Winter in India rings a beautiful wonderland, and travellers are called to discover the Top 20 Coldest Places in India to Visit This Winter. What makes winter the best travel season, though, is the novelty provided by the colder places, not just the scenic views.
Top 20 Coldest Places in India to Visit This Winter
- Dras – The Gateway to Ladakh
- Kargil – Land of Martyrs
- Leh – The Roof of India
- Sela Pass – The Frozen Gateway
- Srinagar – Paradise on Earth
- Spiti Valley – The Middle Land
- North Sikkim – Land of Pristine Beauty
- Munsiyari – Little Kashmir
- Hemkund Sahib – The Sacred Pilgrim
- Kalpa – The Apple Orchard Town
- Lachen and Thangu Valley – The Tranquil Valleys
- Sonamarg – Meadow of Gold
- Rohtang Pass – The High Mountain Pass
- Tawang – Land of the Monpas
- Gangtok – The Gateway to Sikkim
- Mussoorie – The Queen of Hills
- Shimla – The Summer Capital of India
- Munnar – The Tea Garden of India
- Keylong – Gateway to Lahaul
- Auli – The Skiing Paradise
1. Dras – The Gateway to Ladakh
This place, nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, is considered the coldest place in India. Temperatures recorded here have touched as low as -60°C during peak winter months. It is, therefore, a must-visit destination for winter travel. For most of the travellers, Dras is just another halt to reach some other mystical land of high passes. The popular trekking route from Dras is Amarnath Yatra.
2. Kargil – Land of Martyrs
Kargil happens to be one such place that presents the great history and culture of India, situated in a picturesque region of Jammu & Kashmir. Being the coldest place in India today, there are some bone-chilling winter nights when it might go as low as -48°C in Kargil, providing a wonderful wintry experience.
3. Leh – The Roof of India
As a high-altitude town, it is simply a charming place, especially during winter as the temperature there has been recorded between -20°C to -15°C. Leh boasts of its rich cultural heritage and stands as the coldest place in India today. Several snow trekking routes have been developed here and stretch up to frozen lakes and remote monasteries.
4. Sela Pass – The Frozen Gateway
Sela Pass is one of the two ends of the passes connecting the town of Tawang with Tezpur and Guwahati. Situated at a height of 13,700 ft, this pass is an access point to a winter wonderland that captures the imagination of many with plenty of snow-clad landscapes and sheer beauty. You can look out for Snow-Drifted Peaks and Sela Lake. Also, Arunachal Pradesh is considered one of the coldest states in India.
5. Srinagar – Paradise on Earth
Srinagar is called the “Heaven on Earth,” which turns into a winter wonderland, attracting travellers to its beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. This chiselled-down scenic city is one of the top 20 coldest places in India to visit this winter as temperatures rise as high as -2.5°C. Additionally, you must check the most popular spot in Srinagar which is Dal Lake, Shankaracharya Temple and houseboats.
6. Spiti Valley – The Middle Land
Deep in the Himalayas, Spiti Valley is one of the most breathtaking winter destinations ever – a place often referred to as one of the coldest in India. Temperatures drop as low as around -30°C, making it the coldest place in India, but the region is great not only for extreme weather conditions but also for its rich Buddhist culture and impressive sceneries.
7. North Sikkim – Land of Pristine Beauty
Stunning vistas and sceneries, breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga Peak. One of India’s most freezing locations: temperatures may drop up to -40 degrees C in winter making it the coldest place in India today. Extreme cold renders it a first preference destination for those seeking adventure and natural marvels. Moreover, one popular place to explore is Gurudongmar Lake the world’s highest lake.
8. Munsiyari – Little Kashmir
This place offers a view of gigantic peaks like Nanda Devi and Panchachuli. Munsiyari would be a thrilling experience for adventure lovers, especially in winter when temperatures are in a range of 0°C to 10°C.
9. Hemkund Sahib – The Sacred Pilgrim
Situated in the heart of the Himalayas, Hemkund Sahib is a sacred Sikh pilgrimage centre that attracts pilgrims as well as adventure seekers. This place of beauty faces average winter temperatures at 0°C, which makes it a unique location among India’s coldest destinations. Thus, it is one of the places to visit in India during winter.
10. Kalpa – The Apple Orchard Town
Kalpa, in Himachal Pradesh, is quite an interesting place to visit during wintertime. Temperature can reach from 5°C to 15°C. Therefore, you would get a relatively milder winter. Yes, compared to other coldest places in India, includes places like Dras or Kargil.
