INTRODUCTION:
Given the vast and beautiful landscapes of our nation, it has proven to be very difficult to narrow down a list of the top treks to just 10. I chose these based on three criteria to make it simpler. The views come first. Great vistas should be available throughout a hike, not only on certain days. Variety was the next. A trip needs to offer new sights and experiences every so often. The walk must also be reachable and not overly physically taxing for the ordinary trekker.
Dayara BugyalTrek, Uttarakhand
Dayara Bugyal trek is the best example of a Himalayan winter, offering the largest expanse of snowscapes in all of Uttarakhand. Its name, “a Bugyal,” which means “meadows,” accurately describes this brief five-day hike. This alpine plain, which is still covered in wildflowers in the summer, becomes the largest field of snow, spreading as far as the eye can see, in the winter.
DayaraBugyal, at an astounding altitude of 3,750M, is a trek through a gallery of mountain life, with these large open areas offering unhindered vistas of the Garhwal range and lush forest lands clothed in the white of freshly fallen snow. The journey starts in the self-sufficient village of Raithal in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, offering you a taste of the distinctive high-altitude hiking lifestyle.
Max Alt – 12,303 ft
Trek Distance – 15 Kms
Start Point – Barsu
End Point – Raithal
No. of days – 4
Difficulty Level – Moderate
Hampta Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh
This is an excellent choice if you want to go on a high-altitude trip. A 35-kilometer stretch of the most spectacular scenery takes you from Hampta hamlet in the Kullu Valley to Chatru in the Lahaul & Spiti Valley. With a maximum altitude of 4400 meters, the entire journey lasts about 4 to 5 days. There is much to discover, from strolling through snow-covered valleys to watching crystal-clear streams, admiring lovely meadows, discovering pine and maple forests, the grasslands of Jwara, and eventually the desolate lands of Lahaul and Spiti. A night spent camping at Chandra Tal should not be forgotten. The best journey imaginable, indeed!
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Best Time: June to Mid- November
Roopkund Trek, Uttarakhand
The Roopkund Trek is roughly 53 kilometers long and takes seven to nine days to complete, beginning in Lohajung at an elevation of 3200 meters. Here’s the creepy part: during your trip, you pass by a lake named Roopkund, which is well-known for having human skeletal remains at the bottom of it. spooky, huh? But it’s not all gloom and skeletal. There’s also strolling through dense jungles while taking in the sound of flowing rivers and chirping birds. Hindu temples, Himalayan peaks like Nanda Ghunti and Nanda Devi, and verdant flat plains are also visible.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Best Time: May to October
Dzongri Trek, Sikkim
Sikkim offers some of the best hiking in India, and one of the best treks to take there is the five-day Dzongri trip. This trek covers a distance of 21 kilometers and reaches a maximum altitude of 15,000 feet. It begins and ends in Yuksom. If you just have a short amount of time, this is the ideal chance to visit Mt. Kanchendzonga and the Himalayan peak of Dzongri La. Along with visiting Siachen, Bakkhim, Tshokha, and Kanchenjunga National Parks, the walking excursion also passes by several hanging bridges, roaring waterfalls, and white and red rhododendron blooms. In addition, this high-altitude walk requires a day for acclimation.
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Rajmachi Trek, Maharashtra
Rajmachi, which is about 15 kilometers away from Lonavala, is yet another fantastic choice for beginners seeking locations to go trekking in India. The highest elevation reached during this journey is 3000 feet above sea level, and the typical length is one day. Highlights include visiting the forts of Shrivardhan and Manaranjan, which provide breathtaking vistas of the Sahyadri mountains. The ideal location, though, is Rajmachi Fort, a Shivaji-built building from the 17th century. You may stroll past verdant forests, sparkling waterfalls, and historic Buddhist caves. There are two ways to do this trek: from Lonavala and Karjat. Happy dance! The trail is marked and doesn’t require a guide.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Time: June to September
Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh
This challenging hike will start in Leh and take you via the Chilling, Skiu, Sara, Hankar, and Nimaling. One of the most popular treks in the area allows you to journey 65 kilometers over 10 days. The route is filled with quaint villages, well-preserved monasteries, abandoned forts, and temples, essentially mixing authentic Tibetan culture with Himalayan scenery. Ganda La and Kongmaru La are two cardinal passes that you get to traverse while taking in the endless Karakoram and Ladakh ranges. The breathtaking views of Kang Yatse Peak, K2 Mountain, and Stok Kangri (another well-known hike) are unmatched.
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Sandakphu Trek, West Bengal
The name “Trekker’s Wonderland” refers to Sakdakphu, the highest point in West Bengal. From a height of about 11,500 feet, take in stunning vistas of mountains including Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. A person can complete the 45 km walk in eight to nine days while passing through charming villages, enchanted forests, gorgeous sunsets that can be seen through the mountaintops, and lovely lakes. Colorful vegetation, the Kalapokhri or Black Pond (seen as holy by Buddhists), and the Valley of Poison, also known as Bikhey Bhanjyang, are among the region’s top attractions. You should stop at the base camp Jaubhari before starting the trek because it is a special little eco-village (it has just 10 cottages!). It is the ideal starting point for your adventure because of this.
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
