22 Of the Absolute Best Treks in India

A compilation of 22 of the best treks in India as recommended by travel bloggers. Includes treks from all across India in a list that includes something for everyone. 

India is home to some of the most epic landscapes on Earth- so it’s certainly not a surprise that the massive country is a trekker’s paradise.

From the famed Himalayas to lush, jungle landscapes of the Northeastern states, the best treks in India vary in temperature, altitude and difficulty.

So what do they all have in common? Incredible views, that’s what! Though I’ve only been to a few trekking places in India thus far, I asked other travel bloggers what they think are the best treks in India.

The compiled list includes famous treks, day treks, winter treks, family-friendly treks and everything in between.

As you plan out your next Indian hiking adventure, keep the following natural wonders in mind. Without further ado, here are 22 of the best treks in India–where you’ll be sure to find something for everyone!

 

 

22 Of The Best Treks in India

Gaumukh Trek- Uttarakhand

Contributed by Samantha of Intentional Detours

The Gaumukh Trek in Gangotri, Uttarakhand is not just a trek- it’s a pilgrimage. The 42 km round trip trek begins just near the famous Gangotri Mandir and takes trekkers to the very start of the Ganges River: the Gaumukh glacier.

As it can hardly get more spiritual than this, I certainly consider the Gaumukh to be one of the best treks in Uttarakhand. And the best part? It’s easy enough that even beginner trekkers can do it!

Charles and I completed the trek in two days, with one night spent at the Lal Baba Ashram. The ashram is located at the Gaumukh Trek “basecamp” known as Bhojbasa.

A very basic room in the ashram comes with the perk of two free meals, though you can also opt to rest in a tent or in the other accommodation, the GVMN Guesthouse.

After spending the night at the ashram, be prepared to set out EARLY so you’ll have enough time to first reach Gaumukh, and then turn around and make your way back to Gangotri before sunset.

For those not wanting such a rough day two of trekking, you can opt to spend another night at Bhojbasa, or start your journey back to Gangotri but pause for the night at Chirbasa, which is another campsite near the halfway point of the trail back.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to get a permit to embark on the trek, as it is located in a national park. Permits (which last for two days) cost 600 rupees for foreigners and 150 rupees for Indians.

If you choose to stay beyond two days, each extra day is 250 rupees per person regardless of nationality.

Though the trek isn’t difficult, and the path is essentially a straight trail, don’t underestimate altitude! As Gaumukh (and Gangotri town) are over 11,000 feet high, spending a few days in town adjusting to the thin air is a must for a successful trek.

 

 

Read Next: Everything you need to know about the Gaumukh Trek

 

Sinhagad Fort Trek- Maharashtra

Contributed by Tanayesh of Shoestring Travel

Sinhagad nearby Pune is one of the most popular and most visited fort as it is a short trek around Pune. It is 4320 feet above sea level. The Sinhagad Fort trek starts from the base village, it takes around 1 1/2 hours to get to the top. The trekking path is quite easy which makes it one of the best treks in India for amateur trekkers.

On average, it would hardly take 40 mins to reach the top of the fort. The views throughout the trek, as well as once you’re on top, are simply mesmerizing.

The gorgeous green valleys and wisps of clouds floating around are just breathtaking. Take a camera along and capture the beauty or just sit, relax and live the moment amidst nature.

The best time to be here is during the rainy season. Though it gets a bit overcrowded with visitors, eating bhajis [Pakodas] during the rainfall is a heavenly experience.

Apart from the food, nature is at its best when it rains here. The rains make the trekking route slippery, so it is suggested to be extremely cautious while trekking and do not run. Winter season is an equally fun time to embark on this trek.

 

Pro tip: Another epic trek in Maharashtra that you should definitely check out is the Bhimashankar Trek located in the state’s Western Ghats. 

 

Rupin Pass Trek- Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh

Contributed by Umang of TravelMax

Rupin Pass was my first long Himalayan trek. Before the trek, I did a lot of one day or overnight treks. But Rupin Pass introduced me to the thrill of camping for multiple nights in a row.

Rupin Pass is a crossover trek, which essentially means that you cross a pass and don’t come back the same route. Due to this, we got to experience a wide range of myriad landscapes.

