Top 15+ Coldest Places in India to Visit in Summers

India is home to extremities, while winter temperature goes to minus, summers are the best examples of increasing temperatures. According to a recent update from the weather forecast, the temperature will shoot up to 50 degrees Celsius in Delhi and places around it. The only way to beat this heat is to plan a trip to any of the coldest places in India.

Starting from the top of the country, Jammu and Kashmir are the perfect places to visit during the summer vacation. The place has pleasant weather around the year and offers amazing views of nature. It has places like Srinagar and Gulmarg, which are at the top of every tourist list of places to visit. Besides J&K, Himachal Pradesh boasts scintillating weather throughout the year. The state witnessed the lowest temperature in winter, which makes it one of the coldest places in the country. You can visit an array of snowy places in Himachal Pradesh from places like Kufri, Manali, and Rohtang Pass.

How can we forget about Leh, Ladakh, the site is ideal for adventure activities. Let’s have a look at the top 15 coldest places in India.

List of Beautiful Cold Places in India During Summer:

1. Siachen Glacier

The Siachen Glacier is found in the Himalayas’ eastern Karakoram range, at NJ9842, which marks the end of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. It is the second-longest glacier in the world’s non-polar regions and the longest in the Karakoram at 76 km long. Its head at Indira Col on the India-China boundary rises to a height of 5,753 m (18,875 ft), then it descends to a height of 3,620 m (11,875 ft) at its terminal. Since 1984, India has been in charge of Ladakh, a union territory in the Kashmir area that includes the entire Siachen Glacier and all important crossings.

Best Time to Visit Siachen: May to September

2. Kufri

In the Indian state of Shimla, there is a tourist town called Kufri is also one of the coldest city of India. National Highway No. 22, it is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the state capital Shimla. When visiting, search for boutiques, restaurants, and hotels with an Indian theme along Kufri Avenue, the main road.
The term kufr, which in the local language means “lake,” is the source of the name Kufri. The Himalayan animal zoo in Kufri, which is the highest point in the region, is home to rare antelopes, felines, and birds, including the Himalayan monal, which was the state bird of Himachal Pradesh until 2007. A winding route through the potato plantations becomes a well-liked ski trail in the winter.

Best Time to Visit Kufri: April to June

3. Dras – Kargil

Located in Kargil, Dras is one of the coldest places in India and the second coldest place on the earth. It is popularly known to be the ‘Gateway to Ladakh. Dras is the starting point for the treks to Suru Valley, Amarnath, and Sialkot. In winter, the temperature falls up to -45℃ in this India’s coolest place. The hill station is also known as snow land.

Best Time to Visit Dras: June to September

 4. North Sikkim

North Sikkim is one of the famous states of Sikkim. It boasts the tallest peak in the world which is Kanchenjunga. In the past years, the state has observed the lowest temperature -40°C. The state has thick vegetation and many waterfalls, making it one of India’s most stunning places to visit. On your trip to North Sikkim, you can visit places like Zero points, Yumthang valley, Crows lake, and, Lachung monastery.

Best Time to Visit North Sikkim: April to June, October to December

 5. Kargil – Jammu Kashmir

Kargil is one of the most famous places in the country. The site has been a battleground during the Kargil war and is the same place where thousands of soldiers lost their lives. However, the war was fruitful for India. It is located at an altitude of 2,676 m. The temperature often falls to -48°C in winter. The place is close to historic towns and castles that are situated on hillocks- Pashkum

Best Time to Visit Kargil: June to September

 6. Spiti Valley – Himachal Pradesh

Known as an ideal honeymoon destination in India, Himachal Pradesh is home to small valleys and towns. Amongst them, Spiti Valley is one of the coldest places in India. The valley is known for its rich Buddhist culture. If you want to explore the coldest places in Himachal than Kaja is your ideal destination. It is situated at an altitude of 3,800 m on the Himalayas. The place boasts many monasteries. It is one of those beautiful cold places to visit in summer in India. With the dip in the temperature, you can experience a temperature up to -30°C in winter.

Best Time to Visit Spiti: Mid May to Mid Oct

7. Sela Pass – Tawang

Sela Pass is one of the offbeat hill stations in India. It is perched at an altitude of 4,170 m. The place is covered by snow throughout the year, which gives it a stunning view. The place also has several lakes that are revered by Buddhists. Do visit the site to relish the spiritual journey.

