09-01-2025Discover the Coldest Places in India for a Winter Escape 2025
To make winter more wintery, exploring the coldest places in India can be fun! When temperatures drop to -50° C in Drass and white snow covers the Himalayas, chilling waves make you freeze. From Siachen, Leh, Sela Pass, and Spiti Valley in Winter, each holds its own significance and attracts you with some adventure activities.
When you plan to visit these cold tourist places in India, this TripzyGo guide will help. We have listed the top ten coldest places to visit in India, their lowest temperatures, and nearby attractions for the best experience. Additionally, you can find routes to reach these destinations!
10 Coldest Places in India
- Drass, Ladakh
- Siachen, Ladakh
- Leh Ladakh
- Hemkhund Sahib
- Spiti Valley
- North Sikkim
- Sela Pass, Tawang
- Amarnath, Jammu and Kashmir
- Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
- Rohtang Pass
Winter is here, and stepping into the coldest places in India is a different adventure. From Drass to Rohtang Pass, India is home to incredible snowy landscapes that become milky white and give frozen waves. Here are the top 10 cold tourist places in India with temperature and some nearby attractions to enhance your trip experience:
Drass, Ladakh
| Lowest Temperature | -55° C |
| Places to Visit | Stagsboo, Ningoor Mosque, Mushko Valley, Drass War Memorial and Tiger Hill, Minamarg, Saliskote |
| How to Reach | The nearest airport and railways are in Kashmir. From there, book a cab, and it will take around 8-9 hours to reach Drass. |
Drass, tucked in the Kargil district of Jammu Kashmir, is the second coldest place on earth and first among the coldest places in India. It is known as the “Gateway to Ladakh,” this town sees temperatures dropping as low as -55° C in winter.
For those who want to enjoy a true wintertime, this quiet town wrapped under snow is calling you. Here, winter stretches from October to May, while summer offers a pleasant 15° C temperature. As a reminder of its heroic past, Drass also holds the Kargil War Memorial.
If you are looking for chill and frizzy vibes, this coldest tourist place in India is raw, rugged, and surprisingly beautiful.
Siachen, Ladakh
| Lowest Temperature | -50°C |
| Places to Visit | Yarab Tso Lake, Hunder Sand Dunes, Diskit, Panamik Hot Springs |
| How to Reach | Fly to Leh at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, and then travel by road through the Nubra Valley to reach the Siachen Base Camp. |
The Siachen Glacier in Leh Ladakh is a winter lover’s dream. It is the gateway to one of the coldest places in India. Nestled in the eastern Karakoram Range, it is the starting point for the Indian Army at this second-longest non-polar glacier. About 200 km from Leh, it takes 9-10 hours to reach via the Nubra Valley.
Note: Permits for visiting Siachen Glacier are a bit tricky. You will need more than the usual Inner Line Permit to go beyond Warshi Village. Get permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Defence with a clear explanation of why you want to visit there.
Leh, Ladakh
| Lowest Temperature | -35°C |
| Places to Visit | Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri, Turtuk, Kargil, Sham Valley |
| How to Reach | The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, which is connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Srinagar. |
Leh has dropped to a bone-chilling 35 °C, making it one of the coldest places to visit in India. Leh in winter is like stepping into a white wonderland. You can walk on the frozen Pangong Lake and can spot rare wildlife like Snow Leopard as they come down in winter.
For skating, the icy Zanskar River can be your favorite spot, and challenging winter treks like Sham Valley and Markha Valley are the perfect spots. During winter, homestays replace luxury hotels that provide insights into Ladkahi life and culture.
There is no doubt that it comes in the coldest places in India, but watching the star-filled sky and hot butter tea makes it all worthwhile.
Hemkhund Sahib, Uttarakhand
| Lowest Temperature | -8°C |
| Places to Visit | Lakshman Ganga River, Hemkund Parvat, Valley of Flowers, and Ghangaria |
| How to Reach | Reaching Hemkund Sahib is better by road. From Delhi: Delhi – Meerut – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Rudraprayag – Joshimath – GovindGhat – Trekking (19 km) – Hemkund Sahib |
At a freezing altitude of 4329 meters, where the temperature drops below -8° C in winter, Hemkund Sahib is one of the coldest places in India and a spiritual heaven. Located in the Himalayas, the highest Gurudwara in the world is covered under snow and sits beside the pristine Hemkund Lake.
It stays open from May to October and offers both spiritual and a challenging trek for trekkers. According to Sikh History, Guru Gobind Singh Ji meditated here in a previous birth, and the site is also connected to the epic Ramayana, where Lakshmana is said to have regained health.
You will enjoy trekking here through waterfalls and forests that are no less than a wonder, and this is among the best places to visit in Uttarakhand.
Spiti Valley
| Lowest Temperature | -30°C |
| Places to Visit | Key Monastery, Chandratal Lake, Pin Valley National Park, Tabo Monastery, Dhankar Lake |
| How to Reach | Spiti Valley, Route 1: Delhi→ Shimla via Ambala route→ Sangla→ Kalpa→ Nako-Giu Village→ Tabo Village→Langza→ Spiti Valley Route 2: Delhi→ Manali→ Solang Valley→ Rohtang Pass→ Gramphu→ Batal→ Kaza→ Tabo→ Spiti Valley |
At a frosty -30°C, Spiti Valley earns its spot among the coldest places in India. Nestled at 12500 feet in Himachal Pradesh, this cold desert turns into a winter wonderland. With snow-blanketed landscapes, frozen rivers, and ancient monasteries, Spiti offers an unforgettable experience.
