Himalayas are the roof of the world, and a significant portion of this magnificent mountain range lies in India. That in itself makes India one of the best trekking destinations of the world. There are some amazing trekking experiences to be had in the country. You can walk on ice for close to 20 days in jaw freezing temperatures; you can travel to remote valleys of the Himalayas region, and see people living their lives nonchalantly in tough conditions; you can travel to places which are home to exotic flora and fauna that you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the world.
To put it succinctly, when it comes to trekking experiences in India, you have a lot to choose from. However, there are some that stand out from the rest on account of their beauty and exoticism. Picking out the best is always a debatable task, since we all have different tastes. Nevertheless, here is an arguable list of top 14 treks in India.
1. Markha Valley Trek- truly mesmerizing
Markha Valley has one of the highest and widest plateaus in the world. A trek through the valley takes you through varied terrains, and Hemis National Park as well, which is home to the rare snow leopard and other exotic species of animals. You get to see the very best of Ladakh on this trek, which takes you on an adventurous trip along the Markha River.
2. The challenging Chadar Trek
If ever you are looking for a challenging trek in the mountains, nothing can beat Chadar Trek, except possibly a trek to Mount Everest. Chadar Trek takes you on an adventurous journey on the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh during the months of January and February, when the temperatures are well below the freezing point. The trek takes a lot of guts and endurance, but at the end of it, you are left with timeless memories.
3. Spiritualism of Nanda Devi Expedition
One of the highest peaks of the Himalayas is Nanda Devi. It has some of the most majestic mountains of the Himalayan range, which make for an interesting journey in the land. It is a revered peak in Indian religion as well, which adds the touch of spirituality to the expedition.
4. Padam-Darcha valley trek- an addictive trek
One of the newest treks of India which takes you through high mountain passes of Leh is the Padam-Darcha trek. It lets you explore the Buddhist settlements of the region, apart from exploring the beauty of Ladakh valley from scintillating heights. It has the right amount of challenge to make for a doable trek for beginners and intermediates as well.
5. Valley of Flowers trek- a picture perfect trek
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| Top 14 Treks in India |
If you want to explore picture perfect beauty, with flowers all around and plenty of fauna to explore, consider taking a trek to the Valley of Flowers. The national park has more than 500 species of flowers, apart from several exotic species of animals including the Himalayan black bear. The national park was opened in 1982 and ever since, the beauty of the place has attracted thousands of tourists to this fairly remote region of the Himalayas.
6. The mythological Dodital trek
Dodital Lake, located near Gangotri in the Himalayas, finds mention in Indian mythology. It is believed to be the place where Lord Ganesha was beheaded by Lord Shiva and reborn again. Apart from the religious aspect, the lake stands out for its beauty and tranquility. A trek to the lake takes you through some really remote locations of the Himalayan region. The lake is good for angling too, since it is inhabited by a large number of trouts.
7. The mysterious Roopkund Lake
A lake located amidst lush forests, overlooked by towering Himalayan peaks, and having human skeletons dating back to thousands of years ago- that’s Roopkund Lake. Nobody knows the reason behind the human remains, which are preserved in excellent condition in the freezing conditions found here. The mysterious touch adds to the adventurous experience of the trek.
8. The majestic Stok Kangri trek
Climbing the Mount Everest is a feat very few achieve in the world. But if love challenging yourself all the time and reaching great heights, literally, the Stok Kangri trek of Ladakh is ideal for you. The Stok Kangri peak is at an altitude of a little over 6000 meters above sea level. The trek is quite easy to start with, but it starts to become challenging in the latter part of the journey. The destination, that is the summit, is as beautiful as the journey itself, giving you a bird’s eye view of the entire valley.
9. Kang Yatse Trek- even more challenging – While Stok Kangri trek is one of the most challenging treks of Ladakh, Kang Yatse trek is a little more than that. The peak is a little higher than Stok Kangri. Although it requires little technical skill, it still makes for a challenging and adventurous experience. You get to pass through settlements at great heights and explore Ladakh from exhilarating heights.
10. Pin Parvati Trek- the valley of Gods trek
Situated in the remote Spiti Valley, Pin Parvati valley is also known as the valley of Gods. A trek through the valley takes you from barren lands covered in sand dunes to lush greenery at the foothills of the Himalayas. The terrain changes magically during the trek, making for a truly heavenly experience.
11. Panchachuli Base Camp Trek- a delight of nature
The Himalayan region is blessed with unspoilt beauty that just takes your breath away. The Panchachuli trek is one of the best trekking trails in the region for exploring the beauty of the Himalayas. You get to make your way through gurgling river streams, alpine meadows, and exotic flora that you can only find in the upper reaches of the Himalayas.
12. The remote Kafni glacier trek
Located close to Pindar Valley is the Kafni Glacier, nestled between mountain ranges. It is one of the best kept secrets of the Himalayas, home to varied flora and fauna. A trek to this stunning glacier lets you enjoy the serene beauty of the Himalayas, which have enchanted many across the world.
13. Deo Tibba trek- strenuous but fun
Deo Tibba, with a height of about 6000 feet above sea level, is a stunning peak in Manali. The Deo Tibba trek takes you to Chandertal Lake, at a height of more than 4500 meters above sea level. The lake is beautiful and it offers stunning views of the Deo Tibba peak. The trek is almost 2 week long and it takes you through some remote regions of Manali valley, including lush forests that you will enjoy walking through.
14. Kanchenjunga trek- to great heights
Kanchenjunga is one of the highest peaks of the Himalayas. The Kanchenjunga trek takes you to the base of this stunning peak, letting you enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas. No doubt, this trek is as strenuous as they come, but at the end of the journey, you are left refreshed rather than tired.
While that wraps up the list of top 14 treks in India, it by no means covers all the amazing treks of the country. There is a whole lot more to be explored, including some easy but enchanting treks of the south. In order to experience the best trekking experiences that India has to offer, you have to put your trekking shoes on and go down paths that others would seldom explore.