India is a vast land filled with various multitudes of climate and weather conditions in different areas. Along with the tropical heat, India also witnesses a good amount of Himalayan cold throughout the year in many regions. There are quite a plethora of coolest places in India to visit for travelers. The temperature is always low and sometimes drops below 0 in these destinations making it the perfect place for anyone looking to escape from the summers of India.
Most of these destinations are easily accessible by air, rail, and road. For the nearby city travelers, these destinations are easy to visit and gave a good option during the warm weather. Read this full article to discover the list of the coldest places in India that will certainly surprise your inner wanderer.
Dras, Jammu & Kashmir- Coldest hill station in India
Dras popularly referred “Gateway to Ladakh” is a town situated in the Kargil district of the Jammu & Kashmir. The beautiful Dras is the coolest place in India and the second coolest place in the world. The temperature in Dras drops as low as -45 degrees celsius. Extremely stunning and chilling cold, Dras is gifted with ethereal natural beauty. The rugged landscape, snowy panoramic mountains, and tranquil environment illustrate this icy hamlet.
Lowest Temperature- -45 ℃
Best Time- June to September is the best time to visit Dras.
Places to visit in Dras-
- Dras War Memorial
- Minamarg
- Matayen
- Ningoor Masjid
Things to do in Dras-
- Trekking
- Hiking
- Camping
Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir- L.O.C
Kargil is a district situated near the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir. Kargil is a tourist destination for tourists traveling to Leh from Srinagar. Kargil is one of the Coolest Places in North India apart from its magnificent past. Kargil is blessed with adventure and natural beauty. Kargil has a war memorial which is the main attraction of the place. Kargil is also known as an important center for trade and commerce apart from tourism.
Lowest Temperature- -48℃
Best Time- March to October is the best time to visit Kargil.
Places to visit in Kargil-
- Mulbekh Monastery
- Suru Basin
- Lamayuru Monastery
- Apricot Farms
Things to do in Kargil-
- Trekking
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
Leh Ladakh- India’s Moonland
Leh Ladakh is a union territory in Jammu & Kashmir region. Leh Ladakh is a land like no other, extending from the Siachen Glacier to the Great Himalayas. Ladakh is known as the world’s oldest desert overwhelmed by scenic landscapes. Leh Ladakh is one of the top coolest beautiful places in India to visit. Ladakh is dotted with whitewashed stupas, stunning Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, flapping prayer flags, and red-robed monks. Leh Ladakh is the priority of bike lovers as bike trips to Leh Ladakh are popular throughout the country.
Lowest Temperature- -20℃ to -15℃
Best Time- May to July is the best time to visit Leh Ladakh.
Places to visit in Leh Ladakh-
- Pangong Lake
- Khardungla Pass
- Shanti Stupa Ladakh
- Leh Palace
- Nubra Valley
Things to do in Leh Ladakh-
- Camping
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Camel Safari
- Mountain Biking
Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh- Trekking Mecca
Spiti Valley is situated in Himachal Pradesh and is known as the “Mecca for Trekking”. When you visit Spiti Valley, long winding valleys and roads that present amazing glances of cold desert and snowy hills welcome you. The word Spiti means “The Middle Land” as it separates India from Tibet and apart from this, Spiti gets around 250 days of sunshine in the year making it one of the coldest places in India. With a number of trekking trails, Spiti is an adventure lover’s paradise.
Lowest Temperature- -30℃
Best Time- March to June is the perfect time to visit Spiti Valley.
Places to visit in Spiti Valley-
- Key Monastery
- Chandratal Lake
- Pin Valley National Park
- Dhankar Monastery
Things to do in Spiti Valley-
- Trekking
- Hiking
- Camping
Sela Pass, Tawang- Himalayan Vista
Sela Pass is one of the best picturesque places in the Himalayan Vistas situated in Arunachal Pradesh. Sela Pass connects the Buddhist town Tawang to Tezpur and Guwahati. The Himalayas and Sela Pass combine to charm the surroundings with their mystic beauty. Sela Pass is the most beautiful gift of nature to the North-East. Sela Pass is the best coolest place in India in the summer to visit. Gazing into the icy Sela Lake by being at Sela Pass, one cannot help but admire the wonderful Himalayas.
