6 Places As Charming As Kashmir

Visit these one-of-a-kind destinations for much needed: Mountains. Meadows. Fresh alpine air. Awesome vistas. Serene beauty.

Pic: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters

And above all, a lovely cool weather holiday.

Pic: Anil Dayal/Reuters

Lambasingi, Andhra Pradesh

Often called the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh, it is a quaint village nestled in the decidious forests of the Eastern Ghats at an altitude of approximately 1,000 m above sea levels. It’s the only place in South India known to experience frost and occasional snowfall, creating a misty, cold ambiance. There are miles and miles of coffee, pine and eucalyptus plantations.  

Pic: Kind courtesy IM3847/Wikipedia Commons

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

For stop-you-in-your-tracks-beauteous landscapes and snowy mountains head to this wonderland at 3,048 m above sea level. Must-visit: Tawang Monastery, one of the largest in India.

Pic: Kind courtesy Arkadipta Chandra/Wikipedia Commons

Tsongmo Lake, Sikkim

Sikkim has so much to offer that's largely unexplored. The lake, easily viewed from Changu, attracts its fair share of tourists. But travel further afield to parts of North Sikkim like Lachen for memorable eyefuls of the Himalayas or to northwest Sikkim for high-altitude pastoral greenness.

Pic: Ashish Narsale/Rediff

Coorg, Karnataka

The Scotland of India boasts rolling hills, coffee plantations and plenty of mist. Oh, we forgot: An air-conditioned climate, especially during the monsoon. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Subharnab Majumdar/Wikipedia Commons

Munnar, Kerala

Up in the state's Western Ghats, amongst bright, bright green tea gardens is Kerala's gorgeous hill station with many a tranquil corner. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Bimal K C from Cochin, India/Wikipedia Commons

Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

A marvellously pretty Spiti Valley, will seduce you with its stark face-of-the-moon perfection. Situated at altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 m, its peaks, clear blue skies, monastery-dotted countryside will make certain you click 2,008 pics of the place and come away, if not more. 

Pic: Kind courtesy Timothy Gonsalves/Wikipedia Commons
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