NEW DELHI ,20 Jan 2026 : Most Indians think snow trekking means heading to Switzerland or Norway. But here’s the truth: some of the world’s most challenging and beautiful snow treks are right here in India.
We’re talking about places where temperatures drop to -30°C, where frozen rivers become trekking routes, where the air is so thin you have to consciously remind yourself to breathe.
These aren’t your usual hill stations with a light dusting of snow. These are serious cold-weather destinations where winter changes everything, where the landscape transforms into a white wilderness, and where adventure takes on a whole new meaning.
Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, Leh-Ladakh, and Dras aren’t just cold. They’re sub-zero playgrounds for trekkers who want something beyond the ordinary. The frozen Zanskar River, snow-covered monasteries perched on cliffs, villages where life slows to a crawl in winter, these places offer experiences you can’t replicate anywhere else.
This isn’t about ticking destinations off a list. It’s about testing yourself against nature, experiencing silence so profound it feels sacred, and understanding what “cold” really means.
Let’s dive deep into these three towns, how to reach them, what to do, and most importantly, the snow treks that make them legendary.
Spiti Valley translates to “the middle land” because it sits between Tibet and India. In winter, it becomes one of India’s most isolated regions. Temperatures drop to -20°C to -30°C. Snow blankets everything. Roads close. The handful of tourists who visit in summer disappear. What remains is raw, untouched beauty and a handful of hardy souls who call this frozen desert home.
How to Get There:
The Manali-Spiti route closes in winter due to heavy snowfall at Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass. Your only option is via Shimla-Kinnaur route through Rekong Peo. Here’s the breakdown:
3 Indian Towns With Sub-Zero Temperatures For Snow Treks: Complete Guide Snow trekking in India’s sub-zero towns isn’t a casual holiday. It’s a test. Of endurance, preparation, and your ability to handle discomfort. But it’s also transformative.
Written 1. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh: The Middle Land Frozen in Time
Latest and Breaking News on NDTV
Why Spiti in Winter?
Spiti Valley translates to “the middle land” because it sits between Tibet and India. In winter, it becomes one of India’s most isolated regions. Temperatures drop to -20°C to -30°C. Snow blankets everything. Roads close. The handful of tourists who visit in summer disappear. What remains is raw, untouched beauty and a handful of hardy souls who call this frozen desert home.
How to Get There:
The Manali-Spiti route closes in winter due to heavy snowfall at Kunzum Pass and Rohtang Pass. Your only option is via Shimla-Kinnaur route through Rekong Peo. Here’s the breakdown:
*By Air: Fly to Chandigarh or Delhi, then take a bus/taxi to Shimla (7-8 hours from Chandigarh).
*By Road: From Shimla, take a shared taxi or bus to Rekong Peo (235 km, 8-10 hours). Stay overnight to acclimatise. From Peo, continue to Kaza via Nako and Tabo (200 km, 10-12 hours depending on road conditions).
*Important: Carry multiple layers, thermals, waterproof jackets, and plenty of cash. ATMs in Kaza may not work.
Key Monastery: One of the oldest and largest monasteries in Spiti, perched dramatically on a hill. In winter, reaching it through snow is an adventure in itself. The monastery looks surreal covered in white, with prayer flags frozen stiff in the wind.
Kibber Village: At 4,270 metres, Kibber is one of the highest motorable villages in the world. Winter here is intense. The village gets cut off for months. But the experience of seeing life at this altitude in these conditions is unforgettable.
Why Leh-Ladakh in Winter
Leh in winter is a different beast. Temperatures range from -11°C to -30°C. Pangong Tso freezes completely. The Zanskar River turns into the Chadar, a sheet of ice you can walk on. This is when Ladakh reveals its most extreme, most beautiful self.
How to Get There:
*By Air: The most practical option. Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport connects Leh to Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, and Chandigarh with daily flights. From the airport, Leh city is 3 km away.
*By Road (Winter): The Manali-Leh route closes in October and reopens in May/June. The Srinagar-Leh route via Zoji La stays open but is unpredictable due to snowfall. Roads get blocked frequently. Not recommended unless you’re experienced and have buffer days.
Leh Town: Explore Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, local markets. The town feels quieter in winter. Shops close early. But the clear skies and snow-covered mountains make it magical.
Frozen Pangong Tso: The lake that’s blue and liquid in summer turns into a white, frozen expanse in winter. You can walk on it (carefully). The experience of standing on a frozen lake at 4,350 metres with nothing but white around you is surreal.
Dras, Jammu & Kashmir: India’s Coldest Inhabited Place
Dras holds the title of India’s coldest inhabited town. Winter temperatures drop to -40°C to -50°C. It’s called the “Gateway to Ladakh” and sits at 3,280 metres. Dras experiences some of the harshest winters on the planet.
How to Get There:
*By Air: Fly to Srinagar. From Srinagar, Dras is 140 km (4-5 hours by road).
*By Road: The Srinagar-Leh highway passes through Dras. In winter, the road is open but frequently blocked by snow at Zoji La (11,575 feet). BRO clears snow quickly, but delays are common. Always have buffer days.
Dras doesn’t have established trekking routes like Spiti or Ladakh. The extreme cold makes long treks risky. However, short snow walks around the town, exploring frozen streams, and experiencing village life in -40°C is the real trek here. Walking through Dras in winter when everything is frozen solid, when your breath freezes in the air, when locals bundle in layers you didn’t know existed, that’s the experience.
1. Chadar Trek (Frozen Zanskar River)
Difficulty: Extremely Difficult
Duration: 8-9 days
Altitude: 3,200-3,500 metres
Details: This is India’s most famous winter trek. The Zanskar River freezes, and you walk 105 km on ice. The ice thickness varies. Sometimes you walk on solid sheets. Sometimes you hear cracks beneath your feet. Temperatures drop to -25°C to -35°C. You camp in caves. Your water bottle freezes overnight. But the experience of walking through a frozen gorge with 600-foot cliffs on either side is incomparable. Only for those in excellent physical condition. Book through registered operators only.
2. Markha Valley Winter Trek
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Duration: 7-8 days
Altitude: 3,300-5,200 metres
Details: Usually a summer trek, Markha Valley in winter is for serious trekkers. Snow covers the entire trail. You cross frozen streams, walk through villages where families huddle around bukhari stoves, and climb Kongmaru La at 5,200 metres. The pass in winter is brutal. Wind, snow, altitude. But the views of snow-covered Kang Yatse and Stok Kangri peaks are stunning.
3. Stok Kangri Winter Expedition
Difficulty: Extremely Difficult (Mountaineering)
Duration: 10-12 days
Altitude: 6,153 metres
Details: Stok Kangri is a popular summer trek. In winter, it becomes a mountaineering expedition. Deep snow, avalanche risk, extreme cold. You need technical gear, ropes, ice axes. Success rate is low. But for mountaineers, summiting Stok in winter is a badge of honour.
