Trekking in India

Trekking is truly a soft-adventure sport, anyone in reasonable physical condition can go trekking. This thrilling sport lets one get close to nature. It is an unscripted experience that has some hidden surprises to admire. This thrilling sport in India offers innumerable opportunities to witness and stay close to serene nature and explore the charm of the geographical diversities of India. Among the most astonishing regions in India containing the most varied topography are the majestic Himalayan Mountains. Over time several new paths and destinations are being witnessed and used for trekking. There are several loved and popular treks that one can easily undertake with the help of several travel agencies. Trekking is truly real-life and not sugarcoated. One encounters natural vistas, meets intriguing people and experiences a diverse culture that only a few know about.

There are several architectural styles one explores during a trek. This thrilling sport helps one to live in the present moment cheers one mood magically decreases anxiety and also helps in memory retention. The trek through the trekking trails is extremely refreshing. Trekking in the beautiful Himalayas is a blend of surprises, enjoyment, adventure and self-realisation.

This adventure not only takes one to experience the unexplored nature trails but also takes one close to heaven’s vibes. What is as good as witnessing the extravagant bounty of nature all at one destination? Be it waterfalls, wildlife serene nature Himalayas have it all. There are some challenging and thrilling Himalayan treks- Auden’s Col Trek- which is meant only for experienced trekkers with high physical fitness. It is a 15-day trek and starts from Gangotri, Kang la trek- another difficult trek of 11 days. There are other treks like- the Pin Parvati Pass trek, Kalindi Khal Expedition, Panpatia Col Trek, and Parang La trek, which is considered to be the most difficult trek of the Himalayas. The experience of trekking in the Himalayas is much more difficult, exhausting, challenging and thrilling in the extreme cold of Himalayan winters. Several regions can be explored from December to February. It is challenging to walk in deep snow, low temperature and extreme climate conditions. Some of the winter treks that are on top are- Kuari Pass, Kedarkantha, Nag Tibba and Brhamtal.

Trekking simply takes you on a journey where you get a chance to explore the serene nature, rich greenery, spectacular variety of trees, beautiful mountains and fabulous meadows. One surely takes back the wow memories and stories that remain with one forever. The best views come after the hardest climb. So trek to capture the marvellous views nature has to offer and cherish the splendid memory for a lifetime.

Trekking in Uttarakhand

The state of Uttarakhand undoubtedly stands proudly due to its majestic mountains standing high fantabulously. There are several peaks in this state that are unknown and unexplored but still settles in the traveller’s heart. Some famed mountain peaks of this beautiful state are- Nanda Devi East- labelled as the bliss-giving goddess of the Garhwal Himalayas is the twin peaks of goddess Nana Devi which beautifully forms a 2km long ridge. It is considered the second-highest mountain in India as it has a soaring height of around 7816 m. Another famed peak is the Trishul which is a cluster of three majestic peaks- Trishul I, II and III. They resemble Trident – the weapon of Lord Shiva. These are nestled in the Kumaon region. Chaukhamba is yet another mountain peak settled in the Gangotri Group of the Garhwal region. This peak is nestled at the fore of the Gangotri glacier and structures the eastern part of the group. Shivling being a holy symbol of Shiva linga is a marvellous mountain and is a part of the Gangotri group nestled at Tapovan. It is set at an elevation of around 6543m above the sea and is considered one sought-after climb in Uttarakhand state. Another pretty mountain peak is the Swargarohini which is set up in the Saraswati range of Garhwal.

These peaks are classified into four different ones where Swargarohini I is the prominent one. The marvellous Bhagirathi peak is another magical peak that is in the Garhwal region that is classified into 3- Bhagirathi I, Bhagirathi II and Bhagirathi III. These peaks stand tall at the height of 6856m, 6512m and 6454m. Another massive peak is the Neelkanth peak which is one of the prominent peaks in the Garhwal region. This peak ascends over the valley of the Alaknanda river. Gaumukh is the treasured glacier which is the source of the Hindu sacred river Ganga and lies about 18 km away from the Gangotri glacier. This glacier is also the source of the Bhagirathi River that conjoins with the Alaknanda river to form the Ganga at Devprayag from where it flows and sweeps into the Bay of Bengal. Kedarnath Peak is another majestic peak of the Gangotri group of peaks and is nestled in the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand. During the winter season with the minimum temperature of 13.4°C, several tourist places in Uttarakhand witnesses snowfall- Mussoorie, Kanatal, Dhanaulti, Auli, Nainital, Chopta, Dayara Bugyal, Mundali, Munsiyar.

