Posted 31 January 2023 in Travel Wanderlust

7 famous treks in India worth embarking on

Trekking is an adventure sport, popular among adventure enthusiasts. It is one of the popular adventure sports not just in India but worldwide. Trekking promises an adrenaline rush and a chance to greet the wonders of nature so closely. Indian Himalayan ranges are popular for offering several trekking trails for tourists to walk on for mesmerising views of mountains. Some treks are easy while some can be very difficult. Trekkers usually take the route less travelled by common people. The trails we have listed in this roundup are dotted with rich flora and fauna, temples, monuments, waterfalls, and greenery all around.

1. Markha Valley Trek

Markha Valley is nestled in Ladakh and is one of the largest valleys in the region. The trek to the valley is one of the most coveted hiking trails in Ladakh. The starting point of the trek is Leh.

The trail of the Markha Valley Trek will take you through the routes of Chilling, Sara, Skiu, Nimaling and Hankar. The maximum altitude of the trek is 5200 m above sea level. The Markha Valley Trek is completed in around 10 days. During these 10 days, trekkers will cross small hamlets, ruined forts, monasteries and temples.

The total distance of the trek is 65 km and trekkers would be required to cross Ganda La pass and Kongmaru La pass. As the trekkers ascend through the trek, they will get a chance to witness the surreal beauty of Karakoram and Ladakh ranges.

The spectacular view of K2 Mountain, Kang Yatse and Stok Kangri peaks are satisfying and the driving force of this trek.

Best time to do Markha Valley Trek: The best and ideal time to do Markha Valley Trek is from May to September. The weather is fine during those months and the sky is clear and sunny. After September, Ladakh gets colder and the snowfall starts.

How to reach Ladakh?

By air: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is the nearest airport to Ladakh. The airport is located at a distance of 4 km from Ladakh city centre. The airport is conveniently connected to major cities of the country like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh, among others.
By train: There is no railway station in Ladakh. The nearest railway station to Ladakh is Jammu Tawi Railway Station situated in Jammu. The railway station is located at a distance of 700 km from Ladakh.
By road: Reaching Ladakh via road is difficult in winters due to heavy snowfall on the roads. While the Manali to Leh route is blocked in December, Srinagar to Leh route is open throughout the year.

2. Beas Kund Trek

Beas Kund Trek starts from Old Manali in Himachal Pradesh of India and ends at Solang Valley. By embarking on this thrilling trek, you will cover a distance of 16 km at an altitude of 12,772 ft. The difficulty level of the trek is moderate. It is a 3-to-4-day trek.

Trekkers on this trek will treat their eyes to the views of Friendship Peak, Ladakhi, Shitidhar and Hanuman Tibba. If you are lucky enough, you will get to witness the surreal Deo Tibba, Mt Indrasen and many other beautiful peaks.

How to reach?

By air: The nearest airport to Old Manali is Bhuntar Airport which is also known as the Kullu Manali Airport. The airport is conveniently connected to all major airports of the country through Delhi. There are regular flights from and to New Delhi. The distance between Bhuntar Airport and Old Manali is 52 km. Tourists can take a private cab or bus from the airport to Old Manali.
By rail: The nearest railway station to Old Manali is Joginder Nagar Railway Station. It is located at a distance of 144 km from Old Manali. Reach Joginder Nagar Railway Station and then take a bus or a cab to Old Manali for the trek.
By road: There are several Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation buses that run to and from Manali, connecting it to nearby cities. Buses are the most convenient and easiest modes of transportation. Many private and luxury buses run daily from Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla and Chandigarh to Manali. One can then take a private cab or taxi to Old Manali.

3. Dzongri Trek

Dzongri Trek is one of the best treks in India in the Sikkim state. The trek is a 5-day journey and the difficulty level of the trek is easy to moderate. Yuksam is the starting point of the trek. Trekkers cover a total stretch of 21 km for the Dzongri Trek. Nestled at an altitude of 15,000 ft, the Dzongri La peak offers breath-taking views of the Himalayan mountains including Mount Kanchendzonga.

The trail of the trek takes the trekkers through the routes of Bakkhim, Siachen, Kanchenjunga National Park, Tshokha, several waterfalls and a few hanging bridges. Trekkers will also get a chance to see several species of flowers, including red and white rhododendron.

Best time to do the trek: Summer months from April to June and winter months from October to December

Read more about - Here’s why you should travel to Sikkim right now

How to reach?

By air: Bagdogra International Airport in Siliguri is nearest airport to Yuksam. Siliguri is connected to Sikkim via several road routes. The airport is located at a distance of around 140 km from Yuksam.
By train: New Jalpaiguri Junction is the nearest railway station to Yuksam. The railway station is located at a distance of 145 km from Yuksam. You can either take a cab, taxi or a bus from the railway station.
By road: Getting to Yuksam via road routes might take you longer than ever as the road conditions are not good.

4. Rupin Pass Trek

Rupin Pass is a high-altitude pass in Himachal Pradesh located diagonal to the Himalayan-mountain range. The starting point of this trek is Dhaula in Uttarakhand and it ends in Sangla district of the state. At an altitude of 15,260 ft, the Rupin Pass trek is one of the few treks that connects Uttarakhand to Himachal Pradesh.