Best Time to Visit Sela Pass: October-November, March-April, and May

8. Munsiyari – Uttarakhand

Munsiyari is a small village in Uttrakhand, which is an ideal place for all the people who are planning to visit cold tourist places in India. The village has a picturesque panorama of the snow-capped Himalayan Range. Munsiyari is a perfect example of nature at its best. The place is also famous for adventurous activities and trekking trails. The minimum temperature that you can experience is -3° C.

Best Time to Visit Munisyari: April – June, and October -November

 9. Hemkund – Uttarakhand

Hemkund is popularly known as Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji. It is a Sikh pilgrimage that is located in the district of Uttrakhand. Enveloped by lakes and snow-clad peaks, Hemkund is one of the coldest places in the country. Situated at an altitude of 4,362 is an ideal place for trekking in India. In the winter, the temperature here dips from 10°C to -11°C.

Best Time to Visit Hemkund: April – June and October – March

 10. Leh – Ladakh 

The capital of Ladakh, Leh, is one of the popular tourist destinations and a perfect place for a road trip in India. The place is famous across the country for its rich culture and history. Some of the best tourist places in Leh are Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Pangong Lake, and many monasteries and captivating lakes. The average temperature in Leh goes to -28.3 °C. Leh is no doubt is one of the coldest tourist places in India.

Best Time to Visit Leh: June to September

11. Amarnath – Jammu & Kashmir

Considered to be heaven for pilgrims, Amarnath is counted amongst the coldest places in India. Besides religious activities, the place is famous for its mountainous terrains, valleys, and caves. You can visit the place in the summer to beat the heat. Yatra to amaranth begins from Pahalgam, and the lowest temperature of the Amarnath is -20°C.

Best Time to Visit Amarnath: May to September

 12. West Sikkim

In case you are looking for an ideal place for trekking, then what could be better than West Sikkim? It is located at the altitude of 3,800 m and experiences a temperate climate across the year. Some of the tourist attractions of West Sikkim are Khecheoperi lake, Rabdentse palace, and the Dubdi monastery. In winter, the temperature could fall to -15°C and even below.

Best Time to Visit West Sikkim: October – November

 13. Rohtang Pass – Manali

While Manali is a famous hill station, Rohtang Pass is one of the best places to visit in summer. The place connects to the Kullu valley and Spiti Valley. It is located at an altitude of 3,978, and you will find it covered with snow across the year. The lowest temperature in Rohtang Pass reaches up to -6°C, making it one of the coldest places in India. The place is also ideal for all adventure enthusiasts. Tourists can go for thrilling activities like skiing, mountain biking in the months of summers. It is undoubtedly, one of the cold places in India during summer.

Best Time to Visit Rohtang Pass: May-June

14. Srinagar – Kashmir

How can our list of top 15 coldest places in India can be completed without adding Srinagar to the list? Also known as heaven on earth, Srinagar is one of the beautiful places to visit in the summers. It has a picturesque view and stunning locations that one can explore. During the winters, the temperature dips to -3°C to 0°C. In past years the temperature has also fallen up to -7.6°C.

Best Time to Visit Srinagar: April to October

15. Kalpa – Himachal Pradesh

Located in Himachal Pradesh, Kalpa is one of the offbeat hill stations. It is a small village and home to many monasteries and temples. The village is also popular for its vast apple orchards and the blissful backdrop of Sutlej River. The lowest temperature recorded at Kalpa was -15°C.

Best Time to Visit Kalpa: March- September

16. Sonamarg – Jammu and Kashmir

Located in Jammu and Kashmir, Sonamarg is one of the beautiful hill stations in India. Sonamarg means golden land. The hill station is located in the Srinagar and is amongst the must-visit places. The place is covered by snow around the year, which makes it a perfect destination for experiencing heavy snowfall. The temperature has reached to -8 °C.

Best Time to Visit: April – June

 17. Gulmarg – Jammu & Kashmir 

If you ever visit Jammu Kashmir, do visit Gulmarg. It is also one of the coldest places in the country. Gulmarg is known for adventure activities like skiing. During the winters, the place looks completely white as it is covered with snow. The temperature here has gone to -7 °C. It is one of the lowest temperature places in India.

Best Time to Visit Gulmarg: March to June

Conclusion:

With the rise in temperature, Delhi and around the cities have become extremely hot and, thus, to beat the heat, which could be better than making a short trip to cold places. Summer vacations are ideal for families to plan a family trip to hill stations to escape the summer. Here, we have curated some of the coldest places in India that you can consider visiting in the summer.

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