11. Lachen and Thangu Valley – The Tranquil Valleys
Lachen and Thangu Valley located in the picturesque scenario of North Sikkim are serene resorts known for their sub-zero temperature. Furthermore, this is a winter destination jewel people pay a visit to explore such an unspoiled peaceful winter in pristine natural beauty.
12. Sonamarg – Meadow of Gold
In Jammu and Kashmir, there lies Sonamarg- literally ‘Meadow of Gold’. Winter blankets the landscape with snow. This visual feast is part of a greater Dras, Kargil, and Leh ecosystem infamous for extreme climatic conditions. Moreover, well-trodden routes take tourists and adventure seekers to the Thajiwas Glacier for some snow trekking. J&K is also considered the coldest state in India.
13. Rohtang Pass – The High Mountain Pass
The Rohtang Pass, with snow-capped mountains and valley wonders of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti, is a treat for the eyes during winter. Lastly, deep-seated adventurers and nature lovers converge to find adventure in this tall mountain pass turning into a wonderland of snow.
14. Tawang – Land of the Monpas
Located in the northeastern state of India, Tawang is a treasure trove of wondrous culture and sceneries. The main reasons for this fame are stunning landscapes and significant historical sites. Moreover, it is one of the coldest places in India while winters last here with approximately 5°C temperatures.
15. Gangtok – The Gateway to Sikkim
The temperature for this period ranges from a cool 5°C to 15°C and therefore is of particular tourist attraction for those seeking relief from the worst chills seen in places such as Dras, Kargil, and Leh. Tashi View Point would present spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga range especially mesmerizing when capped with snow.
16. Mussoorie – The Queen of Hills
Mussoorie is known as the “Queen of Hills.” Located in the heart of Uttarakhand, this region is known for breathtaking landscapes and pleasant winters, with temperatures between 5°C to 15°C. Furthermore, the winter sky around places like Kempty Falls and Gun Hill makes them look equally enchanting.
17. Shimla – The Summer Capital of India
Locals in Shimla are aptly called ‘children of the mountains’ due to their lying in the lap of the Himalayas. It stands as a testimony to colonial architecture and breathtaking natural beauty. Similarly, the scenic beauty of this hill station is charmingly catchy for the winter months as the temperature floats in between 5 to 10 degrees C. Being one of the top 20 coldest places in India, Shimla renders an enchanting experience for travellers trying to flee the chill of the winter.
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18. Munnar – The Tea Garden of India
A great place to visit in winter. In winter, mist covers the hills and a cool breeze fills in. Green tea gardens at every turn are sure to welcome those sipping hot cups of tea. Moreover, winter could be an ideal season to visit Eravikulam National Park to glimpse the shy Nilgiri Tahr or to trek to Anamudi Peak, the highest point in South India. The waterfalls in Munnar appear to be all the more magical with mist swirling around them.
19. Keylong – Gateway to Lahaul
This is a nice place to visit during the chilly winter months. The town is snow-covered and looks like a winter wonderland in the mountains. Here, in Keylong, you can experience snow play, quiet valley exploring, and beautiful frozen lakes. Additionally, you might even catch a glimpse of old monasteries like Kardang Monastery, which look magical in winter.
20. Auli – The Skiing Paradise
It turns into a snow paradise during winter. The resort is associated with skiing where one can learn to ski or have snowball fights with family and friends. Furthermore, snowy mountains are there and even one can ride on a cable car to see the scenery from above. There are quiet forests too, besides enough opportunities to play in the snow.
Winter Travel Tips
| Tips | Details |
| Dress in Layers | You can wear many layers of clothes to regulate temperatures that you are exposed to during the day, thereby keeping warm at night. |
| Pack Essential Gear | Pack in gloves, scarves, and thermal wear, along with good footwear for snow and ice. |
| Drink plenty of Fluids | Most people tend to lose much water in cold weather and hence drink up a lot of fluids. |
| Be Flexible with Plans | Keep your itinerary flexible when you experience worse-weathered days than expected. |
Conclusion
Winter in India is not just so beautiful blend of scenic beauty but also rich cultures. The Top 20 coldest places in India to visit this winter provide highly exclusive experiences for lovers of nature. Therefore, adventurous junkies and culture enthusiasts can have a great time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are options such as local buses, taxis, or rented vehicles; make sure the vehicle is winter-equipped.
Look for off-season deals, consider travelling by train or bus, and choose accommodations that fit your budget
Apps on navigation, such as Google Maps, any weather updates, and guides for your area of visit, can also be very useful while you are on your trip.
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