One of the joys of trekking in the mountains is getting away from the hustle and bustle of cities and towns, basking in the morning sun, soaking in the silence and vibing to the rhythm of the mountains. With trekking picking up as a sport rapidly over the last few years, the mountains have been seeing more crowds than ever! And yes, this is also true for the winter months because who doesn’t love some snow filled adventure? However, if you are looking to take the road less travelled and embark on a quieter journey into the mountains, the below listed winter trails are just for you. Varying in their difficulty level, these offbeat treks offer the perfect winter mountain experience with lots of adventure and panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Panwali Kantha Trek
If you are a first timer looking to make your way into the Garhwal Himalayas, Panwali Kantha trek is exactly what you should be looking at. Rated level 3 on the Bikat Rating Scale (BRS), this trek spans over five days and is a gateway to Himalayan trekking. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trekker looking to do a short trek, Panwali Kantha offers striking views of the Himalayan ranges and has its fair share of adventure with gentle ascents through snow. Snow covered bugyals and starry skies are a constant throughout this trek and leave us wanting for more. The trail takes us to a maximum altitude of 3500m where the bugyals open into panoramic views of the Yamunotri and Gangotri ranges which is a rare sight in itself! This trek is accessible to anyone with average fitness levels.
Markha Valley Winter Trek
With a level 4 rating on the BRS, the Markha Valley Winter trek is one of a kind and an unconventional choice for a winter adventure. Should you choose to take it up, you will be rewarded with nothing short of magical sceneries and adventures on a frozen river that will keep the adrenaline pumping for days after the trek! The Markha river, a tributary of the Zanskar river, freezes during the winter months and this icy spectacle branches into remote villages in the valley. Cosy homestays and warm Ladakhi culture are an added bonus to this 10 day trek which constantly surprises you with the changing landscape and towering peaks. Campsites open into panoramic views of Kang Yatse I and II which dominate the scenery and fauna endemic to the region manages to excite us from time to time. While this trek is not suited for beginners, the gradient is fairly moderate and involves long hours of walking through the day. The temperatures on this trek can also be challenging and it is advisable to be well prepared for the weather conditions. The best time for this trek is between January to March when the Markha river freezes completely.
Khopra Ridge Trek
Nestled in the Nepal Himalayas, the Khopra Ridge trek is a unique trail that stands out for its route which enables us to walk on an actual ridge(!), giving us a feeling of trotting on top of the world. This trek is unlike any other in Nepal with the constantly changing and captivating sceneries. And that is not all, the view of the sun rising from Khopra Ridge with a panorama of not one, not two but 23 major Himalayan peaks sits as a cherry on the cake! While this trek goes through the Annapurna ranges, it steers clear of the crowds that Annapurna Base Camp attracts and offers an offbeat trail for trekkers who are willing to explore the wilderness. The route curves through alpine forests, rhododendron patches and remote villages in the region. The trek also covers two major points in its route: the Khopra Ridge and Khayar Lake. The maximum altitude on this trek is 3900m and it is rated level 4 on the BRS, which means one is required to have a good level of fitness to attempt this trek. The trail has its fair share of ascents and descents, making it moderately difficult but an absolutely thrilling one if you are an adrenaline junkie and a sucker for naming Himalayan peaks!
Sumda Chey Winter Trek
Taking you away from the crowds that throng Chadar during the winter months, the Sumda Chey trek is a mix of culture, adventure and adrenaline. While this route also involves trekking on Chadar for the most part of it, it takes us deeper into the Zanskar region to revel in the culture and beauty of the landscapes that surround us. Rated level 5 on the BRS, Sumda Chey is not an easy trek and will challenge you at every step but will also reward you equally if not more. The Sumda monastery and waterfall are some of the main highlights during this trek apart from the adventure-filled stunt of walking on Chadar itself! This trek is done between January to March given that the Zanskar river is frozen to the optimal level during this time
Goechala Winter Trek
Now hear me out, Goechala has garnered a fair bit of attention given its the only route from India which takes us all the way to the foot of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. But have you thought about attempting this trek during the winters? Yes, it is very much accessible and also twice as wonderful during these months. The glistening snow drapes our surroundings and the landscape is almost Narnia-esque. Now add some piping hot tea to that and it makes for paradise. This trek steers clear of the crowds during the winters given its challenging nature and extreme temperature drops. In spite of its challenges, when we stand in front of Mt. Kanchenjunga with the morning sun shining on her peak and giving it a golden look, all is forgotten and we can’t help but get a tad bit emotional given how far we have made it and how magnificent these snow capped mountains are. Rated level 5 on the BRS, this trek is not for the faint hearted and will test your resilience at every turn but at the end of it we can say we were at the base of the third highest mountain in the world and not many people in the world can say that!
If you are looking for an offbeat trekking adventure this winter, the above are our top 5 picks for the season. Should you wish to know more or require more guidance on picking your winter adventure, our team will be happy to help.
