Although the Indian Himalayas cannot quite compete with their Nepalese counterparts in terms of height, the fantastic trekking routes they offer are second to none. With their unique blend of nature and culture, Indian trekking routes are definitely worth the money and effort. Sprawled across five Indian states, the Indian Himalayas encompass a large area at the northern boundary of the country.
In this article, we’ve enlisted the top 10 best treks in India to give you an overview of what options you have for trekking in India. These are the most popular guided treks in the Indian Himalayas based on the number of trekkers. Ultimately, the trek you end up choosing will be based on personal preferences more than anything else. The treks vary in terms of difficulty, duration, cultural elements, religions and, of course, remoteness. Depending upon these factors — and your budget — you can make an informed decision as to which trek would be suitable for you.
So, without further ado, here’s our list of top 10 best treks in India:
1. Chadar – The Frozen Zanskar River Trek
An excellent trek along the frozen Zanskar river with beautiful winter terrain and a firsthand glimpse of the ancient culture of Ladakh region, this is an exciting journey for experienced trekkers. Icy routes, bone-chilling winds, pristine nature, and the experience of a lifetime, that’s what this trek is all about.
| Location | Leh Ladakh |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 3390 m |
| Duration | 9 days |
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate to Level 4: Difficult |
| Remoteness | Fairly Remote |
| Best Season | January to February |
2. Gangotri Gomukh trek
A journey in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, this trek takes you to the Gangotri glacier at Gomukh, the source of the Ganges. A true natural delight, the region features a large diversity of plants and animals, including rare blue mountain goats. The glacier is surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides, a truly mesmerizing sight to behold.
| Location | Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 4463 m |
| Duration | 12 days |
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate |
| Remoteness | Moderately Remote |
| Best Season | May-June & August-Mid Oct |
3. Ladakh – Markha Valley trek
Markha valley trek is a very popular trek in the Ladakh region. You’ll be walking in a variety of terrains including dry mountains, streams, and small villages with fields of wheat, barley and mustard. Housing several old Buddhist monasteries, the region is a repository of ancient Tibetan culture. A trek through this region will be etched in your memory for a lifetime.
| Location | Ladakh |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 5150 m |
| Duration | 7 to 9 days |
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate |
| Remoteness | Fairly Remote |
| Best Season | Mid-June to Mid-October |
4. Kuari Tapovan trek
A journey through the enchantingly beautiful Garhwal region of India, this trek has you walking in the shadows of several 7000+ peaks. The region houses rare HImalayan fauna such as the snow leopard and the musk deer. The highlight of the trek is the Kuari pass at an altitude of 4264 m. The trek is quite easy, featuring a hands-on experience of the local Hindu culture.
| Location | Garhwal |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 4264 m |
| Duration | 6 days |
| Difficulty | Level 2: Easy |
| Remoteness | Not Remote |
| Best Season | April-June and September-November |
5. Nanda Devi trek
Rising to an altitude of 7816 m, Nanda Devi is the highest peak in the Garhwal region of India. Sprawled across the lap of the mountain, the Nanda Devi national park, housing unique Himalayan flora and fauna, is a place of beauty in and of itself. You’ll be trekking along Himalayan foothills and several small rivers, streams and glaciers. The place is an epitome of pristine natural beauty, attracting thousands of photographers, trekkers and mystics every year.
| Location | Garhwal Himalayas |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 4150 m |
| Duration | 10 days |
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate to Level 4: Difficult |
| Remoteness | Moderately Remote |
| Best Season | May-June and September-October |
6. Goecha La trek
Goecha La, a trek in the heart of the beautiful Sikkim region, puts you face to face with Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak on the planet. Be it beautiful rhododendron forests, picturesque hill stations, or clear blue Himalayan lakes, this trek has it all. The trek is quite challenging, but when you view the majestic Himalayas from Dzongri, you’ll definitely find it worth the effort.
| Location | Sikkim |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 4940 m |
| Duration | 10 days |
| Difficulty | Level 4: Difficult |
| Remoteness | Fairly Remote |
| Best Season | Mid March to June and September to Mid November |
7. Valley of Flowers
Located high in the Himalayas of Uttaranchal at an altitude of 3658 m, the valley of flowers is named quite appropriately: it is a huge valley blooming with more types of flowers than one can possibly count. It is a spectacular site surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides. The valley floor is resplendent with flowers of all colours and the whole area has an intense, pleasant aroma. After an exciting trek in the Himalayan foothills, the valley of flowers feels like heaven on Earth.