The Rupin Pass starts from Dhaula in Uttarakhand and ends at Sangla in Himachal Pradesh. This trek was and is still used by the Shepherds who aim to take their sheep across the state border.

The Rupin Pass was an unforgettable experience for me as it was my first affair with the Himalayas. By the end of this trek, my affair had blossomed into a heart-felt saga of love and ever since, I am hooked on to the enchanting beauty of Himalayas.

The best time to trek the Rupin Pass is between April – June. The winter pass is also possible, but it’s best avoided as the difficulty is 10x due to the multiple layers of snow.

The small villages on the way are livelier during the summer season. I particularly remember a game of volleyball with the locals during this trek.

Ideally, you should do this trek with a trekking group. But for the daredevil, it can be one solo. But be prepared for unmitigated risks as trekking in the Himalayas can be both, beautiful and cruel at the same time.

 

Tarsar-Marsar Trek- Kashmir

Contributed by Nishu of Tanned Travel Girl

Trekking in Kashmir is not something a normal-hearted person will take up. But I was so determined to see the beautiful alpine lakes in Kashmir with my naked eyes that I mentally and physically prepared myself for this challenge.

For me, the experience was truly magical. The trek was of 6 days and each day we saw camped either near a beautiful river or in the middle of majestic Kashmir Valleys.

The summit was to the Tarsar and Marsar lakes. The beauty of these turquoise blue lakes in between snow-covered mountains cannot be described in words.

We had camped right beside the Tarsar Lake on a clear sky night, where the entire night was passed counting the shooting stars. During the day, we saw these lakes changing colors as the sun rays move! This trek is said to be the most beautiful trek in India.

The trek starts from Aru Valley in Kashmir and passes through Lidderwat, Shekwas, and then to the majestic Tarsar and Marsar lakes.

The trek can only be done in the months of July to September and is of medium difficulty level. However, if it rains, it can turn into a difficult one! But the sheer joy of seeing a rainbow over virgin mountains will be truly priceless.

Kheerganga Trek- Himachal Pradesh

Contributed by Suruchi of AllGudThings

Kheerganga in Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh is located at an altitude 13,050 feet and can be reached via 12 kilometers trek from village Barshaini. This is a place where Lord Shiva had meditated for 3000 long years.

The hike to hot water spring Kheerganga is so picturesque that each trail leaves you spellbound. The trek lands you away from the city hustle-bustle, into the serene lap of nature, isolated from habitation, and technology.

At Kheerganga, nature and landscapes have retained its original shape and form. With every step, you hear the gushing flow of water; feel the aura and fragrance of woods.

 The flat Kheerganga meadows with hues of blue sky on top, erect never-ending mountain slopes bursting with pine trees, 100 feet tall waterfalls and a hot water spring in the midst of all is what makes it one of the top treks in India.

How to get there – Kheerganga Trek starts from village Barshaini which lies around 22 kilometers from Kasol and 3 km from Tosh

Best Time to go: The best time to hike to hot water spring of Kheerganga is between May – November.

Some Important Tips:

• Hike only during day-time and be careful with wildlife
• Do not pluck apples on the way as it’s annoying for the locals
• Avoid Shortcuts unless you are with a guide who knows in and out about the place
• Watch your steps at hot water spring as it is very slippery
• Never run and be careful with stones on the trail

 

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Parvati Valley

 

Dainkund-Jot Trek, Himachal Pradesh

Contributed by Pooja of Fairytale Studios

The Dainkund-Jot trek is a spectacularly scenic day trek near Dalhousie in the Himachal Pradesh state of India. The 9-kilometre trek is of easy difficulty level, and yet has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty. This makes it one of the best treks in India for beginners.

The trek starts from a parking lot in Dainkund. A steep ascent from here takes one to the Dainkund peak, where an Indian temple dedicated to Pholani Mata is located.

The Dainkund peak is inhabited by the Indian Air Force and is the highest peak of Dalhousie located at a height of 9000 feet from the sea level.

The trail then runs entirely over a ridge, providing scenic views on both sides. It passes through a grove of trees and emerges at a shepherd shelter.

