India is a very diverse country both landscape and demographically. When we think of coldest places in India, the first thing that comes to mind is the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand or maybe J&K. But if we look closely there are so many amazing paradises for the lover of snow. In this article, we are taking a look at the coldest places in India that you can visit.
18 Coldest Places in India for the Love of Winters.
1) Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir (5 to -6 Degrees)
Making the top of the list Kargil is one of the coldest places in India. Temperature can go down to -48 C in winters. It is located in Leh District at the altitude of 2,676 meters. The historic town of Pashkum is located 15km from Kargil. There is also a small Buddhist village called Mulbek near the Kargil-Leh road.
If you want to visit Kargil then June to September is the best time to visit. You have to reach Manali and you can go from there. Many bikers also ride their bikes to one of the coldest places in India.
Best Time to Visit – June to September
2) North Sikkim (3 to -5 Degrees)
Sikkim is famous for the tallest mountain peak in the country the Kanchenjunga. Temperature can drop to extreme -40 degrees here during the winters. North Sikkim is one of the coldest places in India and one worth exploring during the right season.
There are many awesome places you can visit like Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Crows lake and so much more. Best place to visit during the scorching summer.
Best Time to Visit – April to June, October to December.
3) West Sikkim (3 to -5 Degrees)
If you are a fan of trekking then West Sikkim is the place for you. There are many awesome treks around the country but West Sikkim attracts most of the tourists.
Khecheoperi lake, Dubdi Monastery, and Rabdentse are some of the most famous places to visit when you are in West Sikkim.
Temperature can go down to -15 degrees celsius.
Best Time to Visit – May to September
4) Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh (0 to -30 Degrees)
You have to visit Spiti Valley to truely appreciate the surreal beauty it is. Images and videos don’t do it justice. It is also a very popular adventure seeking people and they ride their bikes and 4X4 here.
Spiti stands for the “Middle Land” and it lies between Tibet and India. Spiti Valley is famous for its rich Buddhist culture you will find in Tibet and Laddakh. It is located at 3,800 m between the mighty Himalayas. Spiti Valley is one of the most famous and easily accessible holiday destination during the summer season in India. Temperature can drop to freezing -30 degrees during the peak winter season. You can also visit the famous Ki and Tabo monasteries here.
Best Time to Visit – May to October
5) Kaza, Spiti Valley (0 to -16 Degrees)
Kaza is one of the coldest place on the earth during the winter season. People visit Kaza to witness snow and to explore Key Monastery.
View during the winter is quite a heaven-like and is breathtaking.
Best Time to Visit – November to March
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6) Leh Laddakh (-9 to -14 Degrees)
It is the capital of the ancient kingdom of Laddakh. Leh doesn’t need any particular introduction as it is one of the most popular holiday destinations in India. It is also famous for its rich culture and history. During the peak summer season in India, the temperature in Leh is average at 7 degrees celsius.
During your visit to Leh, you should visit Pangong Lake, Leh Palace, and monasteries. The lowest temperature stays between -20 to -15 degrees celsius.
Best Time to Visit – June to September
7) Sela Pass, Tawang (0 to -10 Degrees)
Another great place to visit if you like the eastern states of the country. Sela Pass is located in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a high altitude pass which connects the Tawang to Guwahati and Tezpur.
Sela Pass is covered in the snow all year long which is perfect if you want to witness it. Temperature can go as low as -15 degrees celsius. Sela Pass is also the home of many beautiful lakes.
Best Time to Visit – May to September
8) Hemkund Sahib, Uttarakhand (5 to -15 Degrees)
Hemkund Sahib is known to be the highest gurudwara in the world. It is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Hemkund Sahib also attracts thousands of tourists who like to trek. Hemkund Sahib is only accessible during the summer and remains closed for visitors during the winter season.
Temperature can go down to -15 degrees celsius during the harsh winter season. Since there is not a road to take your vehicle, you have to either trek or hire a pony to take you up to the destination. The infamous valley of flowers National park is also located nearby. Hemkund Sahib is truly and spiritual and adventures experience.
Best Time to Visit – April to July
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9) Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh (5 to -6 Degrees)
If you have ever visited Manali chances are you must have gone to see the Rohtang Pass. It is located 50 KM away from Manali and it is one of the most popular and easily accessible coldest places.