| Location | Garhwal Himalayas |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 3658 m |
| Duration | 6 days |
| Difficulty | Level 2: Easy to Level 3: Moderate |
| Remoteness | Fairly Remote (No Accommodation) |
| Best Season | July to September |
8. Roopkund trek
Roopkund is a lake at an altitude of 5029 m, famous for the human skeletal remains found at its bottom. A journey to the remote Roopkund lake takes you through pristine forests with rivers gushing below you. The lush greenery, the numerous birds of several species, the surrounding Himalayan peaks, the flat plains, the Hindu temples, all serve to make the trek to Roopkund a memorable experience.
| Location | Uttarakhand |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 5029 m |
| Duration | 8 days |
| Difficulty | Level 3: Moderate |
| Remoteness | Fairly Remote |
| Best Season | Mid-May to mid-June and September to October |
9. Dodital trek
Among snow-clad mountains in the Uttarakhand region lies a small freshwater lake named Dodital. The lake is considered holy and is a site of natural beauty and cultural importance. The leisurely-paced journey to the lake takes you through soft snowy terrain with cool winter winds blowing through your hair. All in all, Dodital is a splendid trek in the Indian Himalayas that you will fondly recall even after many years.
| Location | Garhwal Uttarakhand |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 3307 m |
| Duration | 6 to 7 days |
| Difficulty | Level 2: Easy to Level 3: Moderate |
| Remoteness | Not Remote |
| Best Season | April to November |
10. Stok Kangri trek
Stok Kangri trek takes you to the highest climbable summit in India at an altitude of 6153 m. It is a moderately difficult trek in the Ladakh region that is perfect for experienced trekkers, though it does not really require mountaineering skills. The majestic view of the Himalayas from the Stok Kangri summit makes the whole trek a journey to remember.
| Location | Ladakh |
|---|---|
| Maximum Altitude | 5260 m (6153 m with climb) |
| Duration | 9 days |
| Difficulty | Level 4: Difficult |
| Remoteness | Fairly Remote |
| Best Season | July to September |
hi.. I am umed singh. I want do trakking
haloo frands chai peelo , and do traaking .
ok?
ok
kashmir great lakes trek is missing in list.
A good article of best known treks in india, there are hundred of best unknown treks in India ,
https://alpinelakestrek.com/
Good article and ofcourse we agree to the Chadar – The Frozen which is very famous
We also have few famous treks in Kashmir
5 Best Treks to Explore in Kashmir
https://kashmirtrek.com/blog/5best-treks-to-explore-in-kashmir.html
well tracking others is some one”s business but i find my on tracks where on trek or life ,do my things by my own , trekking is my profession and i am great in this field,
http://trekkashmir.com/
Excellent write-up. Thanks for sharing information. https://www.indiansummits.com/everest-base-camp.php
You have missed Lamkhaga pass trek, Borasu pass trek , Larsa we trek and Mangsu pass trek .
https://raachotrekkers.com/lamkhaga-pass-trek-june-2015/
Thank you for sharing such great places. Trekking in India is becoming quite popular and there are so many amazing and beautiful places to trek in India. Just need to pack the backpack and hop in for the adventure, there is one such company that offer trek to such good places in India i.e. Backpack Hikers check the link to join them for your next trekking adventure.
http://www.backpackhikers.com/tour-packages/
for some enchanting natural views trek to Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya.
to know more, click on the link below..
https://travel-for-you.wixsite.com/traveldiaries/single-post/2018/06/21/Double-Decker-Living-Root-Bridge-Meghalaya
The way you wrote everything that’s so good. Thanks for sharing this with us.
http://www.naraintoursindia.com/india-tours/ladakh-tour-packages.html
Hi do visit our website for upcoming treks in India http://www.treksandtrails.org
Nice topic.
am crazy about trekking tours enjoy the world best trekking tours with Hunza guides.
