The trails that lead up to the mountains in India take on a subliminal beauty in the wintertime. When you travel through frozen streams, snowy grasses, and snow-covered trails during winter treks in India, You will experience a lot of excitement and adventure while taking in the beauty of nature that can lift your spirits!
The spring season is when nature shows its vibrant side, and the winter months showcase its playful side. Winter is when the massive mountains, covered in snow, attract trekkers worldwide to go to the Himalayas for the first time. Although most treks in the Himalayas are accessible to visitors between mid-May and the end of October, a few trekking opportunities are available in Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal and Sikkim Himalayas that one can pick from all year long. If you’re looking for a leisurely hike or an arduous one, the stunning, breathtaking beauty of the trails during winter will leave you enthralled. If hiking adventures are something you’re looking for this winter, here’s an exhaustive list of India’s most popular winter treks, which promise to provide a complete combination of adventure, excitement and a memorable vacation.
1. Dodital Winter Trek- A Journey to the Abode of Ganesh
Trekking that runs from Sangamchatti to Dodital is among the most popular treks for people interested in trekking for the first time. It’s a simple trek, but during winter, it’s difficult as it’s covered with snow. From Sangamchatti, the trek winds through thick forests where you can see various Himalayan birds flying freely throughout the sky. When trekkers begin walking up towards Agoda village, they’ll observe the summits located in Western and Eastern Uttarakhand come into view. The trek continues towards Bebra village, a tranquil village famous for its potatoes, beans, and Rajma plantations, as well as the Assi the Ganga River. The town is located on the banks of the Assi Ghat River. Trekkers can relax at the campsite or take part in Himalayan trout fishing.
After a night in the camp on the banks of the Assi Ganga River, the next day’s trekkers will walk one step up to Manjhi. In Manjhi, the trekkers can relax and prepare for an overnight stay. After ascending through zigzag paths, the next destination for trekkers is Dodital Lake. In terms of mythology, Dodital Lake has been deemed the abode of Lord Ganesh. Dodital Lake is one of the most stunning high-altitude lakes in North India and is famous as the home of Himalayan Trout, known as Dodi in the local dialect. On the next day, trekkers ascend upwards until they reach the end of the hike, Darwa Pass.
2. Har Ki Dun Winter Trek
The Har Ki Dun Trek is located in the cradle-shaped valley beneath Har ki Dun’s peak. The Har Ki Dun Trek is one of the most beautiful treks of the Western Himalayas. To book Har ki Dun Trek you should check the weather conditions before going in the winters. The trek begins from Dehradun and will take you to Sankri, the entry point for Har ki Dun. The trek starts from Sankri; this trek is identified and winds through dense forests with spectacular panoramas of the valley. Taluka village is the next destination, following Sankri. You can get to Taluka from Sankri by walking or hiring a jeep.
The Taluka village trail begins by descending and proceeds slowly to the left side of the valley that runs alongside the Rupin River. In the next stage, the trail climbs upwards and will continue until the village of Gangar and then through forests full of Chestnut, Walnut and Willow trees. There is a point during hiking where tourists can see the bird’s-eye views from Osla village. The next campsite is Seema, close to Osla village. The trail that starts from Seema leads into Har ki dun valley. Then, in Har ki, Dun Valley, visit Morinda Tal. Morinda Tal for the picturesque views from Kala Nag, Bandarpunch, Ruinsara mountains, Jalandhar glacier and the stunning Swargarohini.
3. Dayara Bugyal Winter Trek- Sight to behold
If you ever inquired with someone who is a trekker about the most simple hike in Uttarakhand, the answer likely is Dayara Bugyal Trek. In winter, the region is prone to an abundance of snow, and the trek trail transforms into a ski slope, which extends over a vast area of 28 square km. Dayara Bugyal Winter Trek is an ideal choice for those who are not experts and highlights the finest in Garhwal Himalaya in a short duration.
The trek is scheduled to start at Barsu and Raithal villages. After passing across the forest of pine, trekkers will arrive at Barnala. Barnala is a tree-lined meadow which transforms into ski slopes in winter. To the left of the outer part of the fields, one can view the well-known Barnala Lake. The unique thing about Barnala Lake is that despite being surrounded by dense forest, The surface of the lake remains clear. After Barnala, trekkers move to Dayara, blessed with huge meadows. In winter, the slopes of Dayara are the ideal area to go skiing after Dayara trekkers make their way towards Bakariya Top, the final destination of the trek.
4. Singalila Sandakphu Winter Trek
Prepare yourself for an extravagant trek to the stunning villages of the Himalayas. After traversing the forest for Red Panda, the Tragopan trekkers will make it to Paribas. In the next step, trekkers travel to Sandakphu, where they can observe the mountains, including Everest, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, Baruntse, Chamling, Chomolonzo, Machapucchare and other peaks from the Annapurna range. The adventurous trek to Sandakphu is available to book at Hey Himalayas at a good discount.
After a stay in Sandakphu the night, beneath the night sky, trekkers will go through mountain passes to reach Phalut. The stunning views of the Himalayas are never out of sight throughout the trip. The next stop on the trek route is Rammam, likely to be one of the most beautiful spots in the Himalayas to watch the sunset. After ascending through the Srikhola villages, trekkers will head to Rimbik, the last location of the Singalila Sandakphu Winter Trek.
5. Nag Tibba Winter Trek- A pilgrimage through Nag Devta’s Abode
Nag Tibba Trek pulls adventurers who love nature and Hindu devotees from all corners of the globe. People from the local community usually hike here to visit Nag Devta (Snake God) to protect the village. The climb starts at Pantwari. The beautiful trek is well-known because of its stunning natural splendour, which can be seen here. Beginning from Dehradun, the trail passes through hamlets hidden from view like Pantwari, Nagtibba, and Devalsari and ends at Thatyur. In Thatyur village, you can enjoy views of surrounding peaks, including Swargarohini (6,252 metres) as well as Nanda Devi (7,816 meters)
