Trekking in India is not only a physical journey but also a spiritual one too. Here are some of the best treks we have chosen from across the length and breadth of India.
2. RoopKund Trek - The Mystery Lake
Roopkund, or Mystery Lake is a high altitude
glacial lake situated in Uttarakhand which is
famous because of the hundreds of human
skeletons, dating back to 9th century B.C.
found at the edge of the lake which are
visible when the snow melts. Surrounded by
snow capped mountain ranges on all the
sides, with rivers flowing by the side and
miles of meadows, Roopkund trek is an
enjoyable experience.
Duration: 7 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
Ideal Time: Mid-May to June end, Mid-Sept
to Oct.
Region: Uttarakhand
3. Markha Valley Trek - The 'Tea House' Trek
Situated in Ladakh, passing through
beautiful Buddhist monasteries, villages and
high altitude pastures, Markha Valley trek is
one of the most famous treks of this region.
The valley runs parallel to the Himalayan
mountain range and has some of the most
scenic barren landscapes making it the
most sought after trek in the region.
Accommodation is available in most villages
in tents and huts giving it the ‘tea house’
trek name.
Duration: 5 to 7 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate (from Chilling),
Difficult(from Stok)
Ideal Time: Mid-June to mid-October
Region: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
4. The Frozen River Trek - Chadar Trek
Chadar trek, the most glamorous treks
of Ladakh, with cold water flowing just
few inches below the frozen Chadar
river under you feet, is also one of the
toughest treks in the world. It is a winter
trek where the harsh terrain and bone
chilling cold will pump up the adrenaline
to another level.
Duration: 10 to 18 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
Ideal Time: Mid-Jan to End-Feb
Region: Ladakh/Zanskar, Jammu &
Kashmir
5. Stok Kangri Trek - A Mighty Six Thousand-er
Stok Kangri is comparatively easier of
the six thousand-er peaks but is still
no cake walk and requires proper
acclimatization. Stok Kangri in Ladakh
is the highest trekable summit in India
(20,182 feet/6,153 mts). Snowy areas,
narrow rivers and scenic valleys, Stok
Kangri has it all to offer to the
adventurers.
Duration: 5 to 8 days
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Ideal Time: Mid-July to end-
September. Oct is also possible.
Region: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
6. Kuari Pass Trek - The Lord Curzon's Trail
The alpine meadow of Kuari Pass trek are one
of the few treks in the Himalayas which are
accessible even in winters. A moderately
difficult trek, Kuari Pass trek offers the
breathtaking view of the enchanting
Himalayan mountain range including
mountains like Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, Kamet
and many more.
Duration: 6 to 9 days
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Ideal Time: Apr-June, Sept-Nov. Winter trek is
also done.
Region: Uttarakhand
7. Gangotri - Gaumukh - Tapoban Trek - The
Gateway to Heaven
Along the holy river Bhagirathi, the trek
takes you all the way up to the mouth of
the river, popularly known
as Gaumukh which is situated at the base
of the Gangotri glacier. This trek is best
recommended for nature lovers who like a
bit of adventure like rock-climbing,
boulder-hopping and glacier-traversing.
Duration: 5 to 7 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ideal Time: April to mid-June, mid-Aug. to
Sep.
Region: Uttarakhand
8. Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Trek - The
Enchanting Landscape
Situated in the Nanda Devi Bio
Reserve, one of the national parks of
India, Valley of Flowers leaves you
intoxicated by the heavy scent of the
flowers on the valley floor. July and
August are the best times to undertake
this trek as flowers are in their full
bloom during that time. The holy lake
of Hemkund is an important pilgrimage
of Sikhs and Hindus and lies near the
Valley of Flowers.
Duration: 5 to 8 days
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ideal Time: July, Aug & Sept.
Region: Uttarakhand
9. Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek - To The
Forbidden Mountain The second highest mountain peak in
India, Nanda Devi is one of the highest
peaks of the Himalayan mountain range.
Considered one of the hardest peak to
conquer, June to September is the ideal
time to visit it. Ever since the closure of
Nanda Devi Inner sanctuary region,
Nanda Devi East Base Camp is the closest
one can get to witnessing the beauty of
the Nanda Devi. Nanda Devi Bio
Reserve is the most spectacular
wilderness areas in the Himalayas.