Lowest Temperature- -15℃
Best Time- March to May is the best time to visit Sela Pass.
Places to visit in Sela Pass-
- Sela Lake
- Nuranang Falls
- Tawang Monastery
- Tawang War Memorial
- Gorichen Peak
Things to do in Sela Pass-
- Trekking
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir- Paradise on Earth
Srinagar is the summer capital of the Jammu & Kashmir and is also known as “Heaven on Earth”. Srinagar is situated on the banks of river Jhelum and is popular among tourists for its pristine Dal Lake. Srinagar is the home of floating boats called “Shikaras” that make the best stay options in this paradise. For newlyweds, Srinagar is the best coolest place in India for a honeymoon. Nishat Bagh, Chashm-E-Shahi Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Nigeen Lake, and Mughal Garden are the top tourist attractions in Srinagar. Don’t forget to taste the famous Kashmiri cuisines- Wazwan.
Lowest Temperature- -3℃ to 0℃
Best Time- April to October is considered the best time to visit Srinagar.
Places to visit in Srinagar-
- Dal Lake
- Shalimar Bagh
- Nishat Bagh
- Shankaracharya Temple
- Hazratbal Shrine
Things to do in Srinagar-
- Shikara Ride
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- City Walk Tour
- Trekking
Munsiyari, Uttarakhand- Little Kashmir
Munsiyari is a beautiful hamlet situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. Munsiyari also referred to as “Little Kashmir”, this lovely hill station is known for its picturesque landscapes, snowy Himalayan peaks, and adventurous trekking trails. Munsiyari is also the “Gateway to Johar Valley” because it is the starting point of Johar Valley which was the ancient trade route between India and Tibet. Munsiyari is one of the coolest tourist places in India.
Lowest Temperature- -3℃
Best Time- You can visit Munsiyari throughout the year. The weather remains pleasant here in all the seasons.
Places to visit in Munsiyari-
- Birthi Falls
- Panchachuli Peak
- Thamari Kund
- Maheshwari Kund
Things to do in Munsiyari-
- Trekking
- Camping
- Hiking
Rohtang Pass, Manali- Scenic Place
If you’ve watched the Bollywood movies ‘Jab We Met’ and ‘Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani’ then you’ll surely know the Rohtang Pass. Rohtang Pass is situated at a distance of 50 km from Manali on the Keylong-Manali highway. Rohtang Pass is a place you shouldn’t miss in the summers, its mountains are always covered in snow. This scenic tourist destination is regarded as one of the coolest places in India in summer to visit.
Lowest Temperature- -5℃ to -6℃
Best Time- June to October is the best time to visit Rohtang Pass.
Places to visit in Manali-
- Hidimba Temple
- Jogini Waterfall
- Solang Valley
- Atal Tunnel
- Old Manali
Things to do in Rohtang Pass-
- Sledge Ride
- Mountain Biking
- Skiing
- Trekking
Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh- Pristine Village
Klapa is located at the banks of the river Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh. This rugged village is famous for its beautiful monasteries and temples and also for its apple orchards. The pinkish tint on the peaks slowly gets tinted with a golden shade is a sight to behold during sunrise. This little hamlet is a must-visit destination that is adorned with rich flora and fauna. Kalpa comes under the list of coolest places in North India.
Lowest Temperature- -15℃
Best Time- March to September is the perfect time to visit Kalpa
Places to visit in Kalpa-
- Suicide Point
- Kinnaur Kailash
- Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar Monastery
- Roghi Village
- Narayan-Nagini Temple
Things to do in Kalpa-
- Trekking
- Visiting monastery and temple
- Witnessing the sunset and sunrise
Auli, Uttarakhand- Skii Paradise
Auli is a ski resort that is popular around the world situated in Uttarakhand. Auli is one of the coolest places in India in summer and it hots many winter sports too. Auli is home to the Kamat Kamet, Nanda Devi, and Mana Parvat mountain ranges which are snow-capped throughout the year. The weather of Auli remains pleasant and cool throughout the year.
