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If you could swap the sweat, heat, and humidity for teeth-chattering winters, would you? A land of extremities, there are hot deserts and frosty mountain peaks in India. Some of the coldest places in India during winters are often refreshingly calming in summers. If the wanderlust in you is looking for an escape from the sweltering heat, here are 8 offbeat destinations that are a breath of fresh (chilly) air.
Do you know which is the coldest place in India? From Siachen to Sonmarg, check off these nail-biting places from your bucket list now:
1. Siachen Glacier, Union Territory of Ladakh
Located in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas, Siachen Glacier is the coldest place in India. Sprawling over an area of 76 km the glacier is of strategic importance to India. Separating India from Pakistan and China, the area is defended by the Indian army throughout the year. It was opened for domestic tourists on September 27, 2021 on World Tourism Day. A trip to the coldest place in India is not for the faint-hearted.
Best Time To Visit- Summer (March to October)
Temperature- 3 Degree C
How To Reach- Drive up to the Siachen base camp from Leh it is the last permissible point.
2. Dras-Kargil, Union Territory of Ladakh
Located in one of the coldest states in India, Dras (also spelt as Drass)- the Gateway to Ladakh is nothing like your conventional hill station. A quaint town in the infamously famous Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir, Dras is perched at an elevation of 10,761 feet above sea level. A staging point for trekkers to Amarnath and Sialkot, this age-old battleground is the second coldest inhabited place in the world.
Best Time To Visit- Summer (March to October)
Temperature- 17 Degree C
How To Reach- Dras is Shaikh ul-Alam Airport in Srinagar
3. Sela Pass, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Nuzzled at 4170 m in the Himalayas, Sela Pass is a breathtaking town that connects Tawang to Tezpur and Guwahati. Ideal in summers, winters in Sela makes it one of India’s most coldest places. The hidden beauty of Sela is the Sela or Paradise Lake; fully frozen in winter is stunning in summer.
Best Time To Visit- March-May, October-November
Temperature- 8 Degree C
How To Reach- An Inner Line Permit mountain pass is required to access Sela Pass from Arunachal Pradesh.
4. Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Home to the famed Dal Lake, Srinagar is a mesmerizing city steeped in natural beauty and culture. Located in Kashmir, the coldest state in India, Srinagar is developed along the banks of River Jhelum. A holiday here will take you on a historic journey where you can marvel at the 15th-century architecture of the Jami Masjid.
Best Time To Visit- April to October
Temperature- 28 Degree C
How To Reach- Srinagar has a domestic airport. Bus services are available from Delhi, Jammu, and Chandigarh.
5. Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh
What is the coldest place in India? Leh, the highest residential point for human settlement, is a popular tourist spot, especially in the summer. Engulfed by the mighty Himalayas, Leh is the home to ancient Buddhist monasteries and lakes that add to its natural beauty. Located at 11,000 feet above sea level is the magnetic hill of Leh, a must-visit spot in the area.
Best Time To Visit- June to September
Temperature- 22 Degree C
How To Reach- Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh
6. Lachen and Thangli Valley, Sikkim
Located at an elevation of 2500 m in Northern Sikkim, Lachen and Thangli Valley are two of the coldest places in India. Facing sub-zero temperature and heavy snowfall, the valley looks like a winter wonderland amidst the snow-capped Himalayas.
Best Time To Visit- June to November
Temperature- 23 Degree C
How To Reach- The nearest railway station from Thangu Valley is New Jalpaiguri. Bagdogra airport is the closest airport to Sikkim, you can take buses or hire a jeep to reach the valley.
7. Keylong, Lahaul and Spiti District, Himachal Pradesh
One of India’s most coldest place, Keylong, sits majestically at an altitude of 3340 m above sea level. Tucked on the main road to Leh, the small town is a beautiful getaway destination to beat the city heat. Blessed with a bounty of willow trees, streams, and mountains on all sides, Keylong is the perfect pit stop en route to Leh, Manali, or Kaza.
Best Time To Visit- May to October
Temperature- 17 Degree C
How To Reach- Bhuntar airport in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
8. Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
Translating to the Meadow of Gold, Sonmarg in Kashmir is one of the coolest places in India during winters. Situated at a height of 2800 m, the valley is surrounded by lush green meadows and glistening Himalayan peaks that are covered in knee-deep snow in winter. In the summers, however, Sonmarg is a pleasant vacation spot with the Sindh River gushing through the meadow.
Best Time To Visit- May to November
Temperature- 18 Degree C
How To Reach- Nearest hill station with an airport is in Srinagar, taxis, and buses are available to Sonmarg
Beat the heat amidst the mesmerizing landscape of India’s most coldest places. With an abundance of natural beauty and a refreshing climate, these destinations are a real treat during the warm months.
Photo: Shutterstock