During the trek, you will be welcomed by beautiful meadows, waterfalls, pine forests, rivers and snow-capped mountains. Covering a distance of 52 km, the trek can be completed in 7 days. The difficulty level of the trek is moderate to difficult.

Best time to do the trek: There are two ideal seasons for this trek. One is from May-June and another is from September to October.
Weather/temperature: The temperature during the day remains between 13°C and 18°C and drops between 0°C and 7°C at night.

How to reach?

By air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Dhaula. The airport is conveniently connected to major cities of the state and the country. IndiGo offers several flights from New Delhi and other major cities of the country to Dehradun. From Dehradun, there are buses, taxis, cabs and tempo travellers available for Dhaula village.
By rail: Dehradun Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Dhaula village. One can take buses, taxis, cabs and tempo travellers to the starting point of the trek.
By road: Dhaula is a small village in Uttarkashi. With regular government and private buses, Dhaula is well-connected to the neighbouring cities and districts. Buses are available regularly at short intervals to and from Uttarkashi.

5. Araku Valley Trek

Araku Valley is one of the most enigmatic hill stations of Andhra Pradesh. If you are on a trip to serenity and want a soul-soothing place, Araku Valley could be one of the places to visit. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh. Loosen up and rejuvenate in the lap of nature.

The hill station is fenced with lush greenery and serenity. One can witness rich flora and fauna at the hill station. One can find caves, brooklets, waterfalls, and several other natural gifts to relax your mind and soul. The Araku Valley is situated at an altitude of 1300 m from sea level.

The trek to Araku Valley is one of the adventure activities in Andhra Pradesh and is one of the best hikes in the country. The major highlights of the trek are Katiki Waterfalls and Bora Caves.

Best time to visit:Winter season from October to March is the best time to visit Araku Valley.

How to reach?

By air: The nearest airport to Araku Valley is Vishakhapatnam Airport. The airport is located at a distance of 110 km from the Valley. You can get a taxi or a private cab from the airport.
By rail: Araku Junction is the nearest railway station to the hill station. There are several trains that make a stoppage at the Araku Junction. Any train coming from Visakhapatnam stops at the hill station. The valley is located just 1.5 km from the railway station.
By road: Araku Valley can be easily reached by road. There are several state-owned and private buses that run from Visakhapatnam to the hill station. You can get a bus or a cab from Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley.

6. Triund Trek

Triund trek is one of the popular treks of Himachal Pradesh, known for its magnificent views. It is one of the easiest and shortest treks of the region with spectacular scenery of the snow-covered mountains of the Dhauladhar ranges and Kangra valley.

The trek culminates at an altitude of 7700 ft and is a weekend trek. Tourists can experience night camping under the stars for an unforgettable memory. While trekking, you will have the chance to visit the Bhagsu Nag waterfall which is the highest waterfall of McLeod Ganj.

McLeod Ganj is the starting and ending point of this trek. The total distance covered during this trek is 14 km.

How to reach?

By Air: Kangra Airport, located in Dharamshala, is the nearest airport to McLeod Ganj. The airport is situated at a distance of 22 km from McLeod Ganj. The Kangra airport is well-connected to major nearby destinations like Kullu, Delhi and Chandigarh.
By Rail: Pathankot Railway Station is the nearest railway station to McLeod Ganj. The railway station is located at a distance of 90 km from the starting point of the trek. Trekkers can take a bus or a taxi to McLeod Ganj from the railway station.
By Road: Buses are the most common and convenient mode of transportation. Several private and state-owned buses run through McLeod Ganj and major cities like Delhi, Kullu, Dharamshala and Chandigarh.

7. Har Ki Dun Trek

Har Ki Dun trek is one of the popular winter treks amongst adventure enthusiasts who love snow trekking. During winters, the area transforms into a wonderland with snow all around. The trail goes through some of the quaint and beautiful villages. The starting point of this trek is Sankri village.

The total time taken to complete this trek is from 6 to 7 days. The stunning views at an altitude of 11,675 ft are just breath-taking. The total distance of the trek is around 47 km and it would require a good fitness level to cover this distance on foot. However, the trek has an easy to moderate difficulty level.

Weather/temperature: In January, the temperature remains between 10°C and 15°C during the day and drops between 2°C and -5°C at night.
Best time to do the trek: From April to June in summers and September to December for winter lovers

How to reach?

By air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Sankri village. IndiGo offers several flights from New Delhi and other major cities of the country to Dehradun. From Dehradun, there are buses, taxis, cabs and tempo travellers available for Sankri village.
By rail: Dehradun Railway station is the nearest railway station to Sankri village. One can take buses, taxis, cabs and tempo travellers to the starting point of the trek.
By road: The starting point of the trek, Sankri village, is well-connected to the neighbouring cities and districts through regular government and private buses. Buses are available regularly at short intervals.

Travel tips

Always carry basic medications and a first-aid kit with you during the trek.
Always respect local cultures and keep a sensitive approach towards wildlife.
Before embarking on any trek, it is advisable to carry sufficient warm clothes and mountaineering
Always pay attention to the instructors and trek guides to keep problems at bay.
Take a day or two for acclimatisation before and after a trek.

Conclusion

There are several mountain ranges and hilly terrains in India that offer panoramic and breath-taking views. If you want to be close to nature and natural things, trekking is one of the best options. Wear proper clothes and right shoes and embark on a trek for the memory of a lifetime.