This is the best viewpoint of the trek from where one can get a picturesque view of the Pir-Panjal mountain range. The trail then follows a ridge over vast grassy meadows and meanders through numerous ponds, shepherd shelters and several viewpoints along the Jot ridge to end at Chowari Jot parking lot.

The Dainkund-Jot trek trail is an extremely less-explored trail but is well marked and can be done solo without the help of a guide. The trek is best done between March to November. Ensure that you start early in the morning so that you complete the trek taking as many breaks to photograph as you want.

 

Singalila Ridge Trek- West Bengal

Contributed by Louise of Wandering Welsh Girl

Singalila National Park is one of India’s best trekking destinations. The Singalila Ridge in West Bengal connects the grand Himalaya of Nepal to India. Hikes along the length of the ridge typically take 6 days with the highest point being Sandakphu at 3636m.

On my tour of India I didn’t have time to hike the whole ridge, so instead opted for a day trek package offered by one of the various tour companies in Darjeeling.

We were picked up at 6 AM and drove for 2.5 hours to the small village of Dhotrey where we had breakfast. Along the way, our guide bought our National Park permits and registered our passports with the park. This hike crosses into Nepal and although there are no official border controls, passports are required by park officials.

From Dhotrey it’s a gradual 6 km ascent to Tonglu at 3041m. This is the highest point on the trek and on clear days offers views of 4 of the highest peaks in the world – Everest, Kachenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu.

From Tonglu we to hiked to Tumling, where we had a delicious Dahl Baat lunch along with a millet beer to celebrate Tibetan New Year.

After lunch it was all down-hill as we passed through several beautiful mountain villages to our endpoint in Chitrey. After a well-earned chai in Chitrey, our taxi then drove us back to Darjeeling where we arrived at 6 PM.

This moderately difficult day hike from Darjeeling is 18km in total and is a full day out. The best time of year to enjoy this hike between March and May when the colorful flowers such as rhododendrons, orchids and magnolia are in full bloom, or between September and December when the skies are typically clear.

Munnar Tea Plantations- Kerala

 Contributed by Soujanya of The Spicy Journey

 Munnar, a picturesque hill station in the state of Kerala, is known for its tea plantations. Personally, I found that the best way to get up and close to the Munnar tea plantations was by going on a sunrise trek, which will prove to you that this is indeed one of the best trekking places in South India.

A sunrise trek in Munnar can be as grueling or easy as you want it to be. Since there are many hills and viewpoints in Munnar, most tour companies and trek organizers organize treks with varying levels of difficulty.

The easy or beginner sunrise trek lasts approximately 40 minutes to an hour and it involves a leisurely walk through the tea plantations until you reach a clearing at a hilltop.

On the other hand, those who are into trekking or love a physical challenge can go for a more challenging sunrise trek which involves climbing a higher peak before sunrise.

And so, the trek starts 3-4 hours before sunrise and involves walking in the dark through tea plantations, local villages, and trekking upwards, often through forested areas, towards the peak of a hill, from where you will get to witness a spectacular sunrise over the tea plantations.

Most reputable tour companies provide snacks and water along with an experienced tour guide. It is suggested to read online reviews or to book a tour associated with your place of stay in order to ensure a hassle-free experience.

 

Barsey Rhododendron Trek- Sikkim

 Contributed by Mohana and Aninda of Two Together

 In spring, blooming rhododendrons color the wooded mountains of West Sikkim in a riot of pink and white- and the best way to enjoy the blooms are on a trek through the Barsey rhododendron sanctuary. You can opt for a day trek from Hillay and back or choose a longer, five-day trek from Hillay to Uttarey via Barsey, Jorebotey, and Thula Dhap.

The trail runs through thickets of bamboo and old-growth rhododendrons dolloped with red, pink, and white blossoms. Ancient lichen adorns branches and boughs and magnolias perfume the cold air.

The songs of nilatavas and rosefinches, warblers and orioles accompany you as you trek up the narrow, winding path towards Barsey. After Barsey, the forests open up and wide vistas of the snow-capped Himalayas greet you. On lucky days, you can spot the Khangchendzonga!

The abundance of scenic beauty— pristine meadows and sparkling mountain streams all framed by the pink and white blossoms— is moving.

