Top 6 Winter Treks in India: Best Himalayan Snow Trek Destinations

The unfiltered beauty of the Himalayan winter is like a dopamine flash. In general, this vast alluring mountain range has always been a prime destination for hikers, but the winter season comes wrapped with a pleasant mystery. With snow playing its role unfailingly, the landscapes transform into something that remains engraved in your memory.

Be it thrill seekers, adventure buffs, nature lovers, or simply wanderers, Himalayas continue to surprise at every level. If you want to explore and relish this breathtaking region in winters, we suggest you visit these top winter treks in India. Rest assured, these hiking gems won’t disappoint you, rather give you back something unthinkable.

After much deliberation, here are our best winter candidates:

Kedarkantha Trek





Altitude: 12,500 ft.
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 5 Days
Distance: 20 Km

One of the most celebrated Himalayan destinations, Kedarkantha is the true winter trek from every account. Because of the Shiva temple at the top, it had always been a pilgrimage place for local people when winter trekking wasn’t even a concept in India. Later, due to exploration efforts, this place captured every adventurer’s attention and never lost its charm since then.

Perched on the high-altitude Garhwal Himalayas, Kedarkantha is located at an altitude of 12,500 Ft. in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It’s an easy to moderate trek that can be comfortably completed over a period of 5 days.

Trek Highlights:

• The climb is roughly steady with gradual ascents through dense forests, alpine meadows, and ridges.
• The trek begins from Sankri, a quaint village overlooking a beautiful valley down below. Just a few minutes after stepping on the trail, you are welcomed by a dense forest of oak and pine.
• In winters, these trees are laden with snow and the trail takes you through them. Since the fresh snow completely covers the trail, every direction looks the same. As you wade through this thrilling snowy canopy, you reach the first campsite – an enchanting lake called Juda Ka Talab. Surrounded by tall trees of cedar and pine, the lake greets you with a frozen surface.
• Walking inside the territory of Govind National Park, the winding trail carries you through the changing landscapes of winter.
• If lucky, you can come across some of the rare Himalayan mammals and birds, including musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan tahr, red fox, Himalayan Monal, snow pigeons, woodpeckers etc. Apart from trekking, there are other things to do in Kedarkantha trek as the place is also popular for adventure activities.
• The final climb to the summit of kedarkantha is a bit challenging in winters, but more fulfilling after you get to the top.
• After reaching the summit, you will feel as if you are standing on the roof of the world. A 360-degree view of the Himalayas is waiting for you right here and the prominent peaks visible are: Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak (Kalanag), and Draupadi Ka Danda.
• A little farther from this trek summit, there is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha. This temple has a great spiritual significance for native people who come here to seek blessings from these gods.

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Brahmatal Trek





Altitude: 12,300 ft.
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 6 Days
Distance: 26 Km

Another excellent winter destination Himalayas pull out for you is the Brahmatal trek. One of the top choices of many mountain enthusiasts, Brahmatal trek turns into a snowy paradise during the winter months. Every nook and cranny of this trek stuns you with its breathtaking beauty particularly in this season. This place is popular for its enchanting snow-covered landscapes, frozen alpine lakes, and close up views of majestic mountain peaks.

Located at an altitude of 12,300 Ft. in the pristine Himalayan region of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, Brahmatal offers the beauty you rarely see on treks.

Trek Highlights:

• The trail starts from the base camp, Lohajung, and takes you through some of the most captivating sections of the region.
• After a few hundred meters of walk, you make your way through a lovely forest engulfed by snow. The oak, pine and rhododendron trees are a delight to watch; even better when you walk through beneath them.
• As you proceed, the trail allows you regular glimpses of mountain peaks. In higher altitudes, forests gradually thin out, shoving you to magnificent alpine meadows. The walk through these snow-covered meadows will definitely be a lasting impression. Not just that, the sunset at the Tilandi campsite is simply unforgettable.
• Your joyride is not over until you reach the summit of Brahmatal trek. This stretch of the trek is somewhat sloped for climbing but more rewarding as an awe-inspiring ridgewalk will finally take you to the Brahmatal top.
• This one place makes you feel the time has stopped and everything in front of you is to cherish for the lifetime. This amazing experience is the reason why winter is the best time to visit Brahmatal trek.