These are some places where one can enjoy the heavy snowfall as the hills are all covered with snow and trees wrap themselves in snow-white coats. The roads are camouflaged by thick sheets of snow. One can hence indulge in some snow adventure sports like- skiing, snow trekking, and ice skating in the months of mid-October to mid-March. There are plenty of adventure activities in Uttarakhand for adventure enthusiasts like- paragliding, skiing, white water rafting, but the most loved and most popular activity is trekking among adventure lovers.

The Uttarakhand state of India has numerous options for trekking. It is considered to be one of the best destinations for trekking as it has several fabulous trekking trails. The state is embellished with splendid natural beauty, pristine rivers, majestic hills, snow-capped peaks and rich green forests. This state is divided into two regions- Garhwal and Kumaon. It incredibly offers great opportunities for thrilling adventures. Trekking is such an activity that can be witnessed and enjoyed by several people whether by the locals the adventure seekers or the holiday seekers. Uttarakhand has beautiful trekking trails that offer breathtaking views to the trekkers.

The state has several easy treks with views to die for. Kedarnath Vasuki Tal trek, Chandrashilla, Nagtibba, Valley of Flower trek – trekkers trek to witness the mind-blowing display of wildflowers. It is a 4-5 days trek and monsoon months are considered to be the best time for this trek June to October, Har Ki Dun which offers the fantabulous views of the pristine Tons river valley that is encircled by the highlands and dense woodlands. Spring months of March to June and the post-monsoon months of September to December are considered the best months for this trek, The Brahmtal trek which is a 10-14 days trek is one of the best winter treks and is the opposite of the famous Roopkund trek. It is indeed a paradise for snow enthusiasts. The route of this trek remains covered with snow. One can witness some breathtaking peaks- Nandaghunti, Chowkhamba, Nilkanth, Kamet, Hathi and Ghoda peaks in this trek. Months from December to February are the aptest months for this trek. Ruinsara Tal Trek, Kedar Kantha Trek, Bedni Bugyal Trek, and Dodital Trek are such treks that are surely ideal for beginners.

The two regions Garhwal and Kumaon are home to some marvellous moderate treks for those who want to polish their skills and explore the unspoiled beauty of the state. Some moderate treks beautifully lead to pilgrimage sites such as Madhyamaheshwar, which is gorgeously tucked away in the distant meadow. Then there is the Kedartal trek which is a good 7-day trek and is located in the Gangotri area of Garhwal Himalayas. The best months for this trek are between May to June and September to October. Another best-ranked trek is the Rupin Pass trek which is an 8-day trek and the months that are considered apt for this trek are between May to June and the post-months of September to October. Get a chance to make your trek worthwhile by opting for this beautiful trek – Kedarkantha trek which offers one the stunning 360-degree spectacular view of numerous views of majestic mountain peaks in Kedarkantha. It is indeed a magical 5-day trek.

Witness the wildlife in the popular Govind Wildlife Sanctuary as the Bali Pass trek trail falls inside this famed sanctuary. Get a splendid view of the pristine rives of Tons and Siyan Gad through conifer woodlands, and eventually reach the magical lake of Ruinsara Tal and get a picturesque view of Bandarpoonch, Kalang and Swargarohini peaks. This trek is for 9 days and May to June and post-monsoon months- September to October are considered the most apt months for this thrilling trek. Witness the beautiful Satopanth Tal a splendid glacial lake whose prettiness is heightened by the soaring snow-garbed foothills- Neelkanth, Satopanth, Chaukhamba I and Balak. It is an 8-day trek and the months- June, September, and October are considered the aptest times for this trek. Several other treks lead to lofty glaciers and high-altitude mountain passes like- Milam and Kuari Pass. For the seasoned trekkers, The state of Uttarakhand opens its treasure trove and invites the trekkers to a mind-blowing experience of exploration. Some difficult treks that this state challenges are- the Panch Kedar Trek, Nanda Devi Trek, Om Parvat Trek and Auden Col Trek which is 16 days long and commences from Gangotri.

During this trek, the trekkers encounter the majestic glaciers, moraines, narrow cliffs and now ridges and thus demand high fitness. Summer and post-monsoon May to October are considered apt for this trek. The treks may be difficult in terms of their steep route and long distance but they do magically add to an achievement that can be celebrated and cherished for a lifetime.

Trekking in Himachal

Enriched with unmatchable beauty Himachal Pradesh is surely impeccable. The tranquil valleys and the marvellous hills offer pristine pictures of nature’s best. The pleasant climate and the rich culture immensely add to the prettiness of this fabulous state. Himachal witnesses snowfall in several regions between October to February, with temperatures ranging from 0° to 13°C. There are rich green hills, and snow-capped peak mountains that add to the surreal vistas of Himachal Pradesh. The state Himachal boasts ranges of lesser Himalayas- the greater Himalayas and Trans-Himalayas between 3000 to 7000m. A few of them are ideal for mountain climbing and for trekking too. The high peaks are mostly nestled in the Kullu, Kinnaur Lahaul and Spiti regions.

