Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations in India in Winter

Winter is the time when many couples in India tie the knots and look forward to beautiful beginnings. And thus starts their quest to find top winter honeymoon destinations in India. It was a painstaking effort to choose just the top 10 honeymoon destinations in India in winter as there are so many.

Before choosing one of these top honeymoon picks, I’d also suggest that you check out some tips on winter packing and traveling safe in India.

There are so many places for beautiful beginnings in India but which destination to choose also depends on the likes and tastes of the couples who are venturing out for honeymoon in India.

In no particular order here are the top 10 honeymoon destinations in India:

1. Kerala, God's own Country

Luxury Houseboat, Kerala Backwaters

No list is complete without mentioning Kerala as one of the top honeymoon destinations in India. There are beaches and backwaters, Ayurveda and spa and now the ethnic tree houses, there are a lot of activity to please the newly wed couples during their honeymoon.

The palm fringed backwaters at Alapuzza, the pervading calm and the sight of lush surroundings are enough to freeze the time. There are luxury houseboats complete with bedrooms, washroom, deck and kitchen which is one of the best options for honeymoon in Kerala. Imagine dining under the star with moon light shining golden in the water…how’s that for romance?

Kovalam with its 3 crescent shaped beaches is an internationally acclaimed beach destination in Kerala. For couples looking forward to their honeymoon, there is sun bathing, invigorating body massages and cruises to add to the romance.

You could splurge at Leela Kovalam, one of the most luxurious resorts in Kovalam. There are special packages by the hotel offering romantic activities like candle light dinner along the Kovalam Beach, breakfast in the bed, personalized cake and bottle of wine on arrival, romantic dinner overlooking Arabian Sea, airport transfers and complimentary romantic spa treatments.

Here's a comprehensive travel guide to Kerala Tourism. You may also want to check out the top 5 places to visit in Kerala. 

2. Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir

Ladakh is renowned for its barren beauty and awe inspiring monasterie

I know it’s unconventional, but this high altitude paradise is the latest fad among the adventurous couples. Ladakh is renowned all over the world for its awesome lakes, high altitude desert, mighty mountain passes and barren landscape.

Ladakh, also referred to as Little Tibet is one of the most surreal places to visit in India and also one of the safest. Sprinkled with monasteries, lakes and straddled in the Great Himalaya, Ladakh is a honeymooner’s paradise indeed.

Its magical landscape, friendly people, and relatively sparse population are perfect ingredients for a romantic escape. Besides serene retreats, there’s spirituality, adventure like mountain biking and even river rafting to keep the couples entertained and thrilled.

What could be more fascinating than sleeping in camps surrounded by cotton wool mountain peaks, riding two-humped camel in the 'desert in the sky' Hunder or getting cozy in the one of the luxury camp by the shore of the magical Pangong Lake near Spangmik or Tso Moriri in Changthang...the list is endless.

This one page handbook to Ladakh may also come handy if you are planning to travel to Ladakh for your beautiful beginning. Here's 5 most popular places to visit in Ladakh.

3. Udaipur, Rajasthan

Without a doubt, Udaipur will make it to any list talking about top romantic destinations in India. Fondly referred to as the "Venice of East", Udaipur in Rajasthan is home to India's most romantic hotel the Taj Lake Palace.

There are old mansions, havelis, mesmerizing gardens in Udaipur and more so there is calm and serenity of Lake Pichola flanked by undulating Aravali Hill which the couples would cherish during their honeymoon stay.

If you are willing to splurge for this onetime activity i.e. honeymoon, the natural choice for top honeymoon destination in India in winter is the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur.

This luxury white marble wonder set amidst the manmade Lake Pichola, has been often mentioned as one of the world's most romantic hotels.

This magnificent 250 year old edifice with its luxurious suites and immaculate service is an ideal destination for an unforgettable honeymoon experience in India. A candlelit dinner under the stars is definitely recommended for married couples.

Also check out some travel tips for Udaipur. 

