{"id":18989,"date":"2021-11-03T19:48:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-03T14:18:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/?p=18989"},"modified":"2021-11-03T19:48:58","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T14:18:58","slug":"best-winter-treks-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/best-winter-treks-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Winter Treks In India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is something riveting about winters in India, especially in its snowy regions. You witness trees laden with snow, mountains shrouded in mist, and the cool winter breeze just stinging the surface of your cheeks.<\/strong> And there is no better way to experience all of that than trekking your way along some of India’s finest winter routes in all their glory. So, you want to go on winter treks in India, but just don’t know which are the best? Continue reading our guide to know more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brahmatal Trek, Uttrakhand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brahmatal is a lake embedded deep within the interiors of the Uttarakhand Himalayas.<\/strong> If you\u2019re a newbie just understanding the realm of trekking, you might want to get a hang of it first by starting off easy. Taking on challenging winter treks in India without having some experience can be extremely strenuous. So, to test whether you\u2019re made for trekking just yet, try the Brahmatal trek first.<\/strong> The trek is easy since the slopes are gradually ascending, consequently eliminating any extreme climbing. Plus, most of the trek is under forest cover, reducing the probability of altitude sickness.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The ascent to Brahmatal will leave you speechless. Photo by Amey Meher<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once you reach the 12,251 ft summit, you will feel the peaks are just within your grasp because of how close they feel. <\/strong>It\u2019s a sight to behold! End the trek by camping along the glacial lake and singing a few campfire songs. Start with Country Roads by John Denver. That’s a classic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration:<\/strong> 6 days\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kedarkantha Trek, Uttarakhand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kedarkantha trek<\/a> (not to be confused with Kedarnath) is one of those winter treks in India to explore your trekking abilities. The trek route runs through the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarakhand. Known as the \u201cQueen of Winter Treks\u201d it’s famous among beginners because of its uncomplicated terrain<\/strong>. But it doesn’t mean that it’s unchallenging in any way, so you\u2019d better quit being a couch potato! You do need an adequate amount of fitness level to climb and scurry up and down the trek route.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kedarkantha is not about aesthetics but also about myths and magic! There are many legends and myths associated with the formation of this place. For instance, the name itself literally means the \u201cThroat of Lord Shiva.\u201d<\/strong> Think about that while you\u2019re preparing for the trek to give you that desire to see it in person. And of course, you have the magic of the summit; after all, so much of its fame is due to it being a summit trek!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you begin to gradually climb, you will notice some of the most splendid peaks around such as Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Kalanag, and Draupadi ka Danda. But most of all, the sky peppered with starry clusters is what you should look forward to. Once you reach the summit, you will be able to have a bird’s eye view of the Himalayan ranges in all their grandeur. <\/strong>This will indeed give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration:<\/strong> 5-6 days\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Har Ki Dun Trek, Uttarakhand <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With its lofty snow-covered terrain, rich culture, and vibrant history, the Har Ki Dun trek will certainly take you back in time and make you feel like Julie Andrews from The Sound of Music<\/em>.<\/strong> While trekking across its 11,500 ft terrain, it’s impossible to miss the villages hemmed into the outskirts of the mountain. Since the people are welcoming, drop into one of the homes and learn a bit or two about the Har Ki Dun culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might need to have some experience in rock climbing since its terrain is uneven and rockier than the others.<\/strong> This adds to the difficulty element. Inexperienced climbers might struggle a bit, so having some experience is necessary.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The beauty of Har Ki Dun is incomparable. Photo by Bhaskar Kasireddi<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Duration:<\/strong> 7-9 days\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty:<\/strong> Moderate\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goechala And Dzongri Trek, Sikkim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to have a better look at Sikkim’s most celebrated peak, Kanchenjunga, then try the Goechala and Dzongri trek.<\/strong> Goechala is one of India\u2019s less popular treks<\/a>, but my oh my are the views as stunning as ever. The terrain is challenging, but in the end, the splendid peripheral view of the 14 other summits Sikkim has is astonishing. <\/strong>Trekking to this summit is like a journey – you get to visit a snow-covered alpine forest, the deep Goecha lake, and the Samiti Lake, each one as inviting as the last!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, don’t miss the splendid sunrises and sunsets while camping on the summit. They will certainly leave a mark on your memory, as will the view of Kanchenjunga. But make a note – only experienced trekkers should be attempting this trek!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration:<\/strong> 10-11 days\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty:<\/strong> Difficult<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chadar Trek, Ladakh<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you think the film Lakshya has properly encapsulated the beauty of Ladakh, wait till you actually visit the place. And you can breathe in some of that beauty by attempting the Chadar trek. The Chadar trek is one of the most popular and unique winter treks in India<\/strong>. Now you might ask, what makes this trek unique? The fact that you have to walk on a thick ice layer of a river surrounded by icy mountains<\/strong> is a unique feature by itself. It\u2019s like walking on a skating rink, without the ice skates, of course!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to see water frozen in time, check out the Nerak waterfall along your route. <\/strong>It’s beautiful, charming, and maybe closest to what you call \u201cbullet time.\u201d Dodging the thin spots of ice, making your way across a frozen river, you get to see an untamed side to Ladakh\u2019s winter. And at the end, you can jump right into the river for an icy dip like no other! Needless to say, the Chadar trek requires some level of experience with treks in the past. <\/strong>You should also ideally be fit enough to take on the challenge.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Chadar trek is truly a winter trek like no other. Picture credits Nitin Gupta<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Chadar Trek may not last long with the impending climate change and rarely-frozen Zanskar river, but it will always remain one of India\u2019s best winter treks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration:<\/strong> 9 days\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty:<\/strong> Moderate to Difficult\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Pointers When Attempting The Best Winter Treks In India<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Winter treks are a great way to bond with new explorers while scouting rugged terrains. The journey from the foothill to the summit or to the end of the trek is an enthralling and rewarding experience altogether. Amid all that excitement, you may forget a thing or two about certain trekking precautions<\/a>. <\/strong>That’s why we have curated a couple of points reminding you to prepare efficiently and to follow certain measures while trekking.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n