I‘m noticing an interesting trekking trend in India. At first, I thought it was a one-off observation. But I’m seeing it year after year now.

Every year, trekkers rush to register for our winter treks once the monsoons are over. Even now, many of our December dates are already full. 

What baffles me is that trekkers don’t seem to know the goodness of trekking in between — the autumn season. 

Autumn is one of the best trekking seasons, if not THE best. And I don’t want you to miss out on the charm of this season.

To tell you why, I requested our founder, Arjun Majumdar, to make a quick candid video and share the grandeur of trekking in autumn.

He shares some of his personal stories and also his favourite reason to trek in autumn — something you’ll not see in any other season.

If that’s not enough, our co-founder Sandhya UC pens down her thoughts on trekking in Autumn.

Summer has traditionally been the most popular season for trekking in the Himalayas. But few people know about the charms of trekking in Autumn and why it is perhaps the perfect season for a Himalayan trek.

I list below four reasons that make Autumn my favourite season to trek.

The monsoons wash the skies of all hanging dust and haze. The air in the mountains becomes crisp and squeaky clear, making Autumn the best time for mountain views. Big mountain views are at their best. Every fold, every crack is seen with complete clarity.

Long-distance views are also at their best. You see mountains you never knew existed if you were trekking in spring or summer.

Some of my favourites from Autumn are, Tapovan with Mt Shivling towering over, Dayara and Gidara Bugyals with their 270-degree mountain panorama and the Phulara ridge walk and Sandakphu with long-distance views.

2. Very little chance of weather disrupting your trek

I have also noticed that we get minimal weather disruptions on our treks in October and November. Summer sees afternoon showers daily, while winter and spring tend to get sporadic snowfall. Autumn weather disruptions are almost unheard of. Again an after effect of the clear skies. If you want a guarantee of great weather on your trek, choose Autumn.

If spring is the time for flowers, Autumn is for the colours of leaves, grass and the skies. The forests are colourful, teeming with yellow and red foliage. The grassy vegetation at higher altitudes turns red before turning into gold. The skies are also at their bright best, especially at sunset. If you wish to see the colours of the mountains, trek in Autumn. My favourites for colours are Har Ki Dun valley, Goechala, Buran and Rupin valleys.

Being the non-traditional season for trekking, most trails are relatively empty in Autumn in our country. You will likely have the entire campsite to yourself, even on popular trails. 

Some treks, which climb above 13,000 ft, have tight windows and close by mid-October. Some others have longer seasons that stretch well into November. Click on the trek to check the dates.

The ideal time to start registering for these treks is in July. Most of our September and October groups fill out by late July, so plan soon! 

Best Autumn Treks in the Himalayas 2022 (Sept, Oct, Nov)

Region: Raithal, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 Days

The meadows of Dayara Bugyal. Picture by Arjun Majumdar

Very few trekkers have set foot on the Dayara Bugyal trek in autumn. Many of them have done it in spring, summer and winter. 

But Dayara Bugyal is one of those rare meadow treks that can take your breath away in autumn. It is one of the best mixes, starting with the colours of the forests, to the extraordinary meadows, with enormous mountains like Mt Bandarpoonch and the entire Gangotri Range perched at the edge of the meadows of all experiences packed in a short trek. 

Given the clear weather and warmer daytime temperatures in autumn, this is suitable for families with children above 7. 

Region: Sari, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 Days

The stark colours around Deoriatal in autumn. Picture by Sudipto

Everyone rushes to Deoriatal for the terrific mountain views. The views start within two hours of the trek when you set foot on the shores of the Deoriatal lake. Your jaws drop as you see the Chaukhamba Massif at the edge of the lake, accompanied by Kedarnath, Kedar dome, and so many other mountains you'll struggle to name. 

The view disappears for a while as you step into the heart of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. You're engulfed by the dense forests around you, where the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves are all that accompany you. 

