Winter in Uttarakhand means snow on the high meadows, clear mountain views and far fewer crowds than summer. Gokeys India plans winter trips from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Auli, Chopta, Harsil, Dhanaulti, Mussoorie and Nainital, with a car, driver, hotel and a team that knows which roads are open on the day you travel.
Snowfall changes every year and no operator can promise it for a date. What we can do is pick the places and weeks where snow is most likely and tell you honestly when a road is shut.
Where to find snow, and when
| Destination | Best months for snow | Good for | Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auli | Jan to Mar (first snow often in Dec) | Skiing, ropeway, Himalayan views | Auli and Chopta tour |
| Chopta and Tungnath | Dec to Mar | Snow walks, Chandrashila trek, quiet stays | Auli Chopta 5 days |
| Harsil Valley | Dec to Feb | Deep snow, apple orchards, village stays | Harsil tour package |
| Dhanaulti and Kanatal | Jan to Feb, on some days | Short snow break near Mussoorie | Mussoorie Dhanaulti Kanatal 4 days |
| Mussoorie | Occasional, Jan to Feb | Families, hill-station feel | Rishikesh Mussoorie Dhanaulti |
| Chakrata | Jan to Feb, on some days | Quiet forest hills, waterfalls | Chakrata Mussoorie tour |
| Nainital, Kausani, Almora | Occasional, Jan | Lakes and Kumaon views | Auli, Nainital, Kausani, Almora 8 days |
Our winter packages
- Auli and Chopta, 5 days and 6 days: the most popular snow itinerary from Haridwar.
- Auli, Chopta and Mussoorie: snow plus a hill-station finish.
- Harsil Valley, 3 days: for travellers who want deep snow and silence.
- Kedarkantha trek, 6 days: the classic winter summit trek.
- Deoria Tal and Sari village: an easy lake walk with snow views.
- Group departures: Auli Chopta group tour and Harsil Valley group tour for solo travellers and small groups who want to share the cost.
Not sure which one fits? Call or WhatsApp us from the contact page with your dates and group size.
What is open and closed in winter
The four Char Dham temples close after Diwali and reopen in spring. Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri cannot be visited in winter, and Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers are also shut. The deities are worshipped at their winter seats at Ukhimath, Joshimath, Mukhba and Kharsali, which you can still visit. Read the winter Char Dham guide for details and plan the full pilgrimage for April to June using our Char Dham Yatra package.
Choosing a winter trip
- First time in snow, with family: Auli and Chopta, or Dhanaulti and Mussoorie if you want to stay close to the plains.
- Skiing: Auli, from January. Check the Auli ropeway status and the skiing guide before you book.
- Treks: see our list of winter treks in Uttarakhand.
- Quiet and offbeat: Harsil. Read Harsil Valley in winter first.
- Not sure when to go: see snowfall in Uttarakhand, month by month, then the guides for December and January.
What to expect on a Gokeys winter trip
- A car with an experienced hill driver.
- Hotels chosen for the season. Ask us about heating before you book.
- A flexible plan: if a road closes, we will help you change the days or the destination.
- Phone support during the trip.
Ask for today's rate for your dates. Rates are higher around 25 December to 1 January, so book those weeks early.
Winter travel tips
- Carry thermals, a down jacket, gloves, a cap, waterproof shoes and sunglasses. See our Auli and Chopta packing list.
- Keep one buffer day. Landslides and snow can delay roads.
- Drive in daylight. Roads freeze after sunset.
- Book rooms with heating, and expect power cuts in remote villages.
Sample winter itineraries from Haridwar
These are typical routes. Exact days change with snow, road status and your pace, and every plan can be customised.
Weekend snow break: Mussoorie and Dhanaulti (3 nights)
- Day 1: Haridwar or Dehradun to Mussoorie (about 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road). Evening on the Mall Road, then Lal Tibba for sunset views if the sky is clear.
- Day 2: Mussoorie Lake, Company Garden and Kempty Falls, then drive up to Dhanaulti for the night.
- Day 3: Dhanaulti ecopark walk and the Surkanda Devi ridge if the road is clear. Afternoon free for hot tea and views.
- Day 4: Return via Dhari Devi or straight to Haridwar.
Full tour: Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and Kanatal in 4 days.
Classic snow trip: Auli and Chopta (5 days)
- Day 1: Haridwar or Rishikesh towards Joshimath along the Alaknanda river. This is a long mountain drive of roughly 8 to 10 hours, so leave early.
- Day 2: Joshimath to Auli by cable car or road, a day on the slopes and meadows, and the evening at Auli.
- Day 3: Drive towards Chopta through Chamoli and Ukhimath. Check into a meadow stay.