On clear nights, sparkling stars spill over the inky sky and moonlight shimmers on snowy peaks as you settle down for a rustic local meal: rice and vegetables, sometimes momos, and down it with a swig of sweet rhododendron wine.

There are homestays at Hillay or you can stay in Okhrey, about 30 min by car. This is an all-season trek but to experience the bewitching splendor of the rhododendrons, come in April-May.

Kipepeo organizes trekking groups. You can join them or hire local guides from Okhrey- regardless, you will be sure to find yourself enthralled by the offbeat beauty of what is surely one of the best treks in India.

 

Gokarna Beach Trail- Karanataka

Contributed by Ellis of Backpack Adventures

One of my favorite treks in India was not in the mountains as you might expect, but right at the beach. Gokarna is an increasingly popular beach destination in Karnataka in the South of India with several beaches that are connected with each other through the Golden trail.

The Golden trail is an 8-kilometer path along the shore of the Arabian sea. You can either start in the sleepy temple town of Gokarna or at Paradise beach and then walk back. Either way, you will have beautiful views and the different beaches you come across are all different.

There is the main beach where the pilgrims from Gokarna take a dip in the waters before they visit the temples. Then there is Om beach, famous for its Om shape, and after that the more remote Half Moon and Paradise beaches that are only accessible by boat or on foot.

It’s not a difficult trek but some stretches are rocky and hilly so you will need some sturdy shoes. The best time for the trek is between October and April when the weather is dry and pleasant.

But even then, it can get warm as there is not much shade. Always bring enough water with you, as well as sunscreen and a sunhat. Then your good to go to enjoy the Gokarna beach trail- one of the best treks in South India.

Phantom Head Trek- Kerala

 Contributed by Jackson of Journey Era

Munnar is one of the most underrated trekking regions in India and one of the spectacular hiking trails in Munnar is the Phantom Head. It’s renowned for providing a spectacular sunrise viewing platform from the summit, which overlooks the surrounding valleys.

The short hike covers an intense ascent of 400 meters. Beginning at 1500 meters above sea-level, the hike eventually reaches an altitude of almost 2000 meters.

The hard work is worth the journey to race to the summit in time to watch the sunrise over the horizon. The Phantom Head (locally known as ‘Phantom Kettu’) hike will have you mesmerized by the Western Ghats- making it one of the best treks in India.

Most hikers stay the night at the Anaerangal Camp, which is a cottage -style camping accommodation at the base of the mountain. It is very practical to stay nearby so you can start in the early hours of the morning.

Make sure you bring sturdy hiking shoes because the trail can be very muddy, especially near the wet season. You will also need a torch or a headlamp as you will be hiking up in the dark in order to witness the sunrise at the summit!

 

Roopkund Lake Trek- Uttarakhand

Contributed by Ruma of The Holiday Story

Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand India, located at an altitude of 5,000 meters above sea level, is also known as Mystery Lake.

A forest ranger found the skeletal remains of about 100 people inside a glacier lake in Uttarakhand. Since then, many mysteries surround Roopkund Lake, the trail to which provides some of the best trekking in India.

The best time for trekking in Roopkund is from late May to October when the mountain weather is at its best. I started my journey from Kolkata , where I set out to reach Haridwar by train. After Haridwar, I had to reach the village of Lohajung.

The trek starts from “One Village” and lasts for 5 days. Since there is no market in One Village”, all the rices/oils/vegetables of trek have to be bought from Lohajung.

On the first day, our target was “Bugial”. It is an altitude of 3354 m. The trek of Ghantacharek is on the second day from “Bedini Bugial” to “Pattharnachuni”. The third day we reached “Baguabasa” from “Pattarnachuni”. It is located at an altitude of 14000 ft.

We spent the day here, and the night was filled with dancing and singing. Early the next morning, we finally started trekking to Roopkund.  Once we reached Roopkund, the weather was good, so we also visit Junar Gali and then return by early morning.

Keep in mind that the last half kilometer to reach Roopkund is really difficult and very steep. Oxygen deficiency is a real concern. It takes 2 days to return to Lohajung.

 

 

Trek to Mandini, Alternate to Valley of Flowers – Uttarakhand

Contributed by Sumit of TravelDreams.live

 The Valley of Flowers has been hyped and exposed to constant hordes of travelers and trekkers. It is time to give it some respite.