The view again opens up as you emerge out of the forest and begin your ascent to the Chandrashila summit. For most trekkers, this view from the summit is the best view of their lives. This is where Deoriatal Chandrashila is special. It is not a section of Himalayan ranges that you see. You see all the major summits of Western and Eastern Uttarakhand from the summit. By all, we mean all.

Because of these mountains, there are no two ways about it. Autumn gives you the clearest skies and the clearest views. It's a photographer's dream come true.

Region: Joshimath, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 Days

The Tali Lake with Mt Dronagiri forming a backdrop. Picture by Dipabali Paul

Not many treks allow you very close to India’s tallest mountain (with its base completely in India), Mt Nanda Devi. But here’s a trek that takes you close and allows you to trek beside Mt Nanda Devi for days together! If that’s not enough, you have Mt Dronagiri and Mt Hathi Parbat keeping you company throughout the trek.

That’s just one of the reasons to do the Kuari Pass trek. This trek also has some of the best forests compared to all other Himalayan treks, and you camp in the middle of one of them. As you climb higher, you reach Gorson Bugyal, a vast stretch of meadows opening up to the mountain views. 

In autumn, you see the best of the views from these meadows. In fact, most of our best entries for our annual calendars are pictures of Mt Nanda Ghunti shot from Gorson Bugyal. 

Given that it’s suited to beginners, it’s one of our easier treks, with extremely high rewards!

Region: Gaichawan Gaon, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 Days

Trekkers taking rest in a meadow near a valley on the Kedarkantha trail. Picture by Arghya Biswas

The Kedarkantha trek is one of the most popular winter treks we have, and rightly so. The trail is covered in winter snow, a trek joy. However, the downside of this popularity is that it tends to get pretty crowded in the winter months. But if you want to experience the same Kedarkantha trail without the crowd, then it is an ideal autumn trek.

The trail boasts glorious snow-clad mountains and some of the most pristine views of the Himalayan range. The 360-degree view from the summit is unmatched in the Autumn months.

Adding the cherry on top, the trek becomes a notch easier than in the winter too! So if you’re planning on trekking in Autumn, look out for the Kedarkantha trek, especially if you’re planning to take your children along (this is your best chance).

Region: Lohajung, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 Days

A rare view of the Brahmatal lake. Picture by Vikalp Gupta

On the Brahmatal trek, you walk on a high point with the mountain dropping on either side. This is called a ridgeline. A ridgeline often gives the feeling of an extended summit.

What’s delightful is that you also get to camp on the ridge – at Tilandi. From here, you get to see the Himalayan landscape rolling out on both sides.

As you are on a high point at Tilandi, you can witness the sunset and sunrise from the same campsite. And being at the high point also makes it the windiest campsite of the trek.

To top it all, you can see Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti up close from Brahmatal Top!

Region: Kotgaon, Uttarakhand
Duration: 6 Days

The ridge walk on a beautiful autumn day on the Phulara Ridge trek. Picture by Oishy Halder

Ridge treks in India are an absolute rarity; maybe just a handful of such treks exist in India.

A ridge is a place where two sides of the mountain meet. So a walk on a ridge is almost like one on a knife-edge, where there are just flanks of the mountain sloping down from either side of you. There are small ridge sections on a few Himalayan treks. However, to have an entire day trek on a ridge is unparalleled.

If you have climbed a summit, you would know that you stand at the highest point for 20-30 minutes. This is where you get great views of the mountains around. On this trek, though, you’re at a high point of 12,000 ft for a day’s worth of trek (4-5 hours!).

The 250-degree panorama of snow-capped mountains stays with you throughout! It almost gives you the feeling that these mountains are trekking along with you as you traverse the ridge that curves into the landscape.

Below you, the ground sweeps down on either side – one into a meadow, one into a valley. These dramatic views and ever-changing landscapes make Phulara Ridge Trek a unique experience.