4. Mukteswar, Uttarakhand

This is an oasis with bounties of nature all around. The undulating Himalayan peaks, lush landscape and pristine environment of Mukteshwar infuse the visitors with energy and romance. There are several luxury resorts where couples could spend a mesmerizing honeymoon. Head to Mukteswar during winters if the snow thrills you!

5. Dalhousie, Himachal

Snow enveloped Dalhousie is awe inspiring making it a favored honeymoon destination in India in Winter

This is yet another natural paradise. Ensconced in Dauladhar Range of Himalaya, Dalhousie charms the visitors with its old world charm, natural abundance and ambience infused with the vibrations of the 'British Raj.

Couples on their honeymoon would really enjoy the promenade on the Mall Road which happens to be the center of town activities. An array of modern hotels has come up along with Victorian Mansions catering to the honeymooners and tourists alike.

Snowfall occurs after January in Dalhousie which is considered the best time for honeymoon here. The prescription for tourists in Dalhousie is to do nothing and for honeymooners that is exactly why they are in Dalhousie: do nothing but enjoy some of the best moments of life.

6. Kullu Manali, Himachal Pradesh

A cluster of beautiful valleys, Kullu presents an enjoyable tourist spot where one can feel the rejuvenating warmth of Mother Nature. Its picturesque views dotted with snow clad mountain peaks, verdant grassy fields, soaring deodar jungles, gurgling rivers and the apple orchards are awe inspiring spectacles.

Orchard of apple and plum, vast expense of meadows and sweeping valley are the main appeal of this charming town. Manali, as with other popular tourist destination, the main town is a mess and crowded with tourists.

But there are always the quieter retreats in Vashist, Old Manali and deluxe properties in the outskirts of the town where couples could head to for more privacy and far for the madding crowd. And add to that a trip to Rohtang Pass for 180 degree view of the mighty Himalaya and frolic in snow, one of the popular activities among the visiting couples.

Besides there are adventure activities like rafting, paragliding as well as nature walks and various other activities available here. The salubrious weather condition throughout the year which gets chilly as the winter arrives makes Kullu and Manali one of the ideal places for honeymoon in India.

7. Goa

Beaches of Goa and salubrious weather makes it one of the best honeymoon destinations in India in winter

Sossegado and siesta is what Goa is best known for. And what could be a better recipe for an unforgettable honeymoon in India.

Renowned for its beaches and host of luxury resorts and hotels, Goa is one of the top honeymoon destinations in India. Indulge is various honeymoon spa sessions, water sports or just laze around the beaches with your spouse by your side.

Some of the popular activities in Goa include the exploration of the various beaches, evening cruises, visit to Old Goa and visits to an array of Churches and Cathedrals. Goa is also renowned for its vibrant nightlife and parties.

If you are looking for a bit privacy to enjoy your honeymoon in Goa, head for the far away beaches like Agonda. If you are looking for more privacy and serenity, go for some premium properties like luxury hotels and mansions who maintain their own private beaches ideal for honeymoon couples.

Varca (Radisson White Sands Resort and the Club Mahindra Varca Beach Resort), Mobor and Cavelossim (Leela Goa and Holiday Inn and Radisson Blue) are some of private beaches where honeymooners could spend romantic time together in some of the finest hotels in Goa.

Taj Fort Aguada is yet another fine resort for enjoying honeymoon in Goa with an array of exclusive feature and romantic packages and activities.

8. Srinagar

Nishat Bagh in Kashmir is one of the most romantic Mughal Gardens in Srinagar

Srinagar is city of gardens, and lakes. Surrounded by towering Himalaya, Srinagar has an unmatchable romantic allure and often referred to as Switzerland of India. Before the unrest began in 1980s, Srinagar was the top tourist destinations in India and even the Bollywood movies were shot in this very paradise on earth.

