January is the best month for snow in Uttarakhand. Auli, Chopta, Harsil, Dhanaulti and Chakrata are at their whitest, skiing is possible at Auli when there is enough snow, and the winter trekking season is in full swing. It is also the coldest month, with frozen roads and early sunsets, so plan with a buffer day and a local driver. In 2027 the Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar adds a pilgrimage reason to visit the plains too.
January weather
- Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun: cold mornings, fog, and mild afternoons. No snow.
- Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Chakrata, Nainital: very cold, with snow on some days.
- Auli, Chopta, Harsil: heavy cold, nights well below freezing, and snow on the ground in most years.
Check the forecast the week you leave; snowfall decides which roads are open.
Best places to visit in January
1. Auli, for snow and skiing
January to March is the ski season, depending on how much snow has fallen. Beginners can take a short course on the slope; the ropeway from Joshimath gives views of Nanda Devi. Read skiing in Auli, the Auli weather guide and the ropeway status. Where to sleep: best places to stay in Auli. Package: Auli Chopta 6 days.
2. Chopta and Tungnath
Snow trails, quiet forest stays and one of the best easy winter treks. Read the Tungnath Chandrashila guide and Deoria Tal trek. Package: Auli and Chopta tour.
3. Harsil and the Bhagirathi valley
January has the deepest snow. Mukhba village, where Goddess Ganga is worshipped in winter, stays open to visitors. See the Mukhba village guide, Harsil in winter and Bagori village. Roads can close after snowfall, so keep spare days. Package: Harsil tour.
4. Dhanaulti, Kanatal and Chakrata
The nearest snow for travellers from Delhi and Dehradun. Snow is not certain on any given day. Package: Mussoorie Dhanaulti Kanatal 4 days and the Chakrata Mussoorie tour. Guide: Chakrata.
5. Haridwar for Makar Sankranti and the Ardh Kumbh
Makar Sankranti, around 14 January, is a major bathing day at Har Ki Pauri and the ghats are crowded from the day before. The Ardh Kumbh Mela 2027 brings much larger crowds to Haridwar through the first half of the year. Book hotels and cabs well ahead, and read the Haridwar Kumbh 2027 snan dates, where to stay and how to reach Haridwar. Package: Ardh Kumbh Mela Haridwar 2027. Check the official dates before you book, as they are set by the akharas and the Mela administration.
6. Kumaon: Nainital, Kausani and Almora
Cold, clear and calm. Package: Auli, Nainital, Kausani, Almora 8 days. Guides: Almora and Kainchi Dham.
7. Winter treks
Kedarkantha, Brahmatal, Kuari Pass and the Chopta circuit are best from January. See winter treks in Uttarakhand or book the Kedarkantha trek.
January or December?
| December | January | |
|---|---|---|
| Snow | Possible, mainly late month | Most likely |
| Skiing at Auli | Rarely | Often, if snow is deep enough |
| Crowds | High at New Year, lower after | Low, apart from Haridwar around Makar Sankranti |
| Road risk | Lower | Higher, with ice and closures |
| Best for | Clear views, easy travel | Snow, treks, quiet |
Pick December for easier travel and January for the best chance of snow. See also Uttarakhand in December.
January travel tips
- Carry thermals, gloves, a woollen cap, snow boots and sunscreen. Use our packing list.
- Plan one extra night in case a road closes.
- Avoid night driving; black ice is common.
- Keep cash for remote villages, since ATMs and UPI can fail in snow.
- Compare all options on our Uttarakhand winter packages page.
What is closed in January
Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri temples are shut until spring. Plan the pilgrimage with the Char Dham Yatra 2027 registration guide and the best time to visit Char Dham.
January week by week
| Dates | What it is like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 7 January | Post-New-Year lull. Prices fall, cold deepens, and snow odds improve. | Value trips to Auli, Chopta and Dhanaulti |
| 8 to 15 January | Lohri (13 January), Makar Sankranti (14 January) and Uttarayani. Pilgrims fill Haridwar. | Festivals and holy baths |
| 16 to 24 January | Often the coldest and snowiest stretch. Quiet roads. | Snow, treks, photography |
| 25 to 31 January | Deep snow lingers at altitude. Good clear spells. | Skiing at Auli, winter treks |
Festival dates move slightly each year, so confirm them before you book.
