Top 10 Coldest Places to Visit in India

No doubt, Leh is one of the coldest places to visit in India. Perched in the newly formed Union Territory of Ladakh, the temperature is known to drop to as less as -13 degrees Celsius! You read that right. With an Indo-Tibetan population and exquisite places to visit, the cold place in India is a must-visit. Reaching Leh is quite challenging but the rewards of exhilarating snow-capped Himalayan views are worth all the peril! You can even experience snow here as you visit the place and marvel at its beauty and serenity.

Nestled in the northern parts of Himachal Pradesh, Keylong or Kyeland is a lesser-known locale that can be found at the intersection of the Chandra Valley, the Chenab Valley and the Bhaga Valley. With temperatures dropping down to -7.7 degrees Celsius, Keylong also finds fame for being one of the coldest places in India. It is rather imperative that you carry all your winter essentials to have a great time in Keylong and not succumb to the pesky frostbites! But rest assured, you will have a great time chilling here.

A rather popular honeymoon destination and one of the cold places in India, Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir gets all its fame for being the ideal ski destination in the country. Well, with a vast expanse of white snow encompassing the beauty of the Kashmir Valley, you cannot expect anything less exquisite from the place, located in the Anantnag district. The most recent temperature records suggest that the degrees fall to -6.6 degrees Celsius during winters in Pahalgam. But don't you worry as there are a handful of ski resorts to keep you warm in Pahalgam.

Well, in a list of cold places in India, there is no way that we would forget to mention Gulmarg! One of the most famous ski destinations in the country a popular cold place in India too, at Gulmarg, it snows all year round. Expect snow-covered lands with views of the spectacular Himalayas covered with snow. Everything in Gulmarg is white and snowy with a recorded drop of -6 degrees Celsius witnessed by the locals. For temperatures to do below zero degrees Celsius regularly is not a big surprise anymore.

As the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar also brings in its contribution of cold. The tourist hub which is mainly recognised for the scintillating Dal Lake remains chilly throughout the year. As for snow? Yes, it does snow a lot here and sometimes throughout the year too. As for the temperature? It often drops to -5 degrees Celsius. Yes, cold is an understatement at this cold place in India. No wonder it has found prominence as one of the popular honeymoon destinations in India and even a big hit among the international tourist crowd.

The recorded temperature drop experienced in Kupwara is as less as -4.5 degrees Celsius. Nestled in the western parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the remote town is actually in proximity to the border of India. Visiting the place does sound exciting now, right? So many stories and histories that can be explored here in Kupwara. You would be frozen like Anna from the popular Disney movie Frozen if you do not carry your essential winter wear. Maybe start with some purchases here before you head for an exploration journey in Jammu and Kashmir.

Before you start wondering if the rest of the list of cold places in India only come from Jammu and Kashmir, we will clear the doubt for you. Yes, most of the coldest tourist places in India do come from the Union Territory as they do have plenty of neighbourhoods that notice a drop in temperatures. Kokernag, the sub-district town in Jammu and Kashmir also falls in this category. Expect a temperature drop of -4 degrees Celsius during your visit and stay here! But we do have to admit that the cold place in India comes with an excellent vibe, especially a fabulous view of the Breng Valley from Kokernag.

Also nestled in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, Qazigund is perched at an elevation of 1670 meters above sea level. The gorgeous town with its affinity to cold can be a place for you to visit if you want to experience the snow and cold weather but also expect your privacy and tranquility. The last recorded drop in temperature was -4 degrees Celsius. Take along your winter boots and parkas to have the best time of your life here.

Located by the banks of the Sutlej River, the tiny hamlet of Kalpa is in Himachal Pradesh. Feels like a breath of fresh air from the abundant cold places in India's Jammu & Kashmir region? Well, Kalpa does come with a very enchanting appeal as one of the coldest places in India. Interestingly, thanks to the cold weather and constant drop in temperature, Kalpa has managed to earn itself a reputation of an ideal tourist destination. With a minimum recorded temperature of -0.6 degrees Celsius, Kalpa does provide multitudes of opportunities to keep tourists engaged and entertained.

Situated at a distance of 35 km from Qazigund in Jammu and Kashmir is the quaint little town of Banihal. This place is more or less a rural setting that has been untapped by the tourist civilization. Witnessing a minimum temperature drop of -0.4 degrees Celsius, Banihal paints quite a lustrous picture with its snowy appeal. It is surely the cold place in India for you if you wish to keep away from the populated tourist destination but also wants to relish the finesse of beautiful snow.

Note that depending on how much the temperature drops, some of these places actually shut shop to avoid complications. It would be best to plan properly in advance if you are opting to visit one of the cold places of India.