As we bid winter goodbye while spring waits around the corner, there are some things we don’t want to let go of, just yet. The best of winter still lingers in places and escapades, and here is how we can experience some of it one more time:
1. Harissa breakfast
While the rest of India prepares for spring, the snow and ski season is still on in Kashmir, as are its winter delicacies. Harissa, a winter speciality of slow meat that is cooked overnight, is available through this period in cosy, hole-in the-wall joints across Hazratbal in Srinagar. You have to rise early and head out while it’s still dark, but the trip is worth making if rare dishes are high on your list. Pair it with fresh hot breads straight from tandoor ovens found in the market, and a cup of pink tea of ‘noon chai’ for the ultimate winter breakfast experience. This experience can be arranged via Nadis Kashmir. www.nadis-hotel.com
2. Snow leopard spotting
Wildlife enthusiasts often head to snow leopard hotspots in Ladakh in the heart of winter to catch a rare sight of this elusive big cat. However, it is towards the tail end of winter that you have your best chance for it as it is also the mating season of the ‘shan’, as the predator is known in Ladakh. Rumbak House, located in Rumbak Valley in the deep southwest, is an intimate six-room boutique lodge that caters to the serious wildlife aficionado, providing not just the best comfort in the area but also the best team of spotters and naturalists. www.rumbaklodge.com
3. Winter avifauna
Come winter, and several birds migrate from the higher Himalayas to lower altitudes, including birding hotspot Naukuchiatal in Uttarakhand. Sitting on the shores of the nine-cornered Naukuchiatal lake, the Lake Resort is home to many of these species. Acres of open spaces and its proximity to the water body make it an ideal haven for a variety of birds that stop by, from Brahminy and Pochard ducks to darters and geese. Wander around the area with a local birding and nature guide on the several trails that surround the property, or simply spend time in the cluster of green spots in plenty on the property itself. A stroll along the long oak and spruce flanked pathway that skirts the property makes for a great birding walk in itself. Alternatively, simply sit in the well camouflaged and aptly named Magic Forest cafe while you dig into local and continental delights, as you watch the smaller birds make the wild cherry, kafal wild berry and fig trees their home in this mountain oasis. www.thelakeresort.in
4. Project Unwind
Before the heat rises in the tropics, savour the last of Goa’s pleasant weather at one its newest additions— The Project Café. The place is back in a new location, Aldona, in a brand new avatar but with the same ethos of heritage and creativity that seamlessly blends art, design, culture, and gastronomy. This unique space offers an immersive experience combining a café, gallery, and cultural hub. Every detail is carefully curated, offering a perfect mix of aesthetics and hospitality. The place also features accommodation that showcases vintage and contemporary design through handpicked furnishings and immersive art, some of which can also be purchased by guests. Hosting art exhibitions, live music, and cultural workshops, The Project Café is an evolving creative hub, fostering a vibrant community.
5. Ministry of Happiness & More
Adding more variety to the end of ‘seashore season’, the newly launched Goa chapter of the Ministry of Beer (MOB) brings its bold fusion of craft beer, cuisine, and high-energy vibes to India’s unofficial ‘beer and beach capital’. This spirited microbrewery combines industrial-chic design with the relaxed coastal charm of Goa. Spanning three levels, MOB Goa caters to every mood starting on the ground floor with a microbrewery and finishing with an ambient rooftop that offers handcrafted brews under the stars. The menu complements the innovative beer selection with its bold flavours and creative pairings, served on trays that resemble the Goan map. While this place is perfect for lively late nights, head to the recently opened Sarava for a more cosy and quiet evening, where design meets dining in a beautifully renovated Portuguese house. Pick from any of the new offerings of the state, where there is something for everybody to end their winter escapades in.