The Valley of Mandini is home to some of the most unique and pretty flora of the Himalayan region. The giant mountains of Mandini I, II & III encircle the valley and allow only a narrow passage into the Valley which has the Mandini river flowing.

What Is the Uniqueness of Mandini?

If the reader wishes to observe and experience the niche segment of the Himalayan Flora, this place beats the Valley of Flowers in all aspects of beauty and ruggedness.

It is one of the most underrated treks in the Himalayan region which transverses through lush meadows, and undulating mountains ranges amid dense greenery and forest cover- making it one of the best and most beautiful treks in India.

Details about the trek

To reach Mandini Valley, one has to commence the trek from Raasi Village and chart one’s course through the Rudranath Wildlife sanctuary (in state of Uttarakhand, India), past traditional age-old waypoints of Sandera, Thauli and Dagla before climbing up to an approximate elevation of 4400 mt.

The trek to reach the Valley is a five-day affair considering the remoteness of the Valley. If one wishes to see the Himalayan flora in all glory, the best times are Aug-Sept when the icy region thaws and comes ALIVE in all its glory.

 

Chadar Trek- Ladakh

Contributed by Arnav of High on Himalayas 

One of the toughest treks in India, and yet one of a kind is the famed Chadar Trek. Chadar Trek is without a doubt one of the best treks in India, however, it’s also unique for a lot many reasons, one of them being that you are able to appreciate the beauty of nature up close.

The Chadar Trek is essentially a walk on the river Zanskar. It is a 65 km long trek, spread out over 5 days, in the Ladakh district of North India. The trek usually takes place in the month of January or Feburary, and is one of if not THE best winter treks in India.

Five days of walking in the freezing cold on snow/ice, four nights of braving the sub-zero temperatures, all whilst appreciating the small pleasures in life – such as drinking piping hot chai the first thing in the morning, overlooking the river flow by silently in front of your campsites or craving sunlight during the day.

When planning to tick Chadar Trek off your bucket list, it is imperative that your trip itinerary allows you to acclimatize for 3-4 days in Leh prior to embarking on the trek, owing to the high altitude and the thin air.

Based on my personal experience, I highly recommended that you keep some extra days in your hand, towards the end of the planned trek dates.

This way, if a delay arises due to uncontrollable circumstances such as heavy snowfall, you don’t have to worry about losing out on your flight ticket and rebooking another one at a higher cost. If all goes smoothly, you can use the extra time on your hand to experience the beauty of Ladakh in winters.

 

Nagalapuram Trek- Tamil Nadu

Contributed by Bhushavali of My Travelougue by Bhushavali

India is a rich & diverse land where contraries are both true! One of the examples is the weather – our weather ranges from super-cold to super-hot in various regions.

While the Himalayan range in Northern India is awesome with very tall peaks and super-cold weather, which you need to trek with a snow-suit, the Eastern & Western Ghats in Southern India are very-warm and very rich in their biodiversity- and you can do this trek while wearing shorts!

One of the hills in the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border is Nagalapuram. There are 3 waterfalls of different altitudes atop Nagala and to reach them one can trek from the west, which is slightly easier, or from the East, which is slightly harder.

We did the Nagalapuram trek from the east and it was loads of fun. We arrived the night before and camped beneath the stars at the foothills prior to starting the trek at about 6 AM.

The trek is moderate and can be done in 1 day, making it one of the ideal day-trips from Chennai. It is very picturesque with streams running along. The path also requires quite a bit of climbing onto boulders along with some harsh inclines.

At one point, we even had to do a Spiderman-climb across the face of a huge boulder, with a deep pool beneath, and I almost lost my grip! At some spots the boulders were too smooth, so it was safer to go barefoot. That was quite a thrill!

Sandakphu Trek- West Bengal

Contributed by Debjani of The Vagabong

 Sandakphu Trek is one of the best tea house treks in East India. It is an easy to moderate level trek which can be done over 4-5 days depending on the pit stops.

