Check Out The 7 Best Trekking Destinations in India

They say that “the best view comes after the hardest climb”. Well, we are lucky that India houses some of the best trekking destinations in the world. In fact, the enormous Indian Himalayan ranges are a boon for each and every trekker. The entire stretch offers a wide range of varied landscapes and makes India one of the best trekking destinations.

Every experience is unique in its own right. The Himalayan range in the Ladakh region makes you want to believe in all things pure. The frozen Zanskar river has the power to put each one of us in awe. The Himalayan range in the Sikkim region offers the surreal views of the Mt. Kanchenjunga.

So if you are an avid trekker or just an amateur, check out this list of seven best trekking destinations in India.

1. Kanchenjunga Base Trek

Kanchenjunga Base Trek is one of the best trekking destinations in India. The trek is at a height of approximately 4,900 meters and takes about 10 days to complete the entire trek. This trek begins at Yuksom, a quaint village in West Sikkim.

All along the trek, the Rathong River and orchids will keep you company. You can even spot the Himalayan birds zooming in an out of their nests. The route is overflowing with waterfalls and clean rivers gurgling in little streams. The trek also passes through the Phedang Pass which offers you panoramic views of Pandim, Thenchinkhang and Jhuponu mountains. The best time to do this trek is between March to May and between September and November. The terrain is between moderate to challenging, so it is surely not for amateur trekkers.

2. Zanskar Frozen River Trek

The Zanskar Trek, also known as the Chaddar Trek is situated at an altitude of 3,850 meters in the Ladakh region. The name “Chaddar’ means ‘a blanket’ in the Hindi dialect and it is because the whole river freezes in winter. The icing on the cake is the river changing colors every couple hundred miles.

The trek is perfect in every sense and takes you through ancient Buddhist monasteries and sleepy little villages in the region. The trek is surely a challenging one with no defined path. The trekker needs to ensure that the ice and snow would hold and do not give away to the weight. This trek of around 13 days is best done in the months of January and February.

3. Gomukh Tapovan Trek

The Gomukh Tapovan Trek is one of the best trekking destinations in India. This trek of around 10 days is at an altitude of 4,500 meters and holds a lot of spiritual significance. The word “Gomukh” which means “cow’s mouth” in the Hindi dialect offers the marvelous view of the Gangotri glacier.

The whole trek is physically challenging and the dropping temperatures make it all the more challenging. This trek has patches of meadows where you can camp and sleep to a starlit sky. Cherry on the top, ‘Bharals’; blue mountain goats are a frequent sight here and can be caught grazing in the meadows. This trek is best done between the months of May to October when the temperatures are fairly moderate.

4. Kuari Pass Trek

Kuari Pass Trek is not just any trek. It offers mesmerising views of the Greater Himalayan region. The setting sun sets the snow-capped mountain ablaze and is a sight to behold. This trek at an altitude of 4,200 meters is also known as Lord Curzon’s trail. This trek is definitely one of the must-do treks in the Garwhal region, one of the best trekking destinations in India.

The whole trek takes about 9 days and is moderate overall. The trek passes through lush green valleys, dense forests, and quaint villages. To reach the top of the Kuari Pass is a reward in itself. The peak offers stunning views of the Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Kamet, Hathi-Ghodi Parvat, and Dronagiri. This trek is best done during the months of April to June or September to November.

5. Pin Parvati Pass Trek

Pin Parvati Pass Trek is one of the most challenging treks. The difficult terrain makes it formidable to an avid trekker and hence is one of the best trekking destinations. This trek of approximately 16 days is undertaken at an altitude of 5,335 meters. The terrain passes over the glacier in the Parvati Valley in Kullu and Pin Valley in Spiti.

The trek starts at Manikaran, and passes through sleepy villages all along. The trek route is upstream and that is when you cross the glacier. Not just this, the whole route is complete with magnificent lakes. The sight enough makes you forget all your troubles and just live in the moment while your heart takes it all. This grueling trek is best done in the months of June to October when the temperatures are bearable.

6. Dzongri Goecha La Trek

Dzongri Goecha La Trek is definitely one of the most sought after trekking destinations in India. The trek starts from the small town of Yuksom, where you get an opportunity to explore the traditional culture and lifestyle of the people. The trek follows the route through Sikkim Himalayas, and hence the peak Kanchenjunga follows us throughout this trek.

The view is surreal when tufts of clouds conceal the peaks, almost as if talking to the peaks. Additionally, vast expanses of greenery and lush meadows are a common sight. This trek of about 10 days also offers views of Mt. Pandim and Mt. Kabru. At approximately 5,000 meters above sea level, this trek offers views of oak plantations, wildflowers, and rhododendron forests. March to June and September to November are the best months for this trek.

7. Shepherd Trail Trek

Last but not the least, is the Sheperd Trail Trek in Himachal Pradesh. It is truly one of the best trekking destinations to experience a moderate terrain. This trek of about 16 days is famous for it’s distant and secluded villages all through the route. The Shepherd trail trek crosses over the Dhauladhar mountain ranges. ‘Hanuman Ka Tibba’ or ‘White Mountain’ in the town of Dharamshala is the highest peak in this range.

The trail begins from the outskirts of Manali and ends at shepherd’s village of Bara Bhangal, situated on the banks of the Ravi. The Ravi is one of the main rivers flowing out of these mountains. Shrubs of Birch and Rhododendron line the entire trek route and give the complete Himalayan experience. This trek is best done in the months of June to October.

Now that we know that “the best view always comes after the hardest climb”, let’s take a pledge today and begin our quest. These trekking destinations offer something for everyone; the amateur or an avid trekker. If you need any assistance, feel free to hit us up on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram. Better yet, Hire a Scout and make your trip a more hassle-free one by traveling confidently with their expert advice.