Winters in India are the most favourable season for trekking the mountains, as they offer jaw dropping views of the snow laden mountains and valleys. Naturally, a significant number of trekkers and mountaineers visit the mountains during winters each year to explore the mountains and catch a sight of nature at its best. This article gives a brief introduction to some of the most popular treks in India to visit during the winters.
Kedarkantha trek, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 days.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
The Kedarkantha mountain peak of the Garhwal Himalayas lies inside the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand with an altitude of about 4,100 metres. The Kedarkantha trek is relatively easy to moderate in terms of difficulty due to its gradual elevation. The summit provides breathtaking views of some famous mountain peaks which include the Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak and Ranglana in the Yamunotri and Gangotri ranges of the Himalayas. The Kedarkantha peak offers magnificent views of a total of 13 mountain peaks. The beautiful valleys and forests add to the appeal of the climb. With the mountains covered in snow during the months of December to April, the Kedarkantha trek is one of the best winter treks in the country.
Har ki Dun trek, Uttarakhand
Duration: 7 days.
Difficulty: Moderate.
A cradle-shaped valley lying at an altitude of about 3,566 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas, Har ki Dun is nestled among the snow capped mountains and alpine vegetation. The Har ki Dun trek is best known for its magnificent views of the mountain valleys and forests, along with some famous mountain peaks which include the Swargarohini group of peaks, Black Peak, Bandarpoonch etc. The trek will also lead one through some of the most isolated and remote villages in the mountains. The Har ki Dun can be visited both during summers and winters.
Brahmatal trek, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 days.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Brahmatal is an alpine lake at an altitude of about 3,240 metres in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, which remains frozen during the winters. A classic winter trek, the Brahmatal trek offers breathtaking views of some famous mountain peaks, which include Mount Trishul and Mount Nanda Ghunti. The trek is ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers. The trek leads one through the beautiful mountain valleys and forests mostly filled with oak and rhododendron. One can ideally vivist the trek during the months of December to February.
Sandakphu trek, west Bengal
Duration: 6 days.
Difficulty: Moderate.
The Sandakphu mountain peak lies at the edge of the Singalila National Park in West Bengal with an altitude of 3,636 metres. One of the most famous trekking routes in the country, the Sandakphu trek is known for its jaw dropping views of some of the highest mountain peaks in the world. These include the highest peak in the world- Mount Everest. Other mountain peaks visible from this trek include the Kanchenjunga (the third highest in the world) with its family of peaks (which include the Kumbhakarna and Kumbhakarna East, the Rathong peak, the Goecha peak and Mount Pandim to name a few), Mount Lhotse and Mount Makalu (the fourth and fifth highest peaks in the world respectively), and Mount Chomo Lonzo. A classic winter trek, the Sandakphu trek is a bit challenging, given the adverse weather conditions and high altitude climb.
Kuari Pass trek, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 days.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
The Kuari Pass is a high altitude mountain pass located at an altitude of 4,265 metres inside the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The Kuari pass trek is one of the most famous treks, because it offers one of the closest views of Mount Nanda Devi-the second highest mountain peak in the country. It is also known as Lord Curzon’s trail (because it was explored by Lord Curzon), and provides jaw-dropping views of some other popular mountain peaks, which include Mount Trishul, Dronagiri, Kamet, Chaukhamba etc. to name a few. A classic winter trek, the Kuari pass trek is moderately difficult because of the steep terrains and high altitude climb. Yet, it is one of the most sought-after treks by both amateur and experienced trekkers.
These were some of the notable treks to visit during the winters in India. Other winter treks include the Nag Tibba weekend trek, Har ki Dun trek, Dayara Bugyal trek, Deotiatal Chandrashila trek etc. to name a few. Although these treks can sometimes be challenging, yet they are one of the most popular treks in the country, owing to the breathtaking views of the mountains that they offer.
