14 Most Popular Trekking Trails in India at High Altitude

Every one of us has a hidden adventurous bug inside. It just needs to be awakened to venture out in the wild. While some people are very outgoing, express them boldly, visit exotic destinations and try out a number of adventure activities; there are also some people, who have never tried adventure, but somewhere or the other they secretly desire to do the same. So, no matter what personality you possess, you can and must try out trekking, which will take on a journey to self-realization and adventure pleasure.

So, here are some famous treks in India that are surrounded by bewitching flora and fauna and picturesque beauty –

1. Darcha – Padum Trek

This trek is the gateway to the three principal regions of Ladakh and Lahaul area. This trek is quite strenuous. So, you should be mentally and physically prepared, if you choose this trek. It will let you explore beautiful valleys, high mountains, crossing river streams and lofty glaciers.

• Altitude: 5090 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: July to September

• Route: Manali – Darcha – Palemo – Zanskar Sumdo – Chumi Napo – Shingo La – Lakham – Kurgiak – Tetha – Purne – Ichar – Mune – Padum – Leh

• Trekking Duration: 14 to 15 days

• Level Of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Chandigarh railway station) or by air (Bhuntar Airport Kullu)

2. Chadar Trek

This trek is popularly known as Chadar Trek, as the river gets frozen in the winter season and turns into a blanket; and people use to trek on the frozen river blanket. The most exciting fact about this trek is that the temperature here is bone chilling – approximately -20 degree Celsius.

• Altitude: 3850 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: Mid-January–February

• Route: Chilling – Zaribago – Deepyokma – Naerak Pullu –Lingshed – Nyarakpulu – Tso Mopoaldar – Tilatdo – Chilling

• Trekking Duration: 9-12 days

• Level of Difficulty: Moderate Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Jammu railway station) or by air (The Leh Airport)

3. Kalindikhal Trek

If you are looking for some of the most challenging treks in India, this is the perfect option for you. While on this trek, you will get to explore a number of attractions, viz. Kalindikhal, Tapovan, Arwa Tal, Vasuki Tal, Nandanvan, Gash told and Kalindi Base. Another exciting fact is that you will discover almost half of Garhwal on this trek.

• Altitude: 5946 m (19500 ft)

• Ideal Time to Visit: Mid of June to July & August

• Route: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Bhojwassa – Gomukh – Nandanvan – Vasuki Tal – Khara Pathar – Sweta Glacier – Kalindikhal Base – Kalindi Peak – Raja Parav – Arwa Tal – Ghastoli – Mana – Badrinath – Rishikesh

• Trekking Duration: 18 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Haridwar) or by air (Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun)

4. Kinner Kailash Circuit Trek

This trek is the must for you if you have been longing for a spiritual tour, as it is the winter abode of Lord Shiva. The most amazing thing about this trek is that it offers you a two-fold amusement, i.e. pleasure of adventure and a spiritual feeling. While you are on this trek, do not forget to explore the 79 feet high Kinner Kailash Shivling, which is 30 to 40 feet wide.

• Altitude: 5242 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: Mid May to September

• Route: Shimla – Kalpa – Lambar – Shurting – Charang – Lalanti – Chitkul – Shimla

• Trekking Duration: 11 days

• Level of Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Kalka railway station) or by air (Jubbarhati Airport, Shimla)

5. Pin Parvati Pass Trek

Sir Louis Dane was the first person to cross this trek in the year 1884. It is almost 108 kilometres long and is one of the hardest treks that you will get to explore in the Indian Himalayas. Further, the major attractions that will be covered during this journey will be Odi Thach, Thakur Kuan, Pin Parvati Pass, Mantalai Lake and Tunda Bhuj.

• Altitude: 5319 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: July – September

• Route: Khirganga – Tunda Bhuj – Thakur Kuan – Odi Thach – Mantalai Lake – Base of Pin Parvati Pass – Campsite over Pin Pass – Tiai – Mud – Gulling – Kaza – Manali

• Trekking Duration: 16 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Joginder Nagar railway station) or by air (Bhuntar Airport)

6. Green Lake Trek

This trek will take you to the green lake of Sikkim, Jakthang, Tallem, Yabuk, Zema and Green Lake basecamp. The landscapes here are so beautiful that you will come here trekking with family again and again. Also, you’ll get to discover the culture of Sikkim that will be cherished and remembered for lifetime.

• Altitude: 4935 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: April & October

• Route: Lachen – Talem – Jakthang – Yabuk – Green Lake – Yabuk – Jakthang

• Trekking Duration: 16 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (New Jalpaiguri Railway Station) or by air (Bagdogra Airport)

7. Goecha La Trek

Although it is an adventurous site, yet it is one of the romantic destinations in India. This implies that this place is both romantic and adventurous in nature. You can bring along your beloved partner here and explore Samiti Lake, rhododendron forests, sprawling meadows and other attractions.

• Altitude: 4,940 m (16,207 ft)

• Ideal Time to Visit: Mid of March to Mid of June and September to Mid of November

• Route: Yuksom – Bhakim – Tshoka – Dzongri – Thangsing – Lamuney – Goecha La – Kockchurang – Tshoka – Yuksom

• Trekking Duration: 10 to 12 days

• Level of Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (New Jalpaiguri Railway Station) or by air (Bagdogra Airport)

8. Stok Kangri Trek

This is the perfect trek to spend your adventure holiday. This trek involves nerve-racking experiences, such as trekking through rough snow patches, climbing, and steep mountain trekking. It will start from Sumdo and take you to Shang Phu, Matho La, Tokpo Rivera and other attractions.

