6 Best Winter Treks in India 2026–27: Snow, Cost & Best Month

The best winter treks in India are Kedarkantha (first snow summit), Brahmatal (frozen lakes), Dayara Bugyal (easiest snow meadow), Kuari Pass (Nanda Devi views), Nag Tibba (weekend snow trek near Delhi) and Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila (a 4,000 m summit in 4 days from Delhi). The snow season runs from December to March. With Manchala Mushafir these treks cost from ₹3,900 (Nag Tibba) to ₹8,600 (Kuari Pass), plus 5% GST.

For treks in every season, see our best treks in India by month.

Winter Treks in India: Comparison Table

Prices are per person from our package pages, plus 5% GST. Other operators’ published fees for Kedarkantha, Brahmatal, Dayara Bugyal and Kuari Pass are typically ₹9,500–11,500, often plus transport.

Which Winter Trek in December, January, February and March?

Planning a New Year trip rather than a trek? See our places to visit near Delhi for New Year.

Quick Picks

• First snow trek: Kedarkantha
• Easiest snow trek, good for families: Dayara Bugyal
• Weekend from Delhi: Nag Tibba
• Frozen lakes: Brahmatal
• Best views: Kuari Pass and Chandrashila
• Cheapest: Triund from ₹1,100 and Kheerganga from ₹1,500 (see more winter options)

1. Kedarkantha Trek, Uttarakhand

Best first snow trek

• State: Uttarakhand
• Duration: 5 days (Dehradun to Dehradun)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate; the summit day is the hardest part
• Max altitude: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)
• Snow: High from late December to February; spring snow in March–April
• Winter temperature: About 2°C to 10°C by day and -5°C to -10°C at night at the higher camps
• Best months: December to February
• Base: Sankri, Uttarkashi
• We provide: Crampons, gaiters, tents and sleeping bags
• Cost: from ₹5,500 per person with Manchala Mushafir (+5% GST)

Why go in winter: A pre-dawn climb to a rounded snow summit with views of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch and Black Peak. The trail climbs from Sankri through pine forest to Juda Ka Talab, a small lake that freezes over in winter.

→ View the Kedarkantha Trek package and dates · Read: how hard Kedarkantha is and the Kedarkantha packing list.

2. Brahmatal Trek, Uttarakhand

Best winter trek for frozen lakes

• State: Uttarakhand
• Duration: 6 days (from Rishikesh)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Max altitude: 3,734 m (12,250 ft) at Brahmatal Top
• Snow: High from December to February
• Winter temperature: About 5°C to 8°C by day and -3°C to -8°C at night (colder at the higher camps); January is the coldest month
• Best months: December to February
• Base: Lohajung, Chamoli
• We provide: Crampons and gaiters (complimentary), tents and sleeping bags
• Cost: from ₹8,000 per person with Manchala Mushafir (+5% GST)

Why go in winter: Bekaltal and Brahmatal lakes freeze over in winter, and the ridge above them looks straight at Mt Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. It is a quieter alternative to Kedarkantha with more snow on the ridge.

→ View the Brahmatal Trek package and dates · Compare: Kedarkantha vs Brahmatal · Read: Brahmatal temperature by month and what to pack.

3. Dayara Bugyal Trek, Uttarakhand

Easiest snow trek

• State: Uttarakhand
• Duration: 4 days (from Dehradun)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate; generally suitable from about 10 years of age
• Max altitude: About 3,639 m (11,938 ft)
• Snow: High from December to March; the Gui campsite stays under snow in December and January
• Winter temperature: Night temperatures fall to about -8°C in mid-winter
• Best months: December to March
• Base: Natin village (Raithal), Uttarkashi
• We provide: Crampons and gaiters if required, tents and sleeping bags
• Cost: from ₹6,900 per person with Manchala Mushafir (+5% GST)

Why go in winter: One of the largest high-altitude meadows in Uttarakhand turns into a wide snowfield in winter, with views of Bandarpoonch and the Gangotri peaks. The climbs are short and gentle, which makes it the best snow trek for families and first-timers.