In the Rohtang Pass, you can play with snow in the harsh summer of May and June. Temperatures can go down to -6 degrees celsius during the peak winter. Frequent snowfall is very common here.
Best Time to Visit – May to July
10) Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir (4 to -8 Degrees)
Paradise on Earth is the other name for Srinagar. It is the capital of Jammu & Kashmir. Located on the banks of Jhelum river Sringagr is a place to visit.
Thousands of people visit Srinagar each year for its beauty. During the peak winter season, there is a lot of snow and temperature can go down to -8 degrees celsius.
Best Time to Visit – April to October
11) Munsyari, Uttrakhand (5 to -15 Degrees)
This is a must-visit place if you are from Uttarakhand. A small village in Pithoragarh district, Munsyari have such awesome views of mighty Himalayas. This is also an off-beat tourist place where you will not find many tourists.
There are also some cool treks which you can do during the right season. Temperature can go down to -5 degrees celsius during the peak winter seasons.
Best Time to Visit – April to June, October to November
12) Amarnath, Jammu & Kashmir (5 to -6 Degrees)
Amarnath is a favorite destination for the people of the Hindu faith. Scattered across the beautiful valley and mountain, Amarnath is the place to be if you want to experience peace and spirituality.
Thousand of pilgrims visit Amarnath every year. Amarnath is only open for 45 days in the summers and remains closed for the rest of the year.
The lowest temperature can drop down to chilling -20 degrees celsius.
Best Time to Visit – May to September
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13) Dras, Jammu & Kashmir (5 to -6 Degrees)
Otherwise known as ‘The Gateway to Ladakh’ is a small town in the Kargil district. It is one of the coldest places in India and considered the second coldest inhabited place on the Earth. If you want to visit Amarnath you can trek from Dras. You can also visit Sialkot and Suru Valley form here.
During the peak winter season, the temperature can drop to chilling -45 degrees celsius. In 1995 the temperature dropped to record -60 degrees celsius.
Best Time to Visit – June to September.
14) Gangotri, Uttarakhand (5 to -11 Degrees)
Gangotri is a small village located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is famous for its historic value as the origin of the Ganga river.
It is the best location if you want to drive or ride there. There are many things to see like Gangotri Temple, Surya Kund, Bhagirathi Shila and much more.
Located 496 km from Delhi Gangotri also makes for a great weekend getaway from Delhi.
It is also one of the coldest places in India with the temperature dropping down to chilling -13 degrees celsius in the winters.
Best time to visit – May to June
15) Siachen Glacier, Karakorum Range (-2 to -25 degrees)
Siachen Glacier was once a famous battleground for many years. It was opened for the general public recently. It is located near the India-Pakistan border in the Himalayas.
Temperature can go down to -25 degrees.
Best Time to Visit – May to June
16) Kufri, Himachal Pradesh (0 to -4 degrees)
Kufri is a small town in the Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh. Known for its an offbeat location many tourists visit Kufri during the peak season.
During the winter season, you can witness snowfall and it is a sight to witness. Kufri is also a favorite destination for many couples. You can do skiing, horseback riding, trekking, and many more activities.
Best Time to Visit – November to March
17) Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir ( 5 to -8 Degrees)
Jammu & Kashmir is heaven for any traveler. This region is filled with amazing sceneries, landscapes, mountains, lakes and much more. If you want to cool off during summer, Sonamarg is one such destination.
Sonamarg is located 80 km away from Srinagar. If you are a fan of snow, you should visit it during the winter as it is covered in snow.
Best TIme to Visit – November to March
18) Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir (5 to -7 Degrees)
Gulmarg is a very famous holiday destination and many people know about it. It is a very famous skiing destination and many people visit Gulmarg for adventure. Gulmarg is entirely covered in snow during the winter season and it is the best time to visit.
Gulmarg is among the very few locations where you can expect early snow. So you can expect fresh snow whenever you visit. It is located 56km away from Srinagar airport.
Best Time To Visit – October to February
Conclusion – Coldest Places in India
So here you have it guys, 18 coldest places in India for the love of winter. Which one is your favorite and you would most likely to visit?
