Since the winter is near, we decided to have a best winter treks in India guide for you. This guide will assist you in selecting your favorite winter trekking destination in India. India has diverse climatic conditions so you can select from a variety of winter treks to enjoy the winters. Winter treks offer an opportunity for rare wilderness experience, the awe-inspiring views of snow covered mountains laced in thick white dress make it hard to resist.
Here are our top 15 picks from the best of winter treks, that different regions of India have to offer:
Contents
- 1) Indrahar Pass Trek
- 2) Chadar Trek
- 3) Chopta Chandrashila Trek
- 4) Dodital Trek
- 5) Dayara Bugyal Trek
- 6) Bedini Bugyal Trek
- 7) Nag Tibba Trek
- 8) Kedar Kantha Trek
- 9) Kuari Pass Trek
- 10) The Snow Leopard Trek – Markha Valley Trek
- 11) Dzongri Trek
- 12) Auli Gorson Trek
- 13) Har Ki Dun Trek
- 14) Roopkund Lake Trek
- 15) Sandakphu Trek
1) Indrahar Pass Trek
source: flickr.com/photos/blackfog/22356846090
The heart of an endlessly fascinating range, Indrahar pass trek is perched at a towering height of 4324ft above sea level in Himachal Pradesh. And as we already know, Himachal Pradesh is home to some really high mountains and luscious gushing rivers of the Himalayas. Originating from McLeod Ganj, this short journey will take you through the scenic marvels and beauty of the Himalayan Ranges.
In addition to the natural beauty and the fascinating charm of the high Indrahar Pass, you will also get to enjoy the camping around the Lahesh Caves on the way. The views of the Himalayan peaks are the add-ons to this beautiful and thrilling adventure.
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Max Altitude: 4,350 mts.
Typical Duration: 4-10 Days (Large variation due to diffrent itineraries)
Region: Himachal
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2) Chadar Trek
The Chadar trek is a winter-trail in the Zanskar region of Ladakh. It is a thrilling and adventurous trek. The trek is formed on the frozen Zanskar River, which is an access route to the Zanskar valley. In this extreme and extraordinary trek, one treks on the smooth shiny ice.
Ladakh can be a difficult place to travel. The mountains are steep and the winter snowfall causes many of the mountain passes to close. But, this unique icy trek makes it worth it.
Difficulty: Difficult
Max Altitude: 3,350 mts.
Typical Duration: 10-15 Days
Region: Ladakh
trodly 3) Chopta Chandrashila Trek
Away from the busy life of cities, the Chopta valley is perched at a height of 2680 ft. and is surrounded by an imposing Oak forest. The Chopta Chandrashila winter trek is characterized by the magnificence of the Himalayan peak. On reaching the summit, you can feast your eyes with Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi at 7,817 meters, Trishul at 7,120 meters, Kedarnath at 6,831 meters, Bandarpunch at 6,316 meters and Chaukhamba at 7,138 meters. The region gets covered in snow during the winter season and the accommodation options are also restricted to few. The trek becomes more difficult in winters, but Chopta looks the best during winters.
Difficulty: Easy
Max Altitude: 4,090 mts.
Typical Duration: 3-5 Days
Region: Uttarakhand
4) Dodital Trek
Dodital trek is an ideal beginners trek in the Gharwal Himalayas. It includes camping by the beautiful Dodital Lake and the Darwar pass.
This trek is a bird watcher’s paradise. Throughout the trek you will come across rare species like Himalayan Whistling Thrush, Himalayan Tree Pie, Himalayan Babbler, Bush Robin, Pink Finch, Brown Fronted Woodpecker, Grey Tit, Munia, Common Chiffchaff, Red-Billed Blue Magpie, Grey Shrike, Tailor Bird, Himalayan Monal (Impeyan Pheasant) etc.
Difficulty: Easy
Max Altitude: 3,300 mts.
Typical Duration: 5-7 Days
Region: Uttarakhand
5) Dayara Bugyal Trek
Undoubtedly Dayara Bugyal would fall within the two most beautiful high altitude meadows in India. The chilly winter and the aroma of fresh tea are the highlights of this trek. The trek goes through a dense forest and ends up at a lush green meadow. This is an ideal trek for long weekends when you want to escape the smog and pollution of the city.
Difficulty: Moderate
Typical Duration: 3 – 6 Days
Max Altitude: 3,650 mts.
Region: Uttarakhand
6) Bedini Bugyal Trek
At an elevation on 3354m, on Trishul massif’s slopes is Bedni Bugyal. In the Garhwal region of the Uttarakhand state, Bedni Bugyal is an impressive alpine meadow. It also overlooks the silent waters of Bedni Kund. This Trek confines your heart with the rambling colours of nature. It is one of the easier treks in the Gharwal area.
Difficulty: Moderate
Max Altitude: 3,350 mts.
Typical Duration: 6 – 9 Days
Region: Uttarakhand
7) Nag Tibba Trek
source: flickr.com/photos/blackfog/16231005185
If you are looking to get away from the usual boring routine, then Nag Tibba is the perfect weekend trek. The route goes through some of the thick Deodar forests. The trek takes you to remote areas with almost no habitation. If you are looking for a peek into the world of Himalayas, then this trek is exactly what you want. It shows you what a trek can be like and what camping in the middle of nowhere feels like.
Difficulty: Easy
Max Altitude: 3,350 mts.