→ View the Dayara Bugyal Trek package and dates · Compare: Dayara Bugyal vs Brahmatal.

4. Kuari Pass Trek, Uttarakhand

Best winter trek for mountain views

• State: Uttarakhand
• Duration: 6 days (from Rishikesh)
• Difficulty: Moderate; minimum age 7
• Max altitude: About 3,890 m (12,760 ft)
• Snow: Medium to high from December to March
• Winter temperature: About -5°C to 8°C on average in winter
• Best months: December to March
• Base: Pipalkoti, Chamoli
• We provide: Crampons and gaiters if required, tents and sleeping bags
• Cost: from ₹8,600 per person with Manchala Mushafir (+5% GST)

Why go in winter: Known as the Curzon Trail, it climbs through snowy oak forest to a pass with one of the widest views in Garhwal: Nanda Devi, Dronagiri and the peaks above Joshimath. It keeps its snow into March, so it suits late-winter trips.

→ View the Kuari Pass Trek package and dates

5. Nag Tibba Trek, Uttarakhand

Best weekend snow trek near Delhi

• State: Uttarakhand
• Duration: 2 days (from Dehradun)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with a steep final climb
• Max altitude: 3,022 m (9,915 ft)
• Snow: Medium: usually snow from December to February, but the amount varies year to year
• Winter temperature: About 5°C to 10°C by day and -5°C to 0°C at night
• Best months: December to February
• Base: Pantwari village, Tehri Garhwal
• We provide: Tents and sleeping bags
• Cost: from ₹3,900 per person with Manchala Mushafir (+5% GST)

Why go in winter: The quickest way from Delhi to a Himalayan summit in snow: drive to Pantwari, camp below the top and climb to 3,022 m the next morning, with views of Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini.

→ View the Nag Tibba Trek package and dates · More short trips: weekend treks near Delhi.

6. Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek, Uttarakhand

Best winter summit in 4 days from Delhi

• State: Uttarakhand
• Duration: 4 days (Delhi to Delhi)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Max altitude: 4,000 m (13,123 ft) at Chandrashila
• Snow: High from December to March
• Winter temperature: About -1°C to -5°C by day and -5°C to -12°C at night
• Best months: December to March
• Base: Chopta, Rudraprayag
• We provide: Stay, meals and guide (see the package page for winter gear)
• Cost: from ₹6,000 per person with Manchala Mushafir (+5% GST)

Why go in winter: A short trail climbs past Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world, to Chandrashila peak for a 360-degree view of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Chaukhamba. In winter the whole route is under snow.

Good to know: Tungnath temple is closed in winter (the deity is worshipped at Makkumath); the trek stays open.

→ View the Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila Trek package and dates · Read: Chopta–Tungnath packing list.

More Winter Treks in India

These treks are also good in winter, but are either shorter trips or outside Uttarakhand. Those marked “not sold by us” are included for completeness.

Triund, Himachal Pradesh

A 2-day trek from McLeodganj to a ridge at 2,850 m below the Dhauladhar range. January and February bring snow; nights fall to about -5°C. From ₹1,100 with us: Triund trek package. More in our guide to winter treks in Dharamshala.

Kheerganga, Himachal Pradesh

The Parvati Valley trail to the Kheerganga hot spring gets snow from December to February. December trips depend on snow and forest permission. From ₹1,500 with us: Kheerganga trek package.

Sandakphu–Phalut, West Bengal (not sold by us)

A 6–7 day moderate trek from Manebhanjan in Darjeeling district to 3,636 m, with views of Kanchenjunga and Everest. December to February is cold and usually clear, with some snow.

Marchoi, Kashmir (not sold by us)

An easy to moderate 4–5 day trek from Naranag in Ganderbal district, Kashmir, to about 3,200 m through snowy pine forest and meadows. Best from December to February.

Chadar, Ladakh (not sold by us)

A difficult 8–9 day walk on the frozen Zanskar river at about 3,400 m, in late January and February. It runs only when the Leh administration confirms the ice is safe; the 2026 season was suspended because the river did not freeze solidly. Check the status before you book flights.

