Top 5 Budget-Friendly Winter Treks in India
Best Under budget winter treks must-have in your bucket list
While some decide to embark on at least one trek a year for spiritual rejuvenation and detoxing from the hustle-bustle of the concrete jungle gym, some do it because they need the spike in epinephrine in their blood. They want to get the feel of living on the edge.
Reasons you should go on a winter trek
Trekking routes offered by the Indian topography are delightful for mountaineers. Its landscapes are diverse and bring you closer to nature, all whilst unfolding a breathtaking panorama that one has to see with their own eyes to experience. The winter season further heightens the beauty of these majestic landscapes, and hence winter treks can create an indelible experience for every adventure-seeker.
How you can accommodate your trek within a tight budget
While most trekkers feel that the amount spent behind every venture is overcompensated by the experience gained, memories created, and lessons learned, budgetary constraints arise now and then.
But that doesn’t mean that one will be exempted from the solitary bliss steeped in adventure. One can try making overall conscious decisions to lower the expenditure, including making bookings way ahead of time, taking trains and buses instead of flights, staying at dorms, and eating locally. Another significant way to reduce your expenses is by doing proper research when choosing a tourism company, travel agency, porters/guides, and other inclusions.
Trekking in winter can add to the costs as you will need more layers besides your go-to microspikes, suncap, polaroid glasses, and other necessary equipment. However, considering the heightened difficulties in undertaking a winter trek owing to several inches of accumulated snow, tickets have chances of being cheaper. But then again, you must start planning with a clear vision at least three months ahead.
Below is a list of the top 5 budget-friendly winter treks in India so you can tick them off of your bucket list soon.
Not many treks promise a panorama worth being etched in your memories forever during the bitter winter months like the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek. Located in Uttarakhand, the 27 km long trek can be classified into the easy-moderate range. The tougher sections will be encountered when you traverse the trail from Baniyakund (2610 meters) leading to Chandrashila peak (3863 meters).
This entails a steep section that is laden with rock-hard snow. On reaching the summit, you will almost feel like all signs of potential AMS have been replaced by awe! You can treat your eyes to the imposing views of the Himalayan range, Gangotri range, Mount Thalaysagar, Gauri Parbat, Hathi Parbat, and their entire menage from the Chandrashila peak.
Budget
A 5-day long venture, usually priced at about USD 115 (INR 8600), the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek is worth the money. Booking during the months of winter in advance can also give you the benefits of exciting discounts that can bring down the overall cost to as low as USD 103 (INR 7700).
Highlights
● At least 70 varieties of exotic bird species can be spotted during the trek. Starting from the Himalayan Woodpecker to the Himalayan Partridge, Bulbuls, Tits, and Monals - the music of their chirping is going to keep you company throughout the trek.
● Towering canopies of oaks and pines make for an enchanted, fantasy-land feel.
● The temples of Tunganath and Ukimath along the trail will let you align your soul with your ethereal visions.
● Pilgrim cities of Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Rudraprayag are also a part of the journey and will allow you to immerse yourself in transcendence.
Dayara Bugyal Trek is a cult favorite as it is one of the easiest treks and quite suitable for beginners. Situated in Uttarkashi, Dayara Bugyal has a terrain completely sheathed in crisp white snow in the winters. Enveloped by the azure skies, the horizonless stretches of snow sparkle like a field of polished diamonds before your eyes.
Mount Bandarpoonch and Black Peak, standing staggeringly tall at a formidable height of nearly 6500 meters, is a rare sight to be cherished in the course of this trek. But that’s not all. In a sweeping panorama, a telescopic view of Mount Shrikanth, Mount Jaunli, and others will unfold before your eyes.
Budget
The Dayara Bugyal Trek is a 6-day long venture and usually costs you around USD 135 (INR 10,100). Pre-booking will earn you extra benefits in the form of a reduction in the cost of the package that will end up being somewhere around USD 113 (INR 8500).
Highlights
● The entire mountainscape of the Dayara Bugyal Trek unwraps a land of fantasy-with dainty snow hugging the pines and the conifers like a mantle, it feels like an eternal Christmas.
