9 Best Destinations For Trekking In India

Introduction

When you leave your city views behind for the mountains, you’ll experience a special feeling. The mountains had a different vibe, and the call of the mountains is extremely strong; nowhere did this feel more deeply than in India. From snow-covered to green, lush rolling hills, India has a trek for all types of trekkers.

This guide will help you to know more about the most famous and rewarding trek in India. Whether you are a starter or have some experience, or an experienced trekker who is looking for challenges, your next journey starts here.

Here are nine trails that offer not just great views but memories that will last a lifetime.

Triund Laka glacier Trek, Himachal Pradesh: For Beginners or Experienced

• Location: Near McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Best Time to Visit: September to March
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Distance: 13 Km

The trek to Triund top and Laka glacier is perfect for those who are stepping out for the first time as a trekker. This is a short trail which is 13 Km long one way, which we can cover in 2 days and 1 night with a night stay at Triund top. This trail will take you through the beautiful Laka glacier and a mesmerising view of the Dhaula Dhar ranges. This is the only trek in India which can give you access to the glacier region with such a small but picturesque trekking trail. During the Laka glacier trek via Triund top, you can also experience the view of the Kangra valley filled with tiny houses, beautifully decorated with colourful Buddhist flags. It’s the perfect weekend trek for beginners or experienced which can be done in 2- 3 days.

Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand: The art of Nature

• Location: Chamoli District
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Best Time to Visit: July to early September
• Duration: 4-6 days

The garden of Uttarakhand, Valley of Flowers- this place is very special because the Valley of Flowers is counted among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. During the monsoon season, the valley of flowers becomes a blanket for thousands of flowers. Walking through the valley of flowers will make you feel fresh. The air is filled with a sweet fragrance, and the landscape is painted with vibrant hues from over 300 species of alpine flowers, like the rare Blue Poppy and the sacred Brahma Kamal. The Pushpawati River gracefully cuts through this floral expanse, its path set against a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped Himalayan peaks. This trekker's paradise offers a surreal escape, where the symphony of colours and the purity of the mountain air rejuvenate the soul, making it a truly magical destination for nature lovers and adventurers alike. In addition to Trekking to Valley of Flowers you can also visit Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, which is the highest Gurudwara of India dedicated to 10th sikh guru, Shree Govind Singh Ji.

Kedarnath Trek, Uttarakhand: A journey to Salvation

• Location: Rudraprayag District
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time to Visit: May to June & September to October
• Duration: 3-4 days (from Rishikesh/Haridwar)

The trek to the Kedarnath temple is more than just a trek; it’s a spiritual journey. Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and has its own rich history connected to the Mahabharata, which makes it more important for Hinduism. Also, this temple is an integral part of sacred 12 Jyotrilingas of India, Panch Kedar, Do Dham Yatra and Char Dham Yatra. Visiting Kedarnath is the dream of thousands of people because the Kedarnath Temple of lord shiva has a different place in their devotees' hearts. It's a perfect mix of adventure and faith that many dreamers want to experience.

Hampta Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh: A Trek with a Big Change of Scenery

• Location: Near Manali
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time to Visit: June to September
• Duration: 4-5 days

The Hampta Pass trek is famous for its surprise ending. For the first few days, you walk through the green valleys of Kullu. You’ll see forests, green fields with sheep and camp beside small rivers. Everything is colourful and full of life. Then comes the day you cross the pass. As you climb to the top, the view changes completely. Suddenly, you are looking down into the Lahaul valley, a world of brown mountains and empty spaces. It feels like you have landed on a different planet. This sudden change in scenery is truly amazing.

Brahmatal Trek, Uttarakhand: A Winter Trek

• Location: Near Lohajung village
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time to Visit: December to March
• Duration: 6 days

Do you know there is a place in Uttarakhand, where lord Brahma had meditated? Just think of the beauty of that place, which even the creator of this universe had selected to do meditation. Nowadays, it’s a trekker's dream destination and is famous for winter trekking. If you want to walk in a beautiful, snowy place, this trek is for you. Trekking trails of Brahmatal Lake mostly remain covered in clean snow in winter, and you can also expect fresh snowfall during your trek. In fact, in the peak season, this region experiences a snowfall of up to 6 to 8 feet daily. You’ll see two frozen lakes (Brahmatal and Bekaltal) during your trek in the high mountains with clear views of giant snow mountains like Mt. Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. For the Brahmatal trek package details, you can contact our customer care executive on 931105223.

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Jammu & Kashmir: A Place Like Heaven on Earth

• Location: Near Sonamarg
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Best Time to Visit: July to September
• Duration: 7-8 days

This is called the most beautiful trek in India, and for a good reason. It’s like walking through a series of beautiful wallpapers that come to life. Every day you cross a mountain pass and find a new valley with its lake. You’ll visit at least 7 lakes, including twin lakes Vishansar and Krishansar, each with its shade of blue and green. The crystal clear waters reflect the snow-capped mountains and green meadows around them; you can’t believe it’s real.

Goecha La Trek, Sikkim: Meeting Kanchenjunga Mountain

• Location: West Sikkim, starting from Yuksom
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Best Time to Visit: April to May & September to November
• Duration: 9-10 days

This is a big trek that takes you right up to the foot of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The trek starts in the old town of Yuksom and takes you through the Kanchenjunga National Park, famous for its rhododendron forests in spring. The highlight is camping by the beautiful Samiti Lake, whose waters are so calm they reflect the surrounding peaks. But the ultimate reward is Goecha La. Seeing the first light of the sun on the massive wall of Kanchenjunga, the 3rd-highest mountain in the world, is a moment that will leave you awestruck and etched in your memory forever.