Kudremukh, Karnataka (not sold by us)

No snow, but the best winter alternative in South India: an 18–20 km day trek to 1,894 m (6,214 ft) over grassland and shola forest. Best from October to February. Entry needs an online booking with the forest department, which caps daily numbers; the nearest airport and railway station are in Mangaluru.

Winter Trek Gear Checklist

What our winter packages include

• Tents, sleeping bags and mats
• Meals on the trek, permits and a trained trek guide with a first-aid kit
• Crampons and gaiters on Kedarkantha and Brahmatal, and on Dayara Bugyal and Kuari Pass when there is snow (check each package page)

What you bring

• Waterproof trekking shoes with ankle support
• Three or four warm layers: thermal base layer, fleece and a padded or down jacket
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Woollen cap, neck warmer, and two pairs of gloves (fleece and waterproof)
• Woollen socks (three or four pairs)
• UV sunglasses for snow glare, sunscreen and lip balm
• Head torch, two water bottles and personal medicines

Winter Trek Safety

• Short days: it gets dark around 5:30 PM, so treks start early and summit days begin before dawn.
• Turnaround time: follow the trek leader’s turnaround time on summit day, even if the top is in sight.
• Stay dry: wet clothes cause most cold injuries; change into dry layers at camp.
• Altitude: tell your trek leader at once about headache, nausea or breathlessness.
• Roads: heavy snow can block roads; keep a spare day before onward trains or flights.
• Fitness: start training a month before; see how to get fit for a high-altitude trek and our trekking safety guidelines.

Winter Treks by State

• Uttarakhand: all six treks above; more in our guide to winter treks in Uttarakhand.
• Himachal Pradesh: Triund, Kheerganga and more in our guide to winter treks in Himachal, and winter treks in Dharamshala.
• Other regions: Sandakphu, Marchoi, Chadar and Kudremukh (above).
• On a budget? See budget treks in India.

FAQs on Winter Treks in India

1) Which is the best winter trek in India for beginners?

Kedarkantha is the best first snow trek, Dayara Bugyal is the easiest, and Nag Tibba is the best 2-day option from Delhi. Chopta–Tungnath is another easy choice that reaches 4,000 m in 4 days from Delhi.

2) Which winter trek has the most snow?

Brahmatal and Kedarkantha have the most reliable deep snow in January and February. Dayara Bugyal and Chopta–Tungnath are also snow-covered from December to March.

3) Which is the cheapest winter trek in India?

With Manchala Mushafir, Triund costs from ₹1,100, Kheerganga from ₹1,500, Nag Tibba from ₹3,900 and Kedarkantha from ₹5,500 per person, plus 5% GST.

4) Which trek is best in December, January and February?

December: Dayara Bugyal, Kuari Pass, Chopta–Tungnath and Nag Tibba. January: Brahmatal, Kedarkantha and Dayara Bugyal. February: Brahmatal, Kuari Pass and Kedarkantha.

5) Will the Chadar trek happen in 2027?

Only if the Leh administration confirms that the ice on the Zanskar river is safe. The 2026 season was suspended because the river did not freeze solidly, so check the status before booking flights.

6) Is Kheerganga open in December?

Yes. Kheerganga gets snow from December to February, but December trips depend on snow and forest permission. Organised groups camp at Rudranag, below the Kheerganga meadow.

7) What gear do I need for a winter trek?

Bring waterproof trekking shoes, three or four warm layers, a waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves, a woollen cap, woollen socks, UV sunglasses and a head torch. Our winter packages include tents and sleeping bags, plus crampons and gaiters on the snow treks.

8) How cold does it get on Kedarkantha and Brahmatal at night?

On Kedarkantha, nights at the higher camps fall to about -5°C to -10°C from December to February. On Brahmatal they are about -3°C to -8°C, colder at the higher camps, and January is the coldest month.

Book a Winter Trek with Manchala Mushafir

We run small-group winter treks on Kedarkantha, Brahmatal, Dayara Bugyal, Kuari Pass, Nag Tibba, Chopta–Tungnath–Chandrashila. Each package page shows the current dates and prices. Call or WhatsApp us on 9311052232 to pick the right trek.