Duration: 12 to 20 days
Difficulty Level: Medium to Difficult
Ideal Time: Mid-June to end-Sept.
Region: Uttarakhand
10. Har ki Doon Trek - The Valley of Gods
Also known as Valley of God, Har ki
Doon valley situated below Fateh
Parvat, is one of the most beautiful
valleys in Western Himalayas. At a
height of 3566 mts, Har ki Doon offers
rich variety of flora and fauna with
breathtaking meadows and beautiful
glacier basins in middle of mountain
peaks.
Duration: 5 days
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Ideal Time: Mid-May to June, Sept to
Oct.
Region: Uttarakhand
11. Pindari Glacier Trek - Soul of Kumaon
Situated in the upper reaches of
Kumaon Himalayas and surrounded by
snowcapped peaks, Pindari Glacier is a
90 km round trip trek which could be
comfortably completed in 6 days. Lying
at the southern end of the Nanda Devi
Sanctuary nestled between the Nanda
Devi and Nandakot mountains, Pindari
Glacier offers breathtaking scenic
beauty which is beyond words and also
one of the most easily accessible
glaciers.
Duration: 8 to 10 days
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Ideal Time: April to November (except
monsoon season)
Region: Uttarakhand
12. Pin Parvati Valley Trek – Land of Ibex and
Snow Leopards
A 100 km trans Himalayan trail with
the highest point at an altitude of 5319
mts, is a great adrenaline booster for
seasoned trekkers. The amazing trek
has some of the most spectacular
sceneries and mind-blowing
landscapes which change as you move
from Kullu to Spiti.
Duration: 9 to 12 days
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Ideal Time: May to September (Except
Monsoon season)
Region: Himachal Pradesh
13. Kinner Kailash Circuit Trek - Abode of Lord
Shiva
The 79 feet vertical rock in the Kinner
Kailash mountain range, one of the
mythical abodes of Lord Shiva is one of
the finest adventures in Himachal
Pradesh. Considered sacred by both
the Hindus and the Buddhists, this trek
is considered one of the toughest in
Himachal Pradesh.
Duration: 9 to 12 days
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Ideal Time: End-June to October
Region: Himachal Pradesh
14. Goecha La Trek - The Romantic Trek
The mountain pass in Sikkim at a
height of 16,207 ft, Goecha La pass
also serves as the base camp for those
who aspire to scale the world’s third
highest peak, the Kanchenjunga
mountain. With the trail passing
through forests and meadows, Goecha
La Trek is also one of the most
romantic treks in the Himalayas.
Duration: 8 to 12 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
Ideal Time: End-April to end-Juned;
Mid-Sept to end-Oct.
Region: Sikkim, North East India
15. Rupin Pass Trek - A walk in Heaven
Rupin Pass Trek is a high altitude trek
across the Himalayas starting
in Uttarakhand and ending in Himachal
Pradesh. This is not an easy trek
especially if taken up early in the
season when most of route is covered
by snow and ice. Also since some
sections of trek are steep, all the trek
gears have to be carried by yourself or
porters.
Duration: 5 to 8 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
Ideal Time: Mid-May to June,
Sept to Oct.
Region: Uttarakhand & Himachal
Pradesh
16. Nag Tibba Trek - To Serpent's Peak
This trek can be done throughout the
winter season when most of the treks
in higher Himalayan ranges are closed.
Trek passes through dense deodar
forest and provides stunning views of
high Himalayan peaks such as
Bandarpoonch peak.
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ideal Time: End-April to Oct; Jan to
mid-March for a Winter trek in snow.
Region: Uttarakhand
17. Khatling Glacier Trek - To The Auden's Col
The Khatling Glacier trial along the
Bhilangana river valley is one of the
most scenic treks making it a
photographer’s delight owing to the
stunning landscapes, snowcapped
mountains and hanging glaciers. This
moderately difficult trek is as alluring
as it is spectacular.
Duration: 8 to 10 days
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Ideal Time: Apr to May & Sep to Oct.
