Places to Visit Near Delhi in January: Snow, Sun and Festivals

• Peak snow in the hills. Shimla averages about 42 cm of snow in January against 7 cm in December, and Manali, Mussoorie, Nainital and Chakrata all see their most likely snow days this month. Snow still comes in spells with western disturbances, not every week.
• Closures after snowfall. Police routinely stop traffic beyond Dhalli towards Kufri and Narkanda, and beyond Nehru Kund or Solang towards the Atal Tunnel, until roads are cleared. Sometimes only 4x4s are allowed.
• Fog on the plains. Dense morning fog on NH-44, NH-9 and the Yamuna Expressway is at its worst in late December and January. On the Yamuna Expressway the car speed limit is cut to 75 km/h until 15 February.
• Sunny, cool Rajasthan. Jaipur averages about 22.5 °C by day and 8 °C at night; Bikaner and Udaipur are similar. These are the most comfortable warm-weather picks.

The 2027 dates for the Bikaner Camel Festival and the Manali Winter Carnival had not been announced at the time of writing; check before you book.

1. Alwar and Sariska (about 165 km)

January days in the Aravallis are sunny and comfortable for Bala Quila, the City Palace and Siliserh Lake, and the cold mornings are good for jeep safaris in Sariska. Bring a proper jacket for an open jeep at 7 am. It is the easiest warm-weather weekend from Delhi and a good fallback when hill roads are closed. See the Alwar travel guide and the best time to visit Alwar.

2. Bharatpur, Keoladeo National Park (about 185 km)

The UNESCO-listed wetland is at its best from December to February, when migratory ducks, geese and pelicans fill the marshes. The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm; hire a cycle-rickshaw with a trained guide or a bicycle, since private vehicles are not allowed inside. Mornings are often misty, so the best light is mid-morning. A day trip works, but a night lets you be at the gate at opening time.

3. Rishikesh and Haridwar (about 240 km)

Rishikesh in January averages about 17 °C by day and 5 °C at night, with clear views from Kunjapuri and quiet ghats. Rafting is open but the Ganga is very cold. In 2027 there is a big extra factor: the Haridwar Kumbh opens with its first holy bath on 14 January (Makar Sankranti) and runs to 20 April. Expect very large crowds and traffic diversions around Haridwar on bathing days, and plan Rishikesh-only trips away from those dates. Read the Rishikesh travel guide and the Delhi to Rishikesh road guide.

4. Jim Corbett (about 260 km)

Corbett's winter season is in full swing in January: Dhikala, the zone with stays deep inside the forest, opens on 15 November, and forest-department rooms there sell out quickly once booking opens. Morning safaris are cold and often foggy, but winter is a good time for birds and the grassland views at Dhikala. Book safaris well ahead for the Republic Day weekend.

5. Chakrata (about 275 km)

January is Chakrata's peak snow month. The cantonment itself may stay dry, but Lokhandi, Deoban and Koti Kanasar, higher up, regularly get snow. Roads to the higher points can be blocked after heavy snow, facilities are basic and nights are well below freezing, so pick a stay with heating and keep a buffer day.

6. Jaipur (about 280 km)

Mid-January is the liveliest time of the winter in Jaipur. On Makar Sankranti the whole city flies kites from its rooftops, and Rajasthan Tourism holds a kite festival at Jal Mahal on 14 January 2027, with illuminated kites in the evening. The 20th Jaipur Literature Festival runs from 14 to 18 January 2027. Hotel demand spikes for these five days, so book early or stay outside the old city. See the Jaipur travel guide, best time to visit Jaipur and the Delhi to Jaipur road guide.

7. Mussoorie and Dhanaulti (about 290–300 km)

Mussoorie averages about 10 °C by day and 3 °C at night in January, its coldest month, and this is when its few spells of snow are most likely. Dhanaulti, at about 2,286 m and about 25 km further on, and Surkanda Devi above it get more. On snow days the road from Mussoorie to Dhanaulti can stay blocked until it is cleared, and the Mall Road jams as day-trippers arrive from Dehradun. Go on weekdays and stay in Landour or Dhanaulti rather than driving up and down.