Wintertime is perfect for escaping crowds, knowing the local culture, and doing adventurous activities. From skiing and snowboarding to trekking through Chandratal Lake, Spiti is full of thrilling activities. Snow-capped Himalayas Himalayas and backdrop add magic to every view. Spiti is one of the untouched beauties of India’s high-altitude charm.
North Sikkim
| Lowest Temperature | -20°C |
| Places to Visit | Gurudongmar lake, Yumthang Valley, Lachen, Seven sister waterfall, Chunthang |
| How to Reach | Nearest airport: Paykong Airport, located 31 km south of GangtokBy Road: National Highway 13 A connects Sikkim to other states |
At an extreme of -20°C, North Sikkim is among the coldest places in India, offering untamed beauty. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, this high-altitude region boasts destinations along Gurudongmar Lake, one of the highest lakes, surrounded by icy peaks and reflecting shades of clouds in its crystal clear water.
During your visit to this coldest place in India, the Yumthang Valley, famed as the Valley of Flowers and Lachen, serves as a perfect base for exploring the treasures of North Sikkim. Beyond its rugged landscapes, the region showcases Sikkimese culture and enjoys the famous food of Sikkim there.
Sela Pass, Tawang
| Lowest Temperature | -15°C |
| Places to Visit | Sangti Valley, Urgelling Monastery, Tawang War Memorial, Nurangan Waterfall, Thembang Village. |
| How to Reach | Fly to Guwahati or Tezpur Airport, as there is no airport in Tawang. From here, hire a taxi or take a bus to Tawang. |
With -15°C frozen temperature in winter, Sela Pass is an exploring place among the coldest places to visit in India. Situated at an altitude of 13700 feet in Arunachal Pradesh, Sela Pass connects the Tawang and West Kameng districts, serving as the welcome to the Tawang Monastery.
Hugged by Himalayan peaks and Sela Lake, often frozen in winter, the pass attracts everyone with its white beauty. Covered under a blanket of snow, Sela Pass is not only a beautiful geographical area but also historically important from the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
Amarnath, Jammu and Kashmir
| Lowest Temperature | -8°C |
| Places to Visit | Aru Valley, Sheshnag Lake, Baltal Valley, Thajiwas Glacier, Zojila Pass |
| How to Reach | Nearest airport: Srinagar International Airport (72 km away)After landing at Srinagar, hire a taxi or book a cab and reach Baltal or Pahalgam. From the Baltal trek, it will take 1-2 days, and from Pahalgam, it will take 3-5 days to reach Amarnath. |
During winters, its freezy temperatures drop down to -8°C, making Amarnath among the coldest places in India. Located at an altitude of 13000 feet in the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir, this cave is a place of Lord Shiva for devotees.
It is said that there is a naturally formed ice Shivling that represents Lord Shiva. Due to freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls, it is accessible during the Shravan months (July-August). It has two trekking routes- Baltal, a shorter and steeper route, and Pahalgam, a longer path.
Legends say that Lord Shiva revealed the secret of Maa Parvati’s immortality in this cave. Along the route, views of Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Pantarni leave you in awe.
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
| Lowest Temperature | -12.8°C |
| Places to Visit | Dal Lake, Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden, Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden, Houseboat stay, Pari Mahal |
| How to Reach | Nearest airport: Srinagar International AirportThe nearest railway station is only in Jammu, from where you can take a bus or hire a cab. Nearest bus stand to Srinagar: Kalidaas Layout |
Srinagar, a green paradise, becomes milky white during winter, and its chilling -12.8°C temperature ranks it among the coldest places in India. Located in the heart of Kashmir Valley, Srinagar is known as “Heaven on Earth.”
This snowy heaven is divided by the Jhelum River and adorned with Dal and Nigeen Lake. Srinagar is famous for its Mughal-era gardens, such as Nishant Bagh and Shalimar Bagh. When looking for things to do in Srinagar, take a boat ride at Dal Lake and enjoy the warmth of love in Kashmiri food like Rogan Josh and Kahwa
Rohtang Pass
| Lowest Temperature | -10°C |
| Nearby Attraction | Solang Valley, waterfall in Manali, Hidimba Devi Temple |
| How to Reach | Nearest airport: Bhuntar Airport near KulluFrom where, hire a taxi or book your cab. You can also rent a bike, and via Manali and passing Solang Valley, you will reach Rohtang Pass. |
Rohtang Pass’s temperature drops down to -12° C, which makes it one of the cold tourist places in India. Perched at an elevation of 3978 meters in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas.
In winter, the Rohtang Pass becomes a snowy paradise, attracting adventurers who want to enjoy paragliding in Manali. It connects the lush Kullu Valley to the stark landscapes of Lahaul and Spiti, creating a beautiful contrast. Here, you can enjoy trekking, skiing, and mountain biking.
Note: The pass is closed from November to April due to heavy snowfall. Entry permits are required, and daily vehicle limits are 800 petrol and 400 diesel vehicles. Remember to bring proof of your ID and PUC certificates.
Feel Cold at Drass, the Most Cold Place in India, with TripzyGo
Drass is the second coldest place on earth and ranks first among the coldest places in India with its bone-frizzing -50°C temperature. Nestled in the Kargil District of Ladakh, it is not only a destination for adventure seekers but also a place steeped in history. To enjoy a trip to these coldest places to visit in India, you can hire a travel partner like TripzyGo.TripzyGo offers comprehensive travel solutions that make your travels stress-free. Whether you are planning your itinerary with family or friends, contact TripzyGo for the best assistance. For more insights, visit the official website today and plan your trip to the most cold place in India today!