If you love trekking, then you’re in luck – India has some of the coldest Trekking destinations in the world! Trekking involves spending days walking in the mountains, carrying everything you need on your back, and sleeping in tents at night. Trekking provides an excellent opportunity to observe nature, and it can be great fun as well as a good way to exercise and get some fresh air! So if you’re looking for an adventure, then don’t hesitate – check out these five of the coldest trekking destinations in India!
Coldest Trekking Destinations in India
Ladakh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand are counted among some of the coldest trekking destinations in India. If you want to enjoy a trek on snow-clad mountains, these states can be ideal for you. You will find everything from hot springs to virgin forests at these treks—the best way to experience these locations is by camping out on the snow-clad peaks. Here’s everything you need to know about 5 of your best options for coldest trekking destinations in India
Ladakh Trek
The trip takes you through an unforgettable landscape, a harsh but strangely beautiful place dominated by soaring peaks, ancient monasteries and barren deserts. You’ll need to carry everything you need with you – tents and cooking equipment will usually be provided – as well as walk for between six and eight hours each day. Prepare for extremes in temperature too: during the summer months (June to September) daytime temperatures can reach 35°C or higher, while nighttime temperatures are often below freezing.
Chadar Trek
The best time to trek Chadar, in Leh, is between January and February when it’s freezing cold and frozen over. If you hike Chadar during that time frame, you’ll have an experience similar to walking on ice. The layer of ice under your feet can be as thin as 1 inch (2.5 cm) or up to 6 inches (15 cm). This means there are sections where you’ll have grip but also places where you might just slip through. The most dangerous parts? Near lakes where avalanches threaten hikers in addition to hidden crevasses lurking below ground that could swallow a person whole.
Spiti Valley Trek
The Spiti Valley Trek is one of those adventures that you want to tell people about for days after you’ve returned home. Located at an elevation between 4,500 and 6,000 feet above sea level, it’s a trekking destination that offers views of some of the most dramatic landscapes in northern India; mountains as far as your eyes can see, with tiny villages scattered throughout. The village culture is a unique one, something that you can’t help but take photos and videos to document later on when you return home. One word: breathtaking!
Roopkund Trek
This mountain lake is situated at an altitude of 5,172 m. Located in Uttarakhand, Roopkund Trek is a popular tourist destination. When trekkers take up Roopkund Trek, they are usually mesmerised by its natural beauty. The lake remains frozen during most part of the year;
Zanskar Valley Trek
Zanskar is one of the coldest trekking destinations in India. The valley has no road connectivity and it is cut off from all four sides during winter months as there is heavy snowfall. If you are planning to visit Zanskar valley then remember to carry a thick jacket since temperatures fall below zero degrees Celsius at night.
Karakoram Range Trek
The Karakoram Range Trek takes place in Kashmir, which sits on what’s called the roof of the world. This walk takes you through some of Asia’s tallest peaks, including K2 (28,250 feet) and Nanga Parbat (26,660 feet). Even better: many days during your trek will offer views into Pakistan. These mountains are also an important source for water for much of northern India—so seeing them up close helps you understand why they’re so well respected by locals.
Conclusion
It is difficult to find destinations that are cold and far away from any human settlement. One such place is Shyok Valley in Ladakh, which is found at an altitude of 16,700 feet above sea level. Here you will find glaciers, deep gorges, beautiful lakes and snow-capped peaks. The atmosphere here is always fresh and crisp with a temperate climate. Being so high up, there are no trees or shrubs around to provide cover or natural warmth.