Lowest Temperature- -8ºC
Best Time- You can visit Auli throughout the year.
Places to visit in Auli-
- Joshi Math
- Gurso Bugyal
- Chenab Lake
- Trishul Peak
- Auli Artificial Lake
Things to do in Auli-
- Trekking
- Skiing
- Auli Gondola ride
- Snowboarding
Lachen and Thangli Valley, North Sikkim- Uninhabited
Lachen and Thangli Valley are the most uninhabited regions of the country. Lachen and Thangli Valley are incredibly stunning and alluring that lies in the North Sikkim which shares borders with Nepal and China. Due to the extreme conditions found here, these are the most mystically beautiful yet unexplored areas in the country. North Sikkim is one of the coolest beautiful places in India.
Lowest Temperature- -40ºC
Best Time- May to September is the best period to visit North Sikkim.
Places to visit in North Sikkim-
- Lachung
- Yumthang Valley
- Cholamu Lake
- Thangu Valley
- Gurudongmar Lake
Things to do in North Sikkim-
- Trekking
- Hiking
- Exploring
Hemkund Sahib, Uttarakhand- Highest Gurudwara
Sri Hemkund Sahib is a sacred pilgrimage for the Sikhs which is nestled between the Himalayan ranges. Hemkund words stand for “Lake of snow” and this is the highest Gurudwara in the world. This is one of the coolest places in India to visit by trekking crossing several waterfalls, dense forests, and fascinating views of the Himalayas. Every year thousands of pilgrims visit Sri Hemkund Sahib to seek blessings.
Lowest Temperature- -10ºC to -11ºC
Best Time- May to October is the best time to visit Hemkund Sahib.
Places to visit in Hemkund Sahib-
- Hemkund Lake
Things to do in Hemkund Sahib-
- Seek blessings at Gurudwara
- Explore the lake
- Trekking
Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir- Meadow of Flowers
Gulmarg joins the list of the top coolest places in India and is nestled amid the Himalayas in the Jammu & Kashmir region. Gulmarg is one of the most famous ski destinations in India popular across the globe and attracts tourists all year round. The snow-covered Himalayas, panoramic landscapes, and deodar forests bless your trip with snow.
Lowest Temperature- -9.5ºC
Best Time- March to July is the best time to visit Gulmarg.
Places to visit in Gulmarg-
- Alpather Lake
- Drung Waterfall
- Gulmarg Golf Course
- Strawberry Valley
Things to do in Gulmarg-
- Skiing
- Gondola Ride
- Trekking
- Golfing
- Horse Riding
Pelling, West Sikkim- Base of Kanchenjunga
Pelling or West Sikkim is located on the foothills of Mt. Kanchenjunga and works as a base for mountaineers. West Sikkim is famous for the oldest Buddhist Monasteries in the World. The calm and tranquil environment of Peling along with the beautiful blend of nature and religious history makes it one of the famous tourist destinations in Sikkim. West Sikkim is one of the coolest beautiful places in India.
Lowest Temperature- -15ºC
Best Time- The Summer season is the best time to visit West Sikkim.
Places to visit in West Sikkim-
- Geyzing
- Pelling
- Yuksom
- Pemayangtse Monastery
Things to do in West Sikkim-
- Seek spirituality in Buddhist monasteries
- Trekking
- Camping
- Hiking
In the summer season, the coolest places in India make for perfect getaways. Finding a destination with the perfect temperature is such a pleasure because most cities and states in the country have high temperatures throughout the year. Apart from their cool temperature, these destinations have much to offer to tourists like pleasant weather, stunning landscapes, dense forests, snowy peaks, and many more. Don’t forget to visit HotelDekho.com for such city tours, travel guides, activities, and the best hotel booking deals.
