Four must-do January getaways: Dubai, Auli, Mahabalipuram and more

January. It’s the time to wind down after all the hectic partying and look forward to another year. The month itself is dedicated to Janus, the god of good beginnings, the two-faced god who has an eye on both the past and the future. So, look back on the past year and take stock of all those places you wanted to visit and never did. And get working on them this year!

Dubai or not to buy

The year begins on a great note with the much anticipated Dubai Shopping Festival, from January 5th to February 5th. The DSF is not just about great discounts and bargains in shopping but entertainment in the form of fashion shows, music and fireworks. This is the time to buy that pair of designer jeans you have been eyeing forever. And if you are lucky, you may end up winning some grand prize too – perhaps another international holiday!

After you’ve had your fill of the malls, take a day off to join an organized Dubai walk to see how the rest of the city lives. Take a ride on an open abra across the creek, smell the saffron as you walk through the spice souk, or gape at all the glitter and glamour on display at the gold souk. Set aside an evening to go dune bashing on the fine golden sands or stare in awe at the Jumeira Beach Hotel as the warm sea water tickles your feet.

There is more to Dubai than the chrome and steel – just scratch that gleaming surface.

Emirates offers great packages including travel and stay in Dubai during the festival season – watch out for deals here . There are more details on the Dubai shopping festival here .

Learn to ski in Auli

Who needs to head to the Alps to ski when you have Auli in your own backyard? Auli, in the Garhwal region of Uttarkhand, near Joshimath, is India’s (and some claim, among the world’s) best ski spots.

Head to this ski resort and take those lessons that will have you swirling down the slopes a la Hindi movie heroes from the ‘70s (be sure to take those bright technicolour mufflers with you for effect). The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) runs a fairly professional ski resort where you can take beginner lessons or ski on your own down the 3 kilometer slope. They offer 7 and 14 day ski packages with trained ski instructors.

Or if you are already a good skier, then stay at the Cliff Top Club Auli and make the most of this season.

The nearest railway station to reach Auli is Raiwala near Rishikesh. From there, take a bus or cab to Joshimath which is just over 250 km away. Alternatively, you can take the train (Shatabdi from Delhi is the most convenient) or fly to Dehradun which is 300 km away. From Joshimath, the ropeway takes you up to Auli.

Try a winter wonderland trek

If skiing sounds like too much work, try a beginners’ trek in the Himalayas. Even when the trek isn’t difficult, it is quite an adventure to walk the mountains in this season, spending the nights in tents in minus temperatures.

Several adventure groups from Delhi offers such treks during winter – as you read this, I am in the Dodital–Darba trek organized by My Himalayan Adventure , possibly shivering my insides off as I usher in the new year.

Peak Adventure Tour has a mix of moderate and strenuous treks on offer during winter (the frozen Chador walk is considered the adventure of a lifetime). And the Great Indian Outdoors takes you not just trekking but also rafting and cycling with their highly experienced team.

Rock that dance festival in Mahabalipuram

The annual classical dance festival is on in Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram, the town of the great wrestler Mamallan) is underway till January 15th every year. This annual dance festival takes place against the eye-popping backdrop of the brilliant rock sculptures created by the Pallava dynasty during the 7th – 8th century A.D.

As you soak in the dance performances, take time to see the sights of this great town. Of the seven pagodas described by a traveler to India in the 17th century, six have been washed away by the angry sea. The shore temple stands alone now, tall and proud, declared a UNESCO world heritage site and therefore protected, if not from the ravages of nature, from those of human indifference.

Apart from the five storeyed rock-cut temple, architectural highlights include the pandava rathas and Arjuna’s penance which are spectacular monoliths (carved out of a single stone or rock). There is also the massive boulder perched very precariously on a slope known rather sweetly as “the butter ball.” Don’t miss: the lesser known but equally splendid varaha and the trimurti caves behind Arjuna’s penance.

So, here is wishing you a wonderful, wanderful 2012!

Charukesi Ramadurai is a freelance writer and travel blogger from Bangalore. When she is not actually traveling, she is busy planning her next trip. Read more about her at her website .