North in December

India's ski resort — deep powder, the Gondola to Apharwat, and meadows in summer.

A hidden Uhl-river valley of trout hatcheries, deodar forest and the Rajgundha trek.

India's paragliding capital, with Tibetan monasteries and a slow cafe scene below.

A former princely summer capital with the world's highest cricket ground and deodar forest all around.

Five hills of colonial charm plus the 'Mini Switzerland' meadow of Khajjiar at 1,920 m.

Home of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government-in-exile, and a strong cafe-and-monastery scene.

Wooden homestays by trout streams, Jalori Pass and Serolsar lake, Great Himalayan National Park at the door.

A shallow freshwater lake at 2,934 m below the Minkiani Pass, through cedar and rhododendron forest.

A small colonial cantonment town on a ridge an hour above Chandigarh, with pine walks and old churches.

The classic honeymoon and family hill station, with winter snow at Solang and Atal Tunnel.

Kangra tea gardens and pine forest below the Dhauladhar, with the Neugal Khad at its edge.

A floating-island lake and pagoda temple on a high grassy bowl.

The former summer capital of British India — the Mall, Ridge, Jakhoo temple and the toy train.

A short ridge hike above McLeodganj with the Dhauladhar wall right in front of you.

The cultural capital of Kumaon — a horseshoe ridge town of temples, bazaars and Kasar Devi.

Snow slopes with a view of Nanda Devi, and India's best-known ski meadow outside Gulmarg.

Two quieter Kumaon lakes 20 minutes below Nainital, with paragliding and lakeside cottages.

An oak and rhododendron wildlife sanctuary with a 300 km sweep of Himalayan peaks.

A winter trek with frozen lakes and close views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.

A secluded cantonment above the Yamuna with Tiger Falls, deodar forest and Chilmiri Neck.

A short climb to the highest Shiva temple in the world and a 360° Himalayan summit.

Rolling alpine meadows at 3,600 m with a gentle gradient — the friendliest high-altitude trek in Garhwal.

A short climb to a forest lake that mirrors Chaukhamba on a still morning.

A cradle-shaped valley below Swargarohini, walked through ancient Mahabharata-linked villages.

Where the Ganga leaves the mountains — Har Ki Pauri, the evening aarti, and the gateway to Char Dham.

A cluster of over 100 ancient stone temples inside a deodar forest, dating to the 8th–12th century.

Forest and meadow country on the Mussoorie–Chamba road, with camping and ziplining.

A ridge town facing a 300 km wall of peaks — Nanda Devi, Trishul and Panchachuli all in one frame.

The classic first winter trek: pine forest, snow camps and a summit sunrise over the Garhwal range.

The quiet cantonment above Mussoorie — deodar walks, old bakeries and writers' cottages.

A quiet Garhwal cantonment town of pine ridges, a golf course and the Garhwal Rifles museum.

A quiet ridge town with a 350-year-old Shiva temple and a clean sweep of the Kumaon Himalaya.

A remote Kumaon town facing the five peaks of Panchachuli.

The 'Queen of Hills' above Dehradun — Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, Camel's Back Road and the Mall.

A two-day weekend trek a few hours from Dehradun, with a camp under the stars.

The classic Kumaon lake town — Naini Lake, the Mall Road, Snow View and Naina Peak.

A cantonment hill station of pine and oak forest, golf greens and colonial-era quiet.

Yoga capital in the Himalayan foothills — ashrams, Ganga aarti, river rafting.