country that can help you set a direction for the year ahead.
Top 10 amazing places to visit in January in India
India is exceptional any month of the year. However, when you are starting a new year in January, there are various places that are extra nice during that time of the year. The goal of this article is to help you find an ideal vacation spot to start your year based on your goal and mental state.
If you want to be a trailblazer for the new year, you can visit new places that are unheard of yet, and create the path that others will walk on after you have discovered them. Regardless if you follow the list or create your own, be sure to travel, see the incredible diversity of India, and take lessons from your travels to use them in your life to lead a better year ahead.
Places to visit in January #1: Kolkata
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Known as the city of joy, Kolkata is an ideal place for you to start your year amidst the warm Bengali culture and nature. Kolkata served as the capital of India for some time and, as such, houses many remnants of colonial rule to this day. Spending the new year in this city is going to be an experience like no other.
You can enjoy the exuberant Christmas and New Year celebrations at Park Street or visit the Belur Math and Dakshineshwar Mandir to pray to god for your success this year. From spirituality to nightlife, you will find everything in Kolkata, which makes it the ideal spot for you to visit in January.
Oh, and last but not least, you will be pleasantly greeted and surprised by the beautiful weather of Kolkata in January, which will surely make your trip even better.
How to reach Kolkata?
By air: The city is connected to all the major cities in the nation and the rest of the world by the Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, also known as the Kolkata International Airport.
By rail: The two main railheads in the city are located in Howrah and Sealdah. The question of how to get to Kolkata by train is answered by the fact that both of these railway terminals have excellent connections to all of the major cities in the nation.
By road: The West Bengal state buses make it easy for visitors to reach this place. You can travel around the nation on a variety of private buses from this location for an affordable price.
Places to visit in January #2: Goa
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Known for its incredible beaches, terrific views, and exuberant nightlife, Goa is the perfect place to visit year-round. When you are starting a new year, and you just want to let go of your inhibitions and celebrate to bid adieu to the previous year, Goa is the best place.
You can find yourself partying all night and then spending a leisurely day sitting in front of the open sea to contemplate your life and your resolutions for the new year. January is a time for celebration for most, and celebration you will get of the highest order at Goa.
How to reach Goa?
By air: The closest international airport to Goa is in Dabolim if you’re arriving by air. The primary airport in Dabolim is located almost 29 kilometres distant from Panaji. The major domestic cities and the important foreign cities in the United Kingdom and Germany are all easily accessible from this international airport.
By rail: Madgaon and Vasco-da-Gama are the names of the primary train station. These train stations have excellent connections to Mumbai, as well as other significant regions in the nation.
By road: Roadways are another option for travellers to reach Goa because there are several buses that are available. The closest bus stop is Panaji’s Kadamba bus stand, which is also known as the main bus station.
Places to visit in January #3: Darjeeling
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To the opposite end of Goa, both geographically and spiritually, Darjeeling is one of the best hill stations for you to visit in January. You can find snow, incredible weather and views, and an opportunity to see the Sleeping Buddha mountains, with the highest mountain in India, Kanchenjunga, in full view.
You will also be able to get a chance for international travel to Nepal through the Mirik border and shop for some souvenirs from another country. To calm your mind and get a grip on your life, you can find many Buddhist monasteries and temples. Overall, Darjeeling, which is known as the Queen of all hill stations in India, is one of the best places to visit in January India.
How to reach Darjeeling?
By air: Bagdogra Airport, which is around 95 kilometres from Darjeeling, is the closest airport to the city. There are a few direct flights to Darjeeling from cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati. Taxis can be hired to take you from the airport to the city. From the airport, it would take around 3 hours to go to Darjeeling.
By rail: New Jalpaiguri, which connects Darjeeling with all the major regions of the nation, is the station that is most nearby. From places like Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, and Kochi, there are several trains.
By road: Several significant nearby cities, like Gangtok and Kalimpong, which are separated from Darjeeling by distances of 100 and 51 kilometres, respectively, are well connected.
Places to visit in January #4: Manali
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One of the most popular hill stations in the country, Manali is a premier tourist destination, and you will see just why when you visit the place. If you want to start your new year with plenty of activities and positivity, Manali is the place for you to go. This hill station features a variety of scenic snow-capped mountains, adventure sports, and other activities.