Region: Kotgaon, Uttarakhand
Duration: 8 Days

Autumn colours of the Har Ki Dun Valley. Picture by Vishal Sinha

The Har Ki Dun – Ruinsara Valley trek hasn’t seen much human footprint in autumn, leaving many birds and animals to thrive in this region. You can spot Langoor families near Puani Garaat. Chances are that you might even spot Black bears, wild boars and Barasingha amongst other animals owing to the excellent weather and absence of haze.

The trail lets you enjoy the pine forest habitat at its colourful best.

It’s probably the only valley from which you can see Swargarohini – I, II, III, Bandarpoonch and Black peak altogether. Having a clear view of Swargarohini makes you feel like a Pandava ascending to the heavens. You can also see the Ruinsara Peaks.

Often you are accompanied by swollen streams that flow mellifluously down the hills. The Har Ki Dun trek is one of the best autumn treks, and it is at its colourful best in September, October and November.

Region: Jaubhari, West Bengal
Duration: 7 Days

The Sleeping Buddha as seen from the Sandakphu trek. Picture by Tirth Dhami

Putting the Sandakphu – Phalut trek towards the end of this list tells you that there’s no particular order in this list. Because this is one of our best autumn treks. With views of four of the tallest mountains in the world – Mt Everest, Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu and Mt Kanchenjunga, this is one trek to keep a tab on if you’re going in autumn.

Not only do you get crisp views, but you also trek through the beautiful forests of the Singalila National Park. The colours in these rhododendron, bamboo and pine forests are stunning!

Also, you could get a chance to spot the elusive red panda in these forests in autumn. One of our experienced wildlife photographers, Ajit Hota, says autumn is a great season to spot the red panda and hundreds of birds. He even spotted a bear on this trek! So if you plan this trek, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.

Being up in the mountains in such clear, clean air is a blessing. Everything seems more enhanced – the colours, the smells, the scale… They say an uncluttered home can bring clarity to mind; an uncluttered trek in the Himalayas can do just that 1000 times over.

The golden meadows of Ali Bugyal as seen on an autumn evening. Picture by Sandhya UC

Ali-Bedni Bugyal is one of those rare treks that take you to a few of our country's most beautiful alpine meadows. These meadows in autumn are a riot of colours -- from goldens to ochres to shades of crimson. These meadows light up unimaginably during sunrise and sunset, making them one of the most memorable moments you'll experience on treks. 

On the other hand, the approach to the meadows through the forests is no less. The meadows of Ghairoli and Tolpani are a few of the prettiest oak forests you'll walk in. Waking up in a camp in the heart of these forests, with golden light dancing through the trees, is an incredible slight. 

To top it all, you trek with views of a few of the most magnificent mountains of our country -- Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti. The alpenglow on these mountains can make the most experienced trekkers shaky on their knees. These kinds of colours and views are possible only in autumn. 

Region: Kumaon, Uttarakhand
Duration: 7 Days

Trekking on the wide meadow of Thala Kharak. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

Ranthan Kharak is a new explored trek in the heart of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. After many months of research, we discovered Ranthan Kharak Trek, which starts from the Bageshwar district and enters into the Pithoragarh district. 

The trail lets you enjoy the forests and Kharaks at their colourful best. The forests of Ranthan Kharak make your knees go weak. The forest is a mix of oak trees, maple, and pine with pristine variety of birds. Trekking during the Autumn season is a delight for any trekker with a special corner for forest sections.

Apart from forests, you get crystal clear views of Nanda Devi, Danghtal, Tharkot and Maiktoli.  

Region: Bhangeli, Uttarakhand
Duration: 7 Days

The meadows of Gidara are a lush golden against a blue autumn sky. Picture by Khush Gala

Gidara Bugyal is an ancient, pristine meadow known in hardcore trekking circles. It is one of the largest high-altitude meadows you will set foot on. It is larger than its twin Dayara Bugyal. Possibly larger than the twin meadows of Ali and Bedni Bugyal as well. It takes at least two days to traverse!

