The wide stretch of 2400 km of Himalayan ranges presents numerous opportunities for India to be an adventure tourism hub. Some have been developed, but a lot is about to come. Out of all the adventure activities, trekking is gaining huge popularity. People from India and abroad are taking great interest in trekking in India. Today I am going to share some of the most amazing trekking destinations with you in this blog, which are equally rewarding and thrilling. It’s very tough to select a few treks among the many wonderful treks available throughout the Himalayan ranges.
From the view of the sleeping Buddha on Mt. Kunchunjunga from the Sandakphu trek to walking on a thin sheet of ice on the Chadar trek to experiencing a breathtaking 360-degree view of snow-covered mountains and deep valleys from Kedarkantha peak, All the treks are unique in their form. Read this article before going on your next trek.
1. Vasuki Tal Trek
- Duration: 9 days or 8 nights
- Starting Point: Gangotri
- Region: Uttarakhand
- Best Time: May to June and September to October
- Difficulty: Difficult
Located at an altitude of 4880 meters (16010 feet) above sea level in Uttarakhand, This thrilling trek involves crossing many glaciers and rivers, camping at Mt. Shivlinga, and taking in the breathtaking view of Mt. Chaukhambha peaks from the summit. This trek starts from Gangotri and passes through the origin point of the Ganga, i.e., Tapovan, or you can say this is an extension of the Gangotri Tapovan Trek. The landscape all along the trek will keep on varying, from lush green forests to barren land to chilling glaciers. This trek is one of the most amazing, with almost everything one trek should have.
If you have less time or don’t want to go on a tough trek, you can still experience the beautiful view of Chaukhambha peaks. Vasuki Tal trek can also be done with the Kedarnath Yatra, as Vasuki Tal is located just 5 km from the temple.
2. Kedarkantha Trek
- Duration: 5 days or 4 nights
- Starting Point: Sankri
- Region: Uttarakhand
- Best Time: November to February
- Difficulty: Moderate
Another gem of the Himalayan ranges located in Uttarakhand is the Kedarkantha trek. Loved by millions of adventure enthusiasts, the Kedarkantha trek is located at an altitude of 3810 m (12500 feet) in Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and is most famous for its 360-degree view of snow-capped mountain peaks and deep valleys.
Starting from the hamlet of Sankri, this 20-km trek is done in 3 days. The route of the Kedarkantha Trek will take you through the dense alpine forest with wide clearings to the snow-covered meadow. The trail of the Kedarkantha trek is steep and will get a bit technical once you get closer to the summit.
3. Har Ki Dun Trek:
- Duration: 7 days or 6 nights
- Starting Point: Sankri
- Region: Uttarakhand
- Best Time: April to June and September to November.
- Difficulty: Moderate
The literal meaning of Har-ki– dun is the valley of God. The beauty all around the trek and the marvelous view of Swargarohini Peak from Har Ki Dun make it one of the most favorite treks in India. Located at an altitude of 3500 meters (11482 feet) above sea level on the western side of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarkashi district.
The Har-ki-dun trek also starts in Sankri village and will take you through dense pine forests and alpine meadows, with some of the most beautiful waterfalls and river crossings, which take the adventure to the next level. This trek can also be done in the winter season, and the snow-covered trails of the Har-ki-dun trek with their beautiful views and sprinkling of powder snow make for a mesmerizing experience. As per the holy scriptures and folklore, it is also said that this is the same route taken by the Pandavas before going to heaven through Swargarohini Peak.
4. Chadar Trek:
- Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
- Starting Point: Leh
- Region: Ladakh
- Best Time: November to February.
- Difficulty: Difficult
Have you ever imagined what it feels like to walk on a thick sheet of snow? Yes, you heard right; the Chadar trek is the only trek in India that allows you to walk on the frozen river. This dream trek is located in Leh-Ladakh at an altitude of 11,100 feet above sea level. This trek is remarkably beautiful but graded as one of the toughest treks in India, with lots of risks involved, as the average temperature during the day is minus 8 degrees Celsius, and during the night it may fall to minus 25 or 26 degrees Celsius.
So you need to be both physically and mentally fit to complete this trek. Starting from Leh, the trails of the Chadar trek will extend on the frozen lakes, providing a vibrant experience of raw culture in some of the quaint villages present en route. In addition to the frozen river, Nerak waterfall is another point of attraction where one can see the frozen waterfall, which turns into ice while falling.
5. Kashmir Great Lake Trek:
- Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
- Starting Point: Sonmarg
- Region:- Kashmir
- Best Time July to September
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Kashmir Great Lake Trek is a heaven in heaven. This amazing trek in Kashmir is located at an altitude of 4191 m (13750 feet) above sea level. Total trekking distance of 72 km, which will be covered in 8 days. Each day will be a new experience. Virgin beauty all around the trek, with lush green meadows and snow-clad mountain peaks, makes a perfect picture to admire. The beautiful landscape all around the trek is very beautiful, making this trek a lifetime experience. Although it’s a tough trek with lengthy and tedious trekking trails, which can challenge your physical and mental strength multiple times, completing this trek successfully is equally rewarding.
6. Hampta Pass Trek:
- Duration: 5 days or 4 nights
- Starting Point: Manali
- Region: Himachal Pradesh
- Best Time: July to August
- Difficulty: Easy
Located at an altitude of 14000 feet above sea level in Himachal Pradesh, this is one of the most beautiful trails in India. With vibrant colors of flowers and continuously changing landscapes from lush green forests to Ardi mountains, Hampta Pass Trek is one of the most visited trekking destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Although categorized as an easy trek, complexity may increase as you get closer to the pass. But the rewarding landscape and breathtaking view all around the summit of this trek will make your effort worth it. The series of waterfalls, hanging glaciers, and crescent-shaped Chandratal Lake are some of the most amazing parts of this trek, which make it one of its kind and one of the favorite places for adventure and nature lovers.
7. Sandakphu Trek:
- Duration: 7 days or 6 nights
- Starting Point: New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP)
- Region: West Bengal
- Best Time: April to June and September to November.
- Difficulty: Moderate
Known for the most panoramic view of some of the world’s highest peaks, India. Mt. Kanchenjunga and the view of the sleeping Buddha (a personification of a cluster of Himalayan peaks in series) all along the trekking route, with a river of clouds seen from the summit of Sandakphu, make it one of the most wonderful treks in India. Some other highest peaks, like Mt. Makalu and Lotse, are like cherries on top and provide the most beautiful view of the Himalayan ranges. It’s located at an altitude of 11,930 feet above sea level in West Bengal, but its trails will keep juggling between the borders of India and Nepal. Some of the rarest species, like red pandas, leopards, and Himalayan bears, can also be spotted in some regions of this trek. This trek will give you a perfect blend of Indian and Nepalese culture.
The spectacular view during sunrise and sunset is the specialty of this trek. The combination of shining Himalayan peaks with a river of clouds and dark orange sun hiding behind the Himalayan peaks can only be seen in this trek and cannot be found anywhere else.
Conclusion:
Each trek is unique and comes with its specialties. On some treks, we get a beautiful view, while on others, we observe some rare cultures and traditions, vibrant-coloured flowers, or never-ending wide stretches of lush green meadows. Each trek tells a different story in its language. It’s time to tune in to a particular vibration and enjoy the originality of the trek. The selection of your next trek will depend on your preferences and personal tastes. Whether you want solitude, a beautiful landscape, or raw Himalayan or Nepalese culture, the Selection for the best trek will vary accordingly.
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