You will never be bored of exploring, adventuring, trekking, and just enjoying your time with yourself away from the world in Manali. If you want to start your year actively with a go-getter attitude, this is one of the best places for you to visit.
How to reach Manali?
By air: The entry point to this area is the Bhuntar airport, which is 10 kilometres from Manali. Flying saves travellers a significant amount of time, allowing them to spend more time enjoying Manali.
By rail: The closest rail station to Manali that connects the hill station with various significant cities in the nation is Jogindernagar. Other train routes to Manali include those through Chandigarh and Ambala.
By road: The state bus system in Himachal Pradesh is excellent, and it is possible to travel frequently and affordably by bus from the area to many locations around the nation. Road travel is the quickest and most economical way to get to Manali.
Places to visit in January #5: Nandankanan Zoological Garden
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Do you want a reminder that you are a tiger and that you should roar and fight for what’s yours? What better way to get that reminder than from the tiger themselves? January is an incredible month to visit this huge zoological garden located in Odisha because of the weather and the abundance of migratory birds that visit this zoo and botanical garden during the winter months.
You can learn many life lessons from wildlife, so make sure you are attentive while you are spending your time in the serenity of this humongous zoological garden and botanical garden.
How to reach Nandankanan Zoological Garden?
By air: The distance between the airport and the zoo is roughly 20 kilometres.
By rail: Less than 1 kilometre separates the nearest railroad station, Barang (East Coast Railway), from the zoo.
Places to visit in January #6: Vagamon
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Vagamon is your ideal place to start your year if you are a vagabond at heart. This sparsely populated and off-beat tourist location is perfect for creating your year with the peace and calmness that your mind needs.
You can spend your time catching Pokemon at Vagamon on your mobile phone, or you can try to click the next default wallpaper for Windows XP; the choices are endless. The weather, surroundings, and vibe of this small Keralian village are quite hard to match, even by some of the most well-known hill stations in India.
So, if you want to take some time off from your busy life and people to start your new year with a fresh mind, visit Vagamon.
How to reach Vagamon?
By air: The Cochin International Airport is the closest airport. You can then take a bus, car, or cab to Vagamon from there.
By rail: The closest station to Vagamon in Kottayam, which is 64 kilometres distant. Vagamon is 149 kilometres away from Madurai. For the remaining distance, there are buses, taxis, and cabs (shared and otherwise).
By road: Vagamon can be readily reached by car since it is about 100 miles from Cochin. There are also available local taxis, cabs, and state tourism buses that connect the hill station with the town.
Places to visit in January #7: Pondicherry
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From the hills back to the sea, Pondicherry is one of the most sought-after and beautiful tourist destinations in India. It was a French colony for the longest time, and all the remnants of colonial rule still exist in the streets of this city. Visiting Pondicherry is like going back in time with a time machine.
You will find vintage designs in the buildings, streets, and every piece of architecture and planning in the city. You will also find incredibly beautiful beaches in this coastal city. Pondicherry is also famous for its relation to spirituality, thanks to the Arabinda Ashram in the city that attracts thousands of tourists from around the world every year.
How to reach Pondicherry?
By air: The closest airport, Chennai International Airport, is located 135 kilometres away. Numerous Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Pune, Hyderabad, etc., are easily accessible from Chennai.
By rail: The closest railroad station, in Villupuram, is 35 kilometres distant. Regular train service connects Villupuram to Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), Madurai, and Chennai.
By road: The best way to go to Pondicherry is via car, either in a taxi or a bus. From Bengaluru, Chennai, and Madurai, private tourist buses travel to Pondicherry. Buses leave from Koyembedu in Chennai roughly every 15 minutes.
Places to visit in January #8: Havelock Island
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If you want to start your new year away from everyone in solitude and solace, you can’t go further away in India than to the Havelock Islands, which is a part of the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. Located in the middle of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, this island is incredibly beautiful for its scenic views, virtually untouched beaches, clear waters, and lush greenery.
Overall, the Andaman and Nicobar islands can humble you beyond what you imagine. It will help you look at the grander scheme of things and even help you see and create the path that you should embark on for this new year. During the winter months, these islands feature the best weather of the year, so visiting these islands during January is the best time for you to explore these islands.