Even though it is known in the trekking circles, Gidara is extremely secluded. There are very few people that trek in these meadows. You will likely spot only signs of civilisation, the shepherds and their settlements around your first campsite, Rikoda. You may see a mountain dog or two. But you will likely be the only group trekking and camping in these meadows.

Region: Gangotri, Uttarakhand
Duration: 7 Days

Striking colours as you approach Tapovan, with Mt Shivling forming the backdrop. Picture by Sooraj Kumar

The trek takes you to the source of river Ganga, the Gaumukh glacier. Not only that, it is the only trek in the country that takes you closer to Mt Shivling, where you see it from the base to the summit in one gigantic frame!

Along with Mt Shivling, Mt Meru and the Bhagirathi sisters keep the close company at Tapovan.

Colours of Buran Ghati. Picture by Shibayan Kayal

For us, Buran Ghati is the most complete trek. It has stunning scenery, one of the best meadows, great culture, well-paced, and terrific high-altitude adventure. Even the road journey to the base camp is superb!   

Autumn is one of the best times to do the Buran Ghati trek as you see the fiery, glorious colours during this time. The trail changes colour as you trudge deeper into the trek. Initially, you’ll notice many shades of green near the base camp. This continues as you trek through forests and grasslands. But as you gain altitude and get closer to the pass, you’ll notice more yellows, oranges, and browns.

You also see snow but in smaller patches. The ice on the Buran Ghati wall has melted away, exposing rocky terrain. You trek down this rocky patch while descending.

The famous U-Shaped Valley at Rupin Pass. Picture by Karthikeyan 

If there is a classic trek in India, it has to be the Rupin Pass. This trek is like an orchestra, building up momentum with surprises in scenery every hour or so. With every step, the trek throws up a new vista to see and unique scenery to unfold. Quite suddenly too!

In Autumn, a whole new set of attractions on the Rupin Pass trek open up. The monsoons fade, and the entire valley from Jiskun turns green. Hundreds of waterfalls appear out of nowhere along the trail—the meadows of Saruwas Thatch and Dhanderas Thatch bloom with wildflowers.

As we move towards October, you'll see the valley turning golden from the green that it was a few weeks ago. The snow is mostly missing in the Autumn season, but the beauty and adventure of the trek don't let you feel the absence of snow.

A view of Mt Machapuchare from the Khopra Ridge trek. Picture by Krunal Patel

On our Khopra Ridge trek, we have sent a few of the most experienced Trek Leaders to lead the treks. Trek Leaders have been to Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp and have done some of our country's best treks. But ask them which one they would rate at their Top Most trek; they all have just one trek to pick -- Khopra Ridge. 

This has taken us by surprise too. Khopra Ridge is a hardly known trail in Nepal. Very few people do the trek, so much so that the tea houses on the trail rarely see any business. But unknown to most, this seems to be one of the most rewarding treks in Nepal, given the astounding views of the Annapurna Massif, Mt Machapuchare and Mt Dhaulagiri. 

You see all of these from a ridge, a terrific vantage point you walk on for hours together. Needless to say, cloudless autumn skies make for the best time of the year to witness these views. It's a challenging trek, but don't miss out on it if you're an experienced trekker.

A clear view from Dzongri Top on the Goechala trek. Picture by Ashwini

The biggest reason to do the Goechala trek is the grand views of big mountains. You don’t just see one summit — the Kanchenjunga — but 14 other big summits. That’s a lot for any trek — especially as close to the eyes as on the Goechala trek. It is no wonder that trekkers consider Goechala to be the closest to the big mountain treks of Nepal.

The trail to Goechala is blessed with rhododendron forests. And come spring-summer months of April and May, they burst to life with pink and red flowers! It’s an enormously enjoyable walk through the wooden-log trails of these jungles!

Samiti Lake is another big attraction on the Goechala trek. The view of the still waters, and the reflection of Mt Pandim in the lake, especially in the early hours, is a visual treat.

