There’s something about December that I have always found myself drawn to. Every month carries its own energy, and over the years, I have grown fond of observing them not just through a calendar, but through how they make me feel. December, in particular, sits quietly apart.

From a seasonal perspective, this month aligns perfectly with my love for the northeast monsoon that shapes life where I live. The tail end of the rains, moody skies, damp evenings, and the comfort of spending time indoors make December feel familiar and comforting. By mid-month, as the monsoon gradually loosens its grip, winter begins to make its presence felt across many parts of peninsular India, bringing with it a subtle but refreshing change.

Margazhi Mornings

There’s also a deeply personal and cultural layer to this time of year that I love embracing. December marks the beginning of Margazhi, a sacred Tamil month I have grown up revering. Early mornings wrapped in mist, a noticeable dip in temperature, and the sounds of devotional hymns drifting through the air lend a rhythm to the days that feels grounding. It’s a month that naturally invites stillness and reflection.

The Month I Look Forward To

Now, to my favorite section. From a travel perspective, December has traditionally been my pause button. After months of packed schedules and relentless routines, this is the time I consciously allow myself to slow down and recover. Over the past decade, I have often chosen this window to explore winter, sometimes deep in the Himalayas, at other times within the folds of the Western Ghats, always seeking places away from noise and crowds. This year, however, the plan was different.

Choosing to Slow Down

My wife and I were both craving a break from hectic routine. Not an intense itinerary or a physically demanding trip, just a change of scenery, some breathing space, and a place that didn’t feel rushed. With our shared preference for quieter destinations, Yercaud felt like an instinctive choice. When I suggested it, she agreed without hesitation.

The intent was clear from the start. We wanted to experience winter at an unhurried pace, paired with a comfortable stay, good food, personal space, and, most importantly, fewer people. Then came my favorite part of the process.

Just as I enjoy scouting for locations before making a photograph, I found myself spending time researching stays that would complement the kind of experience we were looking for. December, as expected, comes with a surge in prices, and I wanted to strike a balance. A place that offered both value and visual appeal, without stretching my budget. After some deliberation, the dates were locked, and the travel plans fell into place.

There was also another reason this trip felt special. The plan was to celebrate an important occasion. December carries personal significance for us. It’s my spouse’s birthday month, and this journey was as much about celebrating that occasion as it was about stepping away from our routine.

A Quick Stop at Hogenakkal

Before heading up to Yercaud, we made a quick stop at Hogenakkal and stayed at the beautiful Tamil Nadu Tourism resort. It was sprawling, serene, and just what we needed. I have been hearing about this place for ages and seeing pictures everywhere, so finally getting to experience it felt amazing.

The drive was a treat in itself, winding through tiny towns and stretches of forest where life seemed to slow down a bit. When we reached the falls, watching the Cauvery river carve its way through rugged cliffs felt like the perfect start to our year-end getaway. The river was calm, gently weaving through the rocky gorge like it had all the time in the world.

We hopped on a coracle, drifted quietly along the cliffs, and soaked in the scenery before heading back to our cozy room. That was pure bliss!

Arriving at Yercaud

Our journey then led us to Sterling Yercaud, perched high in the tranquil hills. The arrival was anything but dramatic. Mist rolled in gently, the surroundings revealed themselves slowly, and there was an immediate sense of calm that felt reassuring.

The days that followed flowed exactly the way we had hoped. Mornings were quiet, often wrapped in mist, with the landscape revealing itself in layers. From our balcony, the view stretched far into the valley, the plains below waking up gradually, and by night, the distant lights of Salem quietly twinkling far below.

A Stay That Blended In

Perched on a gentle cliff overlooking vast stretches of forested hills and valleys, Sterling Yercaud isn’t just a resort, it’s a vantage point. From many corners here, the land reveals itself in layers. What I liked most was how naturally the property sat within its surroundings. The gardens, pathways, and buildings didn’t try to stand out. They simply belonged. It made us slow down without trying too hard. Longer walks, slower mornings, and plenty of moments where doing nothing felt perfectly fine.

For the photographer in me, this became an unexpected gift. I found myself looking at familiar elements such as light, lines, and elevation, but from perspectives that felt fresh. The misty mornings, the structured geometry of the resort, and the vastness beyond made it a rewarding space to work with, especially from above.

Photographs:

Looking Back

Looking back, what stayed with us most was how little we felt the urge to step outside. For the entire duration of our stay, we were content staying in, slowing down, soaking in the views, and letting the days unfold without a plan. That was exactly the kind of laidback holiday we had hoped for, and it came together in the most beautiful way. It was only after checking out from the resort that we explored a few of Yercaud’s familiar sights, including the flower gardens and the lake, easing ourselves back into movement.

I have captured the essence of this stay in a short aerial film that reflects the calm setting and natural grandeur of Sterling Yercaud, easily one of our finest stays in recent years.
Watch the film here:

If you would like to know about other such beautiful properties we have stayed at, along with their names and locations, feel free to drop a comment. And I will respond.

2025 was rich in visuals. From small uncrowded towns to Everest Base Camp, the year offered new compositions everywhere we went. I am working on bringing those stories, images, and moments together. It’s taking shape and will be published soon. If you haven’t subscribed to my newsletters yet, this might be a good time. There’s plenty of frames and stories coming up.

Join the Community

If art, travel, and photography inspire you as much as they inspire me, I would love to have you in my growing community of readers and visual storytellers. Click here to enroll.