Escape sweltering summers by visiting the top 16 India’s coldest places

Mentioned are top 16 places in India that are also the coldest

India is a diverse country where people, history, faith, and worldviews, and even the climate varies. Although some areas experience brutal summer heat of 50 °C, making it difficult to step outside, other areas experience the opposite. These places provide the ideal hideaway for anyone wishing to get away from the burning Indian summertime. Listed below are India’s coldest places, with pictures, that will help you plan an escape from the summer heat.

 

15 of India’s coldest places

India’s coldest places (with images) that you can explore in extreme summers or whenever they want.

Dras, Jammu, and Kashmir

Dras, Jammu, and Kashmir

Source: Pinterest

The remote settlement of Dras is located in the Kargil region, Jammu and Kashmir, and is often regarded as ‘the entrance to Ladakh.’ It is one of India’s coldest places and is frequently referred to as the second-coldest populated location on Earth. 

Trekking trails to Amarnath, Suru Hills, and Sialkot may be easily staged from Dras. The average low during bitterly cold winters may be a bone-chilling -45°C. The coldest highest recorded temperature in this area had been in the wintertime of 1995 when it dropped to -60°C.

Lowest temperature: -23℃ to -20℃

 

Places to Visit: Dras War Memorial, Hunderman Village, Zanskar Valleys, Baltal Valley, Amarnath Temple, and many more.

 

How to Reach: 

 

By Air: You can board the flight to the Sheikh Ul Alam Srinagar Airport from any major Indian city. After landing, opt for available public transport like buses and taxis to reach the Dras, which is 103km away from the airport.

 

By Train: You can take the train to Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which is 443km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach Srinagar, then take another transport to reach Dras. Pre-booking is always a better option.

Via Road Transport: Buses and Taxis are better public transport to reach the destination. You can also drive yourself to Srinagar, Kargil, or Leh, then take the route for Dras.

Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, Uttrakhand

Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, Uttrakhand

Source: Pinterest

Hemkund Sahib is a well-known Sikh pilgrimage site located in the Chamoli region of Uttarakhand,  surrounded by 7 snow-covered Himalayan peaks. It’s amongst the coldest places in India, situated at a height of 4,362 metres. 

Hemkund Sahib is only approachable in the summertime since the brutal winter weather prevents anyone from reaching it because it is completely buried with snow. The neighbouring “Valley of Flowers,” which features stunning floral hues everywhere throughout, will make your journey interesting.

Lowest Temperature: -10℃ to -2℃

Places to Visit: Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Lake, Ghangria

How to Reach: 

By Air: You can board the flight to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi or a bus to reach Govindghat which is 268km away from the airport. Trek to Hemkund Airport from this point.

By Train: You can take the train to Rishikesh Railway Station, which is 200km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is always a better option.

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Rishikesh, Dehradun, OR Haridwar, then take a bus or hail a cab to Govindghat to start for Hemkund Trek.

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Source: Pinterest

Situated 1,585 metres above sea level, Srinagar is the largest city of the nation’s coldest state. This stunning city and one of India’s coldest places, which is situated anywhere along the shores of the Jhelum River, is well-known for its biodiversity and unique beauty. It is also the location of the renowned Dal Lake, where you should try staying in a houseboat for at least a day. The floating market and warm aura of people will make you feel at home.

The Jamia Masjid (Congregational Mosque), constructed in the fifteenth century, is one of numerous well-known mosques and shrines in Srinagar. It is regarded as Kashmir’s biggest mosque. 

The charming town of Gulmarg, which is adjacent to Kashmir, provides spectacular scenery of the Valley of Kashmir as well as of Nanga Parbat, another of the tallest mountains in the Himalayas.

Lowest Temperature: -8.8℃

Places to Visit: Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden, Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden, Shankaracharya Temple, and many more.

 

How to Reach: 

 

By Air: You can board the flight to Sheikh Ul Alam Srinagar Airport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach the main city, which is 11km away from the airport.

 

By Train: You can take the train to Srinagar Railway Station which is 12km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is always a better option.

 

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Srinagar since it has a well-connected road network.

North Sikkim

North Sikkim

Source: Pinterest

Northern Sikkim is one of the most stunning India’s coldest places, encircled by snow-capped mountains. It is, however, a very challenging area to go to due to its severe temperature and uneven terrain. Lachen and Thangu Valley are the coldest regions in Northern Sikkim. The areas are hard to access and stay in during the severe winter when temperatures can dip as low as -15°C.