How to reach Havelock Island?
By air: The island’s closest airport, Port Blair Airport, has good connections to a number of cities and states. You can take a ferry to the island from the airport. There is also a seaplane accessible for tourists to use to travel there.
By rail/water: Since Havelock is an island, there is no train service to this location. However, since the waterways are so busy, visitors can go to the island by ferry. Ferries, both public and private, are widely accessible. The best way to leave and enter the island is by ferry.
By road: You can travel easily throughout the island thanks to the good roads. The cheapest form of transportation on the island are buses and shared jeeps.
Places to visit in January #9: Mawsynram
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If you are an eternal romantic that has loved and lost or has had any form of heartbreak in the past year, you can let the rain at Mawsynram wash away all the pain of yesterday. Known to be the wettest place on Earth after shortly beating Cherrapunji, visiting Mawsynram can be an experience of a lifetime.
See also: Planning your next trip? Take a look at the top 10 places to visit in India
One of the reasons why the experience is so unique is because this is one of the places which is unlike any other that you have visited previously or you will visit in the future again. So, if you just want to cry in the rain where no one can see your tears or you want to take some time off for yourself to heal from your broken heart, the best place for you to recover would be Mawsynram in Meghalaya.
How to reach Mawsynram?
By air: The Umroi airport in Shillong, which is located 87 kilometres away from Mawsynram, is the closest airport. The scenic route travels through some lovely hillocks and verdant scenery. Several private vehicles operate between the Shillong airport and Mawsynram.
By rail: The Guwahati railway station in Assam is the closest rail hub to any location in Meghalaya. Mawsynram is 151 kilometres away from the Guwahati railway station. By car, it takes about 4 hours and 35 minutes to get there.
By road: Mawsynram has good road connections to Shillong, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, Guwahati in Assam, and other well-known locations. Beautiful, cloud-topped hills and vast farmlands line the road’s path.
Places to visit in January #10: Shantiniketan
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One of the most unique yet fitting ways to start your new year would be at Shantiniketan at the abode of the bard Rabindranath Tagore. If you ask any Bengali, they will happily tell you that Tagore’s writing has references and reflections of every point of human life.
No matter where you are in your life, whether you are struggling or you are content with your existence, a visit to Shantiniketan can help you find whatever you are missing in your life. This beautiful town in Bolpur, West Bengal, is a mega confluence of all types of art forms be it music, dance, and painting.
Starting your year in close proximity to greatness is a great way to inspire yourself for the year that’s ahead. Plus, Shantiniketan is a humble location that will help you get in touch with your roots as well.
How to reach Santiniketan?
By air: The closest airport is Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
By rail: Bolpur railway station is the closest train station. It is located about 2 kilometres from the town. Daily trains connect Bolpur to Kolkata Junction.
By road: The roads between Shantiniketan and Kolkata are in good condition. Visitors to and from Santiniketan receive a respectable service from the public and private transportation.
FAQs
Where can I visit to watch snowfall in January?
If you want to watch the snowfall, there is no better time than the month of January, and there is no better place than Gulmarg in Kashmir.
Which is the cheapest hill station in India?
The cheapest hill station in India is Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir. You can also visit Kasol and Coorg to save a little bit on your pocket.
Where can I visit for a relaxing and fun vacation in India?
You can visit Goa in India for a fun and relaxing vacation at the beach.
Which part of India to visit in January?
Some of the best places to visit in India during January include Goa, Jaipur, Munnar, Kutch, Chikmagalur, Kasol, Rishikesh, Manali, McLeodganj, Udaipur, Coorg, Auli, Pondicherry, Andaman and Nicobar, Dharamshala and many more.
Is January a good time to visit India?
Yes, India experiences the peak of winters during January. The weather is cool and pleasant to enable a comfortable and enjoyable sightseeing experience.
Which is the coldest place in India during January?
Located in the northern Karakoram range, the Siachen Glacier is the coldest place in India during January and is perched at an altitude of 5,753 meter.
Dhwani is a content management expert with over five years of professional experience. She has authored articles spanning diverse domains, including real estate, finance, business, health, taxation, education and more. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Dhwani’s interests encompass reading and travelling. She is dedicated to staying updated on the latest real estate advancements in India.
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