The otherwise snow-covered ridge walk on the Bali Pass trek becomes a notch easier in autumn as the snow melts away. Picture by Preetham TS

There aren’t many treks that let one experience the raw grandeur of a Himalayan pass crossing in the autumn season. The Bali Pass is an exhilarating trail connecting Har Ki Dun valley with Yamunotri. It traverses the confluence of Tons and Ruinsara rivers, the undisturbed serenity of the Ruinsara Valley and the lush meadows of Devsu Thach.

Soon, golden-brown grass on the trek of autumn paves the way for an alpine zone. At 16,207 ft, the Bali Pass trek offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Bandarpoonch, Kalanag and Swargarohini peaks. This reward doesn’t come easy, as this trek is arduous and unsuitable for beginners.

Region: Gangotri, Uttrakhand
Duration: 7 Days

Autumn colours in the grasslands on the Kedartal trek. Picture by Ashwin Srinivasa

One of our more challenging treks, definitely not for beginners. It climbs up to 16,000 ft to the Kedartal Lake. You get close to the big mountains, Mt Thalaysagar and Mt Bhrigupanth.

This trek rates high on adventure. It is also an endurance test of sorts since it has long days, rugged terrain and climbs to a very high altitude. If you want to avoid treks like Rupin Pass and Gaumukh Tapovan and yet experience the same adventure, then choose this trek.

Choose this trek only if you are very fit and have prior high-altitude trek experience.

We hope you use this guide to plan your trek well. 

Most of these groups will be full by the end of July. Don’t leave your planning for later and feel stranded with no dates left.

If you need help, drop in a comment below. We’ll write back to you.

Here are the 18 Best Autumn Treks to do in September, October and November in the Himalayas in 2023. Find dates, itineraries and more.

18 Best Himalayan Treks to do in Autumn 2023

Autumn Treks october november september fall best treks

Today I’m going to give you some advice that not many people will give you. 

And I’ll get straight to it: If you want to do a winter trek in snow, avoid the month of December. Choose January and February instead. 

Many trekkers raise their eyebrows when I give this advice. 

For most of them, December is the prime time to travel. And I understand that. They have holidays around then. Their children have vacations during Christmas and New Year. Or they want to finish up their leaves before the end of year.  

On a different note, trekkers also look at December as synonymous with winter. Not many people even think of January and February as winter.

Yet, when you think about it, December has its difficulties. (1) Flight charges are exorbitant at this time of the year (even if you book well in advance). (2) Hotels charge almost double their regular tariff (if at all they have availability) (3) Every place you turn to is crowded, including trekking trails. 

I'd like to elaborate a bit on the third point. 

A study that we did revealed that more trekkers go to the mountains in December than in the classic summer months of May and June! 

The crowd is so concentrated in December that the graph is staggering! 

The above graph shows you a huge spike in crowds in December, dwindling down dramatically in January and February. This is four years’ worth of data. 

To me, this concentration of trekking in December is the biggest tragedy! 

It completely removes the fun and serenity of trekking. Where there must be peace and quiet, you have music blaring on loudspeakers. Where there must be calm nights, you have campfires, alcohol and unruly behaviour. Campsites are strained for resources — space, water, toilets (campsites often become minefields of human waste). If it’s a summit climb, the crowd gets heavy on top, with queues and long build-ups, and hundreds of people standing at the summit. I don’t know what summit experience that is.

A camping experience loses any sense of serenity when you're surrounded by a large crowd, which is always the case in December. Picture by Hardik Patel

Outside the crowd, why trekkers must shift focus to January and February (The Big Snow Season): 

I admit, the crowd in December can put off any discerning trekker, but frankly, the real reason to go trekking in January or February is something else. 

January and February (until mid March) are the real big snow season. It is not December. December is the mere beginning of winter. It’s when the first winter snow comes in. However, this is still just the beginning. 