However, the area is gorgeous because of the dense foliage that extends up to alpine altitudes until vanishing into the tundra and the countless waterfalls. The list appears to go like this and includes 0 marks, Yumthang Valley, Lachung Monastery, Crows Lake, and more. Go here to make the most of your summer vacations.

Lowest Temperature: 7.3℃

Places to Visit: Lachung, Yumthang, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachen,  and many more.

 

How to Reach: 

 

By Air: You can board the flight to Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach north Sikkim, which is 225km away from the airport.

 

By Train: You can take the train to Jalpaiguri Nagar Railway Station, which is 120km away from the capital. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach North Sikkim. Pre-booking is always a better option.

 

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to West Bengal and then to North Sikkim since it has a well-connected road network.

 

Leh and Ladakh

Leh and Ladakh

Source: Pinterest

Leh, the seat of the former Ladakh empire, is a well-liked tourist attraction. In India’s summertime, when a temp of 7°C isn’t particularly unusual it is the perfect destination to travel to. Leh is a must-visit destination because of the Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Pangong Lake, and several more reservoirs and monasteries. The lowest temperature ranges from -15°C to -20°C. Leh-Ladakh has seen temperatures as low as -28.3 °C on many occasions.

Lowest Temperature: -15℃ to -20℃

Places to Visit: Pangong Lake, Khardung La Pass, Sangam, Nubra Valley, and many more.

How to Reach: 

By Air: You can board the flight to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Leh Airport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach the city, which is 4km away from the airport. The distance between Leh and Ladakh is 6.5km, and you will find transportation once you reach the main city.

By Train: You can take the train to Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which is 700km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is always a better option.

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Manali or Srinagar, then to Leh and Ladakh since it has a well-connected road network. The bike journey gives an adrenaline rush and is on the bucket list for most people.

 

Sela Pass, Tawang

Sela Pass, Tawang

Source: Pinterest

Selang is an elevated route that links the Buddhist city of Tawang with Tezpur and Guwahati and is situated in the Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh. It is always covered with snow, making it the perfect destination for aesthetics. 

Sela Pass is located at an altitude of 4,170 metres high in the great Himalayas when wintertime temperature reaches -15°C. You can enjoy sightseeing lakes nearby that are sacred to Buddhists. Visit one of India’s top summertime vacation spots on a lovely, spiritual tour.

Lowest Temperature: -15℃ 

Places to Visit: Sela Lake, Jung Falls, Chazzam Bridge, Pankang Teng Tso Lake, and many more.

How to Reach: 

By Air: You can board the flight to Guwahati Airport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach Tezpur, which is 177km away from the airport. Take another bus from Tezpur to reach Tawang. Helicopter services are also available twice a week from Guwahati to Tawang,

By Train: You can take the train to Tezpur Railway Station, which is 72km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is always a better option.

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Sela Pass since it has a well-connected road network.

 

Sonamarg, Kashmir

Sonamarg, Kashmir

Source: Pinterest

One of Kashmir’s most stunning tourist spots is Sonamarg, which means “the meadow of gold.” This one of India’s coldest places is the ideal summer vacation spot. The weather can frequently become severe throughout the wintertime. Sonamarg lies near Amarnath, making it a convenient starting point for trips to the holy destination. Sonamarg. The Sindh River flows through the valley.

Lowest Temperature: -13℃ 

Places to Visit: Gadsar Lake, Thajiwas Glacier, Gangabal Lake, and many more.

How to Reach: 

By Air: You can board the flight to Srinagar Airport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach Sonmarg, which is 80km away from the airport.

By Train: You can take the train to Joginder Nagar Railway Station, which is 153km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is 

always a better option.

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Sonmarg from Gulmarg, Kokernag, since it has a well-connected road network.

 

Munsiyari, Uttrakhand

Munsiyari, Uttrakhand

Source: Pinterest

Munsiyari is a tiny hamlet in the Pithoragarh Region with a breathtaking view of the snow-covered Himalayan Mountains. This location is well-known for its extremely challenging and nerve-wracking hiking paths, which provide the magnificence of beautiful nature in their most compelling forms. The colder months can see freezing temperatures like -3° C.

Lowest Temperature: -3℃ 

Places to Visit: Birthi Falls, Maheshwari Kund, Kalamuni top, and many more.