8. Nainital and Mukteshwar (about 300–350 km)

January is Nainital's coldest month (about 11 °C by day, 2 °C at night) and the most likely to bring snow, usually in short spells. Mukteshwar, at about 2,170 m and 50 km further, tends to hold snow better. After heavy snow, police may close the roads above Nainital, including the ridge roads to Kilbury and Pangot, until they are cleared. Fog on NH-9 is the bigger risk on the way up; leave after sunrise. See Nainital in winter.

9. Kufri and Narkanda (about 366–410 km)

The most dependable snow near Shimla. Kufri, at 2,720 m and 16 km from Shimla, gets snow most Januaries; Narkanda, about 60 km beyond Shimla, is higher and quieter, with beginner ski slopes from January to March when cover allows, and Hatu Peak above it. After a heavy fall, police stop cars beyond Dhalli and only reopen the road once it is cleared, so stay in Shimla or Narkanda rather than trying a day trip. Read snowfall in Shimla and where to stay in Shimla.

10. Bikaner (about 450 km)

The International Camel Festival is Bikaner's big January event, organised by Rajasthan Tourism with a heritage walk, a camel parade from Junagarh Fort, camel dances and races, and evening programmes at the Raisar dunes. In 2026 it ran from 9 to 11 January. January averages about 23 °C by day and 8 °C at night, and Junagarh Fort and the Karni Mata temple at Deshnok fill a second day.

11. Manali and Solang (about 540 km)

Manali averages about 10.5 °C by day and below freezing at night in January, and this is when Solang Valley has its deepest cover for snow play and skiing lessons. It is also when restrictions are most common. In past January snowfalls the administration has stopped tourist vehicles beyond Nehru Kund, allowed only 4x4s up to Solang, and closed the road beyond completely; the Atal Tunnel road reopens for tourists only once the Border Roads Organisation has cleared it. Rohtang Pass is closed all winter. The Winter Carnival, held from 20 January for the past few years, brings parades and folk performances to the Mall Road. Read the Manali travel guide and where to stay in Manali.

12. Udaipur (about 660 km)

January highs average about 24.5 °C and lows about 7.5 °C, and Udaipur was one of the most searched domestic destinations for the 2026 Republic Day long weekend. With 26 January 2027 on a Tuesday, a Saturday-to-Tuesday trip works well by overnight train or flight. See the Udaipur travel guide and the best time to visit Udaipur.

• Watch the forecast, not the calendar. Snow follows western disturbances, which IMD forecasts a few days out. Book refundable stays and move the trip by a few days if a dry spell is forecast.
• Arrive the day after it snows, not during. Roads close while it is snowing and in the hours after; the day after brings the best scenery and open roads.
• Use local taxis on snow. Hire a 4x4 with a local driver for Solang, Kufri or Dhanaulti rather than driving a city car without chains.
• Keep a buffer day. A closure on the way back is the most common way a January trip goes wrong.
• Check heating. Ask whether rooms have heaters and whether hot water works when pipes freeze.
• Drive the plains after sunrise. Fog, not snow, causes most of the delays on the way out of Delhi.

For more snow ideas, see snowfall places near Delhi and hill stations near Delhi, and use the trip planner to build the route.

What are the best places to visit near Delhi in January?

For snow, Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla, Solang near Manali, Dhanaulti, Mukteshwar and Chakrata. For sunshine and events, Jaipur (kites and the Literature Festival in mid-January), Bikaner (Camel Festival), Bharatpur for birds, and Udaipur.

Which places to visit in January near Delhi have snow?

January is the peak snow month for Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Manali, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Nainital, Mukteshwar and Chakrata. Snow comes in spells, so keep your dates flexible.

Is January a good time to visit Manali?

Yes, for deep snow at Solang and skiing, but roads beyond Nehru Kund and Solang are often restricted after snowfall, and nights are below freezing. Keep a buffer day.

Which warm places are good to visit near Delhi in January?

Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner and Udaipur have sunny days in the low to mid-20s °C. Nights fall to around 7–8 °C.

Where can you go near Delhi on the Republic Day long weekend?

With 26 January 2027 on a Tuesday, Saturday to Tuesday suits Udaipur, Manali or a Shimla–Narkanda snow trip. For two nights, Jaipur, Rishikesh, Mussoorie or Corbett. Book early; it is one of the busiest weekends of the winter.

When is the Jaipur Literature Festival in 2027?

From 14 to 18 January 2027, its 20th edition, overlapping with the Makar Sankranti kite flying on 14 January.