Festivals in January
- Lohri (13 January): a bonfire festival celebrated across the region. Hotels in the hills often hold bonfire evenings.
- Makar Sankranti (14 January): an important day for a dip in the Ganga at Haridwar and Rishikesh. Expect very large crowds at the ghats from the day before.
- Uttarayani: a Kumaon festival around Makar Sankranti, famous for its fair at Bageshwar. It is the best cultural reason to visit Kumaon in winter.
- Ghughuti and Khichdi traditions: in the hills, Sankranti is marked with special food such as khichdi, and in Kumaon with sweet fried snacks shaped as birds for children.
If you plan the Haridwar holy bath, read our Kumbh 2027 snan dates and plan hotels from our Haridwar hotel list.
Three January itineraries
Snow and skiing, 5 nights: Auli and Chopta
- Day 1: Haridwar to Joshimath, with a stop at the Panch Prayag confluences if time allows. See the Panch Prayag guide.
- Day 2: Auli, with the cable car, slope time or meadow walk.
- Day 3: A second day at Auli for skiing if the slope is open, or the Gorson Bugyal walk.
- Day 4: Drive to Chopta.
- Day 5: Tungnath and Chandrashila walk as far as conditions allow.
- Day 6: Return to Haridwar.
Package: Auli Chopta 6 days.
Quiet valley, 3 nights: Harsil, Bagori and Mukhba
Spend two nights in the valley so you have a full day of walking in the snow. Add a visit to Mukhba to see the winter seat of Goddess Ganga. Package: Harsil Valley 3 days.
Pilgrimage and hills, 7 nights: Haridwar, Rishikesh and Kumaon
Start with the holy bath and the aarti in Haridwar, continue to Rishikesh, then travel to Kumaon for Nainital, Kausani and Almora. This works well in mid-January, when the hills are cold and clear. Package: Auli, Nainital, Kausani and Almora in 8 days.
What to do at the snow places
- Auli: cable car rides, gentle slope time, walking to the meadows, photography at sunrise.
- Chopta: forest walks, a short climb towards Tungnath, bonfire evenings.
- Harsil: village lanes, the river, the apple orchards under snow.
- Dhanaulti: the ecopark, ridge walks and cafes.
None of these require special skills. Beginners can enjoy all of them if they dress well.
Fog, cold and train delays
North Indian winters bring dense fog in January, especially in the early morning. Trains to Haridwar and Dehradun can run late and flights can be delayed. Practical steps:
- Book a late-morning arrival in Haridwar, not an early-morning one.
- Keep four to six hours of slack in your first day's plan.
- Avoid booking a same-day connection after a long train journey.
- On the road, expect fog on the plains between Delhi and Roorkee before 9 am.
Ardh Kumbh 2027: what it means for your trip
The Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar draws very large crowds across the first half of the year, with heavier days around the main bathing dates. If your trip overlaps:
- Book hotels and cabs very early. Rooms near the ghats go first.
- Expect traffic restrictions near Har Ki Pauri and the main roads. Use the station or a designated drop point and walk the last stretch.
- Go to the ghat early, before sunrise, and keep valuables at the hotel.
- Keep the hills for after the bath. Rishikesh and Chopta are calmer.
- Confirm official dates with the Mela administration.
See how to reach Haridwar for Kumbh 2027, where to stay and the Kumbh tour package. Also read the Ardh Kumbh snan details.
Wellness and quiet in Rishikesh
January is a good month for yoga and meditation stays in Rishikesh. Mornings are cold, so choose a centre with indoor classes. The river is too cold for most rafting, so check the status of adventure activities before planning them. For things to do outside the winter, see Rishikesh adventure activities and the Rishikesh hotel list.
Health and safety in the January cold
- Dress in layers, and keep your head, hands and feet warm.
- Avoid walking on icy slopes without good grip. Ask your driver or guide before stepping onto frozen patches.
- Drink warm water and avoid alcohol at altitude.
- Seniors and people with heart or breathing problems should avoid long stays above 2,500 m.
- Keep a small torch and power bank, as power cuts are common in snowy villages.
Who should choose January
Choose January for snow, skiing, trekking, photography, festivals in Haridwar or Kumaon, and quiet trips with lower prices after New Year. Avoid it if you are uncomfortable with cold, need a guaranteed schedule or travel with infants.
