The beauty of the Himalayas is enhanced a hundred times during winter. The fresh air, snow-covered peaks, and frozen lakes make every trail seem like a road
to heaven. These treks are not just about adventure but admiring nature at its peak. From the Prashar Lake to Sandakphu–Phalut, each trek offers adventure, thrill, and beauty. Here are the top winter treks in India that you must visit this year.
Prashar Lake Trek – Himachal Pradesh
With the magnificent Dhauladhar range in the background, this short and scenic trek near Mandi leads you through dense pine forests and snow-covered meadows to the serene Prashar Lake. The icy lake and the island floating in its middle create a genuine winter spectacle. The trek is fairly easy and is suitable for beginners or first-time trekkers. There's also a wooden temple near the lake dedicated to Sage Parashar.
Kedarkantha Trek – Uttarakhand
The Kedarkantha trek is also known as the "Queen of Winter treks". It is a moderate-level summit trek in the Garhwal hills of Uttarakhand. It starts in the small village of Sankri and leads through the camps, offering panoramic views of the Snow-capped mountains. It is suitable for both beginners and seasoned trekkers. It takes about 5 days to complete the trek.
Sandakphu–Phalut Trek – West Bengal
Sandakphu–Phalut is the highest point of West Bengal and offers breathtaking views of the world’s four highest peaks — Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. It is situated on the Indo-Nepal border, allowing it to offer majestic views of both countries from one spot. It takes you through evergreen bamboo forests and also offers scenic views of the Sleeping Buddha range.
Dayara Bugyal Trek – Uttarakhand
Easy to moderate in difficulty, this trek takes you through beautiful forests of pine, oak, and maple. Situated in Uttarkashi, it offers views of sweeping meadows and ancient towns. The best time to visit the Dayara Bugyal Trek is from November to March. It also showcases panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges, including the Bandarpoonch and Black Peak.
Chadar Trek – Ladakh
The Chadar trek is one of the best treks during winter. The trek is formed when the Zanskar river freezes and forms a "chadar" like layer with snow, giving it the name Chadar trek. The best time to visit is from mid-January to mid-February. This one's a challenging trek and requires stamina and good physical health. Walking on a slippery ice sheet at an altitude of up to 12,000 feet is not easy. This is a high-risk trek that offers otherworldly winter landscapes.