Bali Pass Trek, Uttarakhand: A Big Mountain Challenge

• Location: Govind Wildlife Sanctuary
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Best Time to Visit: May to June & September to October
• Duration: 8-9 days

For experienced trekkers looking for a real challenge, the Bali Pass is a big adventure. This tough trek takes you through the beautiful and unexplored Ruinsara Valley, where you can visit the lovely Ruinsara Lake. The trek is a real test of your strength, especially the final steep climb to the high pass, which is often covered in snow. The feeling of standing on top with views of Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch is your reward. Finishing this tough trek gives you a special feeling of accomplishment that you can only get from a big mountain challenge.

Chadar Trek, Ladakh: Walking on a Frozen River

• Location: Zanskar River, Ladakh
• Duration: 8-9 days
• Last but not least, the gem of the trekking world is the Chadar trek, famous for walking on the frozen river, which is the Zanskar river in -15° to -30°C or more. This trek is 62 km long and requires mental and physical fitness. This trek is not for beginners, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Getting Ready for Your Trek: A Quick Checklist

Starting a trek means you need to prepare yourself as well as possible.

Being Fit: Being fit is very important before starting a trek. To train yourself for being fit, then do exercises that will help you to make your heart and lungs stronger to inhale in high altitude, so you can do exercises like running or cycling for your heart and lungs. Also, train your body to get more strength, do strength exercises for your legs to help you go up and down hills. For high-altitude treks, you absolutely must give your body time to get used to the thin air.

Essential Gear: Your gear is what saves your life. Essential items are:

• Good waterproof trekking shoes that support your ankles.
• A comfortable backpack.
• Multi-layered clothes which will help you to keep your body warm, like Inner warm clothes, fleece jacket, warm puffy jacket and waterproof outer jackets.
• Don’t forget to have trekking poles to help you balance during trekking
• Headlamp, first aid kit and personal medicines.
• Sun protection gear (hat, sunglasses and sunscreen).

Permits and Guides: For many treks, you need official permission. It’s always good to go with a trusted trekking company. They take care of all the planning and, most importantly, they keep you safe.

Trekking the Right Way: Leave No Trace

The mountains are beautiful and untouched, and we need to keep them always beautiful and untouched. Follow these simple rules:

• Take Your Trash Back: Carry all your garbage back with you.
• Don’t Bother Animals: Watch animals from a distance and never feed them anything.
• Leave What You Find: Don’t take rocks, flowers or anything else from nature.
• Be Respectful: Be nice to the locals, guides and helpers.

Conclusion: The Mountains are Calling

India has many treks to offer. These nine are more than just walks; they are adventures, self-discovery and a deep connection with nature. They will test you and make you feel peaceful inside. So, if you are a beginner or experienced, never miss a chance to go on a trip to the mountains, an experience once in your life, because you are born for this.

FAQs

1. Which is the best trek in India?

Here are some of the best treks in India, which offer a unique experience; some are challenging, some offer beautiful views of nature and flowers valleys. India offers a variety of treks; it depends on your preference. The well-known best treks in India are:

• Goechala

• Valley of Flowers

• Rupin Pass

• Hampta Pass

• Kedarkantha 

• Har Ki Dun

2. Which trek is hardest in India?

Kalindi Khal trek in Uttarakhand, connecting Gangotri and Badrinath, is considered by many to be one of the hardest treks in India, which requires high strength, stamina, experience, and practice. The high altitude, extreme cold weather, and rugged terrain make the trek challenging.

3. Which state is famous for trekking in India?

The Indian states, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, are both well-known for trekking and hiking, and offer the most scenic treks, from easy to the most challenging ones. Uttarakhand boasts treks like Kedarkantha, Dayara Bugyal, and the stunning Valley of Flowers, while Himachal Pradesh serves the famous Triund trek, Bhrigu Lake, and more.

4. What are the top 10 mountains in India?

Here is the list of the top 10 mountain peaks in India:

• Kangchenjunga–  8,586 m (28,169 ft) –  Sikkim

• Nanda Devi–  7,816 m (25,643 ft) –  Uttarakhand

• Kamet–  7,756 m (25,446 ft) – Uttarakhand

• Saltoro Kangri– 7,742 m (25,400 ft) – Ladakh

• Saser Kangri– 7,672 m (25,171 ft) – Ladakh

• Mamostong Kangri– 7,516 m (24,659 ft) – Ladakh

• Rimo I– 7,385 m (24,229 ft) – Ladakh

• Hardeol– 7,151 m (23,461 ft) – Uttarakhand

• Chaukhamba– 7,138 m (23,419 ft) – Uttarakhand

• Trishul– 7,120 m (23,392 ft) – Uttarakhand

5. Which is the coldest trek in India?

The Chadar trek in Ladakh, India, is considered the coldest trek in India, where trekkers walk on the frozen Zanskar River during the winter season from December to February, with temperatures dropping to extreme lows -20°C to -30°C, offering an intense, unique experience but challenging.

6. Which is the biggest trek in India?

The biggest trek is considered with distance and difficulty.  The Darma Valley trek in Uttarakhand and the Tantse Gompa Trek in Ladakh are considered the biggest treks in India.

• Darma Valley trek 136.5 km

• Tantse Gompa Trek 121.5 km

7. Which is the most beautiful mountain in India?

This is difficult to find the most beautiful mountain in India, when there are many, but the most admired peak is Kanchenjunga, the highest peak in India. The magical sunrise here embraces the beauty of this mountain. Then the Sinolchu mountain is considered the most perfect peak.

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