Best Time to Visit: March- June and Mid-September-October

How to Reach: 

By Air: You can board the flight to Pantnagar Airport in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, from any major Indian city, then take a bus/cab to Munsiyari, which is nearly 249km away from Munsiyari.

By Train: You can take the train to Tanakgar or Kathgodam or i.e., the nearest station to Munsiyari, then take a bus/cab to Munsiyari, which is nearly 275km away from Munsiyari.

By Road: Buses can be boarded from the major regions of the Kumaon region and for the Kumaon region, you can board the bus from ISBT, Delhi.

 

Rohtang Pass, Manali

Rohtang Pass, Manali

Source: Pinterest

Another place that will enthral you is Rohtang Pass, which links Kullu to Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Here, hills are buried in snow throughout the winters and are 3,978 metres above sea level. Want to escape brutal summers? Then this is the perfect India’s coldest place.

Lowest Temperature: -0.6℃

Places to Visit: Nehru Kund, Hadimba Temple, Marhi, Gulaba, and many more.

 

How to Reach: 

 

By Air: You can board the flight to BhuntarAirport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach Rohtang Pass, which is 104km away from the airport.

 

By Train: You can take the train to Joginder Nagar Railway Station, which is 103km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is always a better option.

 

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Rohtang Pass since it has a well-connected road network. You can travel to Keylong or Leh via Rohtang Pass.

 

Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh

Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh

Source: Pinterest

The Sutlej River Valley’s Kalpa, the city of Kinnaur, is a location to treasure and cherish. This town is renowned for its apple trees in addition to its several stunning Buddhist monasteries. A wonderful reprieve is provided by the magnificent Kinnaur-Kailash range that may be seen peeking over the Sutlej River. Kalpa is among the coldest spots in India; the lowest temperature ever recorded there is -15°C.

Lowest Temperature: -15℃

Places to Visit: Kinnaur Kailash, Roghi Village, Narayan Nagini Temple, and many more.

How to Reach: 

By Air: You can board the flight to Kullu-Manali Airport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach Kalpa, which is 225km away from the airport.

By Train: You can take the train to Shimla Railway Station, which is 225km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is always a better option.

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Kalpa or Kalka since it has a well-connected road network.

 

Keylong

Keylong

Source: Pinterest

Keylong, also known as Kyeland, is a lesser-known place located in Himachal Pradesh’s mountainous areas at the confluence of the Chandra, Chenab, and Bhaga valleys. Keylong is renowned for being among the coldest spots in India, with freezing temperatures of -7.7 ° C. You must bring all of your wintertime necessities if you want to enjoy Keylong and avoid getting those annoying frostbites! You will, however, have a terrific time unwinding here, so relax.

Lowest Temperature: -7.7℃

Places to Visit: Lahaul valley, Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal, and many more.

How to Reach: 

By Air: You can board the flight to Bhuntar Airport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach Keylong, which is 71km away from the airport.

By Train: You can take the train to Amb Andaura Railway Station, which is 326km away from the station or Joginder Railway Station, which is 225km away from Keylong. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is always a better option.

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Manali then proceed further to Keylong in other public transport if you opt for a bus to reach the station since it has a well-connected road network.

Kokernag

Kokernag

Source: Pinterest

Jammu and Kashmir has the majority of India’s cold tourist attractions. The sub-district city of Kokernag is one of them. The temperatures can fall down to -4° C. The Breng Valley is a spectacular sight from Kokernag.

Lowest Temperature: -4℃

Places to Visit: Botanical Garden, Sinthan Top, Verinag Spring, and many more.

 

How to Reach: 

 

By Air: You can board the flight to Srinagar Airport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach Kokernag, which is 90km away from the airport.

 

By Train: You can take the train to Anantnag Railway Station, which is 25km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is always a better option.

 

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Kokernag since it has a well-connected road network.

 

Amarnath, J&K

Amarnath, J&KSource: Pinterest

What could be more enjoyable than a summer hike through chilly mountainous terrain and valleys that ends with a sizable rocky cavern famous for its icy stalagmites? Doesn’t it relieve the summertime fatigue? Both followers of Lord Shiva and tourists would enjoy Amarnath. 

This pilgrimage location is crowded with worshippers despite being in a very chilly region of India. Tourists can view the magnificent ice Lingam, which is considered magical and sacred, during the 45 days that it is open exclusively during the summer. 

The scenic Pahalgam is where the Amarnath Yatra begins. Amarnath’s lowest recorded temperature is – 20°C. In the height of summer, an average temp of 7.5°C is normal.

