Kashmir
If snow-capped mountains are your calling, then the Himalayas should be your destination. The place is filled with myriad landscapes, lakes, and mountains. Srinagar is the most populated city and the Jhelum River provides a variety of things to do such as boating, water skiing or watch migratory birds. The town of Bhaderwah is a beauty of its own. It has several streams and picture-perfect sceneries. The Gurez is the most scenic valley and is the perfect destination to raft on the clear blue waters of Kishanganga River. For adventure seekers, indulge in paragliding at Patnitop in the Shivalik range. Gulmarg set in the backdrop of snow-capped mountains is a skier’s paradise. The saffron fields in Shikargarh / Pulwama is a must visit too.
Best time to visit: March – October, November – January.
Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh
Located at 3,048 meters above sea-level, Tawang is famous for monasteries since it is the birthplace of Dalai Lama. Tawang Monastery, founded by Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso, is the largest Buddhist monastery in India. Because of its altitude, the place has many scenic locations. The Sela Pass is a must visit, although it is covered with snow for most of the year. Jang Waterfall is a big attraction and is famous for its local handicrafts. The Shonga-tser Lake near Tawang is ideal for photography as it is surrounded by picturesque snow-capped mountains.
Best time to visit: March to June.
Bhutan
Bhutan is the new must-see destination in southern Asia and a great place for the newly-married. It is ideal for hiking, cultural adventures and enjoying the general beauty the place is famous for. Bhutan has been very slow in opening itself to tourism, allowing visitors from other countries only from 1974. The Himalayan kingdom is filled with archaeological treasures and beautiful landscapes. Tiger’s Nest monastery is a big attraction as it hangs on a cliff. To get there, one has to take a pony ride then walk a steep path to view the Paro Valley from above. You can have a bird’s-eye view of Paro Valley from the Zuri Dzong hike as well. This place is the oldest Dzong in Bhutan and is ideal to sit and simply watch the view and make memories.
Best time to visit: October to December
Krabi, Thailand
Limestone cliffs, dense mangrove forests and hundreds of offshore islands make Krabi in Thailand a holiday to remember for a lifetime. There are wondrous secrets hidden in Krabi’s numerous islands and this is what makes hundreds of tourists visit every year. The Thung Teao Forest Natural Park, which is home to many plants and animal life, has a crystal lagoon inside which is ideal for swimming. The water is naturally warm and is said to have healing properties. The Phi Phi islands are a big attraction too and you can get there by speedboat. The turquoise water and stunning beaches of Phi Phi Don is a big crowd puller. If you like geology, the fossil shellfish cemetery will be your calling. Dating back to sometime between 25 and 40 million years, the 200 meters long stretch is filled with limestone deposits.
Best time to visit: November to April