● Over 40 species of birds are often spotted along the trail- whether it is the Himalayan Blue Tail, Majestic Shikra, or the Indian Flycatcher.
● Snug and convenient campsites like Gui, Chilapada, Barnala, or Nayata, set against a lovely vista embraced by deciduous trees.
The Nag Tibba Trek is ideal for a family weekend getaway. With a duration of just 2 days and a journey of 8 km per day, it is suitable for first-time trekkers. Resting at the height of 3022 meters, the trail moves through a swift transitioning potpourri of landscapes in just a span of 2 days.
The trek blesses your eyes with breathtaking silhouettes of several snow-clad peaks like Swargrohini, Bandarpoonch, Kalanag, and Srikanth against fiery sunset skies that are worth being etched in your memories.
Budget
The Nag Tibba Trek bestows an unbelievably memorable experience for the dirt-cheap price of less than USD 47 (INR 3500) per head. For a two-day trip, the Nag Tibba Trek is a gift for all that have a voracious appetite for adventure.
Highlights
● Beautiful views of the Dhauladhar range, Gangotri range, and Kali Choti (Black Peak).
● Clearings, especially Moriana, are dotted with quaint shepherds’ huts.
● Oak, Maplewood, and conifers envelop the entire trail to Patwari.
Situated in Uttarakhand, the Har ki Dun Trek (3566 meters) is exceptional for being uniquely embraced by history and mythology. Embarking on this trek during the months of winter is absolutely delightful as it promises endless stretches of pristine, white snow along with a sense of solitary bliss.
According to legend, the same trail was taken by the Pandavas in the epic of Mahabharata to ascend to heaven. Although the trek is a long one spanning just over a week and covering nearly 50 km, it is suitable for beginners because of its gentle gradient. The under-emphasized journey from Taluka to the historic village of Gangad through pine forests, standing tall like sentinels, deserves every bit of appreciation.
Budget
Considering a week-long adventure, the Har ki Dun Trek is a steal at just about USD 113 (INR 8500).
Highlights
● Hidden treasure trove in the form of the Devsu Thatch Meadow stretching over a circumference of 2 km.
● View of the Swargrohini peaks emerging behind the breathtaking Kalkatiyadhar meadows.
● The fragrance of birch, pine, deodars, and Maplewood are absolutely intoxicating and will lure you to move further through the trail.
The Sandakphu Trek is extraordinary as it unravels an unbelievable panoramic view of the highest peak in the world, over 8000 meters high, from an altitude of 3642 meters. The perennially snow-clad peaks of Mount Lhotse, Mount Phalut, and Mount Chomo Lonzo are viewed in total clarity from the summit.
The ‘Sleeping Buddha’ formed out by the four highest peaks in the world lace the horizon in white and will be a steady companion throughout the trek. Another remarkable aspect about the trek is the bonhomie with the Indo-Nepal border, separated only by the Singalila Ridge. The entire cluster of mountains, including Kumbhakarna, Kanchenjunga, and Pandim, is seen with brilliant lucidity.
Budget
For the out of the world experience over 6 days, the Sandakphu Trek leaves a great impact on your soul but not your wallet by ringing up a total cost of USD 130 (INR 9700).
Highlights
● Unique tea-house cultures carry the flavors of Nepali traditions and heritage.
● Religious assimilation between Hindus and Buddhists because of the Indo-Nepal border.
● Panch dhatu flags- water, air, fire, land, and clouds over several streams, signifying the essentiality of natural elements for survival.
● Quaint hamlets dotted with brightly colored rustic houses are a common sight to see while beginning the trek, but something as simple as that will bring a smile to your lips.
No obstacle is too difficult!
While it is very common to be on a tight budget for various reasons, there are always avenues to dispose of your stress. It is possible for you to feel the embrace of nature with several incredibly low-budget options to feed your wanderlust.
Thinking long-term and making prudent decisions about your traveling gear, food and accommodation while selecting the right travel agency or touring company will also drastically cut down expenses enabling you to enjoy the best of what mother nature has to offer.
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