Sandakphu Trek is considered one of the best treks in India, as it gives you a chance to witness some of the panoramic Himalayan mountain ranges. On a good weather day, some of the places let you witness Mt. Everest, Makalu peak, Mt. Lhotse, and of course gigantic and rugged Mt. Kanchenjunga.

It is fairly considered as a convenient trek because there are several homestay and tea houses where trekkers can halt for the night. So, lugging a tent is not really required.

For the perfect views and weather conditions, the best time is to visit is during Winter season, Oct-Dec. One can also opt for springtime to witness the gorgeous Rhododendron flower blooms.

To start this trek, one has to reach Siliguri in West Bengal, where all the treks commence. Bagdogra is the nearest airport. On this trail, one can also see old Landrover (four-wheel drive) jeeps plying for people who are not able to hike but who also want to witness the enchanting mountain views.

Even when trekking in good weather, it is always advisable to be prepared for unexpected weather changes, as such is quite a common phenomenon in the mountains.

Stok Kangri Trek- Ladakh

Contributed by Sonakshi and Mainak of Places In Pixel

The Himalayan region in India offers a lot of hikes, treks and mountaineering opportunities. But a few definitely stand out, and the Stok Kangri Trek is definitely one of them.

Standing tall at an altitude 6153 meters above-sea-level, Stok Kangri is the highest trekkable peak in India (most other 5000m+ peaks will require some form of mountaineering).

Although this trek does not involve mountaineering, the adventure and its difficulty not to be mistaken. One of the most important points that you need to keep in mind for any 5000m+ peaks is your level of fitness and preparedness.

And, that turned out to be the most adventurous (risky, to be precise) aspect of my Stok Kangri Summit trek – it was my first 4000m+ peak, and I was mildly unprepared (to say the least)! It was a thrilling experience but could easily have turned out to be otherwise.

In fact, just like me, many of my trekking-teammates underestimated the difficulty of this trek and the need to acclimatize before and during the ascent, which made our Stok Kangri Summit an enduring challenge.

The best time to embark on the Stok Kangri adventure is May-September, with July being the most ideal. Since Stok Kangri peak lies in the Stok Range of the Himalayas, the starting point of this trek is the Stok Village in Leh.

 

Border Hiking in Thekkady National Park- Kerala

 Contributed by Ellie of The Wandering Quinn

 If you want to see Wild Elephants in India in a responsible way, you have to add trekking in Thekkady National Park in Kerala to your South India itinerary!

There are a few day trips and treks you can do to see the Wild Elephants that live in Thekkady National Park but the trek I would recommend is called the Border Hike.

This is a full day, hard trek that takes you deep into the wilderness of the National Park- making this one of the best treks in India for animal lovers!

You’ll be accompanied by at least 2 guides, one to explain where you are going and what you are seeing like the fauna and various other animals that call the park home, and the other to carry a gun and keep you protected!

Seeing the Wild Elephants is of course not guaranteed but the guides are good and it’s very likely you will spot them at some point on your trek.

I had to wait until right at the end of my trek but it was a great way to finish what was already an interesting and physically demanding, but rewarding trek in Kerala!

The town of Kumily is the tourist town for Thekkady National Park and there is a good amount of accommodation here. Local buses connect Kumily to other towns and cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu which is just next door.

Nongriat Living Root Bridges Trek- Meghalaya

Contributed by Jitaditya of The Travelling Slacker

 If you are looking for a really unique trek in India, go for the Living Root Bridge Trek in Nongriat, Meghalaya. The hike takes you to the small village of Nongriat set amidst dense forests and this is where you also see the iconic double-decker living root bridge.

These bridges are made by local Khasi people by directing the roots of the trees to form bridges over hilly streams. The trees grow over generations to form these bridges.

Beyond the village of Nongriat, you can hike further for another 1.5 hours to reach Rainbow Falls. This is a beautiful bluish-green waterfall with a perennial rainbow over it (Unless it is a cloudy day).

Unlike other treks, here you hike downwards (returning is an uphill task, both literally and figuratively). Nongriat has a few homestays and it is advisable to stay there for the night.

The nearest major town is Cherrapunjee, otherwise known for its waterfalls and caves. From there you will find local transport to the starting point of the trek.

This is one of the most famous treks in Northeast India, which offers many other hidden gems that are lesser-known compared to the treks in the Indian Himalayas.