Region: Uttarakhand
18. Milam Glacier Trek - Jewel of Kumaon
One of the major glaciers in the
Kumaon mountain range, Milam
Glacier trek is along the base of the
mountain Nanda Devi at an elevation
ranging from 18000 ft to about 12700
ft at its snout. Passing through forests,
waterfalls, villages and streams, this
trek is a great way to explore
Uttarakhand.
Duration: 8 to 12 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ideal Time: May to June & Sept to Oct.
Region: Uttarakhand
19. Kodachadri Trek
Situated at an elevation of 1343 mts in
the Western Ghats, Kodachadri is one
of the best known trekking
destinations in South India. The view
of sunrise and sunset from the peak is
breathtaking.
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ideal Time: Oct to Feb.
Region: Karnataka
20. Kudremukh Trek - Trek to 'Horse face'
Kudremukh, meaning horse-face, is a 6
km uphill trek in Chikmangalur district
of Karnataka. Trekking is permitted in
Kudremukh only from 6 am to 5 pm
and make sure you have necessary
permissions from the forest officials.
Duration: 1 to 2 days
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ideal Time: Oct to Feb
Region: Karnataka
21. Kumara Parvatha Trek - The Hill So Green
Kumara Parvatha is the second highest
peak in Coorg in Karnataka, Kumara
Parvatha trek is considered one of the
toughest treks in South India. But the
exhilarating view of the forest from the
top makes this trek worth it.
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ideal Time: Sept to Feb
Region: Karnataka
22. Photographic Attribution
• Thank you all for your contributions!
• RoopKund Trek - The Mystery Lake: www.flickr.com/photos/125281656@N05/14798915772
• Markha Valley Trek - The 'Tea House' Trek : www.flickr.com/photos/magda-maciek/3997329666
• The Frozen River Trek - Chadar Trek: www.flickr.com/photos/parthachowdhuryphotography/8478125992
• Stok Kangri Trek - A Mighty Six Thousand-er: www.flickr.com/photos/albertotto/9727512343
• Kuari Pass Trek - The Lord Curzon's Trail: www.flickr.com/photos/rickmccharles/10514114883
• Gangotri - Gaumukh - Tapoban Trek - The Gateway to Heaven: www.flickr.com/photos/lenchik/197134993
• Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Trek - The Enchanting Landscape: www.flickr.com/photos/mbukhari/7659974668
• Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek - To The Forbidden Mountain: www.flickr.com/photos/96800334@N04/14529524552
• Har ki Doon Trek - The Valley of Gods: www.flickr.com/photos/paulhami/14803023184
• Pindari Glacier Trek - Soul of Kumaon: www.flickr.com/photos/laura7581/14245355657
• Pin Parvati Valley Trek – Land of Ibex and Snow Leopards: www.flickr.com/photos/ajayb/1483128974
• Kinner Kailash Circuit Trek - Abode of Lord Shiva: www.flickr.com/photos/kartz/244850016
• Goecha La Trek - The Romantic Trek: www.flickr.com/photos/wink/210228746
• Rupin Pass Trek - A walk in Heaven: www.flickr.com/photos/ajayb/2667243349
• Nag Tibba Trek - To Serpent's Peak: www.flickr.com/photos/paulhami/5284625094
• Khatling Glacier Trek - To The Auden's Col: www.flickr.com/photos/niranjansrinivas/2153951361
• Milam Glacier Trek - Jewel of Kumaon: www.flickr.com/photos/aditipany/3417400003
• Kodachadri Trek: www.flickr.com/photos/ubshreenath/2312561270
• Kudremukh Trek - Trek to 'Horse face': www.flickr.com/photos/rahulr/4070388860
• Kumara Parvatha Trek - The Hill So Green: www.flickr.com/photos/zoomie999/9417956292
Editor's Notes
From the snow capped mountain ranges of Himalayas to rough glaciers to frozen rivers to delightfully colourful valleys of flowers. Indian landscape has some of the most amazing treks which could accommodate varied degrees of difficulty. Trekking in India is not only a physical journey but also a spiritual one too. Here are some of the best treks we have chosen from across the length and breadth of India: