The Indian e-visa has lately become available to UK nationals once more in recent weeks. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the nation to close its borders in March 2020, making it impossible to visit India for routine touristic or professional occasions. Borders did start to reopen in November 2021, and country after country was once again able to apply for an Indian visa online. After a few months, it became clear that UK nationals were still unable to apply for an electronic Indian visa, despite citizens of numerous other nations, including Germany, the United States, and the Netherlands, being able to do so.
Finally, the Indian government stated in December 2022 that UK citizens will once more be able to travel to India. This is fantastic news because a lot of tourists from the UK either have relatives in India or wish to visit the country's numerous stunning and well-known attractions. A lot of the country experiences a tropical environment during the winter, while other regions are covered in snow. Winter can be a terrific time to travel.
Here are two locations where you can experience winter in India in various ways.
Rann Utsav Festival, Rann of Kutch
This section of desert is unique, and the scenery is breathtaking. For miles, all you can see is cracked dirt and white sand, interspersed with oases where flamingos can be seen. The renowned Rann Utsav festival is held during the winter, and attendees can congregate to enjoy folk music, dancing, and the creations of local artists.
You can hire a tent at the event, which is held every year from late October to late February, and stay inside the well-known Tent City, where festival goers gather to partake in the culture and activities. The activities range from hand gliding and rock climbing to desert stargazing and wildlife observation. You can see dance and art in many of the natives' traditional performances. The marketplaces where you can purchase local artwork shouldn't be missed, especially those selling Kutchie needlework and tie dye.
The weather at this time of year lends itself perfectly to these activities – daytime temperatures can be between 23-28 °C, while things cool down to around 14 °C in the evening. These months are quite dry, so expect plenty of sunshine while you explore and enjoy activities. Many travellers want to visit the festival during the full moon, when the white stands of the desert look especially incredible. Others like to visit when there is no moon at all, to be able to enjoy some wonderful stargazing.
It is very amazing to visit the Rann of Kutch during the Rann Utsav festival. While observing the colourfully attired residents participating in this elaborate celebration and enjoying traditional cuisine in the lovely desert weather, you will forget it is winter. It's also a really social experience because, even though you're in the middle of nowhere, you're sharing the beauty with other like-minded people, which fosters a wonderful sense of community.
Skiing in Himachal Pradesh
Most people don't typically picture a classic winter vacation in India, but it is absolutely feasible with a skiing trip to the Himalayas. Himachal Pradesh, which is blessed with numerous attractive cities in both the mountain peaks and valleys of the Himalayas, contains a portion of the Himalayas.
There are a few places in Himachal Pradesh where you can go skiing, and Kufri is one of them. In February, Kufri holds a winter sports festival. Even though it is a more popular tourist destination, it nevertheless offers unmatched views and numerous of lodging options for families, regardless of their ability of skiing.
One of the first ski resorts in India, Narkanda, is another fantastic location. Generally quiet throughout the year, the village comes alive with snow and skiers during the winter. The city proper is situated at a height of around 2.7 metres above sea level. There are stunning vistas and breathtaking views of the valleys below even on the journey there. Skiing will be perfect in both Narkanda and Kufri since they are both covered in a thick layer of snow during the winter, especially in January and February.
An Indian visa for your trip
Planning a vacation to India has been significantly simpler now that the majority of nations may once again obtain an Indian e-visa. The online form makes it simple to apply for an Indian visa. It will enquire about your family, you, and some general background information. After submitting an application, you can upload a photo of yourself and your passport.
Using a group application greatly simplifies your trip if you are travelling with others. Since most of the information only needs to be entered once and the programmes can be controlled by one person, they are perfect for groups of friends and families travelling together. The Indian visa is also good for 30 days after approval, giving travellers a full month to take in the country's scenery in winter or at any other time of year.