• Altitude: 5242 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: July to September

• Route: Leh – Stok Village – Chang Ma – Mankorma – Base Camp – Stok Kangri – Base camp – Leh

• Trekking Duration: 11 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Jammu train station) or by air (The Leh Airport)

9. Panpatia Col Trek

It is one of the most difficult treks and some trekkers have also reported that people, who do not have any experience of trekking or finding directions, often lose their way on this trek. Due to such facts, it is considered to be an offbeat destination for trekking. Not just this, it also connects you to the most sacred places or monuments of Uttarakhand – Kedarnath and Badrinath.

• Altitude: 5260 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: Mid of May to Mid of October

• Route: Rishikesh – Joshimath – Badrinath – Shepherd camp – Snout camp – Moraine Camp – Base of Parvati Col – Panpatia Snowfield – Camp I – Across Panpatia Col – Camp at Sujal Sarovar – Kachni – Nanu chatti – Ransi – Rudraprayag

• Trekking Duration: 15 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Haridwar) or by air (Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun)

10. Bhaba Pass Trek

One of the most thrilling in the list, this trek crosses over the Bhaba and takes you to astonishing attractions, picturesque landscapes, river valley, dewy meadows and others. Not just this, you’ll get a golden chance to explore the Buddhist monasteries and the vibrant Himachali culture.

• Altitude: 5260 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: June – Mid October

• Route: Kafnoo – Mulling – Kara – Fustirang – Bara Bulder – Parka – Mudh

• Trekking Duration: 11 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Joginder Nagar railway station) or by air (Bhuntar Airport Kullu)

11. Junglam Hemis to Padum Trek

Every one plans a trip with family so that he or she could create some unfading memories of life. If you also desire for the same, this can be the perfect trek for you. It would commence from the Hemis monastery and will take you along different destinations, such as Nuruchan, Dhungri, Gyama, Kongmaru La, Tso Kar and various others.

• Altitude: 5200 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: July, August and September

• Route: Leh – Shang Sumdo – Latza Kongmaru – Kongmaru La – Langthang Chu – Zalung Kapro La – Tilat Sumdo – Char Char La – Zangla umdo – Zangla – Padum – Rangdum Mulbekh – Leh

• Trekking Duration: 17 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Jammu Railway Station) or by air (Leh Airport)

12. Auden’s Col Trek

The Garhwal attractions include a fantabulous trek known as Auden’s Col Trek. It is called so because it was first discovered by John Bicknell Auden in 1935. A major highlight of this trek is that it forms a bridge between two ridges, namely Gangotri III and Jogin I. The expedition begins from Gangotri and covers a number of attractions, such as Rudraprayag, Khatling Glacier, Vasuki Tal, Waterfall Camp, Rishikesh, Kedarnath and others.

• Altitude: 5490 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: Mid of May to Mid of May and Mid October

• Route: Rishikesh – Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Nala Camp – Rudugaira Base Camp – Basecamp Gangotri Group – Auden Col base camp – Khatling Glacier – Waterfall Camp – Chowki – Masar Tal – Vasuki Tal – Kedarnath – Gaurikund – Rudraprayag – Rishikesh

• Trekking Duration: 18 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Haridwar) or by air (Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun)

13. Bara Bhangal Trek

Explore Himachal Pradesh with this trek that stretches from approximately 2,050 meters to 5,000 meters. Also, it offers a marvelous view of the peaks, viz. Deo Tibba, Indrasan and Hanuman Tibba. It commences from Lama Dugh and passes through Phulan Got, Koari, Rani Sui, Taintu Pass, Taintagiri Glacier, Balu Got and Bara Bhangal village.

• Altitude: 5260 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: May to September

• Route: Lama Dugh – Riyali Thach – Base of Kalihani Pass – Devi ki Marhi – Dal Marhi – Bara Bhangal – Marhi – Plachak

• Trekking Duration: 15 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Joginder Nagar railway station) or by air (Bhuntar Airport)

14. Shivling Base Camp Trek

This trek will let you explore Uttarakhand’s most sacred destinations, viz. Gaumukh, Gangotri and Vasuki Tal. It was discovered in 1974 by the Tibetan Border Police. Since then, it is one of the most favourite destinations in India. Also, you’ll find some popular peaks here such as Hanuman Tibba, Bhagirathi I & II, Mt. Meru and Bhrigu Parbat.

• Altitude: 5263 m

• Ideal Time to Visit: May to Mid of October

• Route: Uttarkashi – Gangotri – Bhojwassa – Tapovan – Nandanvan – Vasuki Tal – Bhojbasa – Uttarkashi

• Trekking Duration: 15 days

• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

• How to Reach: You can travel by rail (Haridwar) or by air (Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun)

Ufffff….. It’s a long list. Right? No matter how long it is, but it is certainly a perfect checklist for trekking enthusiasts, who wish to discover the popular treks in the Indian Himalayas. So, plan a tour today..!!!

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