Typical Duration: 3 – 4 Days
Region: Uttarakhand
8) Kedar Kantha Trek
source: flickr.com/photos/kpradeep/7127887451
In the celestial state of Uttarakhand, there is the snowy delight of Kedarkantha Peak. Close to the famous Har ki Dun valley, this place is one of the lesser known places. As soon as you step into this unknown land of beauty you will come across charming little villages, snow paths and vast stretches of greenery and meadows. The KedarKantha Winter Trek takes you through beautiful pine forests and meadows covered with fresh winter snow. It is an extremely thrilling trek.
Difficulty: Difficult
Max Altitude: 3,850 mts.
Typical Duration: 3-5 Days
Region: Uttarakhand
9) Kuari Pass Trek
The alpine meadows and mountains of Kauri Pass have been enticing trekkers from around the world for decades. Located in the Nanda Devi biosphere, Kauri Pass is at the center of one of the most remarkable regions of Garhwal known for its unique opulence. Although the Kuari Pass Trek has a moderate altitude the scenic views make up for it. The camping grounds of Gorson, Chitrakantha & Khullara are the other attractions of the trek.
Difficulty: Difficult
Max Altitude : 3,890 mts.
Typical Duration: 5-7 Days
Region: Uttarakhand
10) The Snow Leopard Trek – Markha Valley Trek
Snow Leopard Trek is located in the eastern part of Ladakh with an average elevation of 3000 meters. It covers an area of 600sq.kms in the valleys of Markha and Rumbak. It is a high altitude protected area, which was created for the conservation and protection of the unique flora and fauna found there.
There are many rare and endangered animal species that are found in this cold desert, amongst these are the elusive Snow Leopard, Ibex, Tibetan Antelope, Blue Sheep, Shapo, Marmot, Tibetan Hare etc. Among the avi fauna population found are the Snow Partridge, Golden Oriole, Snow Cock, Golden Eagle, Horned Lark, and Red Billed Chuff etc.
Difficulty: Moderate
Max Altitude: 3,800 mts.
Typical Duration: 12-13 Days
Region: Hemis National Park, Ladakh
11) Dzongri Trek
Walking up the snow clad mountains and sliding down those velvet slopes is the best way to describe this trek. The Dzongri winter trek moves through a mystical forest of pine, oaks and rhododendrons of 30 kinds, along with a twittering population of thousands of Himalayan birds. It’s a small 1 hr. hike that will take you to a vantage point which gives a 360 degree view of the greater Himalayas.
Dzongri trek is one adventurous journey that will give you a firsthand experience of adventure in the snow but also develop your skills so that you undertake even harder journeys in the mighty Himalayas.
Difficulty: Difficult
Max Altitude: 4,170 mts.
Typical Duration: 8-10 Days
Region: Sikkim
12) Auli Gorson Trek
One of the best ski slopes, and known to be a skier’s paradise, Auli has one of the longest skiing slopes in Asia. The 3 kms long slope ranges from 2519 m to 3049 m and offers an outstanding view of the towering Himalayan peaks. The icing on the cake for this trip are the views of Nanda Devi Peak. From Auli, it seems as if the peak could be touched by bare hands.
A large number of visitors and tourists, visit this destination in both summers and winters. An added bonus during summers is that the green grassy meadow blooms into a massive oasis of flowers.
Difficulty: Easy
Max Altitude: 3,350 mts.
Typical Duration: 5 – 7 Days
Region: Uttarakhand
13) Har Ki Dun Trek
The Har Ki Dun trek is a doorway into the Himalayan villages. No other trek is so steeped in mythology to justify the title of “Valley of Gods.” The views that you get to see on this trek are irreplaceable. This is the only valley from where you can see Swargarohini – I, II, III, Bandarpoonch and Blackpeak, all together. It is one of the most famous treks in Garhwal Himalayas.
Difficulty: Easy
Max Altitude: 3,550 mts.
Typical Duration: 5 – 7 Days
Region: Uttarakhand
14) Roopkund Lake Trek
Roopkund, which is in the state of Uttarakhand in India, is a very famous glacial lake. This lake is known for its five hundred skeletons of humans that are found at the edge of the lake. It is believed that they are skeletons of the heroes who had fought here in the earlier times. The icy cold weather is said to be the reason for the preservation of the skeletons for such a long time.
This is definitely an extremely good place to trek in Garhwal Himalayas.
Difficulty: Difficult
Max Altitude: 4,878 mts.
Typical Duration: 5 – 8 Days
Region: Uttarakhand
15) Sandakphu Trek
If you think Darjeeling or Sikkim will give you the grand experience of living in the mountains, wait till you reach Sandakphu and understand the ultimate greatness of life in the midst of high mountains where nature is at its immaculate best. It is the highest peak of the Singalila Ridge and the in entire state of West Bengal; needless to say that you shall witness the most visually stimulating view from here. The snow covered mountains and colorful wild flowers treat your soul.
Difficulty: Difficult
Max Altitude: 3,636 mts.
Typical Duration: 6-8 Days
Region: West Bengal / Sikkim
One benefit trekking in winters is that the trails are not crowded at all and the weather is also incredibly clearer with great views as you get higher. Though these days weather is quite unpredictable, but winters have been much lighters in recent years, which makes it even easier to plan a winter trek.
Last Updated on October 11, 2018 by Rohan