 

Read Next: 102 Amazing Indian Street Food Dishes

 

Kolukkumalai Trek- Tamil Nadu

 Contributed by Athul of Our Backpack Tales

 Kolukkumalai is located in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. Kolukkumalai can also be accessed by Jeep from the Suriyanalle town in Kerala.

The Kolukkumalai Trek is one of the most popular things to do in Munnar, and it is famed to be the highest organic tea plantation in the world. At an elevation of 7086 feet above sea level, it is one of the best treks in South India.

The trek starts at the Kurangani Village and is considered to be of moderate difficulty. It takes around 6-7 hours to reach the peak from the base.

You can witness a variety of vegetation as you trek up to the summit like grasslands, thick forests and pine trees. It is the best place to catch an epic sunrise, and camping options are also provided by different tourist agencies.

 

Sham Valley Trek- Ladakh

 Contributed by Ellie of Soul Travel Blog

 Commonly known as the “baby trek” in Ladakh, India’s roof of the world and one of the most beautiful parts of the country, the Sham Valley trek is often suggested to trekkers new to the Ladakh region.

Easily accessible and relatively close to Ladakh’s main city of Leh, the trek is a great opportunity to explore some of Ladakh’s gentler valleys between homestays.

Even for this trek though, it’s recommended to rest in Leh for at least 2-3 days if you arrive by plane before heading out trekking, to allow you to adjust to the altitude.

One of the best things about the Sham Valley Trek (aside from the views) is it runs from homestay to homestay – allowing the perfect opportunity to stay with Ladakhi families and learn more about the unique culture and lifestyle in Ladakh which is unlike anywhere else in India. Homestays are simple – don’t expect hot showers – but provide shelter from the heat or cold, depending on when you are trekking.

The Sham Valley Trek is generally open longer than other treks in Ladakh given its lower altitude – depending on the year, it’s usually possible to trek this route with a local guide between April or May and September.

We don’t recommend trekking without a guide in Ladakh due to constantly changing conditions and it also helps support local people through employment.

Just don’t get lulled into a false sense of security by the “baby trek” nick-name! This is still a challenging trek passing over 3,700m in parts, but the main difference between this and other Ladakh treks is that you’ll only be trekking half days, and staying in homestays rather than camping.

 

Valley of Flowers- Uttarakhand

 Contributed by Nisha & Vasu from Lemonicks.com

Visualize a valley in the Western Himalayas. Now imagine the valley to be full of a wide variety of wild and colorful flowers. Add to that some high-altitude animals. The result is this dreamy romantic place called the Valley of Flowers- one of the most beautiful treks in India.

Valley of Flowers National Park is situated in the North Chamoli district of the State of Uttarakhand. This valley is well known for over 500 species of high-altitude flowers that are found only in this region.

This is also home to the Himalayan snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan Monal Pheasant and other rare species of animals and birds.

During the right season, the entire valley is covered with flowers. In fact, every 15 to 20 days the colors of the carpet of flowers change, as different plants bloom at different times.

The flowers bloom only during the monsoon season, which is July to September. For the most unforgettable experience of the valley of flowers, the end of July to August is the best time.

The trek starts from the village of Ghangaria, which is at an altitude of 3100 Metres. The route is marked and may be classified as an easy to moderately difficult trek, compounded by the thin air. The Valley of Flowers is at an altitude of 3800 meters.

The total distance to the entrance of the valley of flowers is just about 4 km of an uphill trek. The valley itself is 8Km long by 2Km wide and needs a lot of time to explore the various sites and flowers.

Ghangaria is about 10 Kms from Pulna village, which is the nearest motorable road and is connected to the city of Joshimath. Ghangaria is also the base for Hemkunt Sahib trek.

 

Best Treks in India: Wrap Up

Now that you’ve taken a gander at some of the best trekking places in India, all that’s left to do is grab your backpack and go!

India is BIG and this is but a small selection of mountain amazement that one can find in the Subcontinent. Hopefully, you’ve added a few new places to your bucket list, and perhaps you’ve even embarked on one of two of these already!

Is your favorite trek on the list? If not- drop it in the comments. There’s always more top treks in India to discover!