- Day 4: Walk towards Tungnath as far as conditions and the guide allow. Free evening.
- Day 5: Return to Rishikesh and Haridwar.
Full tours: 5 days, 6 days and the group departure. For details of what to do there, use the Auli and Chopta itinerary guide.
Deep-snow escape: Harsil Valley (3 days)
- Day 1: Haridwar or Rishikesh to Uttarkashi, with a stop at Dharasu or Chamba on the way.
- Day 2: Uttarkashi to Harsil and Bagori, with time in the village lanes and by the river.
- Day 3: Optional visit to Mukhba, then return towards Uttarkashi and Rishikesh.
Full tour: Harsil Valley 3 days. Road closures after snowfall are common here, so travel with a buffer day.
How planning a winter trip with us works
- Send your dates and group size. Include the number of adults, children and seniors, and where you will arrive (Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun or Delhi).
- Tell us what you want to see. Snow, skiing, trekking, temples, a honeymoon or a quiet family holiday each lead to a different route.
- We suggest a route and the best week. We also tell you plainly which parts depend on snowfall.
- You get a day-wise plan with hotels, travel time and the main stops.
- We stay in touch during the trip, and we update the plan if a road or the weather changes.
To start, use our contact page.
Which winter trip suits which traveller
| Traveller | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Family with young children | Dhanaulti and Mussoorie | Short drives, easy walks, lower altitude |
| Family with seniors | Haridwar, Rishikesh and Mussoorie | Gentle days, warm hotels, no high altitude |
| Couples and honeymoon | Auli and Chopta, or Kanatal | Views, quiet stays, snow if the season is kind |
| Friends and groups | Auli, Chopta and a short trek | Activity, shared cost |
| First-time trekkers | Deoria Tal, Gorson Bugyal | Easy trails with snow views |
| Photographers | Harsil and Chopta | Frost, deodar forest, mountain light |
| Solo travellers | Group departures | Shared car and cost |
What affects the price of a winter package
Rates are not fixed across the winter. These are the factors that move them:
- Dates. Christmas and New Year weeks cost the most. Early December and late January are cheaper.
- Hotel category. A village homestay and a hotel with a view differ widely.
- Vehicle. A sedan, an SUV or a Tempo Traveller changes the cost per head.
- Number of days and nights at each stop, and whether you add a trek or skiing.
- Group size. Larger groups share the car and lower the cost per person.
Send your dates and we will quote for your group. Prices for the 2026-27 season are not listed on this page.
Winter calendar: when to go for what
| When | What is on |
|---|---|
| Mid to late November | Clear skies, empty trails, the first snow on high peaks. Char Dham temples close. |
| December | Clear views, first snow late in the month, Christmas and New Year crowds. |
| 13 to 15 January | Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Uttarayani. Holy bathing at Haridwar and fairs in the hills. |
| January | Peak snow, ski season starts at Auli, winter treks are at their best. |
| February | Deep snow in the highest places, fewer visitors, sharp mountain views. |
| March | Snow retreats, rhododendrons begin in the lower hills, and Char Dham preparations start. |
The Ardh Kumbh Mela 2027 also takes place in Haridwar early in the year. Read our Kumbh 2027 snan dates and the Kumbh package if you plan to combine it with a hill trip.
Getting to Uttarakhand in winter
- By air: Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun is the closest. Haridwar and Rishikesh are about an hour or a little more by road.
- By train: Haridwar Junction and Dehradun have the best connections from Delhi and other cities. Fog in north India can delay trains between December and January, so do not book a tight onward connection.
- By road: Delhi to Haridwar is typically 5 to 6 hours, but dense fog can slow the highway in the early morning. Start after sunrise in January.
- Pick-up: Tell us your arrival point. We can plan pick-up from Haridwar railway station, Rishikesh, Dehradun or the airport, and an airport or station transfer can be booked separately through our taxi service.
Mistakes to avoid on a winter trip
- Booking only one night at the snow place. One cloudy day ruins it, so book two.
- Packing only a jacket. Layers work better than one thick coat.
- Driving long distances after dark.
- Ignoring altitude. Take it easy on the first day above 2,500 m.
- Expecting snow on the plains or the Char Dham routes in winter.
- Booking Christmas or New Year at the last minute.
Health and safety for winter travel
- Drink water often. Cold air hides how dry you are.
- Carry regular medicines, a basic first-aid kit, lip balm and moisturiser.
- Travellers with heart, lung or blood-pressure problems should check with their doctor before going above 2,500 m.
- Eat light on the first night at altitude and avoid alcohol.
- In a heater-equipped room, keep a window slightly open for air.