K-2 (8611-M)
Gasherbrum-I (8068-M)
Gasherbrum-II (8035-M)
Broad Peak 8047-M
Nanga Parabat 8126-M
Gasherbrum-I and II
upcoming tour in 2019
k2 base camp trek, gondogoro camp la trek,biafo hispar la trek
a nice article and the best trek also. here are some places and trek also. keep updating
https://www.ranotechy.com/trek-in-uttarakhand-india/
Stok Kangri Trek is one of the most beautiful treks in the Ladakh region. Check this link for trekking tips to Stok Kangri Trek.
https://www.altitudeadventureindia.com/
Thanks for Posting very interesting and helpful information for trekking .
http://www.newjourneytours.com/kashmir-holiday-packages
I have done Stok Kangri Trek. Reading this blog has refreshed my memories. Very soon I will do it again. Thanks for this inspiring article. Check my blog for trekking tips to Stok Kangri Trek which I wrote after my trek.
https://www.trekwithnazir.com/
Apt information. Thanks for sharing.
Let us educate trekking community about the etiquette of nature so that our treks and hikes wouldn’t hamper nature. Please read and share following article..
https://nisargshala.in/trekking-camping-n-etiquette-of-stay-in-nature-while-on-trek-sahyadri-in-pune/
Very nicely written. More articles like this are needed to make more people aware of the trekking world.
Visit- https://www.hikebrothers.com/
Best Holiday destination With Thailand……
Are you looking for the best travel attractions for spending holidays or honeymoon? You are most welcome to India’s best travel agency, View Holiday Trip Pvt Ltd and avail the best and affordable Thailand Travel Packages. Whether you desire spending honeymoon with your love partner or wish to have pleasant vacations with Thailand Package you can fulfill your dream trip to Thailand. Along with the charming beaches, lavish mountains, mouthwatering foods, rich culture, and some party hot-spots, Thailand must be on every traveler’s bucket list. The Thailand tour can be the most memorable one for a traveler as the place appeals to both the backpackers on a budget as well as travelers with luxurious taste. This Southeast Asian gem is quite famous for short holidays, gap year travels and places for émigrés and “Digital Nomads” alike to call home.
So what’s so special about Thailand? Availing Thailand tour packages, you would be able to get lots of amazing facilities over there. Thailand is a beautiful nation where you can find from the excellent metropolis to paradisiacal islands. People simply love the adventurous and creative spirit of the place. The place is full of backpackers, routes through the jungles, ruins with great stories, exceptional traditions, and sunsets that take your breath away. The Thailand package holiday trip comes with the best deal and discount, and that is why you need to search it properly.
For more details- https://www.viewholidaytrip.com/book-thailand-holiday-tour-packages
Nice article about the best treks in India, I have no idea why the publisher has not mentioned Kashmir Great Lakes Trek which is most astonishing trekking trail and is been in even top five when it comes to beautiful landscape views, glaciers, green lush meadows, and small waterfalls and most epic are 6 Alpine Lakes namely Nundkhol Lake, Gangabal Lake, Satsar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Vishansar Lake, Krishansar Lake, Vishansar Lake. Know more:
https://trekkkashmir.com/kashmir-great-lakes-trek
interior designer in Delhi
Sense Interiors was Established in 1998, Affordable Best Interior Designers in Delhi NCR. High-End Designers Creating Looks that Fit Your requirement, We offer a range of affordable packages More than 1300+ projects all over Pan India which includes 1, 2-Room Makeovers for apartments/homes, Commercial designs for offices, salons, restaurants, Renovation home interior design consultation for kitchens and bathrooms together we’ll make your home as unique as you are With our expertise and your inspiration Customized Functionality per your taste, not ours.
https://www.senseinteriors.in/
trekking places in india
Hi,
I was searching for some content to read about Best Treks in India this evening. And i came across your excellent post Top 10 Best Treks in India. your articles are they are awesome. keep it up I have a similar blog you can visit my blog.
visit: https://www.imberworld.com/2019/07/top-10-amazing-best-treks-in-india.html
Hello,
We have started trekking for a social function.
Why trek with us?
The profits on this trek will be made for castle conservation and environmental conservation. We want to experience the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj along with cleaning and planting of the fort. So let’s go on an adventure! You can see all our information at the following website
https://www.heavenadventure.com/
So please request that you take our trekking event to your website.
Thanks!
thekarakoramventures is one of the most rapidly growing adventure Tour company and high-quality service provider in Pakistan for tourists.