Lowest Temperature: 0℃ to -5℃

Places to Visit: Kheer Bhawani Asthappan, Sheshnag jheel, Pahalgam, and many more.

 

How to Reach: 

 

By Air: You can board the flight to Srinagar Airport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach Baltal or Pahalgam, which are 114km away and 92km away respectively from the airport. You can reside at either Baltal camps or Pahalgam Treks. 

 

By Train: You can take the train to Jammu Railway Station, which is 178km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the Baltal or Pahalgam where you can find camps to stay in. You have to trek to the cave.

 

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Srinagar or Jammu since it has a well-connected road network. From there, hail a bus or a cab to reach Baltal or Pahalgam where you can find camps to stay. You have to trek to the cave and the Pahalgam trek is longer(30-40km) but safer than the Baltal trek(15km).

You can take a helicopter from Srinagar to Panchtarni which is 4km away from the cave. You have to make the booking before boarding a helicopter.

Gangtok, Sikkim

Gangtok, Sikkim

Source: Pinterest

The capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, which is situated at the base of the Himalayas, is extremely chilly all year long. Gangtok is an area that is incredibly underexplored and is home to Kanchenjunga, the third-largest mountain in the world. 

This means that the area is still relatively little contaminated. For those who enjoy trekking and exploring, the place with its undiscovered routes is the site for them. Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman both have several temples devoted to them. The religious sites of Gangtok are surrounded by many fervent beliefs, which genuinely foster a sense of interacting with God.

Lowest Temperature: 1℃

Places to Visit: Tsomgo Lake, Rumtek Monastery, Gurudongmar lake, and many more.

How to Reach:

By Air

The National Research Centre and Dikling Monastery are nearby Pakyong Airport, Sikkim’s first airport, which is situated in Pakyong Village 35 kilometres south of Gangtok. Visitors to Sikkim can fly into Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal instead of Pakyong Airport which is only 124 kilometres from Gangtok.

By Train

The two train stations in West Bengal that are closest to Sikkim are New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. Siliguri is 114 kilometres from Gangtok and NJP is 125 kilometres away. Gangtok is well linked to all the main towns.

By Road

National Highway 31A, Sikkim’s lifeblood, travels through lush green woods along the Teesta River’s bank on one side and sky-touching mountain peaks of the Eastern Himalaya on the other side as it links Gangtok and Siliguri.

Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Source: Pinterest

If you enjoy adventure sports, you should explore Manali, one of India’s coldest places, at least once in your lifetime. Despite being one of the coldest regions in India, Manali offers the best adventure activities in the world. In Manali, you may fully enjoy activities like rafting, zorbing, and paragliding. Manali serves as a starting point for trips to high-altitude areas like Rohtang Pass. Summertime is the ideal time to visit Manali.

Lowest Temperature: -4.4℃

Places to Visit: Jogini waterfalls, Hampta pass, Old Manali, Jagat Sukh, and many more.

 

How to Reach: 

 

By Air: You can board the flight to Kullu-Manali Airport from any major Indian city. Hail a taxi  or a bus to reach Manali which is 50km away from the airport.

 

By Train: You can take the train to Joginder Nagar Railway Station, which is 153km away from the station. Hail a bus or a cab from there to reach the destination. Pre-booking is always a better option.

 

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Manali since it has a well-connected road network.

Auli, Uttrakhand

Auli

Auli in Uttrakhans is famous after Adiguru Shri Shankaracharya in the 8th century established the Jyotir Math at Joshimath around 6.6 KM. Auli is a hiking and ski destination.

How to Reach: 

By Air:  You can fly to the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun from any metro in India. From here take a cab till Joshimath. You can proceed to Auli using the road or the ropeway. 

By Train: A train to Rishikesh Railway Station, Dehradun or Haridwar can be taken. From there, take a bus or a cab to Joshimath or Auli. 

By Road: You can board a bus or hire a taxi or drive yourself to Rishikesh, Dehradun, or Haridwar. 

 

 

FAQs

Which is the coldest place in India?

Dras, Jammu and Kashmir, is the coldest place in India.

Does Sikkim get snowfall?

Sikkim does experience snowfall between October and March each year.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected]

 

 

Was this article useful?
  • 😃 (0)
  • 😐 (0)
  • 😔 (0)

Recent Podcasts

  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 43Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 43
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 42Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 42
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 41Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 41
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 40Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 40
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 39Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 39
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 38Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 38