Real winter sets in only in January and February in our country, forming a luxuriant blanket of snow on all Himalayan treks. January and February are what we term as the “Big Snow Season” at Indiahikes.

I recollect speaking to a meteorologist, Akshay Deoras, who has been a forecaster for the past 12 years. “What we consider early winter (Oct-Dec) is officially post-monsoon. Only January and February are officially considered winter,” he had said. You can read my entire interview with him on snowfall in India here. 

Here’s where I want to reiterate my advice to you. 

Most of us go to the mountains in winter to isolate ourselves from the clutter and noise of the city or to trek in a beautiful snowy setting. 

And there’s no better time than the Big Snow Season to experience these. Here’s why: 

1. There’s more snow deposit on the trails compared to December. As you may know, winter snow is brought to our country by western disturbances. While there is usually one wave of western disturbance in December, there are at least 2-3 waves in the Big Snow Season. These are usually stronger waves and leave behind larger deposits of snow — so much so that it is this snow that lasts all the way to the end of April. 

This snow deposit is what gives you a true snowy experience. Right from Day 1, when you’re in the forests, you see fairy-tale-like snowy settings. The boughs of trees are beautifully laden with snow. The tree tops are drizzled with frost. As you climb higher, you see meadows and clearings covered in a vast white blanket. The ground below you is a soft powdery carpet. Our camps are usually in the heart of this snow deposit.

Frankly, most winter photos of Himalayan treks that you see are taken in this Big Snow season, and not in December. 

The snow deposit on all treks is the highest in the months of Jan and Feb, the Big Snow Season. Picture by Dhaval Jajal shot on the Dayara Bugyal trek

2. There are greater chances of snowfall in the Big Snow Season: More WDs = more probability of snowfall. I know this is something trekkers dream of experiencing! So if you want to have an adventurous experience with high chances of snowfall, the Big Snow Season is your best chance at it. 

Here, I know some of you may think that the presence of high snow might stop you from completing your trek. What I have noticed is that successful completion of the trek depends a lot on the technical team who goes along with you. At Indiahikes 92% of our trekkers completed their treks successfully (in the past two seasons). Only those who ran into the middle of a snowfall could not complete the trek. On such occasions we call off the trek (and sometimes the forest department does so too). 

Note: At Indiahikes, if you do not complete your trek, you are welcome to come back and finish the trek. We do not charge you for it. Did you know this?

With more western disturbances, there are much higher chances of snowfall in Jan and Feb. Picture by Vishnu Sivanandan

Consider this a reminder because now is the right time to start planning. Our December dates for all winter treks have thoroughly run out. And we now have January and February dates available. 

If you plan now, you’ll have the luxury of choosing dates that suit you. Very soon, you’ll have to adjust your schedule to the leftover dates. I hope you make use of this reminder.

Top 8 Himalayan Treks to do in the Big Snow Season (January and February):

1. Dayara Bugyal trek - Our Only Winter Trek with the Biggest Snow Expanse

Dayara Bugyal is superbly rewarding at any time of the year. But the snowscape in winter is a world on its own. 

The biggest reward, though, are the meadows of Dayara — the biggest snow expanse you’ll see. Miles and miles of undulating snow, like a field of vanilla ice cream, with not a single tree or a plant or a rock that obstructs the snow. It’s just velvety snow for as far as your eyes can see.

Ever since we first opened it in winter 2017, trekkers have fallen in love with the other wintry charm of this trek — the lovely snow-draped oaks and maples, the soft glow of early morning sun on the white meadows, the icy lakes and ponds, the towering Gangotri ranges… 

You’re not likely to see this much snow on any other winter trek. Add to it the number of snow slides while descending, it’s the most fun you’ll have on a winter trek! 

My tip for you: Catching the sight of Mt Bandarpoonch from the white expanse of the Dayara meadows is a highlight of the trek. Camping at the delightful Nayata campsite is another big reason. 

