Adventure Trekking

Adventure trekking trail is magical in a country like India. You can climb huge Himalayan peaks or walk through icy deserts and tropical rain forests or go down vast Rolling Meadows without ever crossing a national border.

From crystal clear lakes to romantic spots and breathtaking heights of mountains, here are 12 of India’s most prestigious trekking trails that you should visit at least once in your life. All you need is a good pair of lungs and stable shoes.

The Hampta pass trek is about 35 kms. It begins from Hampta village in the Kullu Valley and ends at Chatru in the Lahaul & Spiti Valley. The Hampta Pass trek is an ideal hike for those planning their first hike. This hike leads you through varied landscapes from thick Deodar forests at the beginning, through snow-capped valleys and finally through the unique barren landscape of Lahaul and Spiti. In general, this hike is combined with a night of camping in Chandrataal, which contributes to its charm.

The Markha Valley Trek is certainly one of the most diverse and beautiful hikes in the Indian Himalayas. During the Markha Valley Trek we cross two Himalayan passes over 45,000 m. We walk through diversified terrain from amazing narrow valleys to far-open views of Ladakh’s unique barren landscape. What makes it even more special is the unique Buddhist culture that you will experience throughout the hike. The path is decorated with numerous “chortens” and colourful Tibetan prayer flags. This experience ends at the famous Hemis Monastery after crossing the 5150m high Kongmaru La Pass.

Nanda Devi is the highest peak in the Garhwal region of India. Nanda Devi national park is house for unique flora and fauna of Himalayan region. Trekking takes place in the Himalayan foothills and you will be able to see rivers, glaciers, streams along your way. This place is an epitome of natural beauty which attracts thousands of trekkers, photographers and mystics every year.

It is a good place for bird watching. Dodital is a small freshwater lake situated among snow-clad mountains in the Uttarakhand region. This lake is considered to be holy and is a site of natural beauty and cultural importance to the people and villagers. The journey to the lake takes you through snowy terrain with cool winds blowing through your hair. So, Dodital is a trek you will never forget and the scenic beauty of the Indian Himalayas will amaze you.

The Kuari Pass Trek is also known as “The Lord’s Curzon Trail” is one of the most beautiful walks in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand. The Kuari Pass, which gives you a spectacular view of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary and a variety of 7000m of snow-capped peaks that stretch in Tibet. A shorter version of the Kuari Pass trek can also be made in the winter.

It is possibly one of the most beautiful hikes in India, the name ‘Valley of Flowers’: this exotic valley turns into a colourful kaleidoscope filled with wild flowers like zinnias, petunias and poppies. It also houses several species of butterflies and endangered animals such as the mountain leopard and blue sheep. A moderately demanding climb (the whole hike may take a week), the 10 kilometer long valley.

Roopkund is a lake situated at an altitude of 5030 mts, famous for the human skeletal remains found at its bottom of the river. A journey to the remote Roopkund Lake takes you through scenic forests which cover beautiful flora & fauna with rivers gushing below you which will mesmerise you at first. The greenery, the birds of several species, the surrounding Himalayan peaks, the Hindu temples, Flat plains, all serve to make the trek to Roopkund a memorable experience.

The Stok Kangri is a mighty 6153 meter high peak, but you can experience without previous climbing. The walk starts from Stok village through patches of green fields in a cold desert. There are world records for the summit in less than 24 hours from Leh. But for an average person, the hike takes 9 to 12 days with proper acclimatization.

Goecha La trek is located in the beautiful state of Sikkim in the Himalayan region, opposite the southeast side of Kanchenjunga (3rd highest mountain in the world). The walk begins from the once capital of Sikkim- Yuksom. The trail leads through lush green forests, meadows full of Juniper and Rhodendron to rocky terrain with breathtaking views of the mighty Kanchenjunga.

This hike gives you goose bumps because of the sheer nerve kicks of trekking across a leaf of ice hence the name Chadar (Ice Sheet) trek. During the winter, when the temperatures fall to 20 – 25 Celsius below zero, the river Zanskar freezes. The frozen Zanskar ensures a stable ice cover. Everything on the Chadar trek uniquely off the ground – a frozen river, frozen waterfalls and also the adventure gear you use.

The Pindari glacier hike is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a simple hike starting from the picturesque village of Khati. The Pindari Glacier is the source of a Pindar Ganga, which is a tributary of the Alaknandas. This glacier is 3 km long and is located below Changuch. During this walk you will have a great view of peaks like Maiktoli, Panwali Dwar, Nanda Kot.

A trip to the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, this hike takes you to the Gangotri Glacier in Gomukh, the source of the Ganges. A true natural delight, the region has a wide variety of plants and animals, including rare blue mountain goats. The glacier is surrounded by beautiful mountains from all sides, a truly fascinating sight.