For amazing Discounts and offers please visit our website:
https://www.thekarakoramventures.com
Nice article sharing details of best treks of india.But there more good treks to do in Uttarakhand. Check for more details.
http://www.highlandtrekkers.com
Really a nice place dude thanks for posting this.
https://diplomes-escm.org/
Thanks for sharing it was just nice. India is indeed a beautiful country to visit and I believe you need more than 3 weeks to look around.
we also offer different types of tours you can see.
https://www.letsvisitpersia.com
India is a land of natural marvels. The sheer magnificence in its landscape along with its diverse flora, fauna and climatic conditions is enough to entice adventurers and travelers from different nooks and corners of the world.
Best Treks India: https://www.bookmountaintours.com/blog/top-10-best-treks-in-india/
In response to Stok Kangri’s rapid degradation, the Stok Village Committee and ALTOA (All Ladakh Tour Operators’ Association) have announced a three-year ban on trekking and climbing on Stok Kangri peak. Stok Kangri will remain closed from 2020 to 2022.
You can try Kang Yatse 2 in place of Stok Kangri. Click here for Kang Yatse trek preparation guide
https://www.altitudeadventureindia.com/trip/kang-yatse-2/
This is an awesome post. I appreciate all the detailed information. Thank you so much for sharing
http://www.salkantaytrekking.com
Loved the information shared! While most of the mentioned treks are snow treks, I live in Mumbai/Pune and we get to see more of the Sahyadri range. While may not be as picturesque as the Himalayas, it surely does have a charm of its own.
https://imoutdoor.com/
A mystical walk through the valley that opens up to a flower bed, with peaks and glacier in background and a river bed; Valley of flowers is an ultimate destination for nature lovers. Situated between the Zanskar and the Great Himalayan ranges, Valley of Flowers is a renowned World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Valley of Flowers is an important site for botanists, mountaineers and trekkers. It is a region full of rare Himalayan plants and flowers as well as birds, rare in nature; only to be found at a specific altitude. The flora and fauna of the valley is highly fragile and endangered. The national park is surrounded by peaks like Gauri Parbat (6590m), Rataban (6126m) and Kunth Khal (4430m). Pushapavati river also flows through the valley and joins Lakshman Ganga at Ghangharia. The discovery of the valley was unintentional yet has now turned into a sensational destination. After coming back from a successful Mt. Kamet expedition, a team of six mountaineers stumbled upon the Bhyundar valley while returning. Frank Smythe is the most famous person associated with the history of the valley.
https://www.himalayashelter.com/valley-of-flowers
The legend has it, as per the epic Mahabharata, that the Five Pandava brothers-kings, after having successfully defeated the Kaurava’s in a great war that lasted for 40 days, made an attempt to ascend to Heaven from the mighty Swargarohini peak(20512 feet) (literally translated as path/gateway to heaven), ho
wever only one succeeded. Taken from Bali pass base camp at 15,100 feet
https://www.himalayashelter.com/blogs/bali-pass-a-visual-journey
You missed Auden’s Col too.
https://raachotrekkers.com/audens-col-mayali-pass-patangini-dhar-3-passes-trek/
wow its really amazing pots thanks for sgaring this we offer also best kashmir family packages
https://www.kashmirtourbazaar.com/kashmir-family-tour-packages/
Thanks for sharing very useful article! keep it up.
https://www.feeltourism.com/
Thank you for the information about the best trekking in India…The Indian state of Sikkim is smaller in size but when it comes to adventure or trekking it has more than 12 varieties of trekking expedition from a day hike to moderate & difficult check this out for best trekking in Sikkim
https://getsetgoonline.com/blog/a-complete-guide-to-trekking-in-sikkim-12-best-trekking-expeditions-in-sikkim-updated-2020/
All the mentions trek are amazing and filled with unique mountaineering experiences. I have been to a few of them and trust me I don’t mind visiting again and again.
as per this article, ill add the rest trek to my bucketlist.
https://timesmach.com/kedarkantha-trek-guide/
There are numerous treks spread all across India but those specific ones mentioned here are special. So, I agree with the author on the items of this list of best treks.
However, Rajmachi Trek of Maharashtra may not be the best but surely can be considered as one of the best treks of the South.
Are you interested in Rajmachi Trek? then learn more here- https://banbanjara.com/tours/rajmachi-trek-with-kondana-caves
Skiing is an adventurous activity conducted in Gulmarg, Jammu, and Kashmir in India. If you want to experience your holidays better, in which you get to spend holidays as well as to learn skiing courses, then your decision to go skiing in Gulmarg is the best option. Click now and get information about your Skiing in Gulmarg.
https://www.holidaymoods.in/skiing-in-gulmarg