Duration: 6 days 
Suitable for: Beginners with no prior experience

View Dayara Bugyal Trek Dates and Details

The forests of Dayara Bugyal in winter. Picture by Dhaval Jajal

2. Brahmatal trek - The Only Trek In Winter That Goes To An Alpine Lake

Brahmatal as a winter trek has become almost as popular as Kedarkantha. And I’m not surprised. The best experience on this trek is getting to see the frozen Brahmatal lake in winter. Almost no other trek takes you to an alpine lake in winter. On this trek, you see two of them: the Bekaltal and the Brahmatal. In addition, it’s a stunner in winter with the snowscapes and the snowy forests. 

My tip for you: The views of Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti once you touch the ridges is the reason to do the trek. Did you know Mt Trishul is the first 7,000 metre summit to be climbed by man? And on this trek it is so close that nothing separates you from where you stand and the summit. 

Duration: 6 days
Suitable for: Fit beginners

The frozen Brahmatal Lake in peak winter. Picture by Ashish Bhatt

3. Sandakphu-Phalut trek - See Four Of The Tallest Mountains In The World

Sandakphu is one of the few treks that has been done in January and February for a very long time. It’s a trail that dates back to the 40’s with a lot of historical and cultural significance. It’s different from ALL our other treks, because it’s on the border of India and Nepal. Sometimes on the trek you don’t know if you are in Nepal or in India! At some camps your dining tent is in Nepal and your camping tents in India! But it is the Indo-Nepal-Tibetian culture that you will find mesmerising on the trek. You find the same trekking culture on the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp treks. 

My tip for you: Do this trek to experience the famous tea house culture of Nepal. It is warmer too!

Duration: 7 days
Suitable for: Fit beginners

View Sandakphu-Phalut trek dates and details

Sandakphu is one of those few trails where you have the luxury of staying in a warm tea house despite the chilly weather outside. Picture of the Molley camp by Dwaipayan Purkait

4. Kedarkantha trek - The Finest Summit Climb In Winter

This is India’s most popular winter trek. The good news is the crowd completely dies down by January. And in February, there are almost no signs that this is a popular trek at all. 

Do this trek for the summit climb. The alpine views (and settings) from the Kedarkantha summit are unmatched anywhere. 

My tip for you: For us at Indiahikes, we love the forests and the clearings of the Kedarkantha trek more than the summit climb. We have not found an equivalent of these anywhere else!

Peak winter in Kedarkantha is a challenging experience. But every bit of effort rewards you manifold. This picture was taken in late December. Picture by Dhaval Jajal

5. Deoriatal-Chandrashila - The Only Winter Trek With The Best Mountain Views

Seeing great mountain views on a trek is not easy. In winter, most such vantage points are rare and even if accessible, they are usually buried under deep snow. 

The Chandrashila summit is unparalleled among our treks. From the top of the summit, you see perhaps the greatest mountain views of our Indian Himalayas. It is like a grand feast of mountain views — From your left are the Gangotri range of peaks, Mt Thalaysagar, the Kedarnath and the Kedar dome. Mandani Parbat and Janhukut. The imposing Chaukhamba is right in front. Most of them are over 7,000 metres tall. 

On your right are the Gauri Parbat, Hathi Parbat and Dunagiri. And then right ahead standing against the skyline is India’s tallest mountain, Mt Nanda Devi. Trekkers find it hard to believe that they are seeing Mt Nanda Devi. If that’s not enough, to Mt Nanda Devi’s right, etched against the skyline are Mt Nanda Ghunti and Mt Trishul. Two of the most beautiful mountain summits in our country. 

My tip for you: Do this trek for three reasons: for the terrific Mt Chaukhamba view from the shores of Deoriatal. For the mountain views from the Chandrashila summit and the chance to see Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in our country. And yes, the trek has great trails through the forests as well. One of my favourites. 

