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 |