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Chopta Chandrashilla Tungnath Trek with Deoriatal





Altitude: 12,000 ft.
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 5 Days
Distance: 23 Km

Chopta Chandrashilla Tungnath Trek is an iconic winter destination that showers you with incredibly beautiful views of natural scenery throughout the trail. With nature in its full blow, winter transforms the entire landscape, providing it a completely new makeover. This place is famous not only for its panoramic vistas of the Himalayan peaks, it’s also a spiritual journey to the world’s highest Shiva temple at Tungnath. Also known as “Mini Switzerland”, Chopta’s lush green meadows and forest covers are its extraordinary attributes.

Situated at a height of 12,000 Ft, Chopta Chandrashilla trek lies in the region of Kedarnath Reserve National Park in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand.

Trek Highlights:

• Surrounded by stunning mountain peaks and scenic landscapes, the sheer grandeur of this trek draws people year after year.
• Your historic adventure begins from Sari village to Deoriatal, a serene, high-altitude alpine lake. This mesmerizing water body provides a perfect secluded place for trekkers to sit by its side and admire nature. You can also see the beautiful reflections of Chaukhanbha peaks on this lake.
• Being an easy to moderate trek, the trails are gradual and steady with some rocky patches in between.
• After walking along the trail, you’ll reach a view point that offers mesmerizing views of valleys to one side and striking woods on the other.
• As you move ahead on this delightful journey, the trail turns into a white corridor with snow-laden trees of rhododendron and oak.
• While traversing through this region, you might catch sudden glimpses of wildlife such as red foxes, barking deer, musk deer, Himalayan Monal, griffon, and woodpeckers.
• One of the key attractions of this trek is an ancient holy Tungnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This mesmerizing place is usually reached by Chopta to Tungnath trek, which is spiritually fulfilling.
• Being a highly revered religious site, this shrine is one of the pious Panch Kedars, which was believed to have been built by Pandavas because of their deep respect for Shiva.
• Finally, the Chandrashilla summit draws all the attention as the views it offers are absolutely remarkable. The astounding sunrise at this place is a visual treat. The famous peaks clearly visible from here are: Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kamet, Gangotri ranges, and Kedar Dome.

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Dayara Bugyal Trek





Altitude: 12,000 ft.
Grade: Easy
Duration: 5 Days
Distance: 24 Km

If one easy, beautiful and all-weather trek you have to do this winter, Dayara Bugyal should pop up right at the top. This place is known for its stunning, year-round scenery, expansive meadows, and snowy landscapes. Much as this trek is easier on feet, it’s equally heavier on nature views – that makes it truly special. Nestled in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region, Dayara Bugyal is located at an elevation of 12,000 Ft. and is particularly popular for being a high-altitude meadow trek.

Trek Highlights:

• It offers the kind of sweeping pastures that stretch as far as you can see. These open meadows when covered with a thick blanket of snow create a splendor that stays with you long after you return.
• A perfect combination of comfortable trails, amazing mountain views, and captivating forest covers, this trek is ideal for beginners and experienced hikers.
• The trek begins from Natin, a lovely village with enchanting traditional homes and typical cascading fields.
• As you walk along the trail, you are greeted by a dense forest of golden oak and rhododendrons that opens up at the Gui campsite. From here, the ascent is gentle and easy and while strolling through the path, you can see mountain range on one side and the dense forest on the other.
• After reaching the beautiful Chilapada campsite, you will have all the time to explore the place and soak in the beauty of nature.
• Finally comes the main highlight of the trek – the Dayara Bugyal summit. This spot stuns you by offering a wide-ranging captivating view of some of the famous Himalayan giants, including Bandarpoonch, Srikanth, Jaonli, Gangotri Range, and Draupadi ka Danda 2.
• With better clarity, you might even witness mighty Bhagirathi peaks. So without venturing into any challenging terrain, Dayara Bugyal trek offers you the magic and tranquility of Himalayas that you were expecting.

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Sandakphu Trek





Altitude: 12,000 ft.
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 7 Days
Distance: 68 Km

Sandakphu trek is one of the most loved and sought-after treks in India. It offers an incredible journey along the Indo-Nepal border, which is an extremely breathtaking and culturally rich region of the Himalayas. Although it is an all-season trek for beginners and seasoned trekkers alike, Sandakphu is absolutely remarkable in winters. Perched at an altitude of 12,000 Ft. in the Himalayan region of West Bengal, Sandakphu is also termed as Trekkers’ Wonderland, and rightly so.

Trek Highlights:

• The trekking journey begins at Sepi, the charming village surrounded by greenery that serves as the base camp.
• The ascent is rather comfortable on well-marked trails and soon you find yourself in the midst of quiet forests. These old forests of rhododendron, magnolia, and oak trees are the gateway to a spectacular world ahead.
• In spring and summer, they turn into a blooming passageway of pink and red rhododendron.
• While in winters, the landscape entirely transforms into a white corridor with snow-laden trees all around you.
• Further ahead, you will pass through some charming spots for tea breaks and snacks that also reflect warm cultural vibes.
• This one trek offers a rare opportunity to witness a majestic view of four of the five tallest peaks in the world – Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. All these iconic giants are seen lined-up on the horizon like a timeless barrier of snow.
• The visual appeal of this trek is profoundly magnified by the mighty Kanchenjunga Range of the Himalayas. The formation of Kanchenjunga mountain peaks is such that it appears like the Sleeping Buddha statue.
• On top of it, the overwhelming influence of sunrise and sunsets on these peaks makes this trek a real crown jewel of this region. This sight is stunningly mesmerizing the moment you see it.
• More than just a trek, Sandakphu is a window into the magnificence of natural scenery and cultural richness of the Eastern Himalayas.

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Winter Kuari Pass Trek





Altitude: 12,750 ft.
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 6 Days
Distance: 27 Km

If you want to immerse in a stunning winter paradise, Kuari Pass Trek stands out from the rest. For a long time, this trek has been popular among adventurers for its scenic views, beautiful campsites, glorious Himalayan peaks, and attractive landscapes. Perched on a high-altitude region of the Garhwal Himalayas in Chamoli district, Kuari Pass is a place that compels you to visit it again.

Trek Highlights:

• This trek is also known as ‘Curzon Trail’ – named after Lord Curzon, who is believed to have explored it in the early 1900s. Ever since, the trek’s charm has never failed to lure whosoever explores it.
• The actual trek of this magnificent expedition starts from Tugasi village and takes you through a series of terraced fields and dense forest covers to a picturesque campsite, Gulling Top.
• The well-marked trails are rocky and winding that are a mix of steep and gradual climbs.
• The forest canopy along the trail allows you to steal glimpses of stunning peaks such as Dronagiri, Mt. Hanuman, Mt. Rishikot, and Hathi-Gauri.
• This spot on the trek also serves as an excellent spot for watching the nearby beautiful areas, including Bugyal Koti, Pangarchula, Karchi village, and striking Alakhnanda River, etc.
• The enchanting forests of Golden oak, pine and rhododendron keep you riveted and the whole landscape turns into a pristine snow-covered wonderland in winters.
• As you move ahead along the trail, you enter another dense forest of oak, silver fur, and pine trees. At this stretch of the trek you will hear a constant soothing sound of fresh water stream running nearby.
• The next campsite is Khulara, which is known for its stunning views of sunrise.
• Another cool attraction of this trek is the vast alpine meadows of Gorson Bugyal, an amazing stretch of land that offers a clear, unobstructed view of the Himalayas.
• The summit of the Kuari Pass trek is the perfect spot for a panoramic view of some of the iconic Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Kamet, Trishul, and the Chaukhamba massif.
• The final and incredibly beautiful spot of this journey is Auli, a high-altitude town in the Garhwal Himalayas that is widely famous for its ski slopes and ice skating. Thus, the experience you get in the Winter Kuri Pass trek is unmatchable in many ways.

If you are a beginner and want to take your trekking fun one step higher, you can also check out our Winter Kuari Pass Trek guide for beginners. It will throw additional light on its stunning campsites with other features.

Conclusion

With the onset of winters, an uncanny charm surrounds the Himalayas, which make it one of the favored destinations for nature lovers. Due to the influence of snow and weather, some of these places turn too delightful to be ignored. With an astounding transformation of landscapes, these destinations get a new makeover, effectively providing a different experience altogether. The above mentioned six treks are among trekkers’ top choices, and definitely for the right reasons.