Duration: 6 days
Suitable for: Beginners with no prior experience in trekking

View Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek dates and details

The Deoriatal Lake in winter, surrounded by snow, with the Chaukhamba massif in the background. Picture by Avijit Jamloki

6. Kuari Pass - The Only Trekkable Mountain Pass In Winter

Getting to a mountain pass is always adventurous and thrilling. Doing it in winter is almost impossible. Yet, there is only one trek in our country where this is possible — the Kuari Pass.

Apart from its splendid views and forests, Kuari pass is a mountain lovers’ delight. You have an unending vista of the biggest mountains in India opening up right from day one. You even get to see the clearest view of the full south face of Mt Nanda Devi, India’s highest mountain.  

More than this, Kuari Pass is a near-perfect trek. You go through ancient layered forests, hopping from one layer to another. The section above the tree line is fascinating with its many twists and turns over ridges and flanks to get to the pass. 

My tip for you: If you want to see the tallest mountains of the Indian Himalayas, Mt Nanda Devi, and one of the most aesthetic peaks, Mt Dronagiri, choose this trek. It is one of those treks that spoils you with incredible views right from the first day of the trek.

The oak forests of Kuari Pass covered in snow. Picture by Sandhya UC

7. Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek - The Winter Trek With The Most Variety

Out of all the winter meadow treks in our country, Ali Bedni has the most variety during the winter season. Starting off with the mountain views. The sight of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti jutting right out of the snow-covered mounds of meadows is a sight to behold. Jutting out doesn’t mean you see the tops of these mountains, you see the entire face — almost 6,000-7,000 feet of it — rising right in front of you! 

Another unique experience is witnessing the remote, untouched table top village of Didna on this trek. From your basecamp at Lohajung it looks set on a platter jutting out of the mountain. You actually camp here. 

In winter, the setting of this trek, through the forests above Didina and then through the clearings at Tolpani will stun any trekker. Further, when you descend through the forest at Gheroli Patal and Wan have a lot more variety than any of our winter treks. 

My tip for you: This trek has few of the most stunning views of Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti. Sitting in Ali Bugyal as the sun sets, trekkers are often moved to tears at this sight. Just for that view, this trek is worth doing. 

View Ali Bedni Bugyal trek dates and details

The magical clearings in the forests of Tolpani in winter. Picture shot in Jan 2021 by Indiahikes Team Member Ravi Ranjan

Here’s a trek that climbs right out of Mussoorie, but not many people do it in peak winter. Despite being a small weekend trek, it gets lots of snow in Jan and Feb, giving you an experience much like a full-fledged Himalayan trek. The sunset views and the forest trails on this trek are something trekkers fall in love with. 

My tip for you: This trek makes a lot of sense if you live in or around Delhi and want to have a quick adventure over the weekend. 

Duration: 2 days 
Suitable for: Beginners with no experience, families with slightly older children too (above 13)

That’s the list of our peak winter treks. 

Given that it’s a small list, the dates are likely to run out soon. So plan as soon as possible. 

If you have any questions, head over to our FAQ page to find detailed answered. If you still don't find answers, drop in your question in our Trekker Forum, where you will get valuable help from experienced trekkers. 

Most trekkers flock to the mountains during December. Yet, they don't know that January and February will give them a better winter experience. Here's why

Why Trekking In January And February Is Better Than December (Includes Top Snow Treks To Do)

jan feb january february december winter snow trek big snow

Why Trekking in Jan and Feb is Better than December 

While trekking in December started as early as 2010, trekking in the peak snow months of January and February opened only in 2017. 

We had some anxiety about the snow earlier. February snowfall can occasionally be too much! Over the years we understood that treks in February are not only feasible but also breathtakingly beautiful. There was no turning back after that. We opened up our favourite trails for trekkers in January and February. Last year we had our highest February numbers. 1,170 trekked in February.

Here is a list of the best winter treks in the Indian Himalayas. Go through them now to plan your next winter trek in advance!

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