The highest peak in Himachal is the 7025m tall Shilla Peak gracing the Kinnaur district with its presence. Reo Purgyil is the second-highest peak of Himachal with a height of 6816m and is located in Kinnaur. The splendid Lahaul and Spiti Valley have the highest mountain peak- Gya which is 6794 tall. Chamba too has the tallest peak- Menthosa. The district Kullu is witnessed with Dibibokri Pyramid which is the highest mountain. The majestic peak- Chanshal Peak is seen in Shimla district at 4520m and boasts being the tallest. The Manali district-Patalsu and Hanuman Tibba in Kangra district witness the highest peaks. The famed mountain peaks for climbing in Himachal are Patalsu Peak, Shitidhar Peak, Friendship Peak, Seven sisters, Hanuman Tibba, Papsura and Deo Tibba. Himachal is home to several thrilling and adventurous activities. It is a paradise for adventure lovers. Activities like- river rafting, mountain cycling, ice skating, paragliding, angling, skiing, vehicle safari, mountaineering, rock climbing and trekking are great and fascinating experiences to enjoy when in Himachal.

Like its neighbouring states- Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir this splendid state- Himachal offers several trekking trails that differ in their level of difficulty ranging from easy to arduous. Some of the easiest treks that allow beginners to go beyond the usual are- The Indrahar Pass trek, and the Chandratal trek - which is a 13-day trek which attracts trekkers with its rambling landscapes at different altitudes, this lake is nestled in the middle of the Spiti valley on the Samudra Tapu plateau. The months considered best for this trek are between mid-June to mid-October,  

Then there is another famous trek- Kareri Lake trek which is a 7-day trek that starts from Mcleodganj and ends at Kareri Lake. During this trek, trekkers encounter several vintage landmarks, that provide great views of the neighbouring mountains and valleys. Go for this trek in the months starting from April to December which is seen to be the best months for this thrilling trek, Beas Kund trek- Beas Kund is considered the holy lake situated in the Kullu Valley and is the source of river Beas. It is a 6-day trek and is commenced in June to mid-October.  

Kinnaur Kailash trek and Manimahesh Kailash trek take the trekkers through beautiful meadows, marvellous mountains and some spectacular villages of Himachal. Then there is Charang Valley trek which is a good 13 days trek and is categorized under moderate with the highest altitude point of 5242m. There is another moderate-grade trek- Deo Tibba trek which is a good 12-day trek that truly fascinates the trekkers with the spectacular views of snow-capped peaks which gives such a memorable experience for a lifetime. Through this trek, trekkers cross many remote villages and valleys- Panduropa, Setan, Hampta Pass, Chhika, and many other astonishing valleys. June to mid-October is considered apt for this trek.

The thrilling sport in Himachal has more to it, the hard treks- pressed on altitude, climate and unmetalled roads often lead to fantabulous views and locations. Hampta Pass trek is the ideal trek for all those who love mountains and carry out a thrilling adventure in the lap of the Himalayas. The trek commences from the picturesque spot of Manali and takes the trekker through distinct and pretty places like Chikka. Trekkers thoroughly enjoy the views of massive Rhododendron, Oak and Pine trees. This trek is a good 9 days and is best considered in June to October, Chandratal Baralacha trek,  Dharamshala Nayagaon Trek is another famed trek that is 10 days and is best in the months from June to October. During this trek one passes and cross streams and rivers and witness the marvellous waterfalls. Shepherd Trail Gaddi Trek, Pin Parvati Pass trek which is of 16 days and is counted amongst the most thrilling and challenging trails in the country. This trek is a mixture of high gradients, gradual ascents and fantabulous views of mountains and pretty passes.

It commences from Manali and encompasses visiting Manikaran, Barsheni, Tunda Bhuj, Thakur Kuan, Odi Thach and Mantalai. This trek is best considered in the months from July to September, Friendship Peak trek that is located at an elevation of about 5289 metres in the Pir Panjal range in Himachal is one of the popular summits for trekking in the Indian Himalayan region. This trek starts from the Solang Valley. May to September is the apt time for this trek. These are some famous and excellent anecdote for trekking vacation in Himachal with Manali as the common base camp. Trekking is the most amazing thing one can do. The rougher the road, the harder the climb, the more one gets lost, dirtier the trail, one is surely going to discover a part of one that one never knew existed.