Winter in India offers an enchanting experience for trekking enthusiasts. With clear azure skies, crisp mountain air, and snow-draped peaks, it’s an ideal time to go out for adventure. It is a golden opportunity for the energetic souls and adventure buffs, who seek adrenaline rushes with every breath. In the Indian Himalaya, winter treks (from December to March) are popular at relatively low altitude because the high altitude passes and trails are hardly accessible due to heavy snow. Here is a list of top 5 winter treks you must try in your life.
1. Kedarkantha : Kedarkantha is a mountain peak of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand with an elevation of 12,500 ft. This peak is located within Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarkashi district. A trek to the peak of Kedarkantha usually starts from Sankri, a small village, and takes four days to complete. It is a perfect blend of scenic views, walks through remote Garhwal villages and of course, the joy of trekking on snow.
Trek Overview:
Trek distance: 20 km
Trek Duration: 3N/4D
Trek Route: Sankri – Juda ka talab (Day1)- Kedarkantha Base Camp (Day2)- Summit (Day3) – Base Camp (Day 3)- Sankri (Day 4).
Accommodation type: Tents
Difficulty level: Easy
Temperature: -10° to 0° C (Night), 5° to 15° C (Day).
2. Kuari Pass: The Kuari pass means the Doorway. This trek was explored by Lord Curzon and is also knows as the Curzon trail. The trek at an altitude of 12,516 ft. also offers you the view of high Himalayan peaks like Chaukhamba, Abi Gamin, Kamet, Dronagiri, Trishul, Bertholi, Hathi Ghodi Parvat, Mana, Neelkanth and Nanda Devi. While the majority of other mountain passes within the Himalayas are covered with snow Kuari Pass is only an accessible mountain pass during the winter. The trail takes you through lush green meadows, dense forests, charming villages, and alpine landscapes, providing a visual treat for nature lovers and photographers.
Trek Overview:
Trek Distance: 33 Km
Trek Duration: 3N/4D
Trek Route: Joshimath – Tugashi (by car) – Guling (Day 1) – Khullara (Day 2) – Kuari Pass – Tali (Day 3) – Auli (Day 4).
Accommodation type: Tents/ Trekkers Hut.
Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate.
Temperature: -8° C Minimum to 12° C Maximum.
3. Ali Bedini Bugyal: It is a perfect snow trek in winter for forest lovers in the famous Roopkund trail . Bedni Bugyal is one of the most beautiful meadows in India. In winter this lush green meadow turns into white. One gets the best view of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda ghunti from Bedini top. Starting from Wan village, trek continues to Gehroli Patal through dense forest. From there, you cross two bugyals in two days and reach Didna. Trek ends at Lohajung. If your foremost priority is to get snow on this trail, then choose this trek between late December to mid of February.
Trek Overview:
Trek Distance: 29 km approx
Trek Duration: 3N/4D
Trek Route: Wan – Gehroli Patal – Abin Kharak via Bedni Bugyal – Didna via Ali Bugyal – Lohajung.
Accomodation type: Tents/ Trekkers hut.
Temperature: -10° to 5°C
4. Brahmatal Winter Trek: Deep forest, undulating meadows, high altitude lakes.. There’s many reason to fall in love with the Brahmatal Trek, but no great reason than the fascinating mountain views it offers. Trishul and Nandaghunti are at an arm’s length, along with other biggest such as Chowkhamba, Nilkantha, Hati, Ghori etc. The frozen lakes of Brahmatal and Bekaltal act as added attractions in the winter months. No doubt Brahmatal has become India’s most popular winter trek along with Kedarkantha. The 6 km trek from Lohajung to the Gujreni campsite runs through dense forests of Conifer, Cedar, Oak and Fir. The Gujreni campsite is at the heart of a beautiful clearing surrounded by Oak and Rhododendrons with panoramic views of snow-capped ranges. The next day, the trek gradient increases gradually. A 2-hour trek will lead you to the Bekaltal lake, frozen during the winter months, making up for a tranquil view. The trail heading out of the lake continues to remain dominated by Oak and Rhododendron forests. The forest soon opens up to an expansive meadow, Talindi Top, that rewards you with spectacular views of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti amongst others. The ascent continues beyond this point until you reach Jhandi Top which surpasses the views offered by Talindi Top. It is a short descent from here onwards to the Brahmatal campsite. According to legend, the lake is believed to be the place where Lord Brahma meditated ages ago.
Trek Overview:
Trek distance: 24 km
Trek duration: 3N/4D
Trek route: Lohajung – Gujreni – Talindi – Brahmatal – Lohajung
Accomodation type: Tents
Temperature: Day temperature 0° to 2° C, Night Temperature -10° to -5° C
Sandakphu trek in Winter: Sandakphu trek along with Phalut is accessible almost all over the year except the rainy season. Most of the trekkers prefers to visit Singalila National Park in spring to witness the beauty of dense bloom of various Rhododendron. But, if someone want to witness crystal clear view of Kanchenjunga and other high Himalayan peaks with bone chilling cold, one can choose the time between December mid to February. Some irregular snowfall starts from December end and continues till March. If weather detoriates in January to February, this trail turns into a snow trail with 1 to 2 ft snow. At that time reaching Phalut becomes quite impossible for trekkers due to huge snow deposition. If there is no snowfall, you can enjoy the beauty of frost hanging from the tree branches. Beginners, who wants to witness grand view of peaks and thrilling cold together, may choose winter Sandakphu without hesitation.
Trek Overview:
Trek distance: 45 km (Sandakphu Trek), 80 km (Sandakphu Phalut)
Trek duration: 3N/4D (Sandakphu), 5N/6D (Sandakphu Phalut)
Trek route: Dhotrey – Tumling – Kalipokhri – Sandakphu – Srikhola (Sandakphu)
Dhotrey – Tumling – Kalipokhri – Sandakphu – Phalut – Gorkhey – Srikhola.
Accomodation type: Hotel / homestay / Trekkers hut. Temperature: -8° to 5° C.
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