Things are again going back to normal and the flood of the tourists in recent years is compelling evidence. The romantic gondola rides in the Dal Lake flanked by distant mountain peaks, colonial houseboats moored all along the Dal Lake and an array of awe inspiring Mughal Gardens erected by various Emperors and their Prime Ministers are the prime attractions in Kashmir along with old Mosques and Shrines.

Owing to its natural splendor, salubrious weather and colonial charm, Srinagar has long been one of the top honeymoon destinations in India. Coupled with the duo of Gulmarg and Pahalgam, this triumvirate is arguably the best honeymoon destinations in India for all seasons.

Some of the must visit places in Srinagar includes the Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Garden, Chashme Shahi, Hazratbal Mosque, Old sylvan Mosque Jama Masjid and the Shankaracharaya.

Stay in one of the houseboat to travel back in time or splurge in one of the 5 star hotels overlooking Dal Lake. The most luxurious properties include The Lalit Grand Palace and the Taj Dal View.

Interested in going? Check out this special honeymoon package in Kashmir.

9. Gulmarg

                                 A beautiful nature scene from Gulmarg, Photo courtesy - wikipedia

Gulmarg translates to “Meadow of Flower” and if you happen to visit it in spring you’d know why it is called so. Gulmarg is an awe inspiring destination with lush environs, blooming gardens with wide variety of flower and fragrances. It's undoubtably one of the top 10 honeymoon destinations in India in winter.

Gulmarg is a heavenly place indeed and after the shooting of Yeh Jaawani Hai Diwaani, the demand for Gulmarg has also rose considerably as a romantic destination in India.

Gulmarg in Kashmir is renowned for skiing, gondola rides and lots of snow making during winter and romantic promenade in summer. It is an all weather honeymoon destination in India.

Some of the major activities in Gulmarg includes visit to Alpathar Lake and St. Mary’s Church, Gondola Ride, skiing and golf.

The newly opened The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa is the finest five star hotels in Gulmarg. Yet another luxury property is the Gand Mumtaz, offering elegant and luxurious accommodation.

10. Shimla

Shimla is often referred to as the Queen of Hill Station in India. Such is the beauty of this nature’s paradise that British made it their summer capital. Till this date, the echoes of the British Raj reverberate in the ambience and architecture of Shimla.

Weather of Shimla remains salubrious throughout the year and winter also see snow cover blanketing the landscape and hills adding to the romance of this sleepy little town.

Enveloped in oak, pine and rhododendron forests, Shimla is renowned for its colonial architecture, the historical Himalayan Mountain Railway connecting Kalka - Shimla and pristine charm making it one of the top 10 places for honeymoon in India in winter.

If money is not the constraint then there are several plush five star hotels and resorts offering perfect refuge to couples looking for romance surrounded by nature in serenity and ample privacy.

There’s the Wildflower Hall by Oberoi located in the outskirts of the city. The view of the surrounding cedar forests and snowcapped peaks add fine touches to couples looking for romance and seclusion.

For couples, activities like romantic promenade through the forest, cozy picnic packages and the outdoor Jacuzzi is perfect way have an unforgettable honeymoon experience.

Also check out Magical Himachal Tour, an ultimate tour itinerary to uncover romance of Himachal 

Our Expert Recommendation:

Luxury Train: Maharajas' Express

Maharajas Express - Mayur Mahal

For the connoisseurs of luxury, one of the unique experiences to celebrate honeymoon in India is to board one of the luxury trains. Maharajas’ Express, voted World’s Leading Luxury Train, is the best bet for an elegant and romantic honeymoon experience. Journeys from 3 nights to 7 nights crisscrossing some of the finest tourist places in India lets you have fun and romance on the go.

State of the art amenities such as Wi-Fi internet, attached toilet (Suites and Presidential Suites feature washrooms with bathtubs as well), round the clock butler service, live television, 2 dining cars, a bar and a lounge makes Maharajas’ Express one of the greatest rail journeys in the world.

If you are dismayed that Taj Mahal or Agra is not included in this list, you may want to check out things to do in Agra beside Taj Mahal which are in addition to